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Variax Bass??

#61
Mine certainly tracks WELL, but not "flawlessly".
And it's a major pain having to mount the divided pick-up and to be tethered to that 13 pin cable.
I've been using mine for double-bass (i.e., upright) sounds and so on those songs I admittedly don't need to move around too much... but i would NEVER be able to use the V-Bass on a rock song becasue 15ft of cable just won't do. i NEED to be wireless.

The other upside to the V-Bass is that one COULD use the amp models or effects and plug a regular bass into it.
But how often DOES one? (me? never)

now on the other side, SO FAR, I'm not that impressed with the Variax 's upright sound (or any others really) based on the website.

but IF , in person, the thing does as good an upright sound as the V-Bass, then for me, it's ability to plug into anything, go wireless, and be self-contained is a major plus.

But I need to hear one in a stuido or really clear listening environment before I have a firm opinion.
 
#62
thaks for your answers

Now I've checked the Variaxbass and I think it sounded (with a litte tweakin on the blend and tone controls) and felt pretty good

But... It weight 10lb 7oz/4.7kg !! wich is to mush for my tired back :(...

I've also tested the V-bass system (with gk p-up)
and I think it was bettersounding than the Variax (especially the upright and fretless models) and it has a lot more potential (detune,split more modelingposibilities)

But... I think the p-up is hard to fit to most basses and the whole system needs a lot of "tweaking"
 
#63
There is a large write up in this month's BP about the Variax. Very appealing. It takes 6 AA batteries that only last 10-12 hours, but it also comes with a power supply that looks like a direct box that can power the bass. Great idea! There is also a network (RJ-45...I think) jack right next to the 1/4" output jack...possibly for downloadable patches in the future or for a footswitch. A variax and floorboard would be sweet... :hyper: Couple that with a Pod Pro and Floorboard and you'll have every bass/amp/cab combo you would want in a VERY portable package. I love Line6...
 
#64
I played one a couple of weeks ago at the GC in Houston. Let's just say, I'm not selling anything to get one. The overall feel was not bad, but the models left alot to be desired. My favorite model was the stingray model. The jazz bass models were OK but I was not impressed.

Line 6 has done some great things. I think the Variax guitar models in comparison are a lot better
 
#67
No, it's not pretty.

Hey Pickebass...do you think it is a worthy investment? It seems to be well set up to upgrade the electronics (with the network input) when they get ready to.

Also, do you think it's harder to model bass tones because of their frequency? Maybe that's why Line6 guitar stuff is superior to their bass stuff...or maybe we are an afterthought to the company and they just want to sell to bass players on the reputation of their guitar stuff...
 
#68
Ingmar-
a few things. One most likely you can "gut" the variax bass and replace the electronic into another bass. I say this only becuz a few dozen people have done this for the variax guitars. I'm not saying its easy or correct, just that as long as you keep the whole electronic package intact, it should work.
Next, does the Vbass work in a live setting, IME yes. I've used it a few dozen times on live gigs. It requires prep work before hand and also takes up alot more floor space than i'd like but its works fine. The key to the live gig stuff it three fold.1)-presetting all your levels on the patches and effects to ensure you don't get tremendous vol-to-vol changes when switching patches, 2)- placing the "gig" patches in an ordered bank to ensure you only have to toggle once/twice to get to the next patch. 3)-having a backup plan, incase a patch your programmed in the "studio" (ie., quiet easily heard settin) does not translate to a live vibe. This has happened a few times when i created my own "bass" and it sounded great at the house, but sounded like mud live.
Otherwise, the Vbass is just like a floor pedal unit
 
#70
BigRed said:
No, it's not pretty.

Hey Pickebass...do you think it is a worthy investment? It seems to be well set up to upgrade the electronics (with the network input) when they get ready to.

Also, do you think it's harder to model bass tones because of their frequency? Maybe that's why Line6 guitar stuff is superior to their bass stuff...or maybe we are an afterthought to the company and they just want to sell to bass players on the reputation of their guitar stuff...
Click to expand...


First of all, I can't recommend it based on what MIGHT happen in the future with the instrument. Line 6 has abandoned the bass pod and it cannot used the new software like the guitar pod can and I think this may happen to the Variax bass unless it really takes off..

I don't think it's something I would invest in unless it was really cheap. For the same amount of money, you could buy 2 basses with similar sounds to what in this or use it for something else. If it didn't have the modeling, this would probably be a $400-600 instrument.

I was actually looking forward to this instrument and wanted to buy one, but felt it came up short. In regards to the modeling process, I think modeling bass is probably about the same as modeling the guitar (I'm not an engineer). The bass pod is a good representation of the amps it models. On tape especially the models really shine. IMO it is as good as the guitar pod. So I think the techologies can be as good for bass as guitar

I think the idea is doable, but just requires a lot of work. I think it was somewhat of an afterthought. Line 6 makes some really good products, I think the jury is still out on this one :bassist:
 
#72
pilotjones said:
Maybe I missed the answer to this, but I haven't seen it here or on the Line 6 site.

What about low B? It seems that this only goes down to E, with no tranposition available, and no 5 string version. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
no transposing, no 5 string version.
From what I remember part of the problem is, how do you model a 5 string version of a bass that never had a 5 string version i.e. a hofner?
 
#75
I got to try one out today, and through a decent rig. A local music store had a new GK 800rb and a Neo 2-12 set up, so I plugged the Variax in and checked it out.

I can see why this bass is receiving mixed reviews. The bass itself (the body, neck, finish, setup, string action) is nothing to write home about. The preset tones are indeed pretty cool though. Although most of them sounded pretty generic, the musicman and vintage jazz settings were my favorites. They're pretty close to the real thing. I was really interested in trying out the upright bass tone, and unfortunately was disappointed. Maybe I needed to spend more time tweaking, but I just was not able to get a decent upright tone. maybe it might have sounded better if flatwounds were on there. It's a nice gadget, but I wouldn't go out and buy one at the moment.
 
#76
I was so lookig forward to this bass but it seems the reviews here lean towards, meh to bad. I always recieve my BP magazine late, like just 2 days ago, so I have not read the full review they did on it yet. Have to go to GC store in a few hours, N. Houston location, maybe they will have one there I can check out for myself. Sure thought it was a good idea though.
 
#78
The link that lousybassist posted is good reading for anyone interested in this bass. I found it notable that the reviewing bassist seemed to feel that changing to flatwounds improved the playability of the bass, possibly because of improved tracking - That's what I inferred from his review anyway. That makes sense since flats might have a bit more note fundementals, and it's the modeling that gives you the round wounds, upright, or vintage tones.

Even more interesting is how he's now playing it with a fretless neck!
 

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