LeftyBassist.com
http://leftybassist.com./

Variax 6 string Baritone?
http://leftybassist.com./viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3453		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  glefty5 [ February 29th, 2012, 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Variax 6 string Baritone?
Someone was talking about using these as a substitute for the Fender VI, so here you go!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Line-6-Variax ... 500wt_1118
Author:  pjmuck [ February 29th, 2012, 10:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
That was me. :)

The Variax is a fun guitar. There's no substitute for the real deal, but since I'm in a cover band I often need occasional sounds I don't normally require for some songs (baritone, sitar, banjo!). It's nice to have everything available on 1 cool guitar vs. hauling 15-16 different instruments to a gig. I use a baritone patch on my Variax for the Cure songs we do, and I've got to say the acoustic guitar patches are damn good through the PA, much better and realistic sounding than any piezo-equipped guitar I've played. Granted, you give up the tactile "feel" of the real instruments modeled (it might replicate the sound of a LP, but no way it feels like one), but like I said, if you just want a collection of dozens of sounds available, I strongly recommend a Variax.
Author:  AustinLeftyBass [ February 29th, 2012, 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
Different for me, I enjoy playing lots of instruments at a show.
My rack for typical Eggmen show.
L-R: Hofner "Beatle", Fender Jazz, Rickenbacker 4001S, SX BassVI, J.Jones electric sitar.
Image
Author:  Jeroen [ February 29th, 2012, 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
Hubba hubba, tell me more about that SX 8-)
Author:  AustinLeftyBass [ February 29th, 2012, 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
Jeroen wrote:
Hubba hubba, tell me more about that SX 8-)

Long story short, before and after:
ImageImage
Going for this look without spending a lotta dough. Did it for under $200 total, first gig was 3 days after completing it.
Image
Author:  Jeroen [ March 1st, 2012, 1:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
Cool, nice job and a great idea! I didn't know they built that one as a shortscale too.
Author:  pjmuck [ March 1st, 2012, 7:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
I don't play bass in my cover band, I'm the lead singer/rhythm guitarist, so the Variax is nice to have when jumping from sound to sound. It's a guitar, so the baritone setup is for sound only. You can't really play it like a traditional baritone (or bass) though, as strings/string spacing is exactly like a guitar.
Author:  AustinLeftyBass [ March 1st, 2012, 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
Ironically, every baritone guitar and 6-string bass I've ever seen had "strings/string spacing exactly like a guitar".
Author:  pjmuck [ March 1st, 2012, 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
How can the strings be the same as guitar? The string gauges are heavier, obviously. I own the Schecter Hellcat VI. I personally can't walk finger style on a standard guitar beyond the wrapped strings (finger picking with thumb, sure, but not traditional index/pointer fingerstyle), and with heavier strings on a baritone/six string bass I find it even more cramped (though doable if I have to). Maybe with practice I could do it, but I currently play it with a pick. Can't do those Ennio Morricone spaghetti western licks without a pick anyway. ;)
Author:  AustinLeftyBass [ March 1st, 2012, 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
String spacing.
Author:  Retag [ March 1st, 2012, 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Variax 6 string Baritone?
Baritones are tuned B-B or A-A, while a Bass VI is tuned ever lower: E-E.

Every octave pedal I have used (Micro Pog, Octron, Akai Unibass) never did a perfect job on lowering octaves. Great in a blended context, but not sure if I would use it to emulate a Bass VI. Not quite sure how the modeling works on a Variax, perhaps it is different.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/