Community: Message List

Variax Acoustic EQ question

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:11:50 GMT

I'm currently using a Variax Acoustic 700 as my main live/rehearsal guitar - I play Keys in a Rock Pop band (30% of the songs on acoustic guitar). I keep going back to the Variax due to the fact it's the ONLY acoustic guitar solution to cut through a 5 piece rock band in a small rehearsal space. I have Takamine's and Larrivee's with built in pickups and pre-amps but I find it frustrating having the whole band play ‘through’ my guitar. I have tried the L.R. Baggs Para, and Venue DI’s and still my Dreadnaughts sound like nothing but ‘boom and scrape’… so far the Variax sounds and cuts through the best.

I would like to adjust the EQ to remove what Sound on Sound Magazine called the ‘Banjo’ tone that prevails through all the Acoustic models. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

Tonebone (Radial) PZ deluxe?

Any pedal sized EQ suggestions?

The thing is most acoustic guitar pre-amps are not made for the Variax – it creates an already ‘produced’ tone.

Strangely enough I have tried a Fishman Aura pedal with the Variax and it adds a really nice ‘microphonic’ effect when blended in at about 11 o’clock. I also have a Boss GE7 EQ in my Rig that doesn’t seem to do anything except act as a booster and provide a little bottom end.

If there are any other Variax acoustic users out there wanting to bring their tone to the next level, I’d like to hear from you.

Variax Acoustic 700 EQ Questions

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:41:05 GMT

I'm currently using a Variax Acoustic 700 as my main live/rehearsal guitar - I play Keys in a Rock Pop band (30% of the songs on acoustic guitar). I keep going back to the Variax due to the fact it's the ONLY acoustic guitar solution to cut through a 5 piece rock band in a small rehearsal space. I have Takamine's and Larrivee's but I find it frustrating having the whole band play ‘through’ my guitar. I have tried the L.R. Baggs Para, and Venue DI’s and still my Dreadnaught sounds like nothing but ‘boom and scrape’… so fa the Variax sounds and cuts through the best.

I would like to adjust the EQ to remove what Sound on Sound Magazine called the ‘Banjo’ tone that prevails through all the Acoustic models. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

Tonebone (Radial) PZ deluxe?

Any pedal sized EQ suggestions?

The thing is most acoustic guitar pre-amps are not made for the Variax – it creates an already ‘produced’ tone

If there are any other Variax acoustic users out there wanting to bring their tone to the next level, I’d like to hear from you.

Re: Separate Variax Acoustic Forum?

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:32:26 GMT

I definately would like a separate fiorum for Variax acoustic users. I have been using a Variax Acosutic 700 for about 6 years now in the semi-professional Live and recording band. I'm pretty obsessive about maintaining tone above a faily loud 5 piece band...and the variax is the only thing that comes close. When I pose questions online to either the Gear Page or the Acoustic Guitar Forum - they go unanswered. Either the variax acosutic users are a very small group or there is a considerable amount of snobbery when it comes to modelling guitar sounds. I've got a bucket load of questions that have been building up. I'll pose them to this forum (if it in fact exists) and see if I can find some like minded people.

I play Keyboards in my band - comping on acoustic for about 30% of the material. Most of my concerns are about mainaining good tone and versatily while playing through the PA or my Keyboard Amp - effects etc.

Cheers Seratone

Re: How is it possible that the XPS-DI box is no longer manufactured?

support@line6.com — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:05:54 GMT

I'd like to build one as well. I use a Line 6 variax Acoutstic 700, a fantastic peice of equipment that's sad to see discontinued. this has been a primary part of my rig for years. I'm a keyboard player who plays acoustic guitar about 1/4 of the time.

My XPS box died tonight. I have taken it apart in the past and removed rattling bit of dislodged plastic and tightened the jacks. Ideally I'd like to find a 'mini' version to save on real estate on my pedal board. I have no need for the switching capability between 1/4 and XLR. I can't seem to find any used at the moment in North America - please tell me I don't have to buy one online from Holland in Euro's.

What I'd really like to do is make my own box using the existing components in a much smaller package I can veldro to the bottom of my Pedal Board (I'd have room for that Univibe I want).

Has anyone done this before?

ScottPayer: It sounds as though you might have a niche market here for making and selling your own - I'd certainly buy one!

Variax - Acoustic 700 - 'Fluttering Sound'?

support@line6.com — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:33:24 GMT

Hi Folks - two questions

I've been using a Variax 700 Acoustic for over 4 years as a staple main guitar in my Band - I'm a keyboard player, in a rock band, that has two other guitarists, that covers the acoustic parts as well (

also Banjo, Mandola, 12 string etc). I love this guitar, it's incredible to be able to hold my own, volume wise, with 2 Les Paul Players. I'm playing directly into my Keyboard amp - Traynor K4, with no reverb. Sound men are continually blown away with the sound and versatility (who's playing the banjo?!) as well as the simplicity of running my entire rig with one DI out of the back of the amp.

About two years ago the Variax developed a fluttering ' sound - not unlike wind blowing into a microphone. You can only hear it when the band is taking a break and the guitar is plugged in. At high volume it's not an issue, but it certainly is with recording.

I've replaced tip ringed sleeve cables

Tried different amps

Tried a new junction box and power supply

Tried 'clean' power at home

Any Idea's?

I live in Toronto and loathe the idea of sending the guitar to the States for repair - I assume it's out of warranty.

Another question - I use CAPO's a lot - but would like to try the custom tuning feature - so far I have found the manual incomprehensible.

If possible I'd like to be walked through:

Alternate tuning of the 12 string to DADGAD

Alternate tuning the other 12 string to the 5th fret

Alternate tuning of the 'dread' to the 5th fret

Any assistance would eb greatly appreciated

regards

Patrick