One of the groups I belong to is a guitar flatpicking one. I saw this post this morning and thought I'd pass it along for a review outside of this forum.

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Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:08:41 -0600
From: Lyn Baker <michael.lyn.baker@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Bose L1 Review

Howdy all,
I thought I'd come out of outer edges of the list to rave about a new piece of equipment I've recently purchased and put to work in our bluegrass band, South 14.

We've used a traditional system for the past five years; Mackie and JBL stuff. Great gear, but we've always had the feedback issue with monitors since we use condenser/single mike set up. I've bought almost every type of feedback eliminator and even done away with monitors in the end. But, as we musicians like to do, some of me ol' bandmates continue to complain about not being able to hear one another.

So, I checked out this latest technology stuff from Bose and decided to give it a go. We've completed four indoor performances in different sized venues with it so far and I must say (and so do my bandmates) the Bose L1 exceeds our expectations.

The unit purchased is the Bose L1 Model 2 system complete with a B1 bass module and the T1 Tone engine/mixer. I have used three different microphones with it to date: Heil PR 40, Rode NT1A, and AKG Perception 170's. Our favorite out of this list has been the Rode.

Our set up is simple. We play around one microphone stand using the Rode or Heil as the main with one AKG on each side of the main down low for the mandolin and banjo respectively. The upright bass is amped separately through a Realist pick up to a Phil Jones Briefcase. Vocals, guitar and fiddle use the main for their primary.

What's neat about the L1 is it doesn't matter where you set it. It can be behind you or to the side, and you can hear everything the audience is hearing. It's quite remarkable. Feedback has been only a minor issue that is easily resolved with a little tweaking.

It takes some getting used to because we are all used to a conventional set up with all the gear, and when you see the L1, it just doesn't look like it is big enough to put out enough sound. But it does.

The big payoff of the L1? First, we can now hear ourselves just as the audience hears us. Our musicianship as a single unit has improved greatly. Second, set up and breakdown time has been cut by at least 75%. That alone is giving us more time to get warmed up before perfoming and gives us more time at the end of a performance to network with the audience. Third, it's very easy to use and understand unlike conventional systems can sometimes be.

The downside? First, the price tag seems a little steep, but not really IF you compare apples to apples. Bose L1 is a high quality PA system just like Mackie, JBL or some of the others. It's not a Behringer quality system. No offense meant, but it's not a fair comparison. Second, we don't know how it will handle and outside gig in a large open area yet. But, in South 14's case, 95% of the gigs we play are inside in small-to-medium sized rooms where the L1 really shines. Third, I'd like to see more presets on the T1 for the acoustic instruments we play and the gear we use. I figure Bose will continue adding these over time.

So there you go. Bose L1 is a 5 star product in our application. No financial interest here either, just wanted to pass along our good experience for those of you how might be considering the L1.

Lyn Baker
Yellville, AR

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