Again Ken & Cliff - absolutely wonderful look-back thread - I thoroughly enjoyed every word, every handwritten note, every picture, every page. You guys did a remarkable thing that has yielded meaningful benefits for so many musicians and listeners. Thank you both again for sharing the very cool journey. I say at every opportunity that my Bose equipment has extended my performing life and thus my music life.

Now I certainly do NOT suggest that my story here is in the same league as your journal at all, but I remember, REAL well, my own thoughts and quest for live sound, which turned out to be at the same time you guys were dreaming this up and creating it.

Our RIVERS WEST "band" got started late in 2002, actually NOT as a band per se, but as an acoustic harmony trio. I had known Charlie for around 20 years and Chuck for closer to 40 (yikes we're OLD), had played music and sang with both all those times, but too rarely together all three. So in October Ought'2 our schedules and interests were right and one Saturday we met in my office, sang Here Comes The Sun, Amie, Dance With Me, Nobody Wins, Runaway - and said to ourselves "We just GOTTA do this, guys"!

We woodshedded for most of 2003, usually weekly, had a little home gig in March, then played out in July, October, November and early December, all before I got my first Bose "PAS"-L1 then and we did a gig with it last week in December 2003. We moved on from there, reaching one system-per-player as soon as we could. Many times we've said if not for these systems we would not be playing, plus our trusted roadie companion of course!

BUT...

Back to 2003...

While we were committed to being acoustic-centric, we also knew we had to amplify. All we knew was our past of electric rock and roll, generally did not like amplified sound because of all of Cliff's and Ken's well-stated reasons.

Around this time, the EAGLES opened up Dallas' then-brand-new AAC - American Airlines Center - huge arena, but the sound was, to use Ken's fave word - CLARITY! The side towers were relatively small speaker cabinets, a dozen to twenty cabinets strung together in an elevated curve HANGING on either side, and another set above center. Line Arrays, I soon learned, concept anyway. No huge bass monsters along the foot of the stage killing you. Sounded incredibly clear, the acoustic guitars and voices were perfect, like a CD! THIS is what I wanted! On a much smaller scale of course. My binoculars told me this was an Infinity system, I believe I recall.

So I was immediately hot onto an internet research campaign, and soon stumbled across the Bose Panaray line, and something told me this was the company and product to base our system on. I have a whole notebook of lists, spreadsheet diagrams, and printed product pictures, specs, descriptions, stage diagrams, mixer channel assignments, etc. I barely understood what the power amps were for - my old Vox Super Beatle, Fender PA, Roland JC-120, Mesa Boogie Mark IV, Fender Super Reverb and Acoustisonic Jr over the years were all I ever knew. I didn't know how to run one, but was aware a mixer was needed, so my notebook also contained several pages on Yamaha digital models and even a Roland RECORDER that I thought had enough channels and inputs to serve as a mixer - that could be cool. My research did NOT include monitors, which I detested, refused to even consider, and hoped upon hope that as an acoustic trio we could do without. There was also a spreadsheet page with related dollars that had me hoping my bonus that year might by some miracle let me turn this notebook into reality. It would not have.

Then in the later months in 2003, THANK the Good Lord, almost simultaneously, another longtime musical pal Bob and I said to each other "Have you seen the new Bose thing"? We studied everything we could find, and late in December we both bought one from Guitar Center within a week of each other! And Bob sat in with Rivers West for our 6th gig, this time with the two tall things! Stovepipes, Chuck said when he walked in.

I packed my notebook away in a box, happily, but that year of research made me both appreciate my purchase and new product and also gave me confidence and certainty that my selection would serve me well. And so it did, beyond any expectation or hope, soon into our sixth successful year of making music (which is what it's all about!).

One last note, cool to me. Early in "that week" I had heard Bob's system, and just knew this was the way to go. So when I made MY trip to G.C. a few days later, I took in my classic 1964 Super Reverb, Acoustisonic Jr, an old Bassman Cabinet, a JBL Eon 10, and pretty much got my Bose on an even trade. Only for vintage collector vibe I wish I'd kept the Super, but it was most of the $2G.

