Line 6 Variax Bass 700

The Line 6 Variax Bass has some very simple controls that do a lot to change the sound. There is a volume control similar to any standard. There are 'bass' and 'treble' eq knobs typical of what you might find on a bass with 'active' pickups. There is a knob that blends between 'neck' and 'bridge' pickups. You might be wondering about this because there are actually no magnetic pickups on the bass. In fact, this knob really just blends between the sounds of modeled 'neck' and 'bridge' pickups. This is a really cool feature that just makes the range of sounds even more versatile. The final knob is unique to the Variax. It is a knob to switch between all the different bass models (Jazz bass, precision bass, rickenbacker, Music Man, even sound acoustic sounds and synth sounds). It is not complicated at all to figure out. If you want to achieve the sound of a particular bass, it might be helpful to consult the manual to see what kind of bass each model is taking after. Some model descriptors like 'modern' aren't as informative as others.

UTILIZATION

When I purchased this bass, I was mostly interested in the variety of sounds it could produce, not whether is was comfortable to play. However I was pleasantly surprised by the play-ability. My previous bass was a standard j-bass. The radius of neck on the Variax bass seemed much smaller in size compared to the j-bass. If anything it almost felt more like I was holding a guitar than a bass, maybe the neck was even a little too small.
The bass needs to be powered in order for the DSP chips to process the sound from the piezo bridge pickups. You can use batteries or use the provided TRS cable with power supply to power the bass. I also own a Variax 700 electric guitar and a POD X3 and HD500. All this to say that the bass can also be powered using a Variax ethernet cable. This is my preferred method of use.

SOUNDS

I use this bass primarily to achieve of variety of sounds in the recording studio. For the money, I think this is a no-brainer for anyone that records bass a lot, especially for a variety of music. I have only used it a couple of times in a live setting. I always feel that the subtle differences in bass models get lost in a live setting and are more apparent on a recording. Plus, I also have the impression that the bass might have more parts that could stop working at any point so it would be less reliable that a trusty j-bass.

OVERALL OPINION

The Variax 700 bass by Line 6 can produce a variety of really good bass sounds. The quality of craftsmanship may not match the 'top of the line' models of the companies the bass models, but you can be certain that the sound comes really, really close. Plus, you can usually find these bass guitars pretty cheap online. I think compared to other bass guitars in the $400-500 price range, the craftsmanship is on par and the sound quality exceeds the competition. Can it replace a collection of $3000 bass guitars? No. But should it replace your Squire P-bass? Absolutely.

Primarily a singer, I've been playing guitar for about 10 years, been in a band (drummer!), and have continued to record and play with other musicians on a non-professional basis. My styles range from folk to hard rock, with heavy power-pop leanings -- Big Star, not Green Day.


Bought from Musician's Friend for $499. I wanted a bass that could have sounds from different models I loved such as the Precision, the StingRay, the Gibson short-range models, and standup basses.

I've played many of Line 6's Variax instruments. The first Variax electric guitar was promising but ugly in appearance, the Variax acoustic was a tremendous disappointment for me. No such complaints here. This bass looks great and has all the sounds it promises, right down to 6- and 12-string models and synth and acoustic/standup models. An instrument like this encourages innovation and songwriting, making you go places you've never been. And for recording, having all these sounds at your fingertips without dealing with multiple amps and basses is a godsend.

This thing positively devours batteries -- needs six AA batteries to operate. It weighs a pretty substantial amount, comparable to a StingRay, so if you're used to Peaveys, ESPs or Ibanezes, get ready for the weight. Also, like other Line 6 Variaxes, there's a "generic" feel to the neck and body. Not entirely uncomfortable, but still lacking in that "old friend" feel that makes us come back over and over to certain instruments in our arsenal. I don't think Korean instruments necessarily have to feel like this -- I used to have a Korean-built Ibanez acoustic guitar that felt great -- so I'm thinking it's a Line 6 design or materials issue. The neck is also pretty huge, even bigger than the StingRay copy I've been playing for years.

