Line 6 Variax 300

Variax 300, 2005, Made In Singapore, Solid Alder Body, Unique Body Style, Unique Headstock, Rosewood Fingerboard, Volume Nob, 5-way switch + guitar model dial, Piezo Pickup, Active DSP Modeling, Fixed Bridge, Medium Jumbo Frets, Included Gig Bag, Floor Power Box, Data Cable, Instruction Manual, & Models 28 different guitars.

1st Thanks to all the reviewers especially the negatives. Even though I like this guitar, I knew what to expect thanks to NEGATIVE REVIEWS. This guitar is comparable to a real guitar in the way that an electric piano is comparable to a real, acoustic piano. First, let me cover what the Variax will NOT do well in terms of sound. DISLIKES = 1) Variax does not create all the harmonics of a real guitar. 2) Variax will not produce pinch harmonics (ZZ-Top) like a real guitar. 3) It does not react to distortion (Rock & Heavy Metal)like a real guitar. 4) It does not respond to hand muting like a real guitar. 5) It is NOT a good guitar for Heavy Metal sound. 6) Variax does not sound exactly like all the guitars it models although some sounds are close, or at least similar. 7) Many of the sounds have a wierd, subtle compressed phaser-like sound even with the latest flash memory upgrade. 8) Finally, the sound is somewhat sterile when clean & harsh when distorted (Honk).

But, now let me tell you why I like this guitar. LIKES = 1) Variax sounds good for clean rythm-style playing on a variety of models. 2) Variax sounds good for flat picking-style playing on a variety of models including some of the acoustics. 3) Makes a cool sitar simulation (Rolling Stones). 4) The tone is completely consistant everywhere on the neck in a way that is unlike a real guitar. 5) Because it does not have all the harmonics of a real guitar, individual notes stand out unlike a real guitar. 6) Sounds ok for certain styles of clean lead playing. 7) The tones are delivered SUPER QUIET unlike single coils on a real guitar. 8) If you tweak the guitar and reduce volume, you can get some unique and ok sound with distortion. 8) Finally, the best thing Variax does is deliver a VARIETY of clean tones.

I have used the Variax through my tube amp (Fender Blues Deville 410) and it sounds good. I have used the Variax through a POD XT-LIVE and it can sound good with a lot of tweaking. The Gibson J200 Acoustic model sounded great thru XT with NO AMP setting patched through the Power Amp in on my tube Amp. The Variax sounded horrible through my Metal Zone pedal on ALL MODELS and no amount of tweaking could fix it. Some of the models sounded ok through my Real Tube Overdrive pedal by reducing the guitar volume and with a lot of tweaking of the pedal, but definitely NOT like a real guitar (missing harmonics).

My first Variax 300 was defective, so line 6 sent another from the factory. The replacement plays fantastic for such a cheap guitar ($300). The action is relatively low and VERY playable on the whole neck. The guitar had many small flaws in the finish on the body and neck, but nothing too obvious or that would affect tone playability.

I suppose the Variax could hold up to live playing, but only time will tell. The hardware seems fine and stays in tune. The finish will probably wear off in time. Strap buttons are solid. I would NEVER gig without a backup for this guitar because it can't do everything a real guitar can do and the Variax has digital components that can break.

Big companies always seem to suck at support. I guess they were ok this time since I bought a defective guitar and they had it replaced within a week. It has a 1 year warranty.

I have been playing guitar for about 15 years. I mainly write my own music, but have been getting back into covering music in a garage band. I own a 1993 Gibson MIII (Metal, Rock, Clean, All Tone!), a 1981 Fender Srat (USA, Blues & Rock), a 1950 Danelecrto with lipstick pickup (Slide), a 1987 Epiphone Fat-Strat Copy (Rock), 2004 Dillion Fat-Strat Copy (Blues),a 1994 Ovation Acoustic/Electric, a 2002 Takamine Acoustic/Electric, and the 2005 Variax 300 (Rythm & Flat Pickin').

