Tyler Variax

[Sifu Ben]

Anyone else seen the video review in guitarist? When they played the variax I thought, "hmm, not bad actually", but then when they played the real thing straight after it was so mauch more "alive". TBH I thought the 12 string model just sounded like a decent chorus pedal, although the acoustic and sitar models were interesting.

[AndyR]

Not seen the recent stuff, but I do have a couple of Variax guitars (and a bass).

I still use the bass for recording, but the guitars are gathering rust/dust.

It's actually the Variax experience that kinda led me to BKPs in the first place. I was continually struggling with the "Spank" (strat) model to get it to sound more like the sort of strat I like using. My wife bought me a strat because of this, I got ITs for it, I then foolishly joined this forum(!), and the rest is history... :lol: (I now own versions of most of the guitars I wasn't going to buy - the reason for getting the Variax in the first place!)

For home recording, if someone's on a tight budget, I'd still say that the Variax guitar modelling is excellent and effective. It does good imitations of a lot of guitars that you can't afford/justify.

I seem to remember the telecaster models felt especially accurate, but the strat modelled doesn't have a lot of bite. And you're right about the 12-string modelling - but it is asking quite a lot from a 6-string source though :lol:

However, even though it gives you reasonably authentic imitations for recording purposes, the minute you plug a real one of whatever you're modelling into an amp, then there's no way you're going to play the Variax version out of choice! :lol:

Like you say, the "real" things seem so much more alive and responsive. The real thing definitely feels better to play than a Variax model of the same thing. Many guitarists can probably hear the difference when someone else is playing (but that might be because the player responds better with the more organic vibe of a real guitar)... but I have found that non-guitarists really can't tell the difference unless you start pointing them in the right directions.

But, even though Variax modelling makes sound sense for someone needing to record lots of different guitar types, I wouldn't seriously recommend it to anyone who's going to the trouble of buying BKPs for their real guitars!

[Zaned]

I used to own a Variax 700. The main problem for me was with distortion: there was a certain 'zik' sound in the initial attack that really started to irritate me after a while. Palm-muting was also really presice work on that, because of the piezo bridge. I don't know how different the new one is though, I'll give it a go when I come across one.

The thing with the different models is that although they sound different, they all feel the same like you said. Feel-wise, e.g. tele and a ES335 are very different, which already makes one play differently. But as a recording tool, the Variax is great.

And the current incarnation, with the traditional electronics also attached, might actually be very very good!

-Zaned

[hunter]

They have improved the modelling on these ones. I played the expensive US version on Musikmesse and it was very convincing on all levels. If I would be a pro, I'd probably get one of these to do the job. But then paying >3000 for a guitar that will become outdated for its processor capacity ... maybe better a Korean. They are well made so I hear.

[JDC]

Was looking at a video of one the other day, if you change the tuning isn't it going to screw with you head? I mean you'll still hear the guitar itself in E standard while some other tuning comes out the amp.

What's the lowest tuning you can do? ie will it do a decent bass or Meshuggah?

[AndyR]

The retuning does do your head in a bit if you can still hear the strings :lol:

It's very effective for recording though. I used to have "telecasters" tuned to open G and A ready for Rory-type playing.

Never really played any drop-tuned metal-type stuff though... I seem to remember that metal players used to complain that all of the guitars/pickups modelled were "vintage" types. Great for me, but I understand it's a bit difficult doing modern stuff with them. I seem to remember a lot of complaints about the palm-muting that Zaned mentions as well.

Hunter: that's interesting about improved modelling. When these Tyler things were first mentioned a while back (or was it another builder? about a year or so ago), I looked into it and it seemed like it was still the same models. If they have moved the modelling forward, I might be interested in having a look again (I'd want my existing guitars upgraded though! :lol:)

What would be best would be if Line 6 would do an outboard modellor unit that would take input from piezos onboard any guitar. Last time I was on the Line 6 forums (years ago) that was what a lot of folks were hoping for.

[38thBeatle]

I haven't seen the vid but I look forward to doing so.A friend has an older Variax and I had a go at it in the studio.To me it was pretty good and did a reasonable job of approximating the guitars that it modelled. As has been said, if you are on a budget and need a versatile instrument or are short of space, I think it a good idea. I can't see me getting one though.

[hunter]

Was looking at a video of one the other day, if you change the tuning isn't it going to screw with you head? I mean you'll still hear the guitar itself in E standard while some other tuning comes out the amp.

What's the lowest tuning you can do? ie will it do a decent bass or Meshuggah?

Just play louder, no problem then ;)