All user reviews for the 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

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!

It's a nice bass violin making trs (if Line6 have the same exprience level stringed guitars)
It is made in Korea and the handle is very easy to play, pretty close to that of a Jazz Bass
Frankly it inspires confidence and MODEL that I was perfectly rgl by a guy whose name I even on a small sticker.

UTILIZATION

The handle is nickel, super enjoyable, not too big for my small hands, or too thin.
But then when I plugged into my trace ... WOW! a killing! What precision, that sounds phew!
The fact knob dfile The models, which are all fun to play! Jazz Bass, Precision, Musicman, a fabulous grain and exceptional ism, and I was Stingray, Warwick Jazzbass and so I know what I mean.
Yeah, potato and precision. Hats off.

SOUNDS

You can spend a microphone Virtual another Galise treble and bass is pure sound.
Sounds like "synth bass" and "moog" is useless for me, but if a pater may allow some of the girls! (Just kiddin '/ / I think that a can be used but not for me ...)

OVERALL OPINION

I've had one day, and I believe that low CTE is for me! Patante palette of sounds, round trs enjoyable and altogether decent price for the quality of the machine. Thank you Line 6 ...

- Good violin;
- The problem with the microphones piezzos is that you can not rgler volume for each string. I return to my bass due to E string too noisy. Since his return, all is well rgl and sounds perfect.

UTILIZATION

- Channel trs enjoyable but a little slippery when you sweat;
- Low balance well, not too heavy;
- Electronic very easy to use;
- Only BMOL: it is necessary to use the beast of direct and provided the names of the trs MODELS are not talking to beginners.

SOUNDS

Well, bravo! Certainly sounds DIFFERENT MODELS Fidler is not always the original (I'm still looking for the Stingray Fretless and ) but in many cases it is close enough to find the sound color that one seeks. In addition, I find this low of a PCHE (the MODEL is a Fender precision rgal). It's really gnial on scne, to move from a soft and a slobbering prcis and powerful sound in a flash button. It is perfect for all styles.
Only BMOL: Synth sounds are almost unusable (all fawn, they are rats).

OVERALL OPINION

I think the price of this bass is perfectly justified. The ad said that was low in a number is not at all EXAGRES. It is impossible to have this palette of sounds with a low standard, even as my versatile Cort Artisan B4. In addition, it is enjoyable to play trs. My only regret concerning the shape and color of the vehicle. AIM I have more choice. And finish with varnish foils is not got the best. I do not have AIM as a wire leg supplmentaire (read: the cable of power supply via the direct bote). But, c'tait inviting.

Lower manufactured in Korea.
Maple neck, rosewood fingerboard 21 frets.
Bass modeling, control volume, balance microphones, bass / treble, template chooser:
jazz bass 61, jazz bass 60 wound strings flat jazz bass deluxe jazz bass 61 fretless, precision 63, precision 58 wound strings flat, stingray, modulus flea, rickenbacker 70's Rickenbacker 60's wound strings flat Danelectro Höfner Beatles, gibson thunderbird , gibson 1 / 2 box, mtd, warwick, alembic, Steinberger, Hagstrom 8cordes, hamer 12-string, acoustic bass, bass, 2 synths

After a year of use
We feel the quality of manufacturing in Korea stuck to knobs, handle that moves, etc..

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice, less narrow than a jazz bass, fairly flat, gloss.
Access to acute as a jazz bass.
Average weight, well balanced bass.
Excellent sound immediately available.
In addition, it can store settings for balance, bass / treble for all models, very convenient.
This consumes a lot lower, so Line 6 has provided a separate power supply in the form of pedal that doubles as a DI just need a stereo jack to connect the bass to the power supply. : Well thought out!

SOUNDS

The most versatile bass ever built!
All instruments are generally successful. The two fretless and acoustic instruments are a little below the rest.
I saw a lot of criticism of the Stingray, but having an old model, I can assure that it reacts the same way. You have to push the bass and treble off a bit.

After a year of use
I bought qq bass that were modeled and have tried others.
Jazz bass: the model 60, it does not react at all like the tone control.
57 Accuracy: not bad but the original is ten best foix
Jazz fretless bass: even the strings fretless sound (ahhh)
Gibson 1 / 2 case: Yeah ... bof
Acoustic bass: not very realistic in a mix
bass: poor
Höfner: short sustain unnatural

OVERALL OPINION

I just buy it and I like the extreme versatility of this bass. No matter what style of music itself, it does very well.
The value for money is unbeatable: the equivalent of 24 bass for about 1200 euros. Comes with a gig-bag luxury food that serves as a DI jack and quality.
I had some vintage basses, and there I found the same sound quality with comfort and reliability of a modern instrument.
I have no regrets in this purchase, except the fact of not having more money to buy the Line 6 pod xt live which allows to control the foot.

after a year of use
Pod xt live with, oddly enough, some models have much less gain (and nothing to do with modeling of passive or active low).
The bass and treble controls on passive models annoy me.
The sensations are far from original ...
I sold.

I just got my bass bought new on ebay, less than 600 euros (the pric US public is currently $ 499), shipping and customs included.
I'm not a pure bass guitarist but a fan of Line 6 products (see my profile) and especially home-studio owners. At that price, I sell my old Cort even though I'm not sure I really need this palette of sounds on bass (the opposite of my Variax Guitar I love).
My opinion is to be understood in this light.

Premiere fear (because for the return following a purchase on ebay, it's not obvious): no sound comes out. Fortunately a post on the official forum of Line 6 gives me the solution, I unscrewed the cover plate and actually sees that the electron is not connected to the exit ... you just put the plug. Hmm! Middle ...

