Hi Folks,

Brian Nova wrote to me today with an update. The following is reprinted here with his permission. My reply to him follows in the next post.

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Hey Ken,

Just a short update. We had a tribute in Seattle for my bassist, Buddy Catlett last weekend. Buddy has toured with Count Basie for many years, and was the bassist on the first two Frank Sinatra / Count Basie records with such hits as ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and ‘The Best is Yet to Come’. He left Basie and toured with Louis Armstrong until Louis’ death. He is the bassist on ‘What a Wonderful World’.

Dan Sayan was kind enough to help us out with some PAS systems, and Buddy and I used one each. The auditorium held around 350-400 people and the sound from the Bose PAS was simply astounding. Buddy thought it was the best amplified sound he had ever heard from a bass amp. No less than five of the Northwest’s best bassists played through them on Sunday night, and they were all blown away. I just emailed them all and gave them Dan’s contact numbers.

I have been spending an enormous amount of time trying to ‘dial in’ my sound on my Arch top and I think I’m almost there. The settings I have found that I enjoy are a bit different though. But I’ve narrowed it down to two settings for each of my guitars, and now just need to perform in as many different spaces as possible. I have already used them in Jazz clubs, small concert halls, a very large home in Sun Valley. I’ve used one to two systems for my trio, and four systems for my big band.

I am doing two jazz concerts, two jazz clubs, a guitar clinic, opening a casino in So Cal and a casual before heading to Japan. So I will have several opportunities to really get the systems happening. I hope we can make the Japan tour work.

I am loaning my two systems here in the desert out to a friend this Saturday Night so that he can try it out with his band. His name is Steve Madaio and he is one of the most recorded trumpeters in the world, with over 400 records to his credit with artist such as the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder (over 20 years), Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, Bob Dylan, Tower of Power, Barbara Streisand, Steely Dan and the list goes on and on.

He toured with me in the summer with my big band, and was with me on Steve Miller’s concert. That’s where I got hooked. Dan Sayan was kind enough to schlep four systems to our gig for two weeks in a row. Steve fell in love with them, and dialed my horn section in immediately. That really helped me make my decision. I am getting ready to purchase my third system from you in a couple of weeks. I’ve got to sell a storage locker full of gear first.

I also wanted to thank you and Tom for your help, your attention to detail, and support. There are very few business in any sector that have the commitment to excellence that I have seen and experienced from you and your colleagues at Bose. It makes musicians like myself, that many times don’t get the support we would like for one reason or another, very happy and proud to use your equipment. Thanks and please keep in touch.

Warm Regards,
Brian Nova

Hi Brian,

Thank you so much for your report and your wonderful compliments. I suppose that in the same way an artist like you must appreciate it when a fan tells you how much your work does for them, I must tell you that your words go straight to my heart and my head.

My father turned me on to Jazz at a very young age. He had an incredible collection of LPs he started in college. He saw all the greats many times because back then they all toured and played the nightclub circuits. In my Dad’s case, that was Portland Oregon, and Reed College, then Boston for Harvard Medical School. I have powerful memories of being a child, hoisted up on my dad’s shoulders, while he sang the great songs of his age and ours. One that I now sing to my kids is “Fly Me to the Moon”. My son Evan (now ten) is playing “Don’t Get around Much Anymore” and “Sophisticated Lady” on the piano the past few weeks. What a joy to impart my love of these songs to another generation.

I want to check in with you and see if you feel you’re getting what you need on the archtop sound. You’re such a gentleman I want to make sure you’re not experiencing some frustration that we might be able to help with. We did some work early on with large hollow-body electrics and maybe we have something to offer. If you can get yourself to our labs here outside of Boston at some point, you have a standing offer to have us do some custom presets for the archtop. Just say the word.

I’m very pleased that Akira and some of his staff will be supporting the Japan dates. I suspect you have logged far more time on the system than they, so with your generosity I see this as a fabulous opportunity for them to learn from you. In return, I am confident they will provide you with the most gracious service.

I spoke by telephone to Dan Sayan last week. We had a terrific conversation. He has really thought hard about how to educate musicians and is doing an incredible job for them. I’m certain we’ll be doing more and more with Dan. I will certainly convey your pleasure with his work to him the next time we speak.

Please do stay in touch Brian.

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There are very few business in any sector that have the commitment to excellence that I have seen and experienced from you and your colleagues at Bose. It makes musicians like myself, that many times don’t get the support we would like for one reason or another, very happy and proud to use your equipment.

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Brian, It is even more amazing when you realize that the weekend warrior blues bar band, the solo coffeehouse folksinger, and the part time wedding dj all get treated with the same dignity and respect as a reknowned world class touring professional such as yourself.

I truly believe that the impact on the musical equipment industry will be felt not only from the shockwave of the product itself, but also from the people who steadfastly stand behind this relentless pursuit of complete customer satisfsaction.

Hi Brian and Ken,

Thank you for the kind words. Brian, I have had so much fun working with you and the bands, seeing you apply yourself to adapting this technology and watching the smiles on people's faces as they use this new approach.

The outstanding support from Bose to the end user is the key to the success of my efforts. What we do is unheard of in this industry.

Looking forward to reports of a successful tour in Japan!

Dan

Great thread...I was fortunate enough this past weekend to engage the services of one of the world's most accomplished bassists, who has travelled far and wide, and whose personal rig includes 2 Bose 802s. He couldn't get to the gig in time to set up his stuff, so I said "don't worry, just plug in" to a PAS with 2 subs. Well, he's a convert as well, was absolutely floored, had a ball, and will sooner than later be trading up. Keep rollin'!