Anyone bought a Standard Variax lately?

[Gkf9]

I'm still undecided wheather to go for the JTV69S ( I like the maple neck ) or the Variax standard?

 

Can't really try any atm with out having to travel further a field.

 

I hear the JTV is better, then some people prefer the standard.

 

Would really like the pros and cons of both.

[cruisinon2]

I'm still undecided wheather to go for the JTV69S ( I like the maple neck ) or the Variax standard?

 

Can't really try any atm with out having to travel further a field.

 

I hear the JTV is better, then some people prefer the standard.

 

Would really like the pros and cons of both.

The Standard is a Pacifica with Variax guts...I'll leave it to you to decide if that's a good thing or not. Opinions vary. Pacificas range from about $150 to $500/$600 on the high end, WITHOUT any fancy electronics. The Standards are what, $800 or so? You do the math.

 

As for the 69, the stock neck is a dog, imho...too fat where it should be narrow (profile), and WAY too narrow where it should be wider (at the nut). This of course is subjective, like everything else. You might love it. However, if you don't like the neck on the 69, at least you're not stuck with it. Any Strat neck is a drop-in replacement...and as a bonus, it spares you the dreadful headstock, which is basically a giant billboard for James Tyler. Casino marquees on the Vegas Strip are more subtle. Can't do that with the the Standards...Strat necks don't work. Pocket might fit, but there are scale length issues. Intonation would be a problem.

[Gkf9]

Thanks,cruisinon

That's the problem, there's no shops near me stock the JTV69 to try out.

 

So it would have to be a blind buy off the Web. There's so many mixed reviews it's frustrating.

 

I certainly know what you mean about the head stock tho, way way to much graphics in there.

 

I don't know where I'd get a replacement neck from here in the UK.

[cruisinon2]

Thanks,cruisinon

That's the problem, there's no shops near me stock the JTV69 to try out.

 

So it would have to be a blind buy off the Web. There's so many mixed reviews it's frustrating.

 

I certainly know what you mean about the head stock tho, way way to much graphics in there.

 

I don't know where I'd get a replacement neck from here in the UK.

They're hardly ever in stock anywhere. These things don't exactly fly off the shelves. Still waiting for my first retail sighting. Not holding my breath, though. Almost everybody ends up buying blind online...it's either that or a road trip.

 

Everything on earth has mixed reviews. If you only go by that, you'll never buy anything.

 

As for the necks, I'm sure there's a Strat or two on your side of the pond...and at some point, somebody must have needed to replace a damaged neck. Stew-Mac stocks the Mighty Mite necks, and there's always Warmoth. But an honest to God Fender neck will work just as well. Specs are identical. I know Fender sells replacement bodies...there's a shop near me with a stack of them. If they're doing that, can't imagine why they wouldn't sell the necks too. Any Fender dealer should be able to locate one for you.

[Gkf9]

Yeah there's plenty of stock when buying online, but like you said not any in the shops.

 

Yeah there should plenty of strat necks about, I was getting mixed up thinking it needed a special neck.

 

Mis- read your post about the strat neck being a straight fit.

 

I usually take reviews with a pinch of salt, but it's always hard to ignore them when your parting with your hard earned cash.

 

Thanks again for your reply been very helpful.

Going to a few shops tomorrow and hopefully they're have one in or something very similar to get an idea of the feel.

[benligil]

Hi everyone,

I have mine almost for a week. I didn't bring it to luthier for fine tuning yet, but the current setting is quiet playable. it came strings loose and after playing and tuning for a couple of day it began to stay in tune. Istanbul nowadays are over 30 degrees Celsius with humidity son it normal that guitar go out of tune a little bit.

 

Iwill inform and share patches as I go deep with it and Variax HD. I haven't tried it yet with my POD X3 Live, but I am currently experimenting with a Zoom MS-100BT pedal with very simple amp settings to Computer running Steinberg Cubase DAW and MR816-CSX.

 

Now mine first impressions:

• Guitar is well built but it's not an American Deluxe Strat I also have, but OK, even very well for the money (I paid 640 Euros)
• I also bought external foot pedal A/B switch with power so I don't use batteries at home
• Be very careful and gentle by inserting Ethernet plug to connect to Computer and be even more gentle plugging it out.
• Go without amp modeling on acoustics and even maybe on jazz models.
• Regular Pickups: They are fine it's standard nice Strat sound. It's entertaining compare models with this one to see how sound changes. In future , I might change them to Seymour Duncan Everything Axe set i, I have one on my guitars and I like Humbucker sound in bridge position.
• Models overall : If you use it on standard tuning and don't push the limits of the CPU (think as a regular computer) you will have very satisfactory results. I felt a tiny lag o baritone tuning and some "artificialness" on higher registers on 12 string combined with alternate for example but you can manage and play if you adjust to it.
• Acoustic Models: You have not three but five regular acoustics, you just should turn off parallel pitch on 12 string models and they sound quiet good actually. 12 string playing is little bit tricky, as a rule you shouldn't do what you wouldn't do on a real thing. Strumming and arpeggios are OK but no bending and careful with vibratos. Resonators are very good and inspiring.
• Using Variax HD I made a 5 sting banjo tuning (http://www.pluck-n-play.com/en/tuning/banjo-tuning.html) and it came alive (I turned off E string and +10 for A to upper G, it sounded unnatural so I reduced volume to 40 %)
• There's no word for sitar, it is just worth to pay just for this model.
• Electrics: As a rule of thumb it's a nice start to go result oriented. If you go shredding with arch top and jazz model it won't give you results. But with a clean sound, some chorus and and touch of reverb and soft or finger picking they show their true power.
• You can choose for a widest range of palette if you would play blues, rock and country with default models.
• I had a Guitar Fetish parts project guitar, a 250 $ Strat with H-S-S lipstick configuration and I try to imitate it on Variax HD and I got similar results with a Fender amp and Compressor before it you get a very nice Robert Cray Sound (especially positions 4 and 5), although I never saw Robert Cray would play with lipsticks.
• Even if you play Heavy Metal you might overdub tracks with Nashville tuning that you can do with Variax instantly that makes your recordings more bold an big. (Nashville tuning: +12 for low 4 strings)
• I have generally an idea where to use a Tele, Strat or Les Paul, but for the other model I believe I had to spend time and experiment to use a Rickenbacker or Gretch in a useful manner.
• I am playing in a local community orchestra (Istanbul! 17 millions! local  :)  )and we play many kinds of music ranging from Rock to 70 Pops, Greek and Mediterranean to Turkish to Middle Eastern. I found a bouzouki patch which is also good as a mandolin on country or Italian music.
  http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9647.0
• It's nice to play real time with pickups and bodies and create new models. I made some 335 with modern humbucker a la Alvin Lee or Dave Grohl and Lipstickcaster I mentioned above.
• I agree with people on forum that i would be a nice touch to have a classical guitar and maybe and oud and lute (I know I expect too much :) ) , the world of stringed instruments are far rich beyond those modern axes in popular music.
• Still you can have some nice and interesting patches with current acoustic and resonator models.

