Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After a 30 year career playing in bands, I made the switch to being a solo acoustic guitarist/vocalist about 12 years ago.
I have some beautiful acoustic Gibsons and Martins, and I also have several Ricks that I would love to use in my live performances. I use a Bose L1 Portable Amplification system, and my acoustic guitars sound great through it, but my electrics did not; I tried some "acoustic" pedals, but didn't like the sound of any of them.

I found a spectacular little amp which will allow me to use my Ricks in my solo performances - a Fender Super Champ XD. It's a tube amp, but it has several digital settings, including an "acoustic" setting which gives my electric guitars a fantastically warm and full sound. Instead of plugging directly into the Bose system, I plug the guitar into the amp and use the Line Output into the Bose. The result is absolutely amazing. The Super Champ XD costs about $300 new, and could certainly be used on its own for a small gig or rehearsal.

My busy Summer season is coming up, and I can't wait to use my Ricks for performing - I've only used them once so far (360/6 MG and 660/12 BBR) at a gig 2 weeks ago, and they made quite an impression on my audience; needless to say, their beauty and sound is extraordinary, and they're much easier on the hands than the acoustics.

It's all good!

Bob

Sounds great Bob! Any find that can help expand the exposure, experience and sound is always a good one.

Good one, Bob. Congratulations on finding the key to your new electric sound. The right piece of gear really can really open up your possibilities to grow creatively. Let us know how it goes

I've heard alot of good things about the Bose L1 System, how is it working for you? Could you plug a guitar preamp into it? Like a Sans Amp or a POD?

The Bose L1 is a fantastic system - a bit pricey, but the sound distribution and clarity is extraordinary. I use an Alesis digital delay for the vocal mic, and the guitars are without effects, but sound great. The latest model (Bose L1 Model II) has an optional effects unit for an additional $499. I'm actually using the Fender amp as my guitar preamp, and it's working out fantastically well. If you have a Guitar Center store in your area, I believe that they are still the exclusive distributors; go in and put one through the paces. Quite honestly, with a bit of tweaking I got mine to sound WAY better than the demo model at GC; the bass module helps tremendously - don't think of getting a system without it. It's easy to transport, set up, and break down. I've only found a mega-crowded room to be a problem - the system really needs some space of its own to sound good, since the bass module is only about 20" high, and sits on the floor. The ideal set-up is a stage, or about a 10' radius of open space if you're set up on the floor. And you don't need a monitor - you'll hear it just fine.
It's a perfect system for a solo player.

stringsncords wrote:The Bose L1 is a fantastic system - a bit pricey, but the sound distribution and clarity is extraordinary.

Note also that we're a ToneMatch partner with Bose. That means you get presets for various Rickenbacker models within the L1's ToneMatch system (or you can download them from their website for earlier versions).

Here's a nice little video about their system:

http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/index.php?***** ... deo_1_High

FYI, Hautewerk uses this system in our rehearsal room and it sounds great! We'd probably use them live in some situations but they're better suited to a smaller band than we have, in my opinion, but absolutely perfect for a solo act.

Right you are, John - I constantly get positive comments about the quality of the sound that the Bose L1 projects. And now that I'm using my Ricks through it, it's even better - I can't wait 'til my heavy work season comes.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Bob

Bob,

If you don't have a T1 for your L1, I recommend it! The presets for the Rics are amazing, and it provides great tone control for your instruments, decent effects and managing the L1 system.

I also have a Bose L1 (Model II, with two B1 bass modules, and T1 ToneMatch Engine). I use it with my Rics direct with the T1 presets designed by Bose and Ric factory (Kenny was key!) which sound absolutely fabulous!

I use my Bose for guitar, bass and keyboards - all sound great. I did price comparisons, I don't think that the Bose is overpriced or expensive for what you get, what you can do with it or compared to alternatives. I determined the cost for a guitar amp, bass amp and keyboard amp for a new backline, if I was to purchase what I wanted for each, (realistically, not dreaming, what I would buy if the L1 or Active PA system was not available as an alternative) I'd have spent conservatively $8500, probably more, on the instrument amps/cabs alone; without active PA cabs, mixer etc.

