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I have trouble walking and with balance as a result of medical issues that have left me physically older than my 64 years (not complaining though!)
But last night I tripped over the guitar cable I was using and ended up with a bloody knee and possibly a stess fractured metatarsil. So, enough already with the cables!
I am looking for a decent wireless I can use to at least replace the cable between whatever guitar I'm playing and the input to my tuner. I know a lot of you guys are still playing out, can you tell what you are using if you are using a wireless system? I don't really play out too much anymore, so I won't be dealing with things like neon signs or other odd sources of static or other interferences. Just looking for something to make my music room a little safer for my clumsy ass
Thanks in advance!
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06-11-2026 12:12 PM
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Just check that specs are 24bits 48KHz, latency as short as possible (5 - 6 ms or shorter is OK). Would be fine if battery charge is displayed. I'd go for USB C for comfort reasons, nowadays.
I didn't spend lots of money on my two sets (brand is Lekato if you ask but there are many more out there) and no complain so far.
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Line 6 system literally burned out on me. Much cheaper Gemini system has been completely reliable.
After reading later posts, I should add that I never have gigs longer than 2 hours and I think the Gemini doesn't go much beyond 4 hours on its battery.Last edited by WilliamScott; 06-12-2026 at 05:16 PM. Reason: add comment
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Hi, Jim. I’m so sorry to hear this and hope you stay fully functional and mobile.
I’ve used a Boss WL20 wireless since they came out about 8 years ago, when a friend brought one to a gig and raved about it. They’ve gotten a lot more expensive in that time, and the rechargeable batteries in them are not replaceable. Mine is still going strong - it was fine on a gig the night before last. But when one of the batteries in transmitter or receiver goes, I’ll have to replace the system. Right now, my replacement of choice will probably be the Positive Grid Spark wireless, which is $100 less and gets generally great reviews.
I’m aware of the technical options, and can only tell you that my simple, basic 2.4 / 44.1 Boss has been fine in 99% of the many places I’ve played. There were a few dropouts of a second or less over long distances on large stages with LED lighting, multiple wireless devices in use, heavy duty WiFi, and a lot of power line noise. When you came to hear me at the club, I was using it. That stage is the noisiest place on earth, with multiple light banks, high voltage overhead rail power lines and a cell tower directly outside the stage wall and window. The Boss performed flawlessly twice a week there from 2018 until I retired from the house band in Dec 2024.
Once you get used to being wireless, you have to be extra careful if you’re using a cable. I ran out to a last minute gig a few months ago with the El Rey and left the wireless in my 16” gig bag. I carry a cable in each bag, so I plugged in….and forgot completely that I was wired. I walked up front for my solo and the cable was around my knees. Fortunately, I was able to avoid hitting the floor by grabbing onto a table next to me. So I didn’t hurt myself or my guitar. But it was mighty close and very sobering!
Best wishes for stability! I’ve seen programs advertised for balance training and rehab. If you haven’t already done so, you might look into to that option. Most university otolaryngology departments have one.
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Thanks David, the Positive Grid system looks like a great option! Where and when are you playing these days? I'd love to come out and see you again.
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I messaged you with my dates between now and mid September, Jim.
Originally Posted by jim777
I'm pounding the pavement for a few new gigs, but local live music has become a tough business. All of our regional Whole Foods stores have closed down their music programs, and that was one of my favorite regular dates for years. My solo restaurant gigs dried up this year because it turns out that my two best ones did not have PRO licenses for public performance and cannot afford to buy even the 4 basic licenses (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR) that cover most of the tunes we all play. The owners of high profile books charge their own fees in addition to the garden variety stuff. More and more publishing and performance rights are now owned by private equity groups like Harbor View (Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson), Primary Wave (Whitney Houston, Katy Perry), and Shamrock (Beyonce and Rihanna). So this problem will grow for all of us who gig. Others on the forum have told me that they've run into the same problem across the country.
I fully support the need to make sure composers (or the holders of the rights to their work) receive appropriate royalties. But it seems counterproductive for PROs to be going after tiny local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bookstores etc that have solo performers a few times a month at the most. This is cutting off the nose to spite the face, since it keeps so many tunes and performers alive in the ears and minds of the audiences. Some performers and even more tunes make it to large and/or famous venues with big audiences and big ticket prices. So the amount to be gained from the few mom and pop businesses that can afford the licenses seems tiny compared to the benefits of helping local and regional performers move up to better paying gigs in places that can and will buy the necessary licences. Shutting down the rest is killing opportunities for musicians and singers to keep the music alive.
Small user exemptions from PRO licensing requirements seem like a way to increase the size of the pie. Keeping us small fry from getting a slice will result in smaller pies, not bigger slices.
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Sounds like textbook equity to me. Squeeze out the last drop and sell the carcass. $1 today is better than $10 tomorrow, race to the bottom stuff.
To OP: Christian did a gear video and recommended the Nux wireless system.
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I've also been using Positive Grid Spark Link since it came out 2 years ago.The range and sound quality are very good but the battery i've found only lasts about four hours.
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I have three systems. For reasons.
