I took a trip to Guitar Center today to buy a string and, of course, wound up looking at super duper expensive PA systems LOL. I'm still trying to get my amplification situated and, I have to admit, the Bose L1 systems caught my eye due to power and portability. I've seen some mixed reviews on stickist.com about these systems. Is anyone using the L1 portable, Model I or Model II regularly? If so, what do you think? Thanks in advance.

I have been toying with exactly the same thing. There are a few other threads on this site that have discussed the L1 system, but so far I haven't found anyone who really swears by them - a few critical comments, a few recommendations, etc.

Theoretically it sounds like the ideal thing for the stick and I know many who have used them in conventional settings with conventional instruments and rave about the projection and quality, but I'm yet to see one in the flesh (they're not so abundant in Sydney Australia). I suppose it all comes down to what you want to achieve with it and the stick. There are as many opinions about gear as there are stick players, which is as it should be. If it helps create your voice on the stick then go for it, if not then keep looking.

Best
Sam

Hi there, I use and abuse my L1 (Model I), which includes 1 sub-buffer and the tonematch unit (4 channel mixer that comes very handy). I gig and practice a lot, so I am constantly separating it into pieces to reassemble it again, and this unit is like a rock, beyond the fact that it sounds perfect.

The unit amplifies exactly what you send in... there is no amp-generated color to the sound that changes the warmth/equalization, as you would if you had a Marshall/Ampeg duo for example.

Beyond the fidelity and excellent sound performance (I send my Warr which also sends multiple synthesizer sounds that are quite demanding frequency-wise, specially bass-synth sounds, and also my 6 string fretless and fretted basses) the unit will not break your back carrying it around.

I tried other ones (Acoustic Image (this would be my second choice), Fishman, Nady) and no other one filled the room like the L1, totally recommended.

Hope it helps

Thanks for the replies. Just to verify thewildest: Do you use the L1 portable, which is rated for 100 people, or the next step up which is rated for 500 people?

Hi there, the one I have is the L1 Model I single bass package, not the L1 Portable. I always thought (never did) that I will buy a couple of bass (B1) modules later, or just gig with a couple of bass modules and their compact "Packlite" power amp if I needed just the bass.

Regarding 100 or 500 people, I use the L1 as my own monitoring system on live gigs, and have used it as my only amplification system a couple of times on small/silent crowd environments. I bring it with me and it sits behind me so I can hear myself. For what I have experienced, it is a good replacement for carrying two combo amps (one for the bass, one for the melody or a very heavy keyboard amp) but when you get 100+ noisy people you need external PA systems to throw the sound across the room.... in other words, while it may overcome the noise of 100/500 people, you will not be able to transmit what you want to deliver if you do not have proper amplification, 500 people may require a couple of 1000w power speakers far from where you will be standing pointing at the public from 8 feet high.

For rehearsals, there is no mighty amp or drummer-on-steroids that can overwhelm my sound, I get through without going past 1/2 the power this beast delivers.

If you have more questions, please shoot.

Regards,

When you use the L1 as a monitor for large gigs, do you mike it or go direct from the Tonemaster into the venue's mixing console? Do you think it's loud enough to use as my sole amplification in small to medium size clubs and restaurants? I'm running stick, drum track and vocals.

I have sent the aux out of the Tonemaster to the console, and it works well, the only thing is that you go "mono" to the console, and some times having the bass and melody through different channels to the console may have its advantages.

All my stuff goes into an RC-50 that has dual stereo outputs, so I go with one stereo output to the Bose and the other one to the console.

For restaurants, where people go to eat instead of listen to a live show, I believe you will be OK, as you will fill the space with sound, no problem. If you are showcasing your playing, where the idea is to clearly deliver the nuances of your sound, it may be too small and you may need additional amplification. Put it in some other way, you can go as high in volume as the loudest drummer with this Bose system and sound perfect.

I hope it helps!

Thanks.

I used an L1 at a gig (both me and keyboardist, with drummer mic'd separately), and my keyboardist uses one now for monitoring/small coffeehouse gigs. Context is a jazz fusion trio--keyboards/NS/Drums. Just my two bits:

When I used it with my keyboardist, I had a hard time hearing myself in the mix. The bass response didn't seem to be adequate. Keep in mind this was with one Subwoofer, and with me playing a Megatar played in a bass-player's role.

We actually like it when our keyboardist uses it as a monitor in our trio. We all hear him very clearly and the dispersion is really wide.

Sooo...

Has anyone tried one of the new Bose B2 subs with an L1 setup? It looks like they will offer the bass response a lot of people are asking for.

Sam