I plug through Boss Compressor/Sustainer, Real Tube Overdrive, MT-2 Metal Zone, or Pod XT Live via a 1995 Fender Blues Deville 4x10.

If the Variax was stolen, I might buy another. But, chances are the digital modeling technology will improve over time, so I might replace with something else.

For a Korean made axe I was impressed with the fit and finish. The satin neck is nice, although it really needed a to be set up out of the box. The frets are crowned well. It feels good in the hand.
Been playing for 37 years and I admit I was pretty surprised concidering the price.
The sounds are too cool.

I play hillbilly surf music and this guitar is now my main stage axe.
The sounds are pretty true to form as I have some of the real ones to check them against. If for no other reason I would recommend the guitar for the Coral sitar sound alone. It is quiet and sound great even plugged directly into my Blue Voodoo and marshall cab.

As already stated it needed set up. That was a breeze. I still give it an 8 because it is a pretty little thing

We will see.

Trying to register the thing on line was nigh on impossible as their website is a convoluted mess.

The local guy gave me a used case, which was very cool of him to through it in. He's trying to expand his product range, so I give him my exclusive guitar business, basses included, set-ups, strings, cables,acoustics,capos,harps,sax reeds,straps,etc....the one I have was on the wall. It worked fine, I took it home. I would have liked a maple fretboard a little more.

This made my personal studio so much neater and less cluttered, not to mention all the strings I'm not going to change. The sounds are all usable if you do what I do, which is record many styles. I'm running it through a POD 2.0 and it works out just fine.

It plays alright.....not like some guitars I"ve had...like a true 69 thinline, and a true 74 les paul custom. But, I do OK on any old junker anyway. It's fine for me.

It is a recording tool....unless I break it, nothing should happen.

I'm local, they're good to me, it will all work out I'm sure.

Like the rating says, it's a fantastic value.

You will have seen all this in previous reviews. I have the red one. It's a natural '10' given the huge range of sounds on offer.

I use the Variax 300 for home recording - I input directly into my Zoom MRS-802 8 track. The guitar is excellent for this purpose - the noise floor is below the earth's crust!
The best sounds come from the six string electrics, especially when matched to the appropriate on-board modelling effects on my studio e.g. strat/tele through 'Fender Twin'; Gibson firebird through 'Vintage blues'; Epiphone Casino through 'Beatle' etc etc. The Ricky 12 sounds are great within limits - riffing around the D and G strings gives a very authentic George Harrison sound, but hearty strumming results in nothing much more than a chorus effect.
I haven't yet managed to get a satisfactory sound from the acoustic guitars on offer - I will always use my 'real' acoustics for that. 'Reso' sounds are OK apart from banjo (nothing like!!) and Dobro (not Dobro-y enough!). All in all, definitely worth an 8.

Guitar buzzed a like a bee out of the box. Quick neck relief adjustment improved situation greatly, but a full set up is required. Frets are a little sharp. Paint finish excellent. Green-ish tint to scratchplate very pleasing to the eye. Holds tune without any problems.

The guitar feels solid enough and it is reassuringly heavy. I am sure it would stand up to live gigging. My only concern is the guitar selector, which feels a little flaky.

No experience, so N/A.

I am very happy with the Variax 300. The guitar has incredible features for the money, and it is highly recommended for the budget home recording 'artist'. I would definitely get another if mine went missing.
I only have one other electric (an Epiphone Sheraton), so my recent recordings are considerably richer for this new addition to my guitar collection.

Not up to scratch for SERIOUS PLAYING
Ive been playing since i was 13... I am now 49 so ive seen a few guitars.