So, from this guy's consumer / user / player perspective, that was my story from the same era, pretty related from my vantage point.

All the best, MIKE

Oh Mike,

You can't know how glad I am that things fit together the way they did.

Yours is a really interesting story. So much thought, care and attention. I would not have had the tenacity. Long ago I used to do that kind of planning and research. But as time has gone by, I have tended more to whimsy than will.

My story is much shorter. I was wandered into music store, not looking for much but a way to pass a couple of betwixt and between minutes.

I saw the L1® that had just arrived. Asked some questions but it was so new, it was basically an unknown entity. They were having some kind of show 'n tell event a couple of days later. So they handed me an invite and said, 'hope to see you there'.

The rest is history. I went, saw and heard THE Linemen - the official Bose Demo band (Col. Cliff at the keyboard). I was front and center just a few feet away from Tony Sarno.

The next day I was there when the store opened and I got my first L1®. Did my first show with it the following night. Got my second L1® a week later.

Whimsy.

It's fun to think about how the L1® development eventually collided with each of us in unanticipated ways.

Thanks for sharing your story.

I hope others will join in and tell us how they came to be L1® owners.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

Well I just got done looking at my earliest posts and it appears that I joined this group in 2003 but it was a year later before I bit and ordered the L1. I had been in (still am on occasion) an acoustic bluegrass band that used Bose 802s. I had visions of going solo but was so frustrated with equipment set up and using monitors that I was hedging against doing it.

Once I got the L1 it changed all of that and now I have a CD out, am playing fairly regularly and as an added bonus (IMO) my singing has improved due to the envelope of sound I perform in while playing out. Much of this is tied to the act of buying the L1.

Simple test: would I replace the L1 if it was stolen? Yeah, like immediately.

We turned up to play a floor spot at a local venue in the autumn (fall) of 2007 and were surprised to see what looked like a black tube monolith standing on-stage. The usual soundman wasn't there and a guy brought one of his band's L1 system (Classic or Model 1, we're not sure now). Like most people in the room we were intrigued by the cool, futuristic equipment - and we couldn't work out how it could possibly replace the usual PA system. When we heard other people through the system we were taken aback by the clarity of the sound, then we were further amazed when he asked us about our guitars so he could select an appropriate preset... when we stood up on stage with the stick behind us we were slightly disoriented at first to have the sound behind us, but were stunned at what we were hearing and the knowledge of how good things sounded out front.

And then for the next few months it was back to our own system (which somehow didn't sound as good to us any more) or to the lottery of house systems of different venues. The memory of the Bose system kept nagging and nagging and we felt we had to do something about it.

On January 1st 2008 we joined the Bose Musicians Forum and found a wealth of knowledge, talent and downright friendliness that helped us understand more about the L1. And so, in February we auditioned a system at our local Sound Control store (1 x L1 model 2, 1 x B1, 1 x T1) and were so knocked out by it that we bought it there and then (ordering a second T1, power supply and two mic stand adapters).

We wouldn't be without it - we've gained in confidence, in sound quality, hoefully we've gained in ability, and we certainly get more compliments regarding sound and we're asked to play more gigs than we used to.

Only two questions remain - should we buy a second B1? And... when will we buy a second L1?

Wow...I read about the L1 launch and was intrigued almost immediately, but as we weren't performing much it wasn't on my radar to purchase. We looked into using two of them for our church, but weren't ready to pull the trigger until 2006, when we purchased one for a church that we were starting. It was ideal and sounded amazing.

At the same time I discovered these forums and began lurking and learning. I feel like I know many of you, even though I haven't actually posted much. We started to play more and in a variety of situations, so one day I borrowed the L1 (classic) for a performance, and that was the beginning of the end of the beginning for me. I was floored by it, and giving it back was very hard to do.

Then, late 2007 we decided to start planning a tour and we knew we would need a PA. There was never a doubt in my mind what we wanted, but I did second guess price, until I started pricing comparative systems. I finally joined these forums when the decision had been made.

It wasn't long before we became the proud owners of a Model II, with only 1 B1, and a T1. We will certainly be getting the second B1 when finances allow (or when we need it for a larger gig). We will probably buy a second L1 sooner or later, but for now we are simply enjoying our sound and having a blast.

