Line 6 Variax 700 Acoustic

The main feature for this guitar is all the models. Some are good, some are so-so. You also get the ability to have electronically controlled alternate tunings, virtual mike placement, and compression.

This is a difficult one on this instrument. Does it sound like a live, acoustic guitar? No. It can sound like a well recorded acoustic guitar, however. A previous reviewer mention that the models should be viewed as being inspired by certain guitars. I think that is the right attitude to approach the variax acoustic.

I have had the guitar for about a week. So far I like the Gibson models and Dobro models the best. The Martin parlor is also getting a lot of use. I think part of learning this instrument is figuring out which model(s) to use for a particular song/style. I am finding that in one instance I might really like the Martin 000-28 model but not like it at all on another song. It really depends. The bottom line? I think that I could fool the average person listening with eyes closed to this guitar compared to a reasonably priced acoustic-electric in a solo performance. In a mix, the variety of models to choose from is great. Even the 12 strings (which I think are weak), work in a mix.

The Gypsy and Jazz models are good, but not great. The banjo sounds like an electric banjo to me -- Bela Fleck anyone? The Gibsons are great. The Martins are growing on me (I have played Martins guitars for years, so I'm a tough sell on those). Since I have a good quality electric-acoustic nylon string, I haven't tried the nylon model yet.

Overall, good marks and thanks to Line6 for developing a creative and well sounding product. Don't sell the old Martin, but get the Variax Acoustic to add lots of spice to your gigs and recordings.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the body of the guitar. It is a solid body, but has fairly good tonal qualities. There were a few minor blemishes on the back of the guitar, but nothing you would notice at a casual glance. The action is low -- maybe too low for some folks. It looks like an easy adjustment, however. It plays easily, almost like an electric to me, even with 12s on it. One low point was the strings. They were dead, and the bottom E string was the wrong size for the rest of the set! A new set of strings improved the feel and sound of the guitar. I did not need to make any adjustments to the guitar.

Fingers are crossed. This is my first Line6 guitar.

No need for customer support so far.

At first I was a little leery of the guitar, but I have come to love in a week of playing. Many thanks to my wife who must love me to buy it!

I just paid for mine.It'll be here in a week.I've been into modeling
since the beginning having owned the Line6AX2,Yamaha DG Stomp, The Line6 PODxt, and the new MagicStomp by Yamaha.
I think Line6 is the hands down top dog when it comes to innovation and quality, and sound in modeling.
Based on my research, and a lot of that comes from this website, I'm purchasing this guitar without really seeing it or hearing it. I really feel it will be great.

Based on what I've heard, and read, I'll give this baby a 10. The hype has been great.

All I've heard about this new guitar says it sounds great.And in recording these guitars should or will come into focus much more.

Playing live you need to think of what is your chain of signal,what is your speaker system? this is so important. I use two Tech21 Power Engine 60 power amp/cabs. These were designed to have no tone, be transperant as possible. I think they sound awesome with the PODxt
and they will sound great with my new acoustic modeling guitar.

I don't like the name though. sounds like a perscription for meds.

Based on my expectations it gets a 10

This is the area that will make or break any possibility of a long term relationship. If it don't feel right it's gone. I have five days to return it and I will if this thing doesn't play well. I expect it to be a very playable guitar but not a great one so I'll give it an 8

All Line6 gear I've bought has held up well. Built better than average
That's a 10 in this day and age.

As is all areas of this most booming of music companies I can still
talk to someone in customer support and get help. I've called a couple of times.

This whole thing is a gamble for me. I expect a 10

I'm looking forward to my next review of my new fantastic
"wonder guitar" now that's a name.

Mahogony body, cedar top...Ton of useful features. I think the virtual capo is one of the most useful things ever. Check www.line6 for all the specs...

One should not be too critical when comparing the sounds to the actual guitars that it is modeled after...Though it does a great job of emulating them, it has a charactistic of it's own...which happens to be very cool. I would say the sounds are "inspired" by the models listed...When put in a mix, it can sound very convincing. I think the JUMBO model sounds great when strum...the Triple O sounds very good when finger picked...The Sitar is excellent...Never heard a more realistic sitar emulation...The Nylon...hmmm...Though it's playable, I wouldn't sell my real nylon guitar just yet...Overall, the sound is great. It definitely beats having to mic acoustic guitars in my small home studio. The sounds are bright and powerful...

The setup was perfect out of the box...practically no fret buzz...I couldn't believe it, but it was actually in tune right out of the box...The guitar looks beautful and plays just as well...The only gripe would be the lacquer on the guitar...I noticed that Korean made guitars sometimes go overboard with the lacquer...There is a lot of lacquer on the entire guitar...In fact, on the headstock there is a bump where the excess lacquer dried up while it was dripping down the headstock...It's not too bad to look at though...Other than that, the guitar is absolutely pristine...One of the best Korean made guitars I've played...Any Korean guitar you pay over a grand for should be made pretty well...

Seems like a solid guitar...Definitely could gig without a backup. I do worry about the knob...There is ONE knob that basically controls everything...I'm afraid I might break it cuz I'm going nuts going through the sounds every 5 seconds...I wish there was some sort of display that shows the edits, etc...

Haven't dealt with them yet...

Overall, it's a very useful guitar for live or studio. It's one of the coolest things to happen to acoustic guitars...true genius...It will put an end to the plastic sounding standard "piezo" pickups of all acoustic/electric guitars of the past...I'm a happy camper...

Made April 2004, 24 frets on thr treble side, Solid Mahogany Body, Laminate Cedar Top, Variax controls for model selection, compression, volume,mic positioning. Mahogany Neck 1 and 11 sixteenths fingerboard, Rosewood fingerboard,Rosewood bridge with six piezo elements adjustable for height. Ping? Tuners, gig bag, trs lead, footswitch, manual

Acoustic modelling, some are awesome some are diabolical. The acoustic dreadnought in open A tuning through a PA is very impressive. The Triple O in DADGAD is very good, The Parlour fingerpicked is quite authentic and even re-creates the boxy sound. The Nylon is excellent. The 12 strings nearly credible in a mix, The Banjo is a Joke. It's Quiet and some tunings are better suited to different models. The mic positioning is really just a tone control but the compressor is very useful for evening out your pickink attack. Occasionally you'll hear wolf tones and certain fret positions are overly loud. String balance suffers on certain settings. Overall though a very useful live tool and for studio work. Best used in a mix rather than solo.

Well set up, nicely finished albeit very Korean. Needed to drop the action slightly

Looks tough and durable. I worry about the lifespan of the rotary control with all that switching and pressing. Quite heavy, could take a fall.

not applicable as yet

I like it. I would replace it because I think it will be invaluable a a stage guitar for live performances where it's versitality lets me be lazy. Don't compare it to your collection, see it as a new and very different addition that can do things no other guitar can do.