jcmathews Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I'm thinking about buying a used Variax, and there's a chance I might not be able to give it a full test before purchasing. Three questions: 1) Can anyone identify this Variax model? 2) What are the tell-tales one should look for when considering buying a used legacy Variax like this? 3) With my rig I use keyboard emulation pedals (EHX Mel9, B9). I've noticed that different pickups push the pedals very different, with weaker pickups producing less of a signal from the pedal. Does anyone think the Variax might not send enough signal to push the pedals, based on the pickups it uses? Thanks very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmathews Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 And one follow-up question -- is there any reason to ensure I can register the Variax (as I did with my Helix) or is that unnecessary since Line6 no longer supports these models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janjanjan Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 13 hours ago, jcmathews said: I'm thinking about buying a used Variax, and there's a chance I might not be able to give it a full test before purchasing. Three questions: 1) Can anyone identify this Variax model? 2) What are the tell-tales one should look for when considering buying a used legacy Variax like this? 3) With my rig I use keyboard emulation pedals (EHX Mel9, B9). I've noticed that different pickups push the pedals very different, with weaker pickups producing less of a signal from the pedal. Does anyone think the Variax might not send enough signal to push the pedals, based on the pickups it uses? Thanks very much! Hi! 1. Looks like a Variax 500 to me. I have exactly the same guitar. Your serial number might indicate that it was manufactured in 2003. 2. Check so all the sounds play as expected. Check so the model knob switches sounds as expected. Check so the neck is straight. See so you can return the item to the seller if you decide to. 3. You can always trim your output signal for the different models with Variax workbench or just use a clean boost pedal to unify your gain. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmathews Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 It's a 500 Electric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmathews Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 50 minutes ago, psarkissian said: It's a 500 Electric. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawkman Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Can someone help me identify my Variax? I got it used several years ago. and never used it since I bought it. I downloaded a manual but they don't quite match so I need to find a manual by model number. There is some sort of what looks like a covered jack next to the quarter inch plug and not sure how to access it and am afraid to break it.Isthere som sort of special plug for that other jack and if so is there other hardware involved? SN is 05020520 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Variax 300 Electric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 On 2/24/2025 at 10:55 PM, Dawkman said: Can someone help me identify my Variax? I got it used several years ago. and never used it since I bought it. I downloaded a manual but they don't quite match so I need to find a manual by model number. There is some sort of what looks like a covered jack next to the quarter inch plug and not sure how to access it and am afraid to break it.Isthere som sort of special plug for that other jack and if so is there other hardware involved? SN is 05020520 The special jack is for the Variax Digital Interface (VDI). It supports communication with a computer for a guitar model editor called Workbench, and supports firmware updates which you probably won’t need since there haven’t been any for many years and won’t be again. It also supports communication and interaction with certain old Line 6 guitar amp and FX processors. Search for Line 6 VDI if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurghanico Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 On 2/25/2025 at 4:55 AM, Dawkman said: I need to find a manual by model number --> Variax 300 User Manual --> Variax Workbench FAQs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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