Line 6 Variax Standard Modeling Guitar Demo by Sweetwater Sound 

" If you are in a situation when you need a sitar" lol

Impressive instrument and I quite agree that Andy's understated playing is perfect. The sentence "Maybe you're in a situation where you need a sitar" cracks me up!

To start with, I've always been intrigued with the Variax guitars, but have never liked the actual build of the instrument. Now that Yamaha's on board, I need to take another look at it. Good move Line 6! Next, I don't think I've seen Andy Paredes demo anything before, but man, he is GOOD. Zero 'tude, calm delivery, and he plays FOR THE DEMO instead of trying to show off. Good move, Sweetwater, keep this guy around!

Great demo. No gimmicks, just straightforward delivery: thanks! He has a really light touch - which helps with the sounds.

I wish they would add another output jack for the magnetic pickups only. That way I could use the modeling and real pickups simultaneously.

May 2021, considering buying a Variax? Do you prevoiusly own a Helix? Well, let me tell you that this guitar is addictive and inspiring. The first week was kind of frustrating because I did'nt know where to start from but after reading a lot of reviews and forums I came up with the following considerations: - Factory setup is ugly, I don't know if this is due to the fact the the standard is the lowest in category but it was really a pain in the ass to set it up to my like. - 0.10 seems to be the perfect gauge for this guitar, considering that it also models acoustic tones. - Global strings level was the most dramatic change. I don't suggest numbers but instead, start manipulating from this before playing with body or pickups switching. Headroom and definition was the most positive change. - Trust your ears, even if the image coming from the Workbech interface looks ugly, I mean, placing a pickup over the fretboard or something like that. - Helix integration: if you own a Helix, well, you might end up spending less time with family and friends because the almost endless possibilities makes the Variax addictive. In seconds, once you have set the models up, switching from a Tele to a Strat, is fucking crazy. The tone, the feeling, the soul of each Fender model is there. I can¡t believe it. And I'm only scratching the surface. If you find this kind of helpful, I'm glad. Tchüss!

Andy-great video - very professional presentation, explained in simple terms. Great job., man!

I have a Line 6 Variax JTV-69S and have installed Joe Barden pickups in it. It is just as straightforward as unsoldering and resoldering the pickups to the existing wiring harness. I love Joe Barden pickups so I would do this over again in a heartbeat; but, the only negative is when I was running the OEM pickups and switched to the Spank (STRAT) modeling the tone was exactly the same. So why do that - the OEM pickups are single coils and if you get into 60Hz hum you can switch to the modeled Strat and the hum goes away. Now with the Joe Barden's the guitar it'self sounds brighter and more Hi-Fi to me which I like, but the modeled Strat sound is still like it was - best of both worlds. Anyway switching out the pickups is a no brainer operation if you can solder 6 wires back into the right order. Take a picture before you start. Ron

So sad and disappointing that the Variax technology has been discontinued. I think it is a great sounding and also extremely practical innovation. I was hoping for an update of the editing software for years, and maybe some newer guitar and pick-up models as well. This really had such incredible potential and could have been huge! And in combination with the Line 6 Helix it is a dream rig. Too bad not many people even knew it existed, so it seems. Maybe that’s why it died a slow death wventually. I wish this technology would be brought back to live. Imagine the posibilities with newer AI modelled pick-up tones and guitar models. This could have been a game changer for guitar players.

I have to admit that the sitar and banjo sounds were pretty cool.

Still a little frustrated by the fact LIne 6 hasn't put more (new) sounds in the latest models, could be more guitars, or some middle eastern stuff like the oud & baglama..

Okay gotta say the sitar mode is really cool.

This product intrigues me. Will I be able to get the sounds even when I’m not using that special variax chord?

What about the sound without an amp? When you change tuning are you getting a clash of sounds? Do you hear the real guitar in regular tune, yet hear the modified tuning through the speaker?

Great presentation of the Variax Standard!! I've been thinking of getting one since I've got a Line6 POD-XT Live that I'm currently using with my '65 DRRI & bender Telecaster. :)

These is gonna be a super win if they make these in DOUBLE NECKS 24 frets 🥰🥰🥰

Is there that guitar for left handed people? Or should i buy one, send it to a luthier to install it in another guitar?

I'm sorry, this thing is so f*ing cool. I dont care if it cant sound like every guitar perfectly, or how it's doing it, but for jamming at home and practicing or finding new sounds this thing would be amazing. What sold me was changing tunings....no more frustration going back and forth between DADGAD, Standard, 1/2 step down, etc.