Thanks for reading this.

Emrah

[Smashcraaft]

Welcome Emrah. Very good and helpful first impressions!

I think you are on the right way. Good luck and have fun  :)

[lizo5150]

Oh my gosh emerald green how cool is that ,bet I'm first to notice can I have a free one ? Me mummy says if yah don't ask yah don't get . Well done line 6 .

[cruisinon2]

Oh my gosh emerald green how cool is that ,bet I'm first to notice can I have a free one ? Me mummy says if yah don't ask yah don't get . Well done line 6 .

OK, I'll bite...what on earth are you talking about?

[lizo5150]

Hi guru ave a peak at the bottom of the promo page ,green as grass well emeralds .

[soundog]

Look for deals. I picked up a very-lightly used (like new) cream Standard for $440 at Guitar Center. Some folks buy one, and then decide they don't like it .... their loss, your gain. The set up wasn't bad when I bought it, but I set everything up for the way I like, and am quite happy with the workmanship and playability of the guitar. Can't compare it to a JTV model, though, as I haven't played one. 

[ColonelForbin]

Oh my gosh emerald green how cool is that ,bet I'm first to notice can I have a free one ? Me mummy says if yah don't ask yah don't get . Well done line 6 .

 

 

OK, I'll bite...what on earth are you talking about?

 

 

Hi guru ave a peak at the bottom of the promo page ,green as grass well emeralds .

 

 

http://store.line6.com/products/guitars/variax-limited-edition-emerald-guitar.html

 

Quick Overview

Well that was fast!  We just sold through the entire first batch of these guitars in less than a day!  Hang tight, we'll have more next week!

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, Line 6 is pleased to introduce the new Variax® Limited Edition Emerald guitar. Featuring custom emerald green finish with a black pickguard and black pickups, each guitar includes a “Limited Edition†insignia and custom serialized number plate. Variax Limited Edition Emerald combines incredible Variax HD technology, addictive playability and unmatched versatility with a striking new look that demands attention.

 

[andrewthouston]

The Standard is a Pacifica with Variax guts...I'll leave it to you to decide if that's a good thing or not. Opinions vary. Pacificas range from about $150 to $500/$600 on the high end, WITHOUT any fancy electronics. The Standards are what, $800 or so? You do the math.

 

As for the 69, the stock neck is a dog, imho...too fat where it should be narrow (profile), and WAY too narrow where it should be wider (at the nut). This of course is subjective, like everything else. You might love it. However, if you don't like the neck on the 69, at least you're not stuck with it. Any Strat neck is a drop-in replacement...and as a bonus, it spares you the dreadful headstock, which is basically a giant billboard for James Tyler. Casino marquees on the Vegas Strip are more subtle. Can't do that with the the Standards...Strat necks don't work. Pocket might fit, but there are scale length issues. Intonation would be a problem.

Good to know. I generally prefer the look of the Std (even with the four knob thing), but if they're not using the standard strat neck... Likely a deal killer right there.

 

I don't know where I'd get a replacement neck from here in the UK.

Warmoth gets the most mention, but USACG (which get my love) and MusiKraft are also premium. The factories generally keep a good stock (at very reasonable prices), or they'll build them exactly to your spec.

 

Mighty Mite is good, but considered a step down overall.

 

A lot of these can be had on ebay, or they may ship to UK as well. Although I'm sure there are good makers on your side as well.

[Gkf9]

Good to know. I generally prefer the look of the Std (even with the four knob thing), but if they're not using the standard strat neck... Likely a deal killer right there.

 

Warmoth gets the most mention, but USACG (which get my love) and MusiKraft are also premium. The factories generally keep a good stock (at very reasonable prices), or they'll build them exactly to your spec.

 

Mighty Mite is good, but considered a step down overall.

 

A lot of these can be had on ebay, or they may ship to UK as well. Although I'm sure there are good makers on your side as well.

Thanks for the info, but I've really got use to the JTV neck now and I'm quite liking it.

[madmalcnoodling]

I just traded in a Yamaha 112v for a variax standard (4 hours ago to be precise).

 

I live up to the mad part of my name as I prefer the Yamaha neck to a strat neck.

 

The set up from the UK retail shop is good and they let me noodle around with it through a shop amp for nearly an hour.

 

Back home I've updated the software and I can now go hunting for other instrument profiles.

 

So far I'm pleased with it.