I've done three shows now with my new Bose L1 Model I with B1 sub. This thing is amazing. I got the ultimate complement last ngight. A member of the audience at Redfire Grille could not understand how my guitar could be heard all over the restaurant without being plugged in. I said, "Well, I am plugged in. That's my PA." and pointed to the Model 1. He replied, "It sure sounds great."

At the first two shows, I was getting some serious bass thud with my K&K equipped guitars when my hand came anywhere near the bridge. I play nearly exclusively finger picking (thumb pick and bare fingers) and my palm spends a lot of time around the bridge. Sometimes I can get aggressive there. I posted the problem over on the Bose Musicians forum and was promptly informed about the two low-pass presets (Preset 80 = 50 hz high pass, preset 81 = 100 hz high pass). So last night I tried them out. 80 was OK, but still thumped more than natrual. 81 did the trick. Lush, rich, full woody tone, plenty of dreadnought boom (but controllable) from my Collings D1A, and great mid punch from my hand-built OM. I am absolutley thrilled with this system. And I don't have to modify my playing style one bit.

And the vocal channel is the best I've ever heard. They have an EQ preset for the SM58, and it sounded flat out natural. I'm not the best singer in the world. One buddy asked if I've been taking singing lessons. Nope, the Bose just makes it easy to hear yourself and sing on key.

Can't wait to try it with my duo in June. I might even schedule a freebie somewhere to try it out first.

Thanks to the folks at Bose! I would have never thoght you could impove on the sound of my AER compact 60 for small gigs, but this L1/B1 is amazing. I did not realize how much I was missing some real bass.

Cheers,
David

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dberch,

Hi David...I fully agree. I've been using the system w/ one or two bass modules for about a year and a half and anytime I play somewhere where I use the house system, I'm disappointed with the sound. Now, I even set up the bose as a monitor and take out the house monitors and run the line outs or my K&K DI out to the FOH board and it's a big improvement.

I have two AERs...the domino and the compact and I think I'm going to keep the compact for the battery uses, but the domino is probably going to go. Also, my 3-way mackies have been sitting forever and we've had great success in bigger venues and outside using the bose, so I think the mackies are on the short list.

My friend who plays electric guitar with my group most of the time, bought a bose system himself and now he runs his vocals and the line out on his Vogner amp to his bose and his electric guitar is heard better and I don't get any of the 'ear quack' from it on a smaller stage...awesome stuff, I agree.

Sounds like you're spoiled on the sound now...I understand!

Kia Manuia,

Dale

www.daleinskeep.com

Sounds marvelous. I run a K&K in all my gig guitars, but am thinking about upgrading my preamp and/or going to some better system. What you describe is what I want. To be utterly crass: how much for the Bose? thanks tom

Hey Tom,

The new systems run about $2500ish with the bass cabinet(s)...I have three systems, one with double bass cabinets, that have the older controls, etc...The new towers also have a little wider dispersion of sound...I was thinking of upgrading, but the one's I have are great and working well for me. My buddy got the new system and it has some great effects, presets (so does mine) and to be perfectly honest, I can't really determine with my ears if it's a significant difference in the dispersion of sound. I also like the simplicity of the two channel controls that velcro to my mic stand.

Now, since I do have 3 systems, if you might be interested, I would probably sell one for a good forum price...email me a dale@daleinskeep.com and I could give you more info if you want.

Kia Manuia,

Dale

www.daleinskeep.com

quote:

Originally posted by DailyAcousticMusic:
Hey Tom,

The new systems run about $2500ish with the bass cabinet(s)...
www.daleinskeep.com

True, but you can get the older system, now called the Model I with one B1 sub for about 2k. That's what I have.

