Any Variax users around? Having some problems...

chimp_spanner · #1 (**permalink**) 27th December 2008 , 10:13 PM

Hey all! Recently got my Variax 300 from DV - came in good time, excellent condition and so on. So no gripes there.

However, there's a major problem with it. My low E string generates a horrible sound when I palm mute it, specifically with even small amounts of overdrive/gain applied. I've done a fair bit of reading and it seems a lot of people also have this.

Now what I need to find out is - is this an anomoly, or do other Variax users find the same thing?

Overall I'm really impressed with it but at the moment, it's utterly useless for rhythm playing unless used completely clean. And if it can't be fixed, or if this is just the way the Vax is, I'm gunna have to return it. But I want to believe it can be made to work!

To give you an idea of what's wrong, check out this clip I recorded. The same thing played firstly on the D, then A then E string. Yes it's high gain but it also happens with bluesy/crunch tones as well.

[url]http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=7182109&q=hi[/url]

Oh and also (sorry, last bit!) if I send this to my nearest L6 center to get repaired or replaced, how would this affect my return rights to DV should it fail?

Thanks all!

- Paul O

Khazul · #2 (**permalink**) 28th December 2008 , 12:59 AM

I have an older 500 - nothing like that on mine, however what I have found is that string noise and fret buzz do seem to get hugely exagerated on some of the guitar models. At a guess it sound like a tiny bit of fret buzz if so, you need to get your guitar tweaked. I gave mine a tweak when I first got it - been very clean since. If you dont know what your doing adjusting a guitar - particularly the neck, then I suggest you get a specialist to do it.

chimp_spanner · #3 (**permalink**) 28th December 2008 , 02:26 AM

Hey Khazul, thanks for the reply

Nah this is something happening at the saddle/in the pickup. If I tap the saddle lightly I can hear the same frequency chime out. It's especially noticeable on any of the bridge pickup models. But not so much so (or at all) on some of the neck ones. So I'm leaning towards dodgy piezo.

It's encouraging to hear that you don't encounter this, though. Kinda gives me hope! The Tele bridge model in particular is so much fun for riffing (ignoring the horrendous sound on the low E) I've no doubt that this thing can rock and chug just fine.

Just not as it stands.

Dave Boulden · #4 (**permalink**) 28th December 2008 , 10:25 AM

Can't say I've ever noticed anything like this on my 600. Have you checked for Flash Memory firmware updates on the Line 6 site? (the ones you apply to the guitar through the USB adaptor via the Line6 Monkey software)... I'm sure I've seen release notes mentioning fixed "noises" on certain models.

chimp_spanner · #5 (**permalink**) 28th December 2008 , 01:22 PM

That's the only thing I haven't been able to do yet as I use the X3, and not the X3L. I ordered the Workbench interface (also from DV) and it gets here tomorrow so I'll be able to try that out. I mean I was trying it last night and the noise seems to go away on some of the 2nd position models, and almost all of the 5th position ones. I'll give it a go tomorrow and see what's what. I really hope it fixes it!!

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#1 (permalink) 27th December 2008 , 10:13 PM
chimp_spanner Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colchester, Essex Posts: 4	Any Variax users around? Having some problems... Hey all! Recently got my Variax 300 from DV - came in good time, excellent condition and so on. So no gripes there. However, there's a major problem with it. My low E string generates a horrible sound when I palm mute it, specifically with even small amounts of overdrive/gain applied. I've done a fair bit of reading and it seems a lot of people also have this. Now what I need to find out is - is this an anomoly, or do other Variax users find the same thing? Overall I'm really impressed with it but at the moment, it's utterly useless for rhythm playing unless used completely clean. And if it can't be fixed, or if this is just the way the Vax is, I'm gunna have to return it. But I want to believe it can be made to work! To give you an idea of what's wrong, check out this clip I recorded. The same thing played firstly on the D, then A then E string. Yes it's high gain but it also happens with bluesy/crunch tones as well. [url]http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=7182109&q=hi[/url] Oh and also (sorry, last bit!) if I send this to my nearest L6 center to get repaired or replaced, how would this affect my return rights to DV should it fail? Thanks all! - Paul O
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#4 (permalink) 28th December 2008 , 10:25 AM
Dave Boulden Keeper o' the Keys! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kent, UK. Posts: 1,613	Can't say I've ever noticed anything like this on my 600. Have you checked for Flash Memory firmware updates on the Line 6 site? (the ones you apply to the guitar through the USB adaptor via the Line6 Monkey software)... I'm sure I've seen release notes mentioning fixed "noises" on certain models. ______________________________ http://www.daveboulden.co.uk/
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#2 (permalink) 28th December 2008 , 12:59 AM
Khazul Furry Filter Phreak Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 987	I have an older 500 - nothing like that on mine, however what I have found is that string noise and fret buzz do seem to get hugely exagerated on some of the guitar models. At a guess it sound like a tiny bit of fret buzz if so, you need to get your guitar tweaked. I gave mine a tweak when I first got it - been very clean since. If you dont know what your doing adjusting a guitar - particularly the neck, then I suggest you get a specialist to do it.
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#3 (permalink) 28th December 2008 , 02:26 AM
chimp_spanner Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colchester, Essex Posts: 4	Hey Khazul, thanks for the reply Nah this is something happening at the saddle/in the pickup. If I tap the saddle lightly I can hear the same frequency chime out. It's especially noticeable on any of the bridge pickup models. But not so much so (or at all) on some of the neck ones. So I'm leaning towards dodgy piezo. It's encouraging to hear that you don't encounter this, though. Kinda gives me hope! The Tele bridge model in particular is so much fun for riffing (ignoring the horrendous sound on the low E) I've no doubt that this thing can rock and chug just fine. Just not as it stands.
Offline

#5 (permalink) 28th December 2008 , 01:22 PM
chimp_spanner Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colchester, Essex Posts: 4	That's the only thing I haven't been able to do yet as I use the X3, and not the X3L. I ordered the Workbench interface (also from DV) and it gets here tomorrow so I'll be able to try that out. I mean I was trying it last night and the noise seems to go away on some of the 2nd position models, and almost all of the 5th position ones. I'll give it a go tomorrow and see what's what. I really hope it fixes it!!
Offline