Line 6 Variax 500 Review

Good Points
Good range of usable sounds on the electric guitar settings.

Bad Points
Acoustic guitar sounds results vary, but you do need to follow the manual and use a XL line to a PA, or acoustic amp, to really use that capability.

General Comments
You can't get a Line6 Variaz 500 electric guitar anymore, unless you find a store that has some left, as it's now a discontinued model. Since it looks like the top of the line, it'll be better than the 600 in my opinion, to anyone who can find one. I've been finding that it's like any other guitar, you have to respect it, take the time to learn each setting as if it's the guitar you are playing, so just turning the knob to the Telecaster setting isn't going to magically make it sound 100% like one... then, if you plugged a Tele into a cheap amp, it wouldn't sound like a
Tele anyway, right?



As far as feel, I love playing it, you have to not picture a jazz guitar when playing the jazz settings etc., and I think that's the problem most of those who criticize it are really saying, that it lacks the feel they in particular like.



All in all, it's a viable alternative to buying a set of cheaper knockoffs of the various guitars it simulates, and in my opinion, much better. I don't try to make it replace every guitar in my collection, but it's got a solid place there now.