WAY too much credit ST - my "thorough research" was more like daydreaming and hoping!

Yes - hearing other folks' stories of how they got here is very cool.

Mike

Oh Man,

These are such amazing stories!!!

Please, anyone else?

Ken

You've already all heard mine, but I'll add it hear for the newer folks.

A good friend of mine, Larry Pattis, called me in June of 2004 & asked me if had tried the Bose system yet? I hadn't heard of it & was kind of skeptical. I had a busy summer schedule & wasn't interested in taking time or the effort to try new gear. Plus I figured like everything else it was probably too good to be true. I asked if it could really put out sound - especially on the low end - & my friend said he had it set up on his back deck & couldn't believe what he was hearing. When he told me about the 45-day trial I figured I had nothing to lose & ordered one right away.

When it arrived I though it was a little bigger than I expected, but I hooked it up & tried it. The sound was totally unexpected - it seemed to come from the walls instead of the speaker. The low end kicked! In fact there might have even been too much low end.

I gigged with it that very day & only went back to my JBL system once at a gig to verify what I was hearing. The JBL sounded like it was coming from a box - one point in space. The Bose sounded like it was coming from everywhere.

I joined the forum within the week & have never looked back. Later that summer I bought two more for my band & then two more over the next winter. In getting to know Ken, Cliff, & Chris & the other folks here at that time I made fast friends.

What a ride it has been & what a family we've become, & all because two guys sat down in 1993 & asked how they could make better sound for musicians.

Amazing!

With a heart full of joy & admiration,

Tom

Munch is mucho modest! He quickly became our acoustic guitar and vocal tone guru, and one of the most helpful folks on the forum, adding his pro full-time-for-a-living perspective.

Summer before last, in July 2007, I had a gig, or dinner program to do for my brother's national old west organization, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Road trip! I invited myself to meet Tom in person, swinging back from Rushmore to Texas through beautiful Colorado.

Not only was Tom welcome to meet up, he offered to share a GIG with me! Took me about two seconds to accept! But the key is - only with the Bose equipment and this Forum physically in common, we felt like we "knew" each other well enough to make such a duo work. I see that as pretty amazing, and spiritually and artistically wonderful - Musicians' DNA!

We met for dinner the night before, sat in his living room to select and work on a few tunes, for maybe an hour, and called ourselves ready! Tom naturally opened the open-air park show and was wonderful. ZERO soundcheck, of course. Being in Colorado, together we did an old Dirt Band tune, a Michael Martin Murphey tune, and also Rick Nelson's Traveling Man, in reference to my journey. He had me do my original On A Park Bench solo, and Steven Fromholz' Man With The Big Hat, like the crowd couldn't TELL I was a Native Texican! That year Fromholz was actually the official State Of Texas Poet Laureate, so that seemed pretty cool. Tom finished up with several great tunes and stories, and called me back up to back him on a Neil Diamond classic (that was NEW to us!) Cherry Cherry - a fun rousing finish! We sent everyone home, happy we hoped, trading verses of James Taylor's nephew's lullaby, of course Sweet Baby James. Funny, our respective personal interpretations and versions of the song (all of them really) were kind of different, but we weaved them together to spontaneously make them work.

Very special way to close my trip - thanks AGAIN Tom.

AND... thanks Bose, for making it possible.

