which model Variax?

[mojobone]

I should add that 12 string emulation is one Variax feature that works best on stage; for instance, the fingerpicked intro to Mr Tambourine Man will not sound right because on the Rickenbacker the octave strings are closer to the ceiling, meaning they're hit first with a downstroke. When you have a part with downstroked thumb and upstroked fingers, it's painfully clear on any recording approaching broadcast quality that the order of strings being plucked on the Variax doesn't change regardless of pick direction. You'd think this would affect strummed parts as well, and it does, but not so much; you can effectively add snap and sparkle or bold thickness to arpeggiated rhythm parts, so long as they're not too exposed. Most acoustic 12-strings have the octave strings mounted the opposite way, but the distinctive effect is similarly obvious when it's not present.

[funsongs]

I should add that 12 string emulation is one Variax feature that works best on stage; for instance, the finger-picked intro to Mr Tambourine Man will not sound right because on the Rickenbacker the octave strings are closer to the ceiling, meaning they're hit first with a down-stroke. When you have a part with down-stroked thumb and up-stroked fingers, it's painfully clear on any recording approaching broadcast quality that the order of strings being plucked on the Variax doesn't change regardless of pick direction. You'd think this would affect strummed parts as well, and it does, but not so much; you can effectively add snap and sparkle or bold thickness to arpeggiated rhythm parts, so long as they're not too exposed. Most acoustic 12-strings have the octave strings mounted the opposite way, but the distinctive effect is similarly obvious when it's not present.

Having owned a Takamine acoustic 12-string - I appreciate this detail about the string-orientation, Mojo; i.e. the high string goes on the high side.

[funsongs]

Just so happened that a solo act/Dude/singer/guitarist/with foot-operated percussion toys -
was one of the St. Patty's Day performers at our town's one & only Irish Pub.
AND - I noticed he was playing a Line-6 Variax... on many songs using the low, Baritone tuning.
I didn't think to ask him which model it was, but I did see that it had a whammy-bar.

Later, during a search on eBay - I read a few reviews that poo-poo-ed the models with whammy-bars, several agreeing that they'd had tuning issues.

That leads me to ask my question again: (in light of that revelation) Which Variax model, sans tremolo bridge?
I think I'm getting closer to thinking I need to add one to my recording arsenal. It would negate the need to also have to buy a 12-string.

Cheers.

[LamarPecorino]

Peter:

I haven't seen or played one of these guitars. Austin doesn't have a Line6 dealer. Anyway, you might check out the VARIAX SHURIKEN. It is a baritone scale design, but does feature the Variax sound set. No whammy bar! If that doesn't work, then the LP shaped version is the only JTV model without a a whammy bar. My old Variax Model 300 is a hard tail Strat design. They are available on CL or eBay for around $300.

Good luck!

[funsongs]

Peter:

I haven't seen or played one of these guitars. Austin doesn't have a Line6 dealer. Anyway, you might check out the VARIAX SHURIKEN. It is a baritone scale design, but does feature the Variax sound set. No whammy bar! If that doesn't work, then the LP shaped version is the only JTV model without a a whammy bar. My old Variax Model 300 is a hard tail Strat design. They are available on CL or eBay for around $300.

Good luck!

Thanks, Lamar - I'll check that out.

[LamarPecorino]

My wife bought a Variax 300 Classical guitar for me, this week. I'm looking forward to recording with it.

[funsongs]

My wife bought a Variax 300 Classical guitar for me, this week. I'm looking forward to recording with it.

WOW! What a lady!! You must have a wonderful marriage...
or... was it the result of some form of 'negotiation'?
You're on the hook for something huge now, Podnah!!

You know - like a New Yorker's wife's favorite wine (whine):
"When are you taking me to Miami?!"

[LamarPecorino]

Peter:

I am truly blessed to be married to Sabrina. She's an amazing person!

[mojobone]

I'd go for a hardtail, since most of the emulated guitars are hardtails. But then I already have a Strat and a Bigsby-equipped semihollow. Still looking for a Floyd or Kahler-equipped shredder axe, but there's lots of those in pawn shops.