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Up to Discussions in Variax Guitars / Bass / Workbench
7003 Views 24 Replies Latest reply: Apr 6, 2012 1:34 PM by amx05462 RSS
thombuchanan Just Startin'
thombuchanan
1 posts since
Aug 16, 2006
Currently Being Moderated

Apr 2, 2009 6:30 AM

Lefty variax

Can you produce a lefty Variax 700 and a lefty Acoustic Variax, via a custom order, for me?

Tags: acoustic, 700, variax:
  • varimac Just Startin'
    varimac
    8 posts since
    Nov 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 2, 2009 4:37 PM (in response to thombuchanan)
    Re: Lefty variax

    Yeah - and while you're at it I'd like a new Ferrari and a large cake containing the Dallas Cowgirls!

     

    Sorry - couldn't resist.

  • amx05462 Power User
    amx05462
    3,495 posts since
    Sep 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 5, 2009 8:00 AM (in response to thombuchanan)
    Re: Lefty variax

    check on ebay i see lefty guitars there or craigs list  they might turn up a lefty bass as well

  • dmlabuda Just Startin'
    dmlabuda
    6 posts since
    Aug 27, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 27, 2009 5:00 AM (in response to thombuchanan)
    Re: Lefty variax

    Tom,

     

    See my post "Who wants a left-handed Variax", if enough of us lefty's voice our desire to have one, I'm confident they will produce a left-handed version.  It has to make economic sense.

     

    It's all a matter of time.

     

    Dave

    • drg0154 Just Startin'
      drg0154
      10 posts since
      Sep 3, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 12, 2010 9:10 AM (in response to dmlabuda)
      Re: Lefty variax

      I have been posting and calling about this for a couple of years. Lefty's have very limited opportunity to own ANY of the guitars that are modeled on the Variax. I own a lefty 500 and would purchase IMMEDIATELY a 700, especially if it is offered in all colors (would probably buy 2) and a Variax Acoustic as well. It is interesting to me that there are several threads on this issues and yet NOT ONE comment fro the staff who I know monitor this community. C'mon Line 6, if all of the other manufactures can offer lefty's in at least some of their models, why can't you? Sgin me up for 2 700's and an Acoustic. Money is in hand ready to be delivered, even at RETAIL (cringe).

      • johnpicton Gear Head
        johnpicton
        920 posts since
        May 14, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        May 12, 2010 10:02 AM (in response to drg0154)
        Re: Lefty variax

        I know this isnt what you guys are after and to be honest this is purely an academic question (as I am not left handed), but has anybody tried using workbench to virtually restring a right handed variax to be a left handed one (I know that it isn't the answer as the hardware will still be all wrong). Just curious.........

        • drg0154 Just Startin'
          drg0154
          10 posts since
          Sep 3, 2008
          Currently Being Moderated
          May 12, 2010 12:28 PM (in response to johnpicton)
          Re: Lefty variax

          I have not tried that, however, as someone who grew up in the 80's having to play almost nothing but upside down restrung guitars I have little interest in playing another upside down model when I can get left handed models in all major brands. I have used the workbench to design several original guitars that give me unique sounds for both covers and original material. Your proposition is interesting from, as you say, an academic perspective. I might fiddle around with it even though I have a lefty 500. Still wish Line 6 would step up to the left handed plate.

          • johnpicton Gear Head
            johnpicton
            920 posts since
            May 14, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            May 12, 2010 12:42 PM (in response to drg0154)
            Re: Lefty variax

            Don't get me wrong - I completely agree that Line6 should make provision, if I am right approx. 10% of the general population is left handed, and I may be wrong but I think I read somewhere that because it is the right cortex of the brain that factors most in creativity AND in controlling the lefthandidness (I am sure that isn't a real word!) of somebody, I would figure that the potential % of guitarists that are left handed must be in excess of 10% - Now that is a hell of a big part of your market to ignore.

             

            As I siad (and you acknowledged) I really am just asking out of interest - this thread provoked the thought..........

            • drg0154 Just Startin'
              drg0154
              10 posts since
              Sep 3, 2008
              Currently Being Moderated
              May 12, 2010 1:50 PM (in response to johnpicton)
              Re: Lefty variax

              Your look at the percentages is very interesting. I had not thought about the fact that the implied strengths of brains that operate in left handed people (meaning higher levels of creativity AND math) could reasonably be expected to yield a higher proportion of left handed guitar players. Someone in a variety of sciences could find solid disertation material in that research.

               

              An interesting side note is in the world of golf and golf equipment. Up until the 90's there was very little left handed equipment available. As a result there were very few left handed players on the PGA tour. I for one learned to play golf right handed as there was no left handed equipment available to me and "flipping them over" is not possible with clubs like it is with guitars; as my first guitar was a "flipped" acoustic. After companies began offering more and more of their product line in left handed models, the result was an exponential increase in left handed golfers on tour. Now, imagine if guitars companies followed suit and suddenly one could walk into a Guitar Center type superstore and the style, color, and price point selection for left handers equaled right handed guitars. Imagine the increase of players who are not forced to change hands and can express themselves as their chemistry intended? I know that the variety of left handed guitars today far outstrips the boat paddles with strings that passed as left handed guitars in the 70's and 80's. I now have quality mid-priced guiatrs to choose from, JUST NOT FROM LINE 6!