Mike

My intro to the L1 came as I was just starting rehearsals with a new band. At the time, it was bass, drums, 2 guitars and 3 vocals. About half-way through our rehearsal process, one of the guitarists mentioned to me that Bose had a new peice of gear available that provided backline AND vocal support for FOH and monitoring. I'd never owned a Bose product before and the claims on the website at that time (3/04) seemed unreal to me. There are 2 GC's near me, so one day soon after that conversation, I went to the local GC and demo'd the system. The system on display had only 1 B1 (I play bass) but when I demo'd my bass, I couldn't believe what I was hearing; volume, punch, CLARITY!! Then I demo'd my SM58. Man, I was in heaven. I don't like effects on my vocals anyway, but I couldn't grok the SOUND of a voice and bass through this thing. Not only did I buy one on the spot, but after all my babbling and enthusiasm, both guitarists bought one too! Even the guitarist who is a total analog guy LOVED the system. Anyway, the rest is history as they say. Almost 5 years and 300 or so gigs into this project, the band has grown to 7 pieces with a female lead vocalist and horns. We use 4 L1's, 2 T1's, and 9 B1's. The only other equipment we use now is a powered sub for large or really loud rooms, and a small FOH system for large outdoor gig support. Thanks for everything guys-at Bose. You've made a huge difference in a lot of musician's lives.
PS, we still get constant positive comments on our sound. We know it's because of our L1's!!!

Wow, getrhythm,

What an amazing story!

You simply MUST put your band in the new L1 Bands forum.

There's even a handy dandy template that ST made that means it takes just a minute to do.

Will you do it???

All the best,

Ken

Hi:

quote:

"These are such amazing stories!!!

Please, anyone else?"

Not amazing, but...
A friend of mine emailed me one day about something or other, and in the email he attached a link for the L1. He told me to check it out. He said he had just bought one and liked it a lot. I checked the link and, while it looked interesting, it didn't seem to make any sense to me. My friend assured me it was a great-sounding system. He is a professional musician (he plays guitar & mandolin, and his wife plays flute) so I figured I'd take him seriously and decided to find one to audition, etc.

I play for a hobby only so I almost fell off my chair when I saw the price, but the concept (quick set-up/tear-down; fantastic sound quality) and about a half-dozen other superlatives describing the thing got me interested to the point that I decided to research it some more.

Also, I was torn between wanting to believe what I saw and read in the advertisements, and my usual pessimism with many new products and the often outrageous claims that accompany them. I was having a consistently terrible time with the equipment I was using; was arguing almost constantly (about the sound) with Mike (other half of the duo); so the L1 looked to be the answer to all our sound-related problems. But it just seemed too good to be true!

Also, at that time I was performing only as one half of a duo, but was considering doing some solo performing and really didn't want to haul our existing sound system around; and spend upwards of 45 minutes to an hour setting it up...for a solo performance! The L1 - if it worked as its manufacturer claimed - would solve a lot of problems for me, and would no doubt keep me interested in live music performance.

A short while later both me and Mike made a trip out to Arizona. Mike, to attend a work-related seminar, and me to visit my friend Rick, the new L1 owner. Rick showed the L1 to Mike and me and we were both amazed! The sound was fantastic. Like nothing I'd ever heard from anything but the serious professional systems.

But I was still hesitant. Mostly because I had heard the L1 in my friend's living room where the volume was not turned up too much. So I kept thinking that, at higher volume levels, it would just end up feeding back, etc.

A little later I got the chance to try one. A music store, where Mike and me purchased most of our music equipment, had one in the store. It belonged to a friend of theirs and they were inviting several people to check it out. They let me try it and, again, it sounded fantastic. But if fed back terribly at moderate volumes. After that experience I was sure it would not be the solution to our sound problems. Of course I didn't know then that it had to be set up a certain way (pay attention to gain staging, etc). I was using it incorrectly but didn't know it.

Somewhere along the way I happened upon this forum, quite by accident. So, like many other folks on the forum I started asking various questions, etc. This forum was where I learned about the importance of gain staging; correct microphone selection and use, etc.

After about another year, and finally reaching the last straw trying to hone in the sound on our existing system - and getting nowhere as usual - I finally got a backbone and bought an L1. It had come down to either me buying an L1 or me giving up live performance!

Mostly, I have to say (as I have posted elsewhere on the forum) my decision to purchase the L1 was made - to a great extent - based on the help and advice I received from the folks on this forum who were already using L1s. Mostly it was they who convinced me to make the purchase (along with a smidgen of me desperately wanting to find a solution to our constant sound-related problems).

