Line 6 Variax Acoustic 700 (Sunburst)

Variax® Acoustic 700 offers you 16 models of the finest acoustic instruments on the planet with the push of a button. You can easily access jumbos, 12-strings, or even a nylon string classical to suit any style of play. Variax Acoustic 700 gives you the freedom to achieve an expertly mic'd acoustic sound without complex setups or feedback, even at concert-level volumes! Recording a great acoustic sound no longer requires a noise-free environment or a big equipment budget; just plug in and go. You also get instant access to alternate tunings for endless possibilities to fuel your inspiration.

Several years before Variax® Acoustic was born, Line 6 turned their attention from the POD®, amps, and effects that they had been developing to take a fresh look at the guitar itself. Could it be possible to capture a complete range of guitar tone in a single instrument? After a couple of years of research, development, and countless hours playing dozens of vintage electric and acoustic guitars, they released the original Variax, the world’s first modeling guitar. But while the Variax is perhaps the ultimate general-purpose guitar, they also wanted to specifically address the unique needs of the acoustic musician.

Line 6 decided to tackle a problem that had plagued acoustic guitarists since the advent of electrified music–how to get a great acoustic sound on-stage and in the studio. With unique Mic Position control, you can adjust your tone the way professionals do–by changing mic position. And since the mic is a DSP algorithm, you don’t have to worry about feedback or noise leakage. Another key ingredient to both live and recorded acoustic instrument sound is compression. To further simplify the life of the Variax Acoustic owner, Line 6 decided to add a remarkably effective, yet simple to operate compressor. Many acoustic guitarists are fond of alternate tunings, but re-tuning during a performance can often become–literally–a show-stopper. To remove this obstacle, they gave the Variax Acoustic the ability to re-tune for you, at the press of a button.

And of course, to fill the instrument with the sounds of so many archetype acoustics, Line 6 had to audition truckloads of vintage guitars to find the ones with just the right sound. Just as they did with the original Variax, Line 6 refined their models while constantly referring back to the originals for accuracy. When each model reached the point of not only sounding like the original, but also being as much fun to play, it was done.

Variax Acoustic 700. An entire acoustic collection in a single instrument.

Variax Models based on:

• 1941 Martin® 5-17
• 1946 Martin® 000-28
• 1960 Martin® D-21
• 1954 Gibson® J45®
• 1951 Gibson® SJ®-200
• 1933 Selmer® Maccaferri
• 1951 D'Angelico New Yorker
• 1958 Manuel Velazquez
• 1973 Guild® F412
• 1935 Stella® Auditorium
• 1939 National Reso-Phonic Style "O"
• 1937 Dobro® Model 27
• Gibson® Mastertone
• Mandola
• Japanese Shamisen
• Indian Sitar

Volume
Push it toward the Model Select knob to get louder. Pretend to push it away from the Model Select knob when people ask you to turn down.

Mic Position
The top slider (the one furthest away from you when you hold the guitar) allows you to alter the position of the modeled microphone. Here’s a simple way to remember how it works: As you move the slider closer to the soundhole (away from the Model Select knob), the Mic Position is also getting closer to the soundhole. Some of the instruments modeled in the Variax Acoustic don't have a soundhole, but the control will work similarly for these instruments. When the slider is close to the Model Select knob, the strings (and upper frequencies) are emphasized; when the slider is close to the soundhole, the body (and lower frequencies) are emphasized.

Compressor
The bottom slider allows you to change the level of compression. A compressor usually has a lot of controls to adjust, but we take care of all the complicated stuff for you. Just push the slider toward the Model Select knob for more compression, and away from the knob for less.

Model Select
The Model Select knob has several functions. First of all, it allows you to choose the active instrument model. Rotate the knob to choose from the 16 Variax Acoustic models. The name visible in the slot is the active model. The LED will help you see the name on dark stages, or in the closet if you are very shy.

The Model Select knob also lets you engage the Instant Alternate Tuning function. With a quick press on the knob, the LED will change from green to red. Now, none of the notes are where you thought they were! To learn the method to our madness, check out the next section, Instant Alternate Tunings. But wait, there’s more: The Model Select knob also lets you save any customizations you have carried out. More on that in the upcoming Saving Custom Guitar Setups.

Alternate Tunings
Many guitarists, especially acoustic guitarists, play in tunings other than the familiar EADGBE. Rather than deal with the hassles of retuning during a performance or transporting multiple guitars, wouldn’t it be great to have a guitar that could retune itself automatically? We thought so, too, so we included this function on the Variax Acoustic.

Of course, this magic is performed on the output signal only. The physical strings are unchanged…and you’re still responsible for being in tune. For the most pleasant experience, you’ll want to have your amplified signal loud enough to drown out the sound of the physical strings. You should keep in mind that the retuning is relative to the actual strings. If you tune the actual strings of the Variax Acoustic to something besides EADGBE, and apply one of the tuning presets, you're going to get some unexpected, though not necessarily unmusical, results.

We made it easy to get to some of the most commonly used alternate tunings. First, enter the Alternate Tuning Set-Up mode with a quick double press on the model select knob. The LED will flash red-green-red-green to let you know you are in this mode. With the bottom (COMPRESSOR) slider all the way down, choose the tuning you want with the top (MIC) slider.

Features:

• Simple and intuitive Volume and Mic Position/Tone Shaping controls
• Instant access to preset and custom altered tunings
• Thin and comfortable mahogany body with spruce top
• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearl snowflake position markers
• 24 medium profile frets
• 25 1/2" scale length
• 17" fingerboard radius
• Standard 1/4" guitar output jack
• Digital I/O jack for Vetta™ II connectivity
• Included direct box provides power plus 1/4" standard guitar and XLR balanced outputs
• Can also be powered by on-board batteries or Line 6's Vetta II amplifier
• Includes custom 1/4" TRS cable
• Custom-fitted heavy duty gig bag
• Available in Natural, Black and Sunburst finish