Bose amp system - got the dough??

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 10:32 PM

I did a dance gig in a gymnasium with one of the Bose systems (brought by a band member). It was sort of an experiment on his part. It did surprisingly well filling the hall (with electric upright bass, fiddle with mic on, and guitar on a regular mic, plus me calling on a headset mic). I did have one square dance that one square really had trouble hearing me for, but I think that was more because it was also the debut of my headset mic and I was struggling to position it on my face properly.

It was weird for me because as the dance caller I'm not usually in the monitor, and I could actually hear myself (too well) onstage. That meant I couldn't hear how I was sounding out front...

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 08:31 PM

the loudbox mini is reviewed in this month's guitarist magazine

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 11:17 AM

Yes, Fishman. The sound guy said "Fishwick" but when I searched I realised it was Fishman,
RtS
(What do I know?)

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 10:48 AM

All depends what you want to do. My advice would be to go around and watch what a few people are doing. Nobody does exactly your gig.

Pay close attention to their guitar technique - whether its is quite loud strumming or soft fingerpicking without picks. whether they use outboard gear, stomp boxes, use the effects integral to the desk. Whether they use bass instruments with real bass bollocks - I've seen the bose system reduced to those little speakers sounding like the rattle of tin cans. Do they DI their acoustic instruments or mike them up. Or (very common nowadays - do they use systems with elements of both). In which case do they buy the job done (by buying something like a Yamaha with a design team behind them )- or have they stuck things onto a prior existing guitar.

there was a time when everyone shut up and listened, but its a bit like full employment, I don't suppose we'll see it again in our time. Some intrumentalists DO need amplification - even if they don't know it themselves. I must have sat at the back through at least twenty Martin carthy folk club aoppearances without realising the subtleties of his technique.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: mandotim
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 08:43 AM

Fishman, not Fishwick? I have two of the bose L1 systems, and they're great.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 07:40 AM

Apparently it is called the SA220 Solo Performance system. I tried to link to their page but it didn't work.


RtS

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 07:35 AM

The last couple of times (last was yesterday)I've seen British guitarist Sonny Black (Bill Boazman),he's had a similar rig (tall thin speaker). I asked the soundman last night and he said it wasn't a Bose but a Fishwick system. He was impressed with it.

RtS
(my tin ear is no guide!)

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 02:52 PM

Les, yeah, it really does make a difference.
If you can get to try the system at a gig, use it with and without the subwoofer. You'll notice the difference.
Bose is not paying me to endorse their system. I wish they would!!

Seamus

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GUEST,Les B.
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 11:34 AM

Seamus - Thanks for that tidbit, I've been pondering whether the subwoofer was justifiable.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 11:08 PM

Guys, I finally caved and bought the subwoofer too.
It really does make a difference , even with just a solo acoustic guitar and vocal mike.
Greater presence and a deeper (but not bassier) sound.
Sorry I didn't get it at the beginning.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 10:13 PM

the acoustic image has excellent vocal capabilities and again, has a lot of sound and the soung quality is excellent and it is tiny! it is also kinda pricy but you said you were looking for something good. the only downside to this amp is the price

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: michaelr
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 08:05 PM

Nick -- Just about every acoustic guitar amp on the market today has two input channels, many featuring XLR (microphone) inputs. Check out the Fishman Loudbox, which has more wattage than most, and the Carvin AG100D, which is getting good reviews.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 06:03 PM

Jimmyt - thanks! my web site is http://www.nickblue.com - I'll definitely do that - I'll check out the acoustic image coda. Have you done some vocals thru it too? or just guitar - I'm kinda looking for an all-around amp in which I can get away with a lot and the fewer the knobs the better.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 05:57 PM

nick, Check out the Acoustic Image Coda amp. I just bought one and for acoustic sound it is hard to beat. It weighs only 25 pounds is only about 12 inches tall, has a channel for acoustic instrument and one for microphone I find it is about as good as it gets for overall clarity, sound, size weight etc. read the reviews in the website from users I love mine Call Bob GOllihur and talk to him about it I wil have to find his website for info but he put me on to it. One of my folk group played his guitar through it and immediately said it was the best sound he had ever heard from an amplified acoustic instrument. I play upright bass through it ind am very pleased with the sound quality If you get near Chattanooga, Tennessee you can try mine anytime   jimmyt

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GUEST,nick
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 05:50 PM

I am looking for a 'band box' - an amp I can plug a mic, acoustic -or- electric guitar, and maybe another instrument for coffee house or outdoor venue like a farmer's market and make it work well. I am really looking for the 'best inthe world' variety. I have been thinking about bose radiator or the crate limousine but wondered what else is out there. Thanks for any thoughts.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GUEST,er777
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 02:19 PM

That review from Terry Alan is perfunctory and uninformed - you don't get hiss from this system and there is no built in reverb but there is an fx and insert loop.

