Line6 Variax 700 Sunburst Carved-Top

LINE6 VARIAX700TRSB Details ^top

A couple of years before Variax® was born, we decided to turn our attention from all that guitar gear to the guitar itself. We wondered—could it be possible to capture a complete range of this tone in one single instrument? It was a daunting task, but then so was the idea of squeezing a whole collection of amps and effects into one little kidney bean shaped metal box. So we figured, why not give it a go?

We knew our sounds would have to be amazingly accurate to meet the needs of discriminating guitarists, so we began an intensive research project into guitar physics. We assembled test guitars that would make Victor Frankenstein blush. We systematically examined every factor that contributes to a guitar's tone, and developed ways to measure the complex interactions of vibrating strings, resonant bodies, and magnetic pickups. More importantly, we developed ways to capture these interactions mathematically so we could get the same sounds from our guitar.

As we refined our measuring and modeling techniques, we began working on a new, powerful hardware platform that could deliver our shockingly accurate sounds. Variax needed to have less noise than a standard humbucker, the ability to switch sounds in the fraction of a second that it takes to slap a pickup selector switch to the next position, and be powered in a variety of ways. And, most importantly, perform so flawlessly that you could forget it's even there.

As the body and brain neared completion, it was time for us to create the soul. We auditioned an amazing array of vintage instruments to find the ones with the most distinctive voices and personalities. We applied our painstaking measuring techniques to these specimens, and refined our models while constantly referring back to the originals for accuracy. When the model reached the point not only sounding like the original, but also being as much fun to play, it was done.

The result of our labors? Variax. An entire guitar collection in a single instrument.

LINE6 VARIAX700TRSB Specs ^top

Carved-top ash over mahogany body (Translucent Colors) or carved-top solid mahogany body (Black Only)
One-piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, bone nut, and pearl inlays
Gotoh® Tuners
22 medium profile frets
25 1/2" scale length
10" fingerboard radius
Custom Baggs tremolo bridge
Standard 1/4" guitar output jack
Digital I/O jack for PODXT Live™, Vetta™ II, and Workbench connectivity
Volume and tone controls respond faithfully for each model
Included XPS A/B footswitch selects between two outputs:

1/4" standard guitar output for connection to any guitar amp

XLR balanced output for sending acoustic sounds to a separate amp or PA

Powered by footswitch, on-board batteries, Vetta II or PODXT Live
Custom-fitted heavy-duty gig bag

LINE6 VARIAX700TRSB Hear this Product ^top

STAGE

Listen to Variax 700

For years, guitarists have struggled with the fear of losing their most prized guitars on the road. You could probably count on one hand the amount of players who actually drag their one-of-a-kind vintage guitars to every gig. It's even worse for acoustic players. Even if you decided to pull out your favorite old acoustic, getting a properly miked acoustic guitar sound at stage volume can be an absolute nightmare.

What if you could take one guitar and not only have all your electric needs covered, but have a pristinely miked acoustic sound at the touch of a 5-way toggle switch? Sound too good to be true?

Recording Notes: Each song's guitar track was cut live in a single take and recorded with a Digidesign ® 001 recording system. They were tracked and mixed completely flat using a PODxt ™ for amp tones and the 001's Mic/Line input for the acoustic sounds.

STUDIO

Listen to Variax 700 (more samples)

Talk to any working studio guitarist and they'll tell you that traveling with a guitar trunk the size of a small car is the norm. When the red light is on, and you're expected to come up with "the right part," the last thing you want is an uninspiring guitar sound. Even if you have the right guitar in your road case, it's still going to take you few minutes to change, re-tune and get back into the vibe of the track. With Variax ® you'll be able to audition 25 different guitars all at the turn of a knob. Now that's inspiration at the speed of creativity.

Of course, for the rest of us who just want to demo an acoustic-heavy song at home before the dog and kids start making the "sounds of war," Variax will become indispensable. You'll be able to record a resonator, sitar or 12-string all without having to worry about mics or the bleed from the TV in the next room. Variax will help you be as creative as humanly possible with the 20 minutes you have after work and before you have to drive the kids to football practice and ballet lessons.

Recording Notes: Each song's guitar track was cut live in a single take and recorded with a Digidesign ® 001* recording system. They were tracked and mixed completely flat using a PODxt ™ for amp tones and the 001's Mic/Line input for the acoustic sounds

THE COLLECTION

Listen to Variax 700 (even more samples)

There's something magical about playing a 50-year-old guitar. Even better is a guitar that's actually been "played" every day of that half-century. Those instruments have a sound to them that only comes from the passing of time, hundreds of sessions, thousands of gigs. The guitars that are modeled in Variax® aren't just showroom pieces. They have been played to perfection. These guitars have dings, scratches, and, most importantly, unbelievable tone. With one knob and a 5-way switch, Variax will take you through this historic collection of guitars.