And in the first fifteen-minute test with my new L1 it was as if I had flipped a light switch, from the lousy sound position, to the incredibly-too-good-to-be-true sound position! In less than fifteen minutes I was sure the L1 had solved the majority of our sound-related problems. As it turned out I was wrong...it solved all of them! I used it the same night I bought it and I couldn't have been more thrilled with its performance! I had it set up in about twenty minutes or so. Took another ten-to-fifiteen minutes for a sound check; then performed for about three hours with absolutely no problems at all!

I've been using my L1 for about two years now I think almost three years! (I went back to read the posts from the early days of this forum and happened across mine where I said I finally went out and bought my L1...it'll be three years of ownership this December, not about two, as I'd stated earlier. Which just goes to show that time does fly when you're having fun!!!). Anyway...set up and sound check now take ten to fifteen minutes at most. I can't imagine ever using a traditional sound system again unless someone competent is at the controls; which seems to be the exception rather than the rule with those traditional sound systems.

I continue to marvel at the sound quality of my L1; and I continue to get a kick out of the reactions - and always-positive comments - of other people that see, and hear, my L1.

Stu
edit: spelling & clarification

This message has been edited. Last edited by: StuartD,

Stuart, this is just an incredible testimonial. Man, my heart is aching!

What strikes me about your post and some of the others is the care and time taken to research the L1 system. Also, it seems like our claims just seem to be too much to the new person. I wonder if there are lots of musicians that are turned off by that? Is there perhaps a better way to create awareness about the L1 system that's less conventional and might generate more interest in checking it out?

Most of all, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. I am very grateful and humbled.

Ken

Its amazing to hear others stories and how the L1 has changed lives. My journey is similar to Stuart D. As a member of a duo continually battling with my partner over volume levels, I was seriously considering stopping gigging because I had suffered some higher range hearing loss. I play acoustic guitar and my partner has the "band in the box" keyboard. I could never hear my guitar and vocals properly particularly in tunes with high tempo and a lot of brass arrangements. It was harsh to our audience as well. Coincidently, I had purchased an MAudio midi interface for my Roland piano and they provided a free subscription to Performing Songwriter magazine. In the July/Aug 2008 issue on page 3 in full colour glossy ad was a picture of a solo guitarist standing IN FRONT OF an L1 Model II with T1 and single B1 (notice how I have picked up the lingo!) Headline TONE COVERAGE PORTABILITY. I immediately went to the BOSE/live2 website and read every testimonial watched every video. I spent the next month researching every article on this forum and online reviews. I finally demoed one in a LONG & MCQuade store here in Toronto and there was only one thing stopping me - the risk or losing my wife or gaining gear! Seriously though while the stores were not the ideal place to demo I finally got my L! in September. No longer to do I have battle my partners Yamaha Bass Amp to my little Crate acoustic.! Yes we still are fine tuning mixes as we play at different venues but it an absolute joy to share this unique technology with our audience. We hear each other (for better or for worse) and our audiences are no longer subjected to the harshness. When I am solo I feel more confident as I can hear my vocal and guitar exactly as I want it. I had always been intimidated by mics and amps technology before. Not now! I can tweak the singer songwriter scene to my Headset and LR Baggs guitar preset. How easy is that! Thanks BOSE and thanks to all of the folks on this forum. A special thanks to ST fellow Canadian. Ken had asked about promoting the L1. Here in Toronto we have BOSE stores but no one knows about L1 as they are focusing on consumer stuff not musicians. I think it would be good to have some promotion in these stores. How about a Canadian L1 Owners conference? A lot of staff at the music stores are still in the dark or are still under the paradigm of "Loud and Proud". They are quick to comment on price but have never heard it! On my wish list would be a more solid standalone solution for the T1 as I don't trust velcro and want to control it without turning my back to the audience. Nuff said for now. Hope this is helpful. Thanks for listening!

Ken, how about a "Don't take our word... ask a working musician" kind of thing where some L1 owners who were willing (like me) could email directly with musicians scouting out the L1?

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"What strikes me about your post and some of the others is the care and time taken to research the L1 system. Also, it seems like our claims just seem to be too much to the new person. I wonder if there are lots of musicians that are turned off by that? Is there perhaps a better way to create awareness about the L1 system that's less conventional and might generate more interest in checking it out?"

quote:

Originally posted by Ken-at-Bose:
Stuart, this is just an incredible testimonial. Man, my heart is aching!