I hate to be a party pooper. BUT .. I thought the sound of the variax was UNINSPIRING. i MOSTLY wanted it for the twelve electrics and acoustics. The 'doubling' string sound 'sounded' like it was way in the back ground, just very sublte and not in your face like a real 12. I used it through a new line6 spider amp. I found when you spanked the strings really hard everything sounded the same. The sitar you have to hit one string at a time staccato like to hear the effect. To me the acoustics didnt sound any better than acoustic SIMULATORS on modelling pedals. Still had that piezo THIN QUACK SOUND. Again when spanked hard i couldnt tell the acoustics from the electrics. I was using headphones at the time so it was very close to the ear. The only 12 string acoustic that has ever blown me away in all categories is a TAYLOR that cost $4000 dollars, and who can afford that. And i dont think ANY MODELLING could copy the playability and sound I had the joy to demo that day.

The action was 'ok' at best. I dunno why they wanna cut corners on guitars. I have a hand made Peavy Predator made in 1986 and it is AMAZING action maple neck, Id put up against new fenders anyday. i did rewire it with lace sensors and seymour duncans and new pots. It is butter touch. I found the line 6 a bit KLUNKY feeling, and ok in the first block for strumming. They should have had Ibanez make thier guitars, I had a Roland GR 300 back in the early 80's and the Ibanez made Roland-ready guitar was A GEM !! Ive never tried the 700 serious of variax.

Dunno.. didnt buy one.. although I went to the store with INTENT to buy that day. I just DIDNT HEAR IT. The sales person agreed with me.....

never ever got an email back from Line6 EVER!!!!!!!!!!

Id say Line 6 IMHO is at the baby stages of thier modelling technology. Lets see what happenes a few years down the road, who knows. I do know for me it would have to be a much thicker darker sound for me to bite. But i do applaud them for thier efforts, trail blazing is lonely business. Right now I put the instrument under the category of NOVELTY ITEM. I'll give it 5 for effort of inovation.

already stated, difficult to give a high mark due to lack of trem and locking tuners etc...BUT the inbuilt software is what marks it out as different and worth having so i give it an 8.

it sounds brilliant. i dont perform live - i imagine trying to get the sounds right in a gig could be more challenging, but for recording on my PC the Dobro sunds like a Dobro, the Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul, the Banjo sounds like a Banjo etc..etc.. astoundingly good quality when used in a studio as a recording tool. No hum from the pickups even when sitting right next to the monitor (hmmm i wonder if that means no feedback?) i use a Digitech RPX400 as my amp/effect modeller and recording interface and i like the combination of it with my Variax alot = very simple, very cheap, very flexible.
The wide variety of tones/feels available, and the fact they sound so 'real' means this axe MUST be a 10!

its a cheap guitar, but in my opinion a well made one, its very functional. mines black and i like the look of it - its light and the neck plays very well, i enjoy playing it.

well, i've heard of people killing their Variaxes by updating the firmware incorrectly (to use Work Bench), and im very gentle with it as im a bit paranoid about breaking the pots (which dont feel very solid) or damaging the internal circuitry (electronics dont like nocks and its not encased in a pretective shell like your average amp) - it doesnt 'feel' like it will take much punishment - but it might be in my head... ihavent 'tested it to destruction'

kind good?

there's an issue that some 300s cant be upgraded to a sufficient firmware version that will enable them to use WorkBench - in fact trying to do so kills some 300s stone dead! that's a bit of an issue, also some people have complained of micro-phonic feedback at high volume (doesnt bother me for recording) - the admin guys occasionally chip in on the boards to tell everyone they're looking into it. but there are some issues.