              • zapposharkfin Just Startin'
                zapposharkfin
                Currently Being Moderated
                May 12, 2010 2:47 PM (in response to drg0154)
                Re: Lefty variax

                I am lefty and I play left handed guitars.

                 

                I did originally start with a right handed guitar, just turned it the left-handed way on my lap (neck towards right). I can still play it like that, remember all the chords etc.

                 

                But it is just not the same and for decades all my guitars have been left handed - including Variax 500.

                When I bought my last (for the time being) guitar (Hohner G3T) last fall it was the first time I did not have to pay surplus for being a lefty. So maybe the times are changing. I hope Line6 will catch the wave.

                 

                In the age of computerized manufacturing and made to order, delivered to prefence it is so hard to accept any explanations for not providing lefties. It is just a matter of will.

                I will buy Variax Acoustic and a JTV the day the left hand models are available. I will even pay surplus, I'll just consider it as charity to a poor, poor but considerate manufacturer.

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                • gordii Just Startin'
                  gordii
                  16 posts since
                  Nov 7, 2009
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  Apr 10, 2011 4:40 PM (in response to zapposharkfin)
                  Re: Lefty variax

                  I too am a Lefty, and have to say I feel really discriminated against by Line6. However, for a company so innovative, so forward thinking and so ground breaking to ignore between 5 and 10 percent of the population is not merely discrimination, but also bad management at the highest level. If they were to do proper research, coupled with a marketing campaign, I´m almost certain they could corner the market on left handed guitars, as did Ibanez and CSI in the late 70's. After hearing about the Variax, I simply had to own one. I would hardly ever be able to afford any one of the modelled guitars otherwise...specially as left-handed ones are even more sought after. A 300 appeared on Ebay, and after bidding over 700 Euros for it, I dropped out at the last second, sanity having kicked in. I did buy a "normal" 300 (a righty?) for 340 Euros and play that through the Pod 2.0 Hendrix style, and I have to say I'm blown away by the sheer combination of sound possibilities available. My blues has never ever been this good in 30 years! And yet I can say in all confidence knowing that the board of directors will never read this mail; in their handling of a minority  group of potential buyers, Line6 STINKS! I mean, should I really choose a new amplifier from them even though I´m discriminated against by them? I'd trade my righty for a new lefty at the drop of a hat and be happy to pay the left-hand Tax if needs be, but obviously the maths don't add up somewhere, otherwise we'd all be satisfied customers not just the 90% that they cater to at the moment. One final thought. I bet if McCartney were to ask for a Variax, he'd not only get it left hand, but with brass knobs on :-)

                     Greetings from Germany!

                  • amx05462 Power User
                    amx05462
                    3,495 posts since
                    Sep 1, 2008
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    Apr 10, 2011 4:46 PM (in response to gordii)
                    Re: Lefty variax

                    well  as to the  mccartney  thing  i can tell you  when he  got  his casino it was a right handed  model. apareently  the company doesnt feel  the  left handed  market  for there  product  is lucrative  enough to justify   making them  same  for the variax  bass  and   nylon  acoustic.

                     

                    while you  may  personally  want one    they dont feel there  would be  enough  sales to justify  making    them.   you could however    put  your  variax  electronics  into a  lefty  guitar  of your  choice  and simply reverse  the bridge  connections.

                    • gordii Just Startin'
                      gordii
                      16 posts since
                      Nov 7, 2009
                      Currently Being Moderated
                      Apr 24, 2011 4:17 AM (in response to amx05462)
                      Re: Lefty variax

                      Thanx for the reply, and originally it was my intention to install the electronics into a lefty guitar. However, I was so impressed with the action and feel of the guitar as it was, i was loathe to build the good electronics into a possibly bad guitar and end up dissapointed. I still think Line6 could make a lefty and put almost any reasonable price tag on it and make a profit aswell as win over some new customers. Happy customers are repeat customers, unhappy ones are bad advertising.

                      greetings

                      • amx05462 Power User
                        amx05462
                        3,495 posts since
                        Sep 1, 2008
                        Currently Being Moderated
                        Apr 24, 2011 4:35 AM (in response to gordii)
                        Re: Lefty variax

                        well i do agree  but    i would  imagine  line 6  is  going  by  past  performance  and there  sales  stats.ive  met  alot  of  guitar  players  over  the  yearshaving  worked in a club.   honestly    i dont remember  any  leftys.      my  point  being   from your  point  of  view   and  i agree  there  is  a market  but  unfortunately  from there  point  of  view   there  isnt.

                         

                          what  id  suggest to you  is to  look into  a  nice  fender  jazz  bass   and  transplant   the  electronics  into  it. in my  opinion that would  be the  best  of  both  worlds  for   you.  you have to  bear  in mind  that   most  of the  cost  of  the  guitars  you  buy  from line  6   is the  electronics.  so your  body and  neck  are  not  of    the  quality  you  would  expect  for the  price.  and   thats  not  only  my  opinion  but  that comes  from  the   renkin forum.   the  one    they  were  asking  what    we  wanted  in a guitar.   so if  thats  coming  from the  guy  that  is incharge  of the  jtv  projectt  . id  take it  as  fact. so  to put  there   electronics  in a    better  quality  bass  can  only be  a plus.

                         

                           besides  the  bottom line  is  there   just not gonna  do it.

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