Pretty good. Visually this is the most attractive Line 6 instrument I've seen, with a beautiful pearloid pickguard accentuating the black finish nicely.

One MAJOR complaint, however: The volume knob is so loose and floppy that while you're pressing on it to change from "Green" to "Red" models or vice versa, you could well roll your 10 to a 0 without knowing it. This is inexcusable -- the knob feels wildly unresponsive and can screw you up live. Also, I consider it a design flaw that the "Blend" knob is backwards -- you have to turn it towards the bass guitar's bridge to get the "Neck" sound! This makes absolutely no sense.

I do love this instrument. Several design/build flaws (volume knob looseness, badly designed Blend knob, giant neck) keep it from getting a perfect score from me, but this Variax bass has made a singer-guitarist excited about playing bass again, just like when I'd started learning. Great inspirational tool for a musician.

This model is no longer available at many retail outlets; I can only hope it's because Line 6 is coming out with updated versions, not giving up on the model, because this is one great tool.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Korean Made Line6 Variax 700 4 Strings Modelling Bass.

Cable and Power Supply/Di Box Included that “phantom” powers the Bass via a TRS Jack Lead.

Comes with a soft padded Line6 Case.
It features 24 basses modeled on:
Fender Jazz 1960
Fender Jazz (flat-wound strings) MODJ
2004 Fender Deluxe Jazz 1961
Fender Jazz Fretless
1963 Precision Bass
1958 Precision Bass (flat-wound strings)
Musicman Stingray 2003 Modulus Flea
Rickenbacker 4001 1963
Rickenbacker 4001 (flat-wound strings)
1966 Danelectro Longhorn
1963 Hofner 500/1 (flat-wound strings)
1963 Gibson Thunderbird
1966 Gibson EB2D (flat-wound strings)
2002 MTD 535
2003 Warwick Thumb
Alembic Long Scale 1984
Steinberger XL2 8 & 12 1968
Hagström H8 1994
Hamer B12A ACOUSTIC
Tacoma Thunderchief Kay
M1 Double Bass
Mini Moog


UTILIZATION

I’ve used this bass in a studio only.
I play mainly guitar, and I needed a bass that can cover many genres.
With standard tuning and dropped ones, I’ve never had a problem.
From Pop Rock, to Heavy Downtuned Metal, this bass can cover a lot of ground.
The manual is really well written

SOUNDS

As stated above, I used it in the studio for a lot of projects and genres.
No buzz at all and the neck is quite good.
My favourite models are the ones based on the Warwick Thump (for harder genres) and the Fender Jazz (for pop-rock).
It has bass, mids, highs, volume and pickup controls on it. And with the turn of a knob you can choose a great variety of models. This is done thanks to a piezo electric pickup in the bridge. It can be more or less similar to the models, I think that it goes from a 60% to a 90% of the original sound, but the case here is to have choices without having to do a bank robbery!

OVERALL OPINION

The bass was discontinued in 2007, so if you are able to find an used one in good conditions and for a good price, my advice is to take it!
You will have a lot of great choices, and if you are using it in a studio the possibilities are endless.

Korea Manufacturing
21 frets
No micro => vibration sensor
knob Types:

* Volume
* Blend
Tonalitbr * /> * Selector types of low green or red LEDs +

UTILIZATION

Handle end and enjoyable for all types of game (Slap, popping ...).
The sharp sound of THUNDER! GEANT
by plastik cons under the plate to protect, c the vacuum then slaps for one feels when tapped, but not c Gnant. reassure you ...

SOUNDS

It is made to fit all types of music because with its low 24 modlisation very easily found his happiness, for the Studio c IDAL because no breath (because modlisation) and live: well for the variety 'Baluch' ...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two months and frankly sounds really gniaux! especially the musicman, warwick and the precision bass, the neck is thin enough for the slap is perfect, a bit heavy ... but s'abitue quickly with a good strap.

Crossing each of 1150 Euros for this bass are justified simply by its pure SON!