The one I use most often is the Line6 Relay G10. It's quiet, and has both 1/4" and XLR line out. It requires external power from a microUSB cable, and any phone charger or power brick will do the job. I have a couple of gimme power packs that are very small, but power it for a few hours each. My next most used is the Xvive. It's slightly noisier, has no line out, just plugs into the amp and guitar inputs. Both sound fine to me, and use the 2.4GHz spectrum. I also have an Amoon 5GHz system which works and sounds okay, but has pops when turned on and off, so I don't use it often. The Relay G10 is the most versatile, because it can be used as a DI with either the 1/4" or XLR outputs. The only downside is the size of the receiver/DI box and the requirement for external power. Oh, and the receiver sticks out of the guitar rigidly, so in some situations a 90 degree adapter might be needed. It comes with one.
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I have the newer Xvive A58 wireless using the 5.8 gHz band and it works great.
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Hope you’re doing okay Jim! And keep walking. Make it your life’s mission to keep moving! Be well!
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I just had what may be an inspiration. I use a Zensation (ZenDrive clone) pedal for some blues, pop, and fusion tunes on band gigs that call for it. I’ve always used my wireless to the pedal and a cable to the amp with the pedal sitting on my amp or a nearby surface (eg the keyboard), switching it on & off with a finger. Why couldn’t I use a wireless system from pedal to amp too?
Since I know my Boss WL-20 is nearing its end of life with 8 years on the batteries, I’m going to get its replacement a little early and try this.
Chaz is not the only one noting the short battery charge life of the Spark - all the in-depth reviews do too. With warmup, sound checks, encores, etc I don’t think 4 hours is enough for a 4 hour gig. So I’m searching for a replacement with twice that. I’m spoiled because the Boss reliably goes 10+ hours. I know this because I’ve forgotten more than once to recharge it overnight between gigs.
I may end up with 2 WL-20s. I haven’t seen any others with 10+ hours of charge life, and it works very well.
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Sometimes Chinese JOYO brand stuff is great.. sometimes not. I've had enough good experiences with them to take a chance on their 5.8hz set up. It seems well made and it's worked fine over the last few months.
I'm thinking it will be on sale for Amazon Prime Day..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRKS96NS...sin_title&th=1
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I've had good luck with the Lekato 5.8. Got through two 2-hr back-to-back theater shows without charging. Can't beat the price.
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If you’re not gigging, even budget 2.4GHz wireless units can work fine in a home setup.
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I'm older than the OP, and while I haven't actually taken a fall so far I've started to walk off a stage with a loop of cable around my ankle more than once. Add to that being on a stage with 19 other people, some of whom are older than I. After Woody posted praise for the Lekato 5.8 last year I ordered a set when it was on sale. For a good part of my life a change like this would require hours of critical A vs B listening tests, but I just plugged them in, played a bit, thought it sounded fine, used them at home for a few days, then a rehearsal. Ordered a second set. Did some gigs, had no problems, battery life easily got me through a two-hour gig plus early soundcheck. I use both sets at home for my two playing locations, so wireless everywhere now.
It's a relief not to have to watch the lead dress when I put a guitar on a stand and then take it back off at a gig, or worry that someone squeezing by will snag my cable.
Danny W.
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I grabbed the Lekato 5 version as well.
Yesterday, after resoldering my guitar cable for the 3rd time this year, I got them out to give them another try.
They do change the tone vs a cable. They dont have a cable imulation option. So far it seems I can address those issues with the amp eq. I dont know if I would use them if I were serious about wireless and I may upgrade. Time will tell but in the meantime they are fine for at home playing.
My issue is similiar to the OP's and Ive had surgery on one leg so its not as sensitive as the other. I end up steping on the cable and Im concerned that someday soon I may damage a guitar.
I dont know if I would get the positive grid becuase they use data compression. It may be just fine but Im not in love with the idea.
I do very much appreciate not having a cable so I think its a good investment.
The Fender ones get rated pretty well but they arent much less expensive than some others discussed on this thread.
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For anyone following this: The Lekato use lasted 2 days before going back in the drawer.
I thought I could eq the changes but no. Cheap wireless may work well in some applications but a carved archtop w/ roundwounds... nope. Too many of the acoustic elements are lost. For me it made the sound darker and mushy. String separation and clarity loss were just too great. Ive rearranged the cords in hopes that I can keep my feet off of them.
In the future I may give some better systems a try. The description of the Boss looks good but my gutiar has an end pin jack and the Boss transmitter doesnt have a hinge. Im trying to switch over to classical position so I dont hunch and wreck my back. Also, my left ear is the good one and I get more good sounds sitting in classical position. The Boss will be in the way.
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Originally Posted by Sigmund451
I use two Lekato wireless systems. Both work perfectly with any of my three good archtop guitars. Maybe the word perfectly isn't the most appropriate. Let's say reasonably.
Just so you know, I also have about thirty cables of different makes and qualities, two of which are made by Vovox, a Swiss company well known for manufacturing high-end and very expensive guitar cables.
Of course, I can detect some subtle differences when making a direct comparison (which I did when I bought my first set of Lekato). It’s true that, with a wireless system of this (cheap) quality, there is some loss in the guitar’s treble range, and I find that my Vovox cables reproduce the guitar’s higher frequencies much better – say, from 5000 Hz upwards.
As other members have said, if necessary, a slight adjustment with the equaliser can correct this and, honestly, it’s not a huge difference at all.
At least, not significant enough for me to go back to using cables.
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I also have end-pin jacks. The Line6 Relay G10 comes with a 90 degree adapter. Those adapters are also available individually for cheap.
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Haha, I didnt even think to think about an adapter. Thanks for pointing that out.
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