1)ive been playing for a couple of years recording on my pc.
2)i wish it had a trem but as the piezo pickups are in the saddles it needs a weird articulated one - i can live with it as a hard tail.
3)if it were lost or stolen i would DEFINATELY get another - its a very reasonable price for what it does.
4)i love the flexibility of it and the way its opened up my creativity and made different sounds/styles of music more available to me to play with - i also love being able to lay down a finger picked acoustic background and then a sweet sustained lespaul solo over the top without changing guitars. If Work Bench works i'll look forward to having alt tunings setup on the custom preset slots also.
5)i dont think you can compare the Variax to other guitars - im not 100% sure i like their effects or amp modelling much , but Line 6 REALLY GOT THE VARIAX RIGHT!

i imagine a 'real' les paul gold top or good strat will have its own charm and particular character in its sound, i dont think the variax is a replacement for these classic instruments - but if you cant afford 25 classic guitars its a very cool second best ;)- and an indispensible tool for the studio (like having a drum machine or a keyboard or a shure mic kicking around for when you might need them)

the balace of what it can do against how much it costs and that fact its nice to play makes this a 10.

bought new on e-bay ?200gbp, cheapo version of the not to impresive 500.Budget spec (no gig bag)

I have just sold a dreadfull 700, the sounds through a pod-live xt, are ok at first but after a while the too clean digi sound is just not quite right,I run the xt,into a modified laney Lc.15 valve amp with a vintage speaker and a special ef86 vint.pre-amp unit(bliss)then d.i. into a desk.The 700(black) was like a ton-weight and the trem is just awful!

The finish etc. is of no importance as I want the electronics to transplant into a yam/pacifica or a strat with a decent trem to make a good guitar.YES!!! you dont need a 700 to have a trem,the 500/300 system works on a 2-point trem (just drill out the holes for wires and swap the piezo sadds.So for ?200 + ?50-?150 for a donor-axe I end up with a guitar that peees all over a 700 for half the price and play's great.

They seem quite reliable so far,though the 700 packed-up on the 3rd gig and had to have a new main board fitted.One of several I have heard of.Must have a back-up!!

Line6 U.K.are very good and quicke to help.But you cant buy the guts seperately(wonder why?).

I am now a solo guitar/vocal entertainer after 40yrs of fighting and bickering with guy's who didnt want to play this song/gig/tour etc.pack-up pay out on new gear/van.I must at some time have owned nearly everything on my wish list,then sold it on and after a bit thought why? Just bought a yam/pacifica 812v,on a whim.have a westone-rainbow ii with a bigsby and s.d.59's that just makes a nonesense of gibson's335. It will go to the fire with me eventually
It sings like an angel.got a bound neck! and f'holes(gibson nil points).the variax will be for accoustic sounds .tele/12string .But only in its frankenguitarstien version.

All well known and documented.

Used through a Spider 2 and a Marshall AS50r. Astonoshing ! Quite frankly I dont how they do it, and I dont really care. All I want to know is when I hit that switch I want it sound and play like the guitars etc it models, and it does! To go from Full on Les Paul to Martin acoustic then to banjo then to whatever is just amazing. For the money for a gigging guitar used 2 or 3 times a week it cant be beaten.

Better than I expected, liked the cream scratchplate and cream dot markers against the red finish, looked different but still not to outlandish. Bridge and truss rod needed a tweak , but hey so did my ?1500 GoldTop when I got it. I have read a few of the reviews here , people say it isnt quite this or it isnt the same as that. Well I have been playing 35 years and I have never been completely pleased with my sound anyway, always looking for the holy grail. Well I dont think this guitar is the holy grail but its very close to it, and as I have said for the money its a no brainer. Better finish than I expected, feels comfortable standing or sitting.

Seems good and solid, have used the Spider 2 for about a year no probs at all, not expecting any.

Never dealt with Line 6, but my local store PMT in B'ham have been 1st class. Very customer service orientated. 10/10

I am considering the workbench product. I kinda feel this technology is just starting. What a leap forward. Who knows what next. Tuners built into guitars, self correcting tuning? how about drums and bass built in to the guitar and vocals! or even a digital recording studio combined with a cd writer in the back to record your live performance, or a built in radio system? Hey maye I should get a job in their RnD dept. But seriously this is just fab.