Now, I have an amplification system that works for everything I need and more; and I don't need a PA system, so that is a savings too! I use my preamps for guitar and bass as well as going direct; I use an AB switch to A: instrument direct to Bose T1, B: instrument into preamps/effects into T1.

I've also been using my Axe-Fx Ultra into my Bose system. It took me a very looooong time to get these to work well together. I finally realized the Ultra is way more than I need or will likely use, so I'm selling it (at a loss, as usual). FWIW, the Axe-Fx is amazing, and sounds great with the L1 once you figure it out, its just overkill for me. I have a Vox ToneLab LE on order, which should arrive tomorrow. I'm hoping this will "play nice" with my Bose L1, and will give me the sounds/tones I want with my Rics and my Epiphone Casino. Once the Ultra sells, I plan on getting a Jangle Box too (original or the new one, once I hear clips and compare features and my needs).

For bass, I'm still waiting (since 9/06) for my 4003 FG, I'm using my Trace Elliot MP11 preamp and the AB approach mentioned above. My current bass, an original '80s Steinberger XL2 that I've owned since the late 80s, sounds great into the Bose T1 direct, and using my MP11.

Keyboards go direct to T1.

To anyone else considering a Bose L1 and thinking its expensive, consider what it does, what it replaces, etc. as I did, you may find its a bargain. In the interest of full disclosure, I do not work for Bose, nor am I affiliated with them in any other way, except being a very satisfied customer! I'm a Bose L1 convert - please don't knock it till you try it! Especially with your Rics...

Peace.

Hey Richard! Thanks for your thoughts - the T1 sounds like something I definitely need to try. And you're right - to purchase each individual piece of gear that the L1 can handle would cost a small fortune... I'm really happy with mine, and I've never seen the L1 mentioned on the forum. Maybe we'll get something started!

JH's comments were especially interesting; a real nice endorsement. I wish I could have asked Kenny about Hautewerk's L1 at MARF, but I didn't know that they were using it. At the next MARF, I'll ask Chris Clayton (Pick of The Ricks) if I can bring mine and set it up for all of the Rick-o-Philes to try - I'd bet that there would be a few new fans.

Enjoy!

Bob

Yesterday night after reading JH's and others' comments about the Bose system, I spent some time looking up information on the web. Interesting stuff, pretty impressive, too. Almost made me wish I had a regular gig to justify the purchase.

Then I got to thinking that that gear might be of interest to the string band I play in. We use one mic on stage (a Røde NT-1) and we plug in the upright bass direct into the PA with a direct box. We don't use stage monitors because we turn up the Røde to such levels that feedback would be impossible to control with conventional stage monitors.

I don't know if our mic set up would work with the Bose L1 or not. If it did work successfully, it sure would cut down on the tedium of sound checks, and set up time. (But that's why we went to a one mic set up in the first place.)

JimK

Hey Jim It's a most impressive system - lightweight, compact, and really puts out a wonderful sound. If there's a Guitar Center in your area, see if you can try it out; it's a system that truly needs some tweaking until you get "your" sound, but once you find it, it's better than any small PA that I've ever heard. And the Fender amp helped me to find the right sound for my Ricks when I line out into the Bose - really incredible. Thanks for your comments.

I'm still checking the shipping list with you!

Take care, Bob

No GC Bob, but there's a Musicians' Friend International over in the Kansas City area.

P.S. I'm checking the shipping list over at corporate several times a week, too. God! can't wait.

JimK

Bob,

Sounds great! Let me know if you convert anyone to the L1!

James,

see the info/manual and preset information on the T1 ToneMatch System; there's info on the wiki
that describes presets and different ensemble usage models. http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/index.php?***** ... ity_Portal

There are also band set-up illustration threads/experiences on the forum, several show up at present in Recent Forum Topics here: http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/index.php?***** ... ity_Portal

Peace

Thanks Richard. I'll check 'em out.

JimK