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, we turned our attention from the POD, amps, and effects that we had been developing to take a fresh look at the guitar itself. We wondered–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, we released the original Variax, the world’s first modeling guitar. But while the Variax is perhaps the ultimate general-purpose guitar, we also wanted to specifically address the unique needs of the acoustic musician.
We 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 our unique Mic Position control, you can adjust your tone the way professionals do–by changing mic position. And since our 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, we 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, we gave the Variax Acoustic the ability to re-tune for you, at the press of a button.
And of course, to fill our instrument with the sounds of so many archetype acoustics, we had to audition truckloads of vintage guitars to find the ones with just the right sound. Just as we did with the original Variax, we refined our 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.
The result of our labors? Variax Acoustic 700. An entire acoustic collection in a single instrument.
With a simple twist of the MODEL SELECT knob, you'll hear a diverse range of instruments from no-frills workhorses to the upper echelons of collectibility. And a few exotic oddities that most of us don't even know how to tune, much less play. With the Variax® Acoustic, you won't get the vintage patina or the strangely erotic musty case smell, but you won't have to deal with the neck re-sets and cracked tops either. Instead, you get only the very best part: the sound.
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
Specs
- 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
