Longtime denizens around here know that my rig is an L1/A1/4B1 setup, driven by a BassPODxt (or equivalent...I happen to be using a guitar POD Live XT with the bass pack at the momen, which is essentially the same thing). The music I've been playing is 60s-70s acoustic pop for the most part.

I'm married to that POD. It really delivers on tone. And if you were at the East Coast Conference, you know that I've preferred it to going straight into the L1 with a preset.

Well, recently I joined a second band that's very different...a lot like the pick-up band that was formed at the East Coast conference. Nine pieces, with a horn section, keyboard, bass, drums and guitar, playing funk/R&B and Motown. It is a BLAST, and a real departure from playing opposite a 12-string acoustic, flute and drum machine with three-part harmonies.

I've only had one full practice with the second band (audition 2 weeks ago, first practice last night). Always willing to question my beliefs, I decided to try ditching the POD and plugged in direct, using one of the bass presets, just to see what it would sound like (I used 61, mostly because that's what Mike Z at Bose said he likes).

It was terrific. I ran the L1 pretty much flat, with my usual EQ on the MusicMan Bongo I play. (Specifically, a lower midrange boost, with bass and treble flat, both pickups, and some piezo mixed in).

I also used just 2 B1s, leaving the Packlite and extra B1s at home.

The practice room is in the basement of a church...hard surfaces, moderately lousy acoustics, moderately crowded with nine of us in there. The 2 B1s kicked proverbial butt, even with some wanking around on the low end of my 5 string, below low E. There was PLENTY of volume, easily enough to keep up with the drums and horns.

Not enough data yet to really tell if leaving the POD out of the loop truly is the right choice for this band as yet, but initial impressions indicate that:

- What you need to drive the L1 to your satisfaction appears to depend on the kind of music you play. Sometimes a preamp of some sort is called for, sometimes not.
- It is always wise to shake things up from time to time and see what happens.
- It is always wise to trust your ears and not your preconceived notions.

Hi Andrew,
Have you picked up a T1 yet?

Wow....old thread!

Yes, I bought a Model II with T1 as soon as they came out. It's been great.