Thanks, gentlemen. gulp. that would mean I'd have to sell another guitar, but God knows I've done that a lot. Is the system compatible with group usage, or primarily a solo set up. I play in two, sometimes three bands, and also do solo stuff. I'd be reluctant to have that much invested in a system that would only be of use to me solo. But I am already strongly considering the new K&K tube preamp (nearly 600 bones), which is supposed to make you sound pretty much as if you're playing through a Neumann or a Sennheiser. But you still have to get that sound out to the audience; thus, PA, which is what the Bose is, right? Am I being too utopian? I just really want the audience to hear what I hear when I'm in my quiet living room and the guitar's sound takes your breath away. That's the whole deal, right there. thanks tom

quote:

Originally posted by sonoman:
I just really want the audience to hear what I hear when I'm in my quiet living room and the guitar's sound takes your breath away. That's the whole deal, right there. thanks tom

Tom:
The BOSE will get you there. Mine certainly does, even with the less expensive XLR pre-amp from K&K and their mini-western p/u. Here is some more info on the BOSE PAS and the forum where you might want to post some of your questions.


http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/301107819/m/3...661034032#6661034032

thanks, Randy. Oddly, the older I get the more important purity of tone get to be. I played what amounted to pantomime guitar on weak mics in loud bars for years. No more. I will check out the Bose information you've so graciously provided. Other questions will have to do with portability, size, adaptability. Let me read some before I burden you with more questions, of which I am certain there will be some. thanks again tom

I just wanted to chime in here and say that I agree wholeheartedly. Here at the shop I work at - The Music Emporium - we've had the chance to run many guitar and pickup combinations through the L1, and it really has no equal in the amplification world.

I personally gig with the newer L1 Model II system, and I've been amazed at the results. It can cover quite a distance with amazingly accurate tone. My band-mate has a CJ Braz/Adi Varnish Sunburst (I just recorded with it, what an amazing guitar), and we've run it through the L1 with fantastic results (the CJ has a K&K Pure Western Mini installed). The low bass thud is easy to get out with the new T1 audio engine, as it has a parametric EQ built in that easily cuts those frequencies.

I use all 5 available channels and have found it perfect for a duo with two vocals, guitar, keys, and fiddle. You would need an external mixer to run more into it, but it can be done effectively.

The L1 may be more expensive than many of the other options out there, but I don't know of anything as versatile that can produce this kind of crystaline, accurate tone. Plus, it works as the front of the house, monitors, and guitar amp all at once. You can't beat that.

We have the L1 at The Music Emporium because we think it is the best sounding acoustic amplification system in existence. If you are in our area come in and try it out. And just so you know, I'm not on commission. I just really love this thing.

Ryan

Hey, Ryan, I used to live about 1.5 miles from your shop. Straight down Grant Ave to Saddle Club Road. My uncle bought a house there and sold it 16 years later for 400% profit. Now they live on the Cape in Eastham.

Walked by there every day on my way to school. I remember walking into the Music Emporium back in the late 70's and looking around in awe, afraid to touch anything.

Do you by any chance know Mike Wimberly? I think he bought a D42 in there recently. One of my best buddies. We still keep in touch 30 years later.

Hey Dave, it is a small world! I don't know Mike personally but I'm sure the rest of the guys do. I spend the majority of my time here at the shop in the basement taking pictures of guitars for the website. It's not a bad gig!

If one is looking for purity of sound, the Bose is the way to go. We use the original version, with one bass module, plus a clean Yamaha mixer with four mics feeding in.

We don't use pick-ups -- guitar, banjo, and voice through mics. It's the only system I've heard or used that retains the sound of the particular instrument, rather than turning it into a generic tone. If your Collings sounds different from your Martin, or your Stelling from your Gibson, you'll hear the difference through the Bose as well. Heck, you might even hear the difference between D'Addario and John Pearse (although perhaps not with a pick-up).

It is true that some listeners, and even first time users, don't think the system is on. They are used to boomy, harsh, electronic sound, and if they don't hear what typically sounds like a bus station PA, they think it is not working.

Plus, the carry of the sound over distance is different from the usual PA. One can be 10 feet from the speaker without it being too loud, yet those 60-70 feet away can hear clearly with plenty of volume.

An amazing device for amplifying acoustic instruments. Deserves a tryout for those looking for better sound.

Alex