Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I would like to hear your thoughts on wireless guitar units and whether there are some units that work better with some amplifiers than others.

Years ago I used to get tangled up in guitar chords but now it is guitar cords.

I bought a top of the line Nadia system more than a few years ago off e-bay. I like the freedom from guitar cords aspect Peter but I would not use this system for recording. I must add though, that there is no appreciable signal or tonality loss. I don't experience any clipping either.

Perhaps a bit on the the negative side with this system is that you need a good supply of 9V batteries. I use rechargeable batteries but they only last 4 hours or so.

I understand that the more expensive systems such as Shure are capable and also very reliable for all uses. I hope my comments are somewhat helpful.

I have a Shure PGX14 wireless system that works just fine, Peter. I clip the transmitter on the strap down near the guitar tailpiece and it doesn't get in the way at all.

It's the budget end (is there such a thing?) of the Shure range but I'm not a pro, so I don't need anything fancier.

It's an odd feeling playing out in the back yard with the sound coming from inside the house and no cable in sight!

I have used the AKG "Guitar Bug" system for several years and love it. Small, uses one AAA battery (which will last a full weekend gigging), fits every guitar I have, has been completely reliable over three years of steady gigging. Check it out.

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the forum. I'll have to check the AKG system out. Thanks for the info.

One advantage I see is if you are in the yard as Aitch is you can dime your amp without the ear bleed. LOL

Absolutely, Ken!

One of my clients gigs using an AKG system. He's never had a problem with it either.

The PGX14 takes two AA's BTW.....

My bass playing buddy and I both use Sennheiser digital wireless units. These have a street price a bit higher than most of the name brands but usually lower than the Shure units. I haven't noticed any real change in sound from running with a cord, or any difference when switching between amps.

I can't remember the model number off-hand, but these are about 3 or 4 years old and have 4 user selectable channels on the front of them. The newer version has 4 channels adjustable from the front and can be adjusted internally to allow other groups of 4 channels. We use them in church all the time and have had zero problems with interference or anything from the 4 or 5 wireless mics that they use through their sound system.

The only problem we've ever had with them was at an outdoor gig that had a huge metal scaffolded covered enclosure and this really limited the range before we would get cut-outs or distortion. The Sennheiser receivers use internal antennas and have provisions for optional external antennas, but we had never had a problem in the past and for that reason had never purchased the external antennas. I suspect that would have solved the problem.