He is way off base about the Bose!

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Allan C.
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 09:16 AM

I got to hear Wesley S.'s group perform with the Bose system. I was amazed at the quality and projection. Wow! It very adequately filled the venue with sound. (The room may have been about 50 X 75 feet [just guessing] and was well packed with people.) Perhaps one of the most remarkable things about it is that the system is totally unobtrusive. All that was onstage were the mikes, the preamp/mixer and those two black colums (which almost looked more like set decorations than sound equipment.) If I were into performing, I'd certainly try to scrape up the money to get this system.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: michaelr
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 08:49 PM

Well, I went to see Seamus, but since he flew in from the East Coast he wasn't carrying the Bose system. So I still haven't heard it. :-(

But he says it's fantastic. It's enough sound for 500-600-seat venues if you add the bass module, he says. In smaller places he doesn't even use the woofer.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 01:28 PM

I also enjoyed the remote that comes with the system. It's designed to fit on your mic stand - so it's right at your fingertips if you need to do any tweaking.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 10:24 PM

Thanks folks I have pmed Seamus and hope he adds a response. i guess I will not know until we order 2 systems and see how it works out. I have thought of buying an Acoustic Image bass system as it supposedly provides the absolutely best acoustic sound for a string bass. Added to that 2 Bose systems and we may have something worth listening to.   Thanks again   I will let you know what I find out

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 08:13 PM

I've been intrigued by this system ever since it was introduced in 2004. (SRS and Clinton, I don't think you've heard the one we're talking about.) Seamus Kennedy is playing at my local (The Rose Pub, Santa Rosa, CA) tomorrow, so I will check it out and report back.

If Terry Allan Hall thinks a Carvin PA sounds better than anything else, I want some of what he's smoking. ;-)

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: dwditty
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 06:33 PM

I was at Bose just before Christmas for their party/concert. The had a solo singer/songwriter, a duo - guitar, vocals, harp, and a seven piece band. At the end of the night they had 11 musicians on stage. The sound is amazing...very present, loud even, but not harsh. Now, granted, they had 7 systems supporting the masses, but it works very well with less. I have worked with a church band with 6 singers, two guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards. We mixed the sound through 3 systems and it sounded just great.

We all know the stories about Bose....too much marketing, not enough substance. No highs, no lows...it must be Bose, as someone said to me at a gig. They winked though, because they admitted the sound was terrific. One of the things I like best about the system is that everyone can hear equally...no hot spots with garbled words...no drop off (with garbled words).

Bose has signed up a bunch of users around the country so that we can demo the system for people. PM me, and I will see if there is anyone near you who can let you check it out first hand. AFter all, the beauty is in the ear of the behearer, and there really is no other discussion of pro's or cons that matters. You will either like it or you won't.

dw

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 06:18 PM

jimmyt, I am not sure of the answer to your question, but it seems to me that the Bose would be ideal. You should PM Seamus Kennedy for a more definitive answer. It seems to me that, providing you like the sound quality, this would be perfect for blending voices. My understanding of the system is that you can hear the mix very well and with five singers harmonizing that would be critical. And they are very easy to setup and carry.

Most Bose dealers are very willing to let you take a demo and try it out. Check into this.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: jimmyt
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:14 PM

I was going to start a thread to ask some tech questions regarding this system, so I am glad I found it here. My situation is we are looking for a good acoustic sound for a total of 5 singers, three guitars (part time banjo that is miked, not pickuped. and upright acoustic bass. We perform sporadically and for groups of up to 100 mostly. Could we get by with 2 of these Bose setups, one bass , the other standard? Please be gentle with your explanations as I am probably the dumbest musicain when it comes to tech stuff. We have about $4000 ready to put in a system, and already have good mikes, but want to simplify setup, cut weight down, get a better acoustic sound, so will sell our old systewm for $1000, +/- Thanks for the answers   jimmyt

