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-   -   Fishman Soloamp vs. Bose L1 (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145957)

PorkPieGuy 02-05-2009 08:41 AM

Fishman Soloamp vs. Bose L1
 
Has anyone every A/B'ed these two guys? What did you think? I think to be fair, I'd be interested if anyone A/B'd them without the Bose sub.

thanks!

Fishman
http://www.musicgadgets.net/wp-conte...an-soloamp.jpg

Bose
http://www.innarudemood.com/files/im...Bose%20PAS.jpg

ericcsong 02-05-2009 08:47 AM

maybe this should be in the electrified section? there has been a few threads on this topic. but maybe not specifically to the L1 without sub. here is a good thread:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=137096

PorkPieGuy 02-05-2009 08:56 AM

Thanks for the link. I was curious to see if there was THAT much difference between the fishman and the bose (which costs 150% more than the fishman).

Thanks again. It was very helpful!

rmyAddison 02-05-2009 09:02 AM

I hosted that GC A/B, the Fishman is a fantastic deal against the Bose, neither blows the other away but the price difference at least to me makes it a no brainer.

We added a sub to the Fishman (not really needed for acoustic guitar) just to compare apples to apples (sort of), I preferred the Fishman and you can buy two and a sub for the price of one L1!

MikeTX 02-05-2009 09:55 AM

Both Great Products, Wonderful Sound
 
I own and use both, and to me, it all depends on your usage and needs.

For my band, I use the Bose. More power, volume and headroom, especially for the vocal.

When I play solo, I use my SoloAmp. I believe acoustic guitars sound better, and the vocal is sufficient. Tone and dispersion are excellent. The setup and teardown is immensely easier, and worth it to me. Right tool for the job.

SoloAmp vs Bose with NO sub is NOT a proper or meaningful comparison, in my opinion. For acoustic guitar and male vocal, the Bose sounds best with TWO subs - the only way I will use it. I find it remarkable that the SoloAmp DOES in fact sound as good or better than the Bose, both in their proper and maximum configuration - Bose with two subs and SoloAmp with none.

My thoughts on buying my SoloAmp were -

1. For my solo work and venues, the Bose was much more than what was really needed - it sounded great but was much too much effort than I wanted to exert. I wanted to increase my solo shows from one per month up to three or four.

2. Reading about the SoloAmp - it looked and seemed like it would be perfect for what I wanted. The price was such that it was a no-brainer, obvious decision.

3. My bottom line was that "if the Fishman sounded and dispersed ONE-THIRD as good as the Bose, it would be enough for my solo performances".

4. Turns out, the SoloAmp truly exceeded my hopes and expectations, by a great degree. My best amplification purchase since... I bought my first Bose!

Best luck! MIKE

El Conquistador 02-05-2009 12:29 PM

Well, now I feel really good about jumping on the virtually new SoloAmp in the AGF classifieds for a considerable discount off the already low price. ;)

I do have one question that I did not see covered in this or the linked thread.

The latest Bose ads in AG magazine show a single performer standing directly in front of the tower playing a plugged in guitar and singing through a microphone. This suggests to me that Bose has conquered the Feedback Monster. I, on the other hand play my guitar through a microphone and sing through a microphone and have had, even with the notch filters etc., some feedback challenges with the SoloAmp.

My question is, since 99% of the feedback issues I am experiencing with the SoloAmp seems to be instrument mic related, would the Bose have the same feedback issues if the guitar was being miced as well as the voice, or is the Bose system superior to the Soloamp in this respect.

Oh, BTW, I love the natural sound the SoloAmp gives me. It is truly a winner for the very small venue, solo performances I am involved in.

LC

Dakota Red 02-05-2009 01:57 PM

There's a recent review of the Solo Amp in AG mag. The reviewer noted feedback issues when using a mic-only guitar, dealt with it via added EQ in the signal chain I believe.

TekWorm 02-05-2009 02:19 PM

I experience only minimal feedback in fairly confined areas, with the Solo & My GS7 w/ K&K Mini.
A "Heavy" patterned "LuteHole" seems to remedy it well, for me.

