New VG Strat

[helliott***]

Does anyone have experience with the new virtual Strat, which does tonnes of modeled tones and tunings? Reviews in GP are pretty good. Anyone checked one out? (I know, it's high treason to talk about modeling our tone, but what the heck ...)

[t_ross33]

It's apparently good 'nuff for Andy Summers...

From the reviews I've read, Line 6 still has an edge in this market, and at a more affordable price point, but if you're in the market for a strat-plus, it may fit the bill.

It's still a niche market. Heck, Steinberger Transcale guitars have received glowing reviews, but I've yet to see anyone playing one.

But what do I know. Getting back to your question, no I haven't checked them out yet I only know what I've read to date. Probably not my cuppa tea, but you never know when GAS will hit.

[Robert****]

I played one just unplugged, and I loved the feel of it. Like a real quality strat. I bet it would be a fun guitar to have! I want one! But can't afford one right now...

[warren0728]

i played around with one for a half hour or so at my buddy's music shop....pretty impressive!

Could see where it would be a great tool for a working musician. I especially liked the 12 string mode and some of the alternate tunings, The best thing is that if the batteries die you still have a regular strat to play without the virtual effects!

ww

[Spudman***]

This may get you some more info on the VG Strat.
I've watched one of the Fender Frontline videos of Greg Koch and on one of them, I'm not sure which, he demonstrates the guitar very well. It may be this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akJJ8cajMQQ

[SuperSwede]

I played one just unplugged, and I loved the feel of it. Like a real quality strat. I bet it would be a fun guitar to have! I want one! But can't afford one right now...

You need to concentrate on that Suhr savings account Robert

[Robert****]

It is a very cool guitar though! See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA442Cqzaxk

It is very appealing to be able to go to open tunings, great for slide work!

I'd love to get one - seems like a great purchase. You get a great American Strat with all these cool sounds. I'd pick that anytime before a Line 6 ugly-azz guitar.

[Iago]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVgg9VlKfz8

more of the same.. this one is nice too!

[helliott***]

mmm--yep, most of this is what I've heard, too. I can't afford another GAS attack right now, but am mightily tempted, though I haven't played one yet. The idea of having an axe that could go from standard to open G and D for slide is pretty cool. I may be sniffing around Long &McQuade on this and will report back.
GAS, bet behind me, please.

[BJunior]

Very cool guitar however a few things to think about...

I was checking them out at my local store. It's really just an American Strat with the Roland gear onboard and quite pricey too boot. All the extra money is going most likely (according to my good friend at the store) to Roland for the proprietary hardware.

He indicated that not too many people are buying them because of the cost factor, it's really way overpriced. What he felt would end up happening in the near future is that Fender will realize that it's not selling too well and produce exactly the same hardware on a MIM.

That will drive the price way down and make the guitar more affordable for the those that really want them, so in my eyes if I was eyeballing one of these because they are pretty cool and offer a lot of tonality options, I would wait a little while and see if Fender indeed does offer this on a MIM.

My .02 Cents...

:-)

[jpfeifer]

I was considering a modeling guitar for a while and thought about this one. I've tried both the Line6 guitars and this VG Strat. They each have their pro/con.

The VG Strat is a better-made guitar and more familiar feel which is nice. However I think that they made a couple of key design decisions on this guitar that make it a no-go for me. The biggest issue is that there is no battery eliminator. This means that you will need to put fresh batteries in for nearly every gig. The batteries last 10 hours according to their specs, but this would be a big pain to have that to worry about at every gig. However, the sounds and features of the guitar work great. I especially like the re-tunning features. I would use that for slide especially. The other knock I have with the guitar is that they didn't model a Les Paul for the humbucking sounds. They modeled a Strat loaded with a Humbucker. This seems kind of lame. They should have modeled a Les Paul and 335 in my opinion.

The Line6 Variax's biggest weakness is the guitar itself. It doesn't feel as high quality as the VG Strat. (But I didn't try the Variax 700 which is supposedly the best one). However, the Variax has some great features that they should have put into the Fender VG Strat, IMO. First, it has a battery eliminator so you don't have to worry about keeping fresh batteries on hand. In addition, they have a separate output on the guitar for acoustic sounds. This allows you to send one output to your amp and the second output to the PA for acoustic sounds (for example). That's a great feature if you plan on going from acoustic to electric tones alot. Lastly the Variax has lots of good Les Paul, 335, and Jazz box models in addition to the Fender tones. I think that VG Strat does a better job of the Fender tones but the Variax sounds fantastic for the Gibson sounds.

In my opinion there is not a perfect modeling guitar yet, but they're getting closer. If Fender would fix a few things then they would have the clear winner. They already build a good guitar, now they need to take a look at what people would use the modeling for and nail it with some usability features. They almost have it.

-- Jim

[Robert****]

Good points, Jim! Thanks for comparison. I'd go for the VG I think. I'd just use rechargeable batteries.

[warren0728]

The other knock I have with the guitar is that they didn't model a Les Paul for the humbucking sounds. They modeled a Strat loaded with a Humbucker. This seems kind of lame. They should have modeled a Les Paul and 335 in my opinion.

my guess is that gibson would have not stood for that....kinda like how thew vox amps use names that are not the names of the actual amps....

just a guess...it was a fun guitar to play and sounded good....and having a standard strat to play if your batteries die is cool too

ww

[Robert****]

Yeah, I still want that thing. What a useful guitar! It was a really nice "normal" guitar too!

Must.... Resist....G.A.S. ... At....All....Cost.... (or else my wife will slit my throat)

[Spudman***]

Must.... Resist....G.A.S. ... At....All....Cost.... (or else my wife will slit my throat)

A slit throat you can live with, but if she really knew what to cut then your playing days are over.

[Robert****]

Sounds like you're talking from experience, hope not! And you are still playing...

[Spudman***]

Sounds like you're talking from experience, hope not! And you are still playing...

I am the king of my castle, er...guitar warehouse. Unfortunately we have decided together that no more guitars are to be bought (ya right). WE want a motorcycle instead.

That VG Strat is going to have to wait for me.

[BJunior]

I am the king of my castle, er...guitar warehouse. Unfortunately we have decided together that no more guitars are to be bought (ya right). WE want a motorcycle instead.

That VG Strat is going to have to wait for me.

Well then in that case you should consider the greatest bike ever... well I'm pretty happy with mine anyway...and wait until Fender offers that VG strat on a MIM... :-)

The VFR!!!

[Robert****]

I think I may get rid of some of my cheap guitar to make room for another good one. Maybe a VG Strat, maybe something else. Time and compulsive behaviour will tell!