Hi everyone! Just wanted to tell the folks at Bose that this is a wonderful product, I enjoy using it every chance I get. Now, on to the question:
I'm basically looking for someone from Bose to quickly recommend the best setup for my situation.
I'm a solo singer/songwriter, so it is usually just me using the PAS.
Here's my gear:
Larrivee LV-03E (Fishman Prefix Pro Saddle Pickup) -- I really dislike the sound of my guitar plugged in (and I'm not blaming the PAS, it is the pickups)
Radial J48 DI (For the guitar)
Sennheiser e835 (Vocals)
ART TubeMP Mic Preamp (For vocal mic, although I don't use it currently, but not opposed to using it.)

Just upgraded to presets 2.0 today.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! If you're looking for feedback; overall, I like my sound as a whole. However, I think my guitar sounds very fake. There is no air in the tone, no negative space. My guitar sounds much better mic'd than plugged in. I know this is the pickups, but I was wondering if some of the new presets would help in conjunction with my DI.

Thanks in advance!
Patrick-

Sorry guys. I failed to mention I've got the PAS with on bass module! thx!!

Hi Patrick,

I looked up that Radial J48
and it looks like an interesting piece of gear but since you can run 1/4" straight into the Bose Channel 1 or 2, I'm not seeing the need to be using it.

Have you tried running your Larrivée straight into the Bose System. I've been very impressed with my Larrivée (with an older Fishman under bridge pickup) straight in, with version 2.0 preset #40.

Then try the other acoustic guitar presets. Don't be afraid to tweak with Tone Controls on the Remote too.

Since you've just updated the presets, give it a shot.

I've put together some notes about auditioning presets.

-- click the image above to see the explanation.

If that doesn't suit you, you could try some other acoustic guitar pre-amps. Fishman makes some very simple ones that also help. I have some of these, and also have an old Trace Acoustic preamp/DI.

Depending on the Guitar and the situation I sometimes use these pre-amps, mainly in open stage situations where I'm running other peoples' guitars through the Bose Systems.

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

ST,
Thanks for the quick reply! I've seen your posts in a number of other threads, and you are extremely helpful.
I have tried plugging the Larrivee in directly with the presets flat. As a matter of fact, in the past I hadn't used the presets at all. I have only recently started experimenting with them, and I do like some of the settings.
After I upgraded to 2.0, I decided to shoot for the closest mic to mine in the list, which I would assume is preset #18 (e855. I have the e835). The closest guitar preset to (our) Larrivee pickups is *once again, I'm assuming* #46 (Martin DC16) since I think that guitar uses the same exact pickup system? Or does it?
I will try preset #40 though... Thanks for the tip.

PS. Cool Blog.

and I meant to say I have one PAS with 1 bass module... to avoid any confusion... jesh!

ST,
Also... I have ran my guitar without the J48 many times. It basically just means I have to up the gain to get the same volume. I don't think the J48 does much for the tone, just increases the signal.

Patrick,

It may be just my ears but my perception is that under saddle pickups in general send too much information to our amplification systems. Some companies use built in preamps that are "voiced" to eliminate some of the unwanted tone.

Whatever the case, I tend to take away things in the EQ rather than add. I am not sure, but I think that some of the Bose presets are similar to various companies "voiced preamps".

I would try all of the acoustic guitar presets (40 - 49) each with all EQ flat, guitar direct into the PS1.

If you are lucky one will sound considerably better than the rest. If you are not so lucky one may be close to what you expect. Work with that one. Don't be afraid to make some pretty drastic cuts with Mids and Lows, sometimes you can eliminate enough to let the true tone shine through.

I use an LR Baggs para acoustic DI, it has 5 bands of EQ, two of which are notch filters. It is very effective for shaping tone. There are other brands that have similar features. I believe the sweepable notch filters are a big part of tone shaping as well as problem solving.

Good Luck, Oldghm

Oldghm,
Good ideas as well. I'll definitely try all the presets EQ'd completely flat on my fishman preamp built in the guitar, and will take out the DI. The fishman preamp does have a notch filter on it as well, but according to the manual, I have it basically disabled which is dialed all the way counter clock-wise.

Patrick,
Try the Fishman Platinum, it has notch filters, graphic eq, ground lift, brilliance, Low Z output, etc.
Very nice.
The Larrivee, as I remember many years ago is such a beautiful guitar, however I remeber the tonality is on the tight side, maybe more of a focus issue, I believe IMO, that the woods in the guitar need alot of time to age, just like a fine wine.
Mark in Vail

Mark,
I hear what you're saying. This guitar is about 4 years old, and yes the wood is still coming into its own. But my beef is with the under saddle transducer. I think a blend or just mic pickup system provides a much more realistic tonal quality when playing acoustic electric. And with the PAS's extremely low feedback tendancies, an interally mic'd acoustic would be fantastic.
However, since I'm in no hurry to go out and buy a new guitar... or start installing new electronics, I was hoping to get some recommedations for my present setup on the PAS. I'm still "tweaking", but I did find a couple presets that I thought gave the larivee a much more "realistic" tone. what I mean by realistic is the guitar sounds just like it would unplugged... only louder.
Before I wasn't using the presets, and the tone I was getting sounded very tinny and not round at all... There was no presence to the sound, it almost sounded like what a cheap MIDI keyboard would sound like using an "acoustic" voice if that makes sense.

Hi Patrick,

When you are auditioning presets, try to do it at performance volume in a space similar to (or better yet) where you actually perform.

When it comes to microphones, one of my favourites for getting lots of presence is the AKG C451. The Neuman KM184 is very balanced, and arguably a truer sounding mic, but for presence and the ability to cut through a mix (finger pickin') the AKG is terrific.

ST,
You've must do something technical for a living. I'm can absolutely do my best to eliminate most of the variables in my living room (the biggest room in my house). The vaulted ceiling creates one particular constant that I would love to take away. Thanks for the tips guys. What do ya'll think about the LRBaggs M1?
thx again!
Patrick-

Patrick,

I am very fond of LR Baggs pickups, I use the Element, Ribbon Trasnsducer, and The ibeam. All are above average in my opinion. I have no experience however with the M1.

I think Tony-at-Bose uses or has used one, maybe he will give us a review.

Oldghm