DavidE 02-05-2009 06:25 PM

Does the Fishman have anything close to the pre-programmed eq settings of the original Bose? I have used my Bose extensively for my acoustic duo (two vocal, one guitar) for several years and it's been fantastic in all but one situation.

DavidE 02-05-2009 06:26 PM

ANy thoughts on the Bag amp by the guy who claims Fishman stole his design?

David Eastwood 02-05-2009 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidE (Post 1739565)
ANy thoughts on the Bag amp by the guy who claims Fishman stole his design?

I don't think it actually exists yet, does it? According to their website, it's "coming soon":

http://www.collinsamerica.com/page2/page2.html

In the meantime, prospective purchasers could amuse themselves with these:

http://www.collinsamerica.com/page14/page14.html

Oops. They're "coming soon", too.

MikeTX 02-05-2009 11:04 PM

SoloAmp EQ
 
Hi David,

As cool as the Bose Presets concept IS, the Fishman more simple approach also works VERY well, for me.

When you delve into the Bose black box, I'm pretty sure "presets" are basically very customized and specific bands of EQ, either 32 or 64, tuned almost exclusively by the incredible ears and mind of the brilliant inventor, Cliff. And they ARE quite excellent.

The SoloAmp on the other hand, is ... FISHMAN! It clearly has THAT Fishman acoustic guitar sound, which is excellent and legendary. If one does not happen to LIKE it, then too bad I guess. But they have Master Volume, Channel Gain, High, Mid, Low, with Feedback Control, Phase, plus some reverbs. I dig the simplicity. AND the tone.

They are NOT exactly the same, and as Rich stated - one does not really blow away the other. For me, I like them both, each does a great, specific job for things I need.

Hope this helps.

Mike

DavidE 02-06-2009 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeTX (Post 1739814)
Hi David,

As cool as the Bose Presets concept IS, the Fishman more simple approach also works VERY well, for me.

When you delve into the Bose black box, I'm pretty sure "presets" are basically very customized and specific bands of EQ, either 32 or 64, tuned almost exclusively by the incredible ears and mind of the brilliant inventor, Cliff. And they ARE quite excellent.

The SoloAmp on the other hand, is ... FISHMAN! It clearly has THAT Fishman acoustic guitar sound, which is excellent and legendary. If one does not happen to LIKE it, then too bad I guess. But they have Master Volume, Channel Gain, High, Mid, Low, with Feedback Control, Phase, plus some reverbs. I dig the simplicity. AND the tone.

They are NOT exactly the same, and as Rich stated - one does not really blow away the other. For me, I like them both, each does a great, specific job for things I need.

Hope this helps.

Mike


Of course the Fishman wouldn't do me any good since we need to amplify two vocals and one guitar. I'd also have concerns about it being loud enough for some of our bigger rooms.

dberch 02-06-2009 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Conquistador (Post 1739155)
Well, now I feel really good about jumping on the virtually new SoloAmp in the AGF classifieds for a considerable discount off the already low price. ;)

I do have one question that I did not see covered in this or the linked thread.

The latest Bose ads in AG magazine show a single performer standing directly in front of the tower playing a plugged in guitar and singing through a microphone. This suggests to me that Bose has conquered the Feedback Monster. I, on the other hand play my guitar through a microphone and sing through a microphone and have had, even with the notch filters etc., some feedback challenges with the SoloAmp.

My question is, since 99% of the feedback issues I am experiencing with the SoloAmp seems to be instrument mic related, would the Bose have the same feedback issues if the guitar was being miced as well as the voice, or is the Bose system superior to the Soloamp in this respect.

Oh, BTW, I love the natural sound the SoloAmp gives me. It is truly a winner for the very small venue, solo performances I am involved in.

LC

Go to the Bose Musicians Forum and ask your question there. Very helpful folks.
http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums

David

kramster 02-06-2009 10:34 AM

Any one try the Bose T1 (Tone Match) and the solo together?? Mine works great into my Unico.


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