The Bose L1 Compact

**merseybeat** · 06-01-2010, 02:49 AM

Well finally I have around 20 tunes that I can play live but due to the fact I am in Saudi and good jazz musicians are Non! I am going out with my BIAB made backing tracks and using a Boss BR600 multi-track to play them!
Its working nicely but I am now ready for larger audiences and looking at a very light weight PA to play the backing through! I am currently assessing the The Bose L1 Compact so I was wondering if anyone else here has any experience of this PA.

Kindest regards

Eddie

**ronjazz** · 06-01-2010, 07:16 AM

I have the big brother, the L1 Model !, and it's great. The compact should be pretty good for up to 200 in the audience.

**merseybeat** · 06-01-2010, 07:43 AM

Hi Ronjazz

Thanks does the L1 Model 1 have a good bass response? I am using the real upright jazz player in band in a box!

Thanks

Eddie

**ronjazz** · 06-01-2010, 08:22 AM

It is really good with the sub-woofer, I use a variety of bass sounds, mostly fretless electric that I play myself in my tracks, and also a lot of 7-string guitar for backup. Also, in my trio, when Jim Cammack (Ahmad Jamal's bassist) plays with me, he loves going through the Bose, both electric and upright.

I can also suggest that the Bose company is really good at customer relations, so if you can't try one at a store, find out what the return policy is. They used to give 45 days. I'll bet that the Compact will blow you away, but one very important caveat: you need a digital processing pedal for EQ and reverbs or the guitar will sound "sterile". I use the Zoom A2 for my nylon-stringers, and the Digitech RP series for electrics, either jazz or rock. I am so pleased with the sound of the Bose that I sold all of my amps!

**merseybeat** · 06-01-2010, 08:39 AM

Thanks Mate

Yeah we have a pretty big Bose center here in Jedaah KSA so I am on my way there now! They also stock a fender passport so I am taking my Boss Br600 with me to plug in and assess! I use a Boss GT10 anyway so I should be able to find a patch or two in that beast (Awsome FX unit!)

Thanks again for the info

Eddie

**JohnW400** · 06-01-2010, 09:03 AM

I had one. It worked fine except when I ran both an upright bass and a nylon string with a piezo. I had th eoriginal with a bass module. Don't know why.

I sold it because it was a lot port around. (3 sections) I never find parking in front of the places I play and I'm foroever lugging equipment around.

**derek** · 06-01-2010, 11:09 AM

I have played thru one a couple of times, and have heard a duo using one before. Very impressed. However, as John points, out, quite a bit of schlepping for a solo gig. If I were going to go that sort of direction, I would probably look into the Fishman. A bit cheaper, and not as many parts to haul. Good luck

Fishman Transducers, Inc - Product Details

**Steve Z** · 06-01-2010, 01:17 PM

The Fishman SA220 is definitely a great choice and sounds nice. The SA220 seems to be the other choice in the similar product as the Bose Compact. I have tried them both and they both have their followers. Give them both a try if they are available in your area and see if you have a preference. The Bose Compact definitely sets up quickly with few parts to carry...

Here is a quicl look at the Fishman SA220

**TieDyedDevil** · 06-01-2010, 03:45 PM

There's quite a price spread between a Bose system and a Fender Passport.

Assuming that you don't mind the stretch to the higher-cost systems, I'd suggest that you consider building a real PA out of two (or three, if you need the low end that you can only get from a subwoofer) powered speakers and a small mixer. You should be able to assemble such a system for around the same cost as a usable Bose system; you'll find that the real PA gives you superior results.

Personally, I'd avoid the Fender Passport. If the lower price range and easy portability is attractive to you, consider one of the Yamaha STAGEPAS systems.

**merseybeat** · 06-01-2010, 03:48 PM

Thanks so much guys!

Well I tried the fender passport! OK I guess but the whole thing sounded very middle spec! And it looked very fisher price???

Tried the Roland Stereo PA again very mid range (No sparkle) then I moved to the L1 Compact and it blew me away! Man I cannot believe the sparkle and quality of this system! Its more than enough for the venues I will be playing here! And even the bigger venues I have played have got there own in house rigs so for the extra Watts I will just give them a feed!

Now one thing I noticed on the L1 Compact was that band in a box real tracks are not produced! They may be compressed but they are not "banded". Non of the other systems picked this up! So yes the L1 Compact is very accurate indeed!

Next step is to port my BIAB tracks into Sonar and Band the bass guitar correctly and maybe cut a groove in the mix for my nice Gibson 137 custom to have the space to play over ! Oh happy days! I feel reborn!

Eddie

**derek** · 06-01-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by merseybeat

Thanks so much guys!

Well I tried the fender passport! OK I guess but the whole thing sounded very middle spec! And it looked very fisher price???

Tried the Roland Stereo PA again very mid range (No sparkle) then I moved to the L1 Compact and it blew me away! Man I cannot believe the sparkle and quality of this system! Its more than enough for the venues I will be playing here! And even the bigger venues I have played have got there own in house rigs so for the extra Watts I will just give them a feed!

Now one thing I noticed on the L1 Compact was that band in a box real tracks are not produced! They may be compressed but they are not "banded". Non of the other systems picked this up! So yes the L1 Compact is very accurate indeed!