What strikes me about your post and some of the others is the care and time taken to research the L1 system. Also, it seems like our claims just seem to be too much to the new person. I wonder if there are lots of musicians that are turned off by that? Is there perhaps a better way to create awareness about the L1 system that's less conventional and might generate more interest in checking it out?

Most of all, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. I am very grateful and humbled.

Ken

No, I don't think the claims are too much for a new person. IMO, most people who complain about bose L1 advertising claims are usually soundgears salesmen/soundengineers. Every musicians I've played in front of was wowed by the sound. The only person who ever gave me an argument about it was a salesman at sam ash.

If anything I would stress the return policy more. The L1 backs up what they claim 100% AND you can try it out and if you don't like it send it back for a full refund. Most people that claim bose are simply lieing about what the L1 can do like to overlook this fact. They would have a lot of returns if this were the case.

IMO, don't adjust the marketing simply because competitors and gear snobs don't like the fact the L1 outperforms their equipment and sounds better and is lighter.


When I was new to the L1 it was the videos testimonials and picture demonstrations of the radiating pattern that sold me. Everything the musicians said in the videos was everything I hated about playing out.

The L1 literally made me enjoy band rehersal and playing out again and kept me from quitting due to frustration with house sound.

Hi Ken:

quote:

"Also, it seems like our claims just seem to be too much to the new person. I wonder if there are lots of musicians that are turned off by that? Is there perhaps a better way to create awareness about the L1 system that's less conventional and might generate more interest in checking it out?"

Does this sound familiar? It wasn't all that long ago that we were all told that we'd all soon be able to own a computer that sat on a desk...back when a computer took up a whole room, or a whole floor of a building! I can recall me, and most other people I spoke to about it, believing that it was just another outrageous claim by someone wanting to get free grant money, or sell us something. Boy, were we wrong about that one! Who would have thought - based on the current state of technology at the time - that we would ever get to own computers that sat on a desk...with room to spare! Now we can own computers that fit in our hand, if we want them! And I think we are still only scratching the surface...

And so with music performance, the introduction of the L1 reminds me of that seemingly-outrageous claim that we'd all be able to own portable computers before too long. What technology has done for music (and many other areas of our lives) is nothing short of mind-boggling. How many of us would have believed it?

So, when you have something so different as the L1...you're bound to run into some hurdles when first trying to convince people that your product does what it claims...even if you happen to be Bose!

I think for the most part, that the L1 is definitely one of those products that, upon initial release, you have to get it into the hands of the musician - under actual performance conditions - to be able to convince him/her that it is what it's claimed to be.

Stu

Wow, all these great stories inspired me to tell my Bose story. I remember when I first discovered the Bose L1 System. Several years ago, I had just come back from Guitar center with as new Mixer, 2 monster sized powered speakers and a bunch of other accessories. I traded in my Fender Passport PA and was ready to make the big leap into better equipment. (Music is my secondary profession but the one I love most.)

So when I got my new system, I immediately called my good friend Joe Cerisano who is a professional singer. The guy you probably heard on the radio or TV singing jingles at some point or another, he is considered one the most famous anoymous singers in America. Joe is the voice of the Army, Miller Lite, GE and the list goes on...my favorite one of his jingles was: "Be all that you can Be in the Army"

When Joe C. arrived at my house, he said Bob you gotta take this stuff all back and get the new Bose L1 system. I said, what's that? He said it's the system that's gonna give you the best sound and save your back from breaking during transport. That was all I needed to hear...2 hours later I was at home unpacking my new Bose system and never looked back...

Joe Cerisano www.cerisano.com spends a lot of time in Nashville and performs with the Bose System frequently, he became a believer way back. Now like the Monkee's used to sing "I'm a Believer"

Thanks Joe Cerisano.......

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobarino,

Reading all these great stories I had a sobering thought. What if I had not wandered into that music store on that particular day?

quote:

I was wandered into music store, not looking for much but a way to pass a couple of betwixt and between minutes.