Super cool. This guy and video is unintentionally funny. Love the product though deciding between this and just getting a regular guitar haha.

Are there any indicators on the switches or is there a screen somewhere so you can see what youre playing or do you have to memorise the settings. I cant remember things that happened last week

Why aren't these more popular?

Definitely a neat idea and actually seems like it would work well for a bar gig or something along those lines. The price definitely is a killer for me though. Understandably there is alot more going on with the midi controls etc then a regular guitar, but I can't see myself spending more then $500-$600 range on something like this.

What a voice!

Seems like a great acquisition for when you need an instrument for just one song, but don’t want to schlep around a half dozen cases.

well, guitar 2 is definitely one of the strats, the use of the vibrato arm is a real giveaway.

Finally, I get the SOUND of acoustic guitar with the FEEL of electric. Shutup and take my money.

Anyone using the software on PC? .. I'm just wondering because I'm not seeing enough dudes going into that beyond saying "it works!" Which is a bit disconcerting to me.

Hello Sweetwater. Can you please tell me all the inherent differences between this model and the J TV 59? What does each model do that the other one cannot? To explain partially: I have lately been on a Queen kick. Although I know this model could potential he be programmed to simulate the sound of the Brian May Special, the JTV model’s headstock looks more reminiscent of the Special than this one does. If I was going to purchase a Line 6 guitar, it would be great to have one that bolsters both features.

Watching this 9 years later wondering why the world hasn't caught on the potential a variable guitar would offer here.

Good demo.

I'm contemplating on getting this in the next year or so... Would it be possible to swap out the pickups?

Wow, that's pretty nice

This guitar looks cool and sounds great, is too identical to be the real thing, cannot tell the difference if you close your eyes IMHO.

Is it possible to use it to live write guitar tabs into guitar tabs format (recognizing each string as played) with real notes length and pauses into Logic Pro X 10.4 as if it was a proper MIDI guitar ?

Just bought Variax standard mainly for acoustic models and Im very disappointed especialy with 12 strings. It doesnt sound smooth and natural at all. It has some kind of high pitched tone to it that sounds like some cheap synth lead sound. The only way to not hear this is removing +12pitch in workbench, but I guess this pitched sound is the idea behind 12string emulation. I use Variax with Pod x3live via digital cable and directly to pc. Have tried many tone setups in x3 including no amp at all and acoustic still sound nothing like in sound presentations on yt. Anyone can help? Im upgrading fx to Helix floor shortly. D'you think it may help?

Love it…

are there pedals that can do this as well?

IN THIS VIDEO GUITAR AND CONNECTED TO MIXER? Or AMPLIFIER

Can I make somehow create custom alternative tunings to program into the guitar? EABGBF# for example.....

do we really need guitar models in HD?

The Variax is such a great idea but just doesn't work properly. I had a new JTV59 but had endless problems with ghost notes and so returned it to the supplier for repair. Unfortunately they couldn't sort it so refunded my money. Then a friend of mine bought a new JTV69 with the exact same problem. The forums have many similar complaints. I would be very wary of buying a Variax as they need to be developed further to eliminate this issue.

Possibly add a Fishman PRO-TRP-301 Triple Play Wireless Guitar Controller to 'hot-rod' the Line 6 Variax. - Viable idea ?

I tried one of these recently. The sounds and functions are very good but the guitar itself is a little sub-standard IMO.

DOES IT TUNE UP... NO NEED FOR CAPO//

The James Tyler is a few hundred bucks more and probably a better build all around. I think Yam should lower that price at least $100 and make this thing a world best seller. While they're at it make a Tele (Signature) type model available and watch them fly off the shelf too.

Maybe you're in a situation at a bar and someone is choking on a piece of ice....

the automatic tuning makes this guitar beat the other competitors...But there isnt a guitar with a bass guitar background..

I can foresee cognitive dissonance when using the tuning thing where the actual string sound interferes with the altered tuning.

Intro music reminds of Diablo 2

If you are in a situation that you are broke 😂 what to do?

I feel like this is the future of guitars. But, I hear it needs work

1:50 cool!

If I'm ever in a situation requiring a "sitar" someone please put me out of my misery...

I hâte Line 6 .... Pedalboard , guitariste , amplis ...

Needs approval by Glenn Fricker before being put in the studio

This makes my head hurt. :"{

Still sounds like the gen1 Variax i own but never play...

that is one tiny tiny guitar

I hope it's youtube...but nothing appealing about these sounds.

I hate it.

Cool idea but sounds digital.

only proprietary line 6 digital output? screw that.