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 01:35 PM

Terry Allan, I've never had feedback problems with my system, and I stand about 3 - 4 feet in front and to the side of my unit. I didn't notice the hiss you were talking about. Did you use the remote controller for EQ and volume levels?
It doesn't have reverb, and I don't miss it.
Each room has its own natural reverberation, and in my opinion, artificial enhancement is not necessarily a good thing.
My take on the Bose PAS is that it has the effect of the musician playing and singing acoustically in a room, as he/she would at a session, without artificial reverb, naturally - just louder so everyone can hear.
I've been through a shitload of PA systems in my 34 years of professional performing, as I'm sure you have, and I like this one best.
However like a lot of aging musicians, if someone comes out with a smaller, lighter, more easily portable yet equally powerful system, I'd probably buy that!

Seamus

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 11:49 AM

Maybe it's that I'm too much a cloth-ear, but I've played through a Bose system a couple of times, and I think that at half the price they're still a rip-off...

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 10:28 AM

Ooops...let me make that a "clicky"...

An unbiased review of Bose's latest offring...

Hopefully, this'll save someone a LOT of trouble...

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 10:25 AM

For the $$$, there are MUCH better systems out there...For about $200 (US), you can buy an equally useful/useless system from Kustom.

Here's a review I wrote up for another site: http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/018078.html

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: dwditty
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 07:42 AM

I have been using the system for about 6 months. Quite simply it is perfect. While it certainly is great for a small act, I was at Bose about three weeks ago for a presentation on the product and the Bose band performed. This was a 7 piece band (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, 2 horns), and the sound was spectacular. Each band member had their own PAS (there is a bass model with no tower and 6 bass modules). Each player could be heard so clearly. I have used it everywhere small clubs and coffeehouses to large, noisy outdoor settings and have never failed to draw comments on the quality of the sound (maybe not the performance, but the sound :) ).

As far as price, yep, it is expensive. But.....I had been considering portable PA's ala Fender, Peavey, etc, in the $800-900 range. The sound quality was just not there for me. After I spec'd a system with really good sound, I was up to $1400-1500. So, yes, expensive by about 25%-30% more. As Seamus says, set up and tear down is fast, probably saving over an hour per gig.....and, everything fits in the trunck of my Civic.

I gues my final compliment for the product is that I keep it set up at home between gigs simply because I really like the sound! Give it a try, they have a 45 day free trial and will pay shipping both ways if you decide not to keep it. Tell 'em DW sent you.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 02:44 AM

I love it. Really quick set- up, and break down. Excellent for acoustic solos or duos.
I don't use the bass module, because my sound is not very bass-y ,- acoustic guitar and vocals. No problems with folks hearing everything. I like not having a monitor, or having to set speakers on tripods. Very Convenient.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 02:09 AM

Thanks for the link, Mick. I did a quick thread filter, rather than a proper search for prior discussion.

~ Becky

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Wesley S
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 11:53 AM

Our trio has used this system - we loved it. No need for monitors and we were able to hear everyone properly for a change. It's nice to be able to hear something other than the banjo.

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:35 AM

HERE is a previous discussion of this system. It certainly gets solid reviews.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: GLoux
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:15 AM

The September 2004 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine gave a favorable review of the Bose Cylindrical Radiator. Unfortunately, the article is not posted on their web site, but perhaps you can find it at your library.

-Greg

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:27 AM

Your system will cost you about $1700 to $2000 US. I am told it is a superior system and really works best for solo, duo, or trio applications. The sound is reputed to be phenomenal. The system interests me, but it is pretty expensive. Also, each musician is responsible for their own mix. Seems to me that that would cause problems in a setup like mine where we have five musicians playing eleven different instruments.

Seamus Kennedy has been using this setup for about a year. It would be interesting to hear his take on it.

Having said all that, I am considering a basic setup, plus bass module, for my solo work.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 01:33 AM

I've heard they're very good, but it has been years since I was around one to report back about the quality of the sound. I see on that "wave" radio that they start at $350 and go up well over $1300. No wonder they talk about "financing" in their ads!

SRS

Subject: Bose amp system - got the dough??
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 01:28 AM

So, who's won the lottery lately and tried out one of these to tell us about it??

Go to www.bose.com and click on "Products for Musicians".

~ Becky in Tucson