If memory serves, I had an appointment cancel at the last moment so I had a few minutes on my hands.

I used to go to that store a lot, but probably had not been there in a couple of years. I buy my Guitar strings in bulk and had more than enough gear. If not for the cancelled appointment, I might not have gone back there at all.

quote:

I saw the L1® that had just arrived. Asked some questions but it was so new, it was basically an unknown entity.

It was set up in the middle of the PA section of the store. There as an Electric Bass on a stand and a microphone on the Power Stand but nothing was connected. I eventually figured out how to connect the microphone and turn it on. Thinking back, amidst all the noise and the clutter it was pretty hard to know if this was anything special. I recall being impressed at how well all the mechanical aspects had been thought out and executed.

quote:

They were having some kind of show 'n tell event a couple of days later. So they handed me an invite and said, 'hope to see you there'.

I wasn't feeling well on the night of the event. I actually thought I was going to walk into a room with a bunch of these things setup for people to jam on. I didn't realize there was going to be a full-blown presentation followed by a demonstration.

If I had known that we weren't going to be playing through the gear, I probably would have blown it off and gone to bed early.

quote:

The rest is history. I went, saw and heard THE Linemen - the official Bose Demo band (Col. Cliff at the keyboard). I was front and center just a few feet away from Tony Sarno.

Thinking about it now, the most impressive thing besides the incredible resources that Bose put into that show, was hearing a full band playing through five L1®s. From where I was sitting it was amazingly clear that I had never before experienced a live, amplified, show like that.

Aside from all the benefits for the musician (well documented through testimonials from musicians in the presentation), I was completely astounded by the experience of being in the audience. "Blown away without being blown away".

quote:

The next day I was there when the store opened and I got my first L1®. Did my first show with it the following night. Got my second L1® a week later.

Now here's the scary part.

I wasn't looking for new gear. I wasn't thinking about ways to improve the music. I wasn't looking to expand my horizons. I don't read guitar magazines. I had never visited a music retailer's web site. I wasn't particularly happy with the way things were going musically, but I was pretty much resigned to them. I had pretty much given up on the premise that any amount of money would improve the music. The band was working steadily enough and the audiences seemed appreciative. I had made the decision that I would no longer provide the PA (and do all the work that goes along with that).

Given all of that, what were the odds that I would ever find out about the L1®. Even if I somehow heard about it, I think I would have been reluctant to put the effort into the research that would have been necessary for me to comprehend the solution to my unexpressed need.

Thinking back over the past four and some years, if not for the L1®

• I probably would not be in the two duo's I now play in regularly. Both of my duo partners have physical issues that make it extremely difficult to lift anything heavy. So do I. So if only because of the weight, none of us would be playing together. I know for sure that one of my musical partners would not be performing at all if not for the L1®.
  
  
• I would never have known what it is like to be in a full blown band and and be able to hear myself and everyone else in the band.
  
  
• I definitely would not be playing solo shows. Being able to travel completely self-contained with a rig I can load-in and set up in 5-15 minutes is a big part of that.
  
  But the real reason is the confidence that comes of being able to hear myself. I know that this has allowed me to grow and improve as as a musician.
  
  Others have mentioned that they have moved from their band and duo situations into playing solo. You are alone on the tightrope, but it's your tightrope.
  
  
• I am certain that I wouldn't be performing much. There's a good chance that I wouldn't be performing at all.
  

I was pretty lucky to have wandered into that store and ended up in front of THE Linemen a couple of days later.

Most of the benefits (weight, simplicity, setup, Presets, the sound) of the L1® did not become apparent to me until after I had owned one for several months. All of those benefits are real but they weren't why I tried to buy my L1® that night immediately after hearing the show. (They wouldn't let me. They had no way to process the transaction so I had to go to the store in the morning).

I wanted to be part of and share the kind of experience I had at the show.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

For me, this is the best thread I can remember for a while. It's so rich with passion and information.

I'm also genuinely interested in continuing the discussion about how best to connect with musicians but I'm going to do that by starting another thread.

I'd like to leave this thread to the stories about how folks "found the L1" and ultimately decided to use it in their musical lives.

Ken