Built in Indonesia, the Variax has; 22 medium frets, is solid bodied - well ignoring the hollow under the thin scratch plate housing the battery powered/mains powered "electronics", has a volume, tone, model selection controls with a 5 way fender strat like pickup (?) selector, oh and 1 pickup per string! This is modelling guitar!

Its construction is cheap and cheerful with no thrills, the tuners are cheap, there are no bindings or even a back plate for the bolt on "fender Squier" felling neck". That said all very functional.

Accessoriers, a mains adapter for its modelling electornings, but nothing else.

... but (again) its has electronics which makes this very basic guitar have as many features as 25 of the very best guitars put together. And that's the point of the Variax!

Sounds, well for a cheap piece of drift wood (a little unfair may be), it'll blow your mind!

You select the sound you want from one of the 25 presets or 10 custom user settings; a solid bodied fender strat or tele, a Gibson Les Paul, a Firebird, a Rickenbacker 360, a semi Gibson ES or Epi Casino, an Acoustic 6 or 12 string, a Dobro, Sitar or even a banjo.

From reading feed back from other reviews, the sound is very authentic although I have read others with some doubts. The accoustics seem spot on, the 12 string really does sound good, better than my 1970's Fender 12. The strat and tele sound good too. The Les Paul, its a claimed to be a 59 Std, mine is a 2003 Std, but the Variax definately sounds like a Les Paul to me.

The electronics in the Variax 300 are the same as in the more expensive 700 model, and I have to say they both sound 100%.

This isn't a great sounding guitar, this is 25+ great sounding guitars. Ignoring the lack of pick-ups, the 300 looks a bit like a strat and sounds spot on, but close your eye's make the right selection and you really will not know this isn't a Martin or Guild 12 string or even a Les Paul.

Missing though is a nylon guitar, Gibson SG, and some good metal guitars. I'll reserve a slot in the 10 custom settings for when I can download them!

Oh and the Variax (300/700) have no un-wanted noise, its is clean and silent, no hum what's so ever.

This is a real gem!

The set-up of my ex-demo model from Guitar Village, Farnham, Surrey, UK was nearly faultless. Ignoring the 17th Fret, 6th string, there is no fret buz and its not going tot take much to fix that. The action and all is otherwise spot on.

When I first picked up this gutiar and played it unplugged, I have to say I was a little dis-apointed. To be fair I didn't like the feel of much better finished Variax 700 either, but that?s me I love my Les Paul.

The neck on the 300 felt very much like a Fender Squier, and very un-polished, not really to my liking. The tuners could be better, but I have to say they still did the job and so far it seems to hold its tune too!

But, plug it in and start playing around with all the sounds and its flaws seem to melt away. I actually can't believe I spent an hour playing it in the shop - nor I guess can any one else in the shop at the time, sorry.

Actually the Variax 300 plays remarkably well, even better after polishing the neck.

I've only had this a few day's, so haven't yet taken to a studio or gig, but would guess it'll do the job!

The strap bottons are secure and will be fine.

I don't know how this guitar will deal with heat changes so I don't know how well it'll stay in tune on the night. At this point I'll have to reserve judgement.

I haven't needed to contact line 6 about anything so far, but would n't downloading some metal guitar voices from the line 6 web site, but alas none found so far. Still the site does have useful info and who know's given time...

If you can accept that this is a cheap guitar, this is a real gem. Actually for the price it plays supprisingly well. Its worth buying just because it sounds so good.

However, when its comes to the Les Paul Std setting, I'll use a real one, thank you. I guess if I had a strat or Tele etc, I'd say the same.

...But a Les Paul Std costs #1300+, a US strat #700, etc, the variax 300 on the other hand costs just #300 (or less), and it can sound like any of the others. Its a bargin, how can you loose.

Erratum ... should have looked at the label before claiming it's "Made in China" in my previous review, it is indeed made in Indonesia, D'Oh!

The same place my former Squire Telecaster was crafted, which was a decent guitar in itself. I stand by my review: once the nut height is adjusted this is going to be one hell of a player!