Next step is to port my BIAB tracks into Sonar and Band the bass guitar correctly and maybe cut a groove in the mix for my nice Gibson 137 custom to have the space to play over ! Oh happy days! I feel reborn!

Eddie

My biz owned a Fender Passport for a time, and I absolutely would not recommend one. IF you could live with the crappy tone (I could not), you will not be happy with the durability of the unit. It is a step above Behringer and that is about it.

**Steve Z** · 06-01-2010, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by merseybeat

... then I moved to the L1 Compact and it blew me away! Man I cannot believe the sparkle and quality of this system! Its more than enough for the venues I will be playing here! ...

Sounds like you decided which system you are getting

**merseybeat** · 06-01-2010, 04:43 PM

I got it!

Eddie

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-01-2010, 04:51 PM

Do you mind telling us what you paid for it?

**merseybeat** · 06-01-2010, 06:08 PM

Hi BDLH No problem It cost me about $950

I have actually been sitting jamming along all night! I love it! Actually it will improve my technique as it gives what it gets!

Eddie

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-01-2010, 06:12 PM

Score!

**cosmic gumbo** · 06-02-2010, 03:32 AM

If you're performing to BIAB tracks live in public, why don't you jusy take it all the way and become a DJ and get a DJ rig?

**merseybeat** · 06-02-2010, 03:41 AM

Woah! When your stuck in Saudi Arabia and you want to play and keep developing your playing and there are no other musicians around what else do you suggest! Maybe stay in your bedroom and think of other things to do with your hands??? Actually that is quite an "I'm alright Jack snobbish comment" Don't you think?

I agree a real band with real live accomplished musicians is a much better option but unfortunately I just don't have that luxury!

Your move CG

Eddie

**Steve Z** · 06-02-2010, 10:38 AM

Eddie, I have spent time in the middle east and know what you mean about a lack of jazz musicians. I see no problem at all with using BIAB if needed, especially in your situation/location. I would have greatly enjoyed listening to a live guitarist with backing tracks rather than no jazz while I was deployed.

I do think the "DJ" comment was a bit uncalled for and harsh.

Cheers,
Steve

**merseybeat** · 06-02-2010, 12:12 PM

Thanks Steve! Me too! and the expats enjoy it too! I suppose a little "Anal Retention" input is to be expected now and then! I use BIAB for Drums and Bass only and I layer a self played Comp track onto another track so in all reality its still 50% Me! Actually though playing melodies over a backing track is not as easy as it sounds! Its almost as tricky as studio work! Tone! Perfect timing etc. I much more prefer fellow cats to gig with!

Thanks again mate

Eddie

**derek** · 06-02-2010, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Z

I do think the "DJ" comment was a bit uncalled for and harsh.

Cheers,
Steve

This topic has been visited before, with a camp of jazz purists, and a camp of those who say do whatever it takes to get the job done. I see no problem with differences in opinion, except when one camp belittles what the other is doing. There are enough problems getting gigs to begin with, particularly in rural or foriegn locales. Though I don't think I would consider using something like BIAB on a gig, it is easy to understand the rationale for doing so. I say good luck with it.

**mr. beaumont** · 06-02-2010, 03:18 PM

just get out there and play. The end goal, somewhere down the road can hopefully be to be able to do a solo gig where the guitar is the only instrument...but that takes time.

I do think more guitar players should look at the guitar as a "self-accompanying" instrument, like the piano...we don't all have to be joe pass, but let's face it, not every piano player is art tatum, either!

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-02-2010, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I do think more guitar players should look at the guitar as a "self-accompanying" instrument, like the piano...we don't all have to be joe pass, but let's face it, not every piano player is art tatum, either!

That reminds me: I went to a concert (well it was in a concert hall) that was just Joe Pass and Oscar Peterson. Chops galore!

**merseybeat** · 06-02-2010, 04:02 PM

Cheers guys! The funny thing is there are thousands of Club singers out there performing standards with a backing track and this seems acceptable! Especially in the UK where the Pub music licence (Another taxed rip) has squeezed out the bands!

BIAB actually generates great backing (I used the rendered tracks and put them into a DAW for editing and production and they are as good as a commercially available backing tracks anyday).

Also I see loads of players shredding over a looper all over Youtube! So whats the difference?

Mr B I totally agree and around 5 of my numbers are just me playing solo but I also like to let rip now and then!

Regards

Eddie

**derek** · 06-02-2010, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by merseybeat

Cheers guys! The funny thing is there are thousands of Club singers out there performing standards with a backing track and this seems acceptable! Especially in the UK where the Pub music licence (Another taxed rip) has squeezed out the bands!

BIAB actually generates great backing (I used the rendered tracks and put them into a DAW for editing and production and they are as good as a commercially available backing tracks anyday).

Also I see loads of players shredding over a looper all over Youtube! So whats the difference?

Mr B I totally agree and around 5 of my numbers are just me playing solo but I also like to let rip now and then!

Regards

Eddie

The difference is what you call it. From a purist stand point, it isn't jazz. It is a more professional version of karaoke with the canned tracks. I say no big deal. Performing standards from The Great American Songbook can be done in many ways. If you do not have the fellow musos to play with, and want to perform this material live, have at it, and break a leg.