I purchased the Variax 300 in January after a LOT of research. Most reviews were short and one-sided. (If you've ever looked at Musician's Friend - you know what I mean.) I also purchased the PODxt Live along with it.

Quality
The quality of the hardware is solid. Not fancy, not cheap. One HUGE negative is that Line 6 does not even OFFER a hardshell case. I'm hoping that once Line 6 figures out what models they are going to keep (they already discontinued the 500 model) - they will offer a hardshell case.

Sound Quality
The sounds of the guitar are basically ho-hum. To be totally honest - I can't tell the difference in a lot of the different preset sounds. One tech explained that Line 6 is known more for their AMP modeling than guitar modeling/sounds.

Before you think that I don't like this guitar - let me hasten on.

To reach even close to the full potential of the Variax, you MUST have a PODxt (of some kind) and the Gearbox and Workbench software.

THAT, my friends, is what makes this the greatest guitar in the WORLD!

If you are looking for a guitar to record digitally - this is it.

You take your Variax guitar and plug it into your POD via the special cable. Then you use a USB cable to plug that into your PC, using the Gearbox and Workbench software. Since it's digital, there is no MONO signal - all stereo digital and NO noise!

With Gearbox you can go in (and don't forget that you can download THOUSANDS of sounds FREE at the Line 6 site) customize every single sound - which can be saved on the POD.

More relevant maybe to this review is the Workbench software that lets you tweak EVERY model - even up to pickup type and placement. The best is you can go in and create your own guitar. I did a Sitar in the bridge and a HB in the neck. A SCREAMER!. The only limit is your imagination.

Summary - It's worth it - but ONLY if you go with the software.

PS - Gibson & Fender are trying to compete with their own modeling guitars.

I purchased the Variax 300 two years ago and absolutely love it. Can you imagine having 25 models of some of the greatest guitars in one guitar on stage or in the studio?

Build Quality
The build quality was very good, especially for an offshore guitar. The neck and tuners have the distinct feel that they came from the Fender Squire parts bin--not a bad thing. www.Sweetwater.com did a great job setting up the guitar. And Marty, one of their techs, updated it to the latest firmware.

Sound Quality
I have a Strat, LP, and Tele. Those Variax models are very close. It's impossible to tell for sure, since who has all of the particular years and models, right? But they sound close enough.

The Jazz -- Semi Hollowbodies are also very good.

The acoustics are good, not great. They would certainly pass on stage in a pinch. But even my 80-year old mother knew it was not the real thing.

The resos (dobros, banjo, sitar) sound good, definitely offering a different sound for those offbeat tracks.

The specials are very cool. Provide tons of tonal variance.

The Chime (Rickenbacker) models are less impressive, but some seasoned Variax Vets claim they are great so I will reserve judgement.

The Variax offers enough variations to carry you from Blue Grass to Blues, Hard Rock to Gospel. However, its difficult to get a great heavy metal sound. Also, Line6 should have included a nylon string model.

Recording
No noise, no hum. Perfect. This may be the greatest studio guitar, ever!

Miscellaneous
For the best sound, you MUST setup different EQ for each model. Also to use the Workbench and patches, you really need the POD XT Live. So I purchased that as well. The two make a great combo. Allowing you to quickly switch from one model patch to another, with the proper amp and EQ.

Summary
Buy it!!!

For a more indepth review:

http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/line6_podvariax.htm