Second fear: the A string does not ring. Obviously this is a recurring problem on the Variax Bass. Obviously quality control is passed to the trap by lowering the price. This is the first time I am disappointed by the quality at Line 6.
Well there is a solution, perform the calibration procedure string after string. OK, but this requires upgader firmware.
The problem is that the only way to upgrade is via a USB interface from Line 6 (the mouths of people when I tell them I have to plug my bass on the Internet via USB to fix it)
So is that of the BASS POD XT Live that I did not, or that of the Variax Workbench is a tool reserved for Variax guitars. The solution that I propose: to find a repairer and entrust him with the bass ... yes but right now the only French-speaking Europe is in Belgium. Bon ben I can only buy the Workbench (along I had planned to do but not right away). It stands at 700 euro note, it's still well below the prices here.

EDIT: I have a workbench. In fact the firmware upgrade was done. I again just in case but it makes no difference. The calibration procedure works for the other strings but the piezo under the rope The nase is full of "loose contact".

Apart from that, the violin seems to me to correct for the price (for the European award against it may be a bit cheap .. I also have a big doubt about the strength of knobs at the same time Varaix those of my guitar are the same and they have not moved in a year).
I'm not a fan of the modern form of low (at Warwick), I prefer the old-school Fender shape. So I appreciate his overall look "Precision".

EDIT II: Continuation of the series: the return of service support Line 6 French (Belgium Fuzz It) ... passing me they also changed the LED does not light green (at the same time I thought it was normal so it's not annoying). This mainenant I have a good low ... I go back the note but not too good because the quality control before delivery is deplorable, it is not acceptable from Line 6 of which I am a big fan though

UTILIZATION

Nothing to add on the subject. Not being a bassist.
Anyway I have no major problem to play fingers, pick and even slap.

I will ascend above the note when I set my bp. piezo. (EDIT: that is done)

I still have doubts about certain sounds (those synths for example) seems to have more latency than others. This is natural given that the analysis of a sound is too serious "touchy" for the guitar sounds (those with esay to put a sensor on a MIDI bass know what I mean). But for the classic sounds, the problem is imperceptible.

SOUNDS

His level, I have a real culture bassist to build and is the main reason I bought this machine. Even if I played in my life on a lot of models (Ricken 4001, Precision, Jazz Bass passive, Stingray and even Steinberger whose grain has been forgotten since the 80's but is less bad than the original bass is hideous) , it is especially with respect to the music I listen I find the sound signatures (eg the introduction of Motorhead Overkill with a 4001 ).
Finally I realize that the Fender Precision is by far my favorite. Followed closely by his "Stingray" and "Rickenbacker of 71".
Sounds so-called Flatwound .. blah ... we will use but for now it does not correspond at all to my style.

I reserve a decision too early because with the guitar version, I discovered that I liked certain sounds that I did not know a priori. I hope to do good also found with low sharpening my ear.
(Just to clarify: I tried on my Toneport via monitor speakers, again it will never replace an SVT 300)

The sound of bass but it interests me as the sounds of acoustic guitar, it is probably tweaking the settings (including the level of the preamp) to make it more realistic. Ditto for the acoustic bass. My only benchmark is the sound of "Violent Femmes" and I confess I do not see how to get to her

Synth sounds and 8 / 12 strings are probably to be exploited. It interests me even if I do not really have any preconceived ideas on the subject. Live, synth sounds can be to do a little illusion (knowing that I use a lot of Moog-like sounds via electronic VSTI for the low of my compos).

Like everyone else, I do not understand the model Hofner Violin. I'm willing to play but why Macca diminiuer also artificially sustain is not very nice and usable as is.
Ditto for the fretless model, I do not see what's the point (within the frets really turn )
In the end of 24 sounds, I think half of them I will never amount to anything (or so to sound a little off, treated with full effect).

In short I have to completely rethink the use of bass in my components and it is rather challenging.

For cons, I have also found differences in gain on the amp models Toneport (from BASS POD XT) ... very surprising.
Plugged into the Toneport modeling, we feel the differences between the models of grain low. And that's really the foot.

OVERALL OPINION

I do not use it long enough and I still have not solved the pb. of the A string. So we will be reserved. That said, just for the sound or Precision Stingray, I love this bass but I would not have had a Fender Mexican or Asian sounding like the same price?
I like the sound of a Warwick-based model as though I can not tell if it is close to the original. It's cool that unlike the guitar, they do are not limited to vintage instruments. I have much to learn about the more modern sounds.
Me who is ultimately never really been attracted by its low did not like their look (I know it's stupid), I finally realized that their sounds are interested (as opposed to modern guitar sounds with EMG I find it ugly and too clean although I appreciate their dynamics).

I therefore intend to perfect my musical culture with this tool and hope it will be her little sister guitar and become a must in my home studio.
In a few months if I'm still using only one or two sounds, I sold it to buy a Fender.

In any case, the price is probably a US deal. In the European price I would have never bought ... because there is no need to have 24 basses in general.

EDIT: for those who might be tempted to do as I do that is to buy US internet: I was aware of possible problems, so I need the math: $ 499 without really being able to claim warranty it was risky. I had to pay shipping to the official support in Europe at my expense for repair (100 euros port in all, a few dollars on parts and labor). In the end it cost me some 750 euros max, I'm still below the European price but I had a few scares.

Mainenant that everything is settled, I think it's a great tool for my home studio but I put 6 / 10 because of quality control fails. But I do not regret my purchase.
As for the guitar version, or the price I paid, I would advise a beginner to get a culture, even if the sound has more "feeling sound" of their original sound right, it gives a good idea before choosing a bass a little more upscale.

A 1200 Roros, I would have passed.

A small regret: why the Variax Worbench, with whom I'm having on scrapes, does not exist for the bass. Too bad. It also is good to build a culture and a sound personality.

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.