Bose L1 Compact vs. Fishman SA220, final phase of the test

[patentcad]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

Never owned a Bose system, but, sure do love my SA220.
Steve

Ditto. I run a four channel mixer into one of the two sides of the SA220 so I can add more stuff, works, sounds great.

Only paid $800 new for my Fishstick, thought that was a good deal.

[steamfurnace]

Originally Posted by eyesore

hey guys; I'm gonna play with this SA220 on Friday to get a handle on it....as far as no manual or cord...don't know...? it was in a box when I bought it.."fishman" responded and made it right.so ....no biggie. I just hope I don't feedback in this place .they are very sensitive management.thanks for the advice.

I have been very happy gigging with my SA220 for over two years.
My only complaint is feedback, which I get at one bar when the crowd thins out later in the evening. It's just my guitar, mic, and cd player plugged into the aux in for backing tracks. It has worked great inside and outside for up to 200 people.

[kbrink]

Originally Posted by darksky

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, so I hope this thread isn't dead, but this
is a topic I am VERY interested in, so here goes.

I played music twenty years ago as a vocalist in cover bands and then
spent twenty years over-the-road driving a truck.

But I'm home now, I've bought me a nice little Takamine, a
workable Yamaha keyboard, and have "practiced up" about fifty
songs to choose from--mostly classic rock, grunge, and blues.

So anyway, I'm planning on a doing a very bare bones show,
just guitar/keyboard/vocal and maybe some reverb/delay,
and I'm in the hunt for the right PA. I have narrowed the choices
down to either the sa220 or L1 compact at this point and was looking
for some useful feedback if anyone has some.

I live in the rural boondocks, without the ability to do an IRL
comparison. And as most of the gigs I could get would be small (50 to
150 seat. biker bars and back-alley places) I'm leaning towards
the Bose L1 at the moment, based on what I read about it on the net.

Any feedback would be appreciated...and Hello again to all.

I've been using my Fishman for about a year now and absolutely love it. I generally place it, as recommended, about 4 or 5 feet behind me and off to the side. I generally run it at about 40% volume on the mains, and somewhat less on each channel. When I need louder volume outside, I put it right up by me, and over to the side about 6 feet. Then I don't have to worry about feedback and can run it up to 70% or so, if needed, which is extremely rare. I can still hear it just fine. When I play with my duo partner, who also has one, we link to each other thru the Monitor In/Out, so we are stereo. Suh-weet! In a few cases, we have used just one SoloAmp, and used both front inputs as well as the Aux In in the back for a guitar and the Monitor In for a vocal. Both (Aux In and Monitor In) have volume knobs on the front, which is convenient. Or we could have used a mixer, but no need with so many input options. I just can't say how easy and quick they are to pull in and set up. And I always get comments on how good it sounds. Oh, and I have used the Monitor Out to connect a powered speaker for larger gigs. Works great. Just my 2 cents. They're a great value.

I have plugged a keyboard into the Aux In on the back. Works just fine.

[Puerto Player]

Are these Fishman and Bose systems a better alternative sound wise than a QSC K10 or 12? I play through my PA Yamaha S12Vs with sub or through my California Blonde acoustic amp, I was thinking of getting rid of the PA and getting some QSC powered speakers.....then I read this thread! Seems like Line6 has StageSource stuff out too?

[GmanJeff]

Originally Posted by Puerto Player

Are these Fishman and Bose systems a better alternative sound wise than a QSC K10 or 12? I play through my PA Yamaha S12Vs with sub or through my California Blonde acoustic amp, I was thinking of getting rid of the PA and getting some QSC powered speakers.....then I read this thread! Seems like Line6 has StageSource stuff out too?

The all-in-one systems offer a more convenient package, optimized for acoustic guitar and vocals. If your application is different, as in you plan to use it with other instruments which may benefit from a different speaker configuration, then you may want to go with a conventional PA. The SA 220, which is more fully featured than the Bose equivalent, integrates the amp, speakers, effects, and mixer into a single component which fits into an included rolling bag. The included speaker stand allows you to elevate the speaker array at different heights to suit your venue, another plus. The main advantage the Bose/Fishman have over the Line 6 gear is weight - the L6 speakers are quite heavy.

All of the alternatives you mention offer solid sound quality. While you might prefer one or another in a side-by-side comparison, in the real world they'll all do nicely for an audience.

[FunkenBlues]

Hello friends...I apologize for not reading every post so if tyhis was discussed, my bad. First off, I was told the Fishman SA220 is going to be replaced this summer with their new model and I have a call with one of the executive team at Sweetwater tomorrow to get a straight answer on that question.

Also, one of my connections at Sweetwater said he heard a shootout about a month ago between Bose L1 compact, IP100o and neew JBL eon one which is available for ship,ent now. He told me a month ago to wait for the JBL it sounded that good. I still want to know if Fishman is coming out with an upgraded SA220 and should have an answer tomorrow.

Here is link for JBL just to make your decision a tad more confusing. Trust me, I am in same boat as you and have been losing sleep over this. I am at point it's better to get any of these great compact array systems and spend time playing instead of researching units. So I am ready to pull plug any day

http://http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EONOne.

Anyone who has heard this new unit and can comment would be much appreciated.

[The Kid!]

You might want to throw a Line 6 L3T into your shootout.

At $999 ($800 with a Guitar Center %20 off coupon) it blew the SA220 and Bose systems, is much more scalable, and can handle keys, and even bass guitar.

[FunkenBlues]

Originally Posted by The Kid!

You might want to throw a Line 6 L3T into your shootout.

At $999 ($800 with a Guitar Center %20 off coupon) it blew the SA220 and Bose systems, is much more scalable, and can handle keys, and even bass guitar.

How about the portability of the Line ?. The new JBL looks so easy to carry around. I love the ergonomics. IT just started shipping so no reviews yet.

MY Sweetwater guy called Fishman and they no longer sell the SA220 which is why Sweetwater no longer has it for sale. Fishman is most definitely coming out with a new model that will obviously be a improvement from the SA220 which we all know everyone loves.

I am going to Sweetwater's GearFest in Fort Wayne IN on June 17th & 18th. Anyone who lives in area should go to this free event. It's like a Namn show but even cooler. I am paying over $1000 to get there from NY so if you live nearby, you would be missing an amazing event. Some of the very best players in the country are hired by companies to be product specialists and demo gear. You will be able to hear any PA currently on the market and also speak directly with Fishman to get the details about new model

check out link to see all the free breakout sessions and what this event will be like. http://http://www.sweetwater.com/gearfest/

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by FunkenBlues

How about the portability of the Line ?. The new JBL looks so easy to carry around. I love the ergonomics. IT just started shipping so no reviews yet.

MY Sweetwater guy called Fishman and they no longer sell the SA220 which is why Sweetwater no longer has it for sale. Fishman is most definitely coming out with a new model that will obviously be a improvement from the SA220 which we all know everyone loves.

I am going to Sweetwater's GearFest in Fort Wayne IN on June 17th & 18th. Anyone who lives in area should go to this free event. It's like a Namn show but even cooler. I am paying over $1000 to get there from NY so if you live nearby, you would be missing an amazing event. Some of the very best players in the country are hired by companies to be product specialists and demo gear. You will be able to hear any PA currently on the market and also speak directly with Fishman to get the details about new model

check out link to see all the free breakout sessions and what this event will be like. http://http://www.sweetwater.com/gearfest/

Not bad. Great handle, well balanced. The optional bag has wheels.