Bose L1. Did it

[flatlander]

Ho Ho Ho. The Bose L1 systems are on very rare sale at all the dealers now. Rare because of Bose tight axx policies. They authorized about 10% off on all of them. I found a way to knock another 10% off by buying gift certificates from a particualar dealer that were 10% off) Bought enough certificates to cover Bose and ended up saving 20%. That's a good chunk. I love the Bose sound except not beefy enough for me. When I combine it with my other set-up which is very beefy, I shall rule the universe. Certificates should arrive as e-mail today and I'll order. So I guess report back next week. The Bose 10% sale end dec 31 by the way.  I'm not sure if ok to mention dealer or even how long the 10% off certificates deal last. I got the standard pole with one bass module. My other rig will add rest of bass.

[GA-ME]

Matt you will love it. You may be surprised at how fast you stop worrying about combining the system with anything else for your duo act.

[flatlander]

We'll see. Do you go thru a seperate mixer when you need more than 2 chans or did you get thier still limited 4 chan thing?  My other deal is compact as well but has a five chan mixer built in with plenty of ins and outs. Proably use it then use a line out or aux out to feed Bose.  I also have a small mixer only I could use to feed it.

[unclrob]

I could use some info.I always found Bose stuff to be overly midrangey that I couldn't dial out.Whats are your thoughts?Also I'd like more info on using a larger board too?

[flatlander]

I could use some info.I always found Bose stuff to be overly midrangey that I couldn't dial out.Whats are your thoughts?Also I'd like more info on using a larger board too?

right, me too. And they adverise themselves as midrange. But to me what does come out is clear sounding and wel dispersed. I imagine I will still use my other small but powerful box with mixer to help add bass and overall punch. I've heard them and I've seen people try to do too much with them. My plan is usually to use other box with it. Bose will provide the nice even sound thru-out room and also serve as monitor. the R.A. 400 will provide mixer (it has a great front end for acoustics) and punch. If playing a larger outdoor thing just add the JBL's out front. The RA 400 has multifple outs that could feed both the Bose and bigger mains if needed.

[unclrob]

Did you look at the Fishman version by any chance?I would love to have something that was powerful enough for club work and that would allow me to not bring seperate monitors and still play thru mic's.Right now we use a Soundcrafter powered PA and 2 mains with a 15" speaker and a horn split with one main also being the monitor.Its a great sound but we're both getting older and lifting that stuff is a bother.

[flatlander]

Did you look at the Fishman version by any chance?I would love to have something that was powerful enough for club work and that would allow me to not bring seperate monitors and still play thru mic's.Right now we use a Soundcrafter powered PA and 2 mains with a 15" speaker and a horn split with one main also being the monitor.Its a great sound but we're both getting older and lifting that stuff is a bother.

I've got a fishman Rob. One of these.   http://www.fishman.com/product/sa220-solo-performance-system  
It's pretty good. I still wanted more bass/fuller sound and used it in conjunction with my other rig. It was fine but basically what I'm doing is getting the best I can now while working and making decent money so that if something happens musically I'll be set with stuff that I'll be real happy with.  Also with the Fishman it's dispersion of sound all around isn't as good. Pretty good but not as good.
If you decide you want one I might sell mine and could give you a good price. Check it out. Play thru one if you can, and if it works out after shipping and all I might sell mine if interested. It's in fine shape. The only part of it I ever used was the main amp part, feeding off the other rig. I mean of course I've played thru the chans but that's how I always used it.
   With either of these units I still like more Bass. They might be fine for most people, but with no bass player currently, I really work the bass strings and often do lines like a bass would. Plus I like to boogie so I want to feel that bass pumping.

[unclrob]

I wish I could but I am no longer allow in the only store in town that carries them.So it will have to wait until I get out of town.Thats as long as my picture isn't hanging in other store's in the chain.You know a big picture by the time card machine saying.Shoot to kill,Store enemy number one.

[flatlander]

Bose came in yesterday. I'll be checking it out this weekend! Main thing anxious to use Bose with Brozman RA 400. I expect to have absolutely killer system for acoustic.  I'll post my findings when I get chance to check out. Whee. I expect this to have me set for PA for a very long time.
   Also will start selling excess stuff to recoupe some of money. Locally sell I guess since most are larger items. Fishman amp, Powered JBL with stands,(I still have other JBL's and amp to drive them on rare occasion I would need them.)
Cerwin Vega monitors, Epiphone 335 copy, A couple baggs DI's maybe some other stuff. If anyone seriously interested from here I'll make a proper "for sale" post.
I live on coast of NC.

[unclrob]

Are the Baggs DI's the PADI's,if so let me know I need another one.I also await your review!!!

[flatlander]

Well...bummer on the Bose. It has a problem out of the Box. When you put any volume to it on any channel via mixer or  mic straight into it, (yes tried different mics, chords etc) it gives a rat-tat-tat- sound and power light goes amber like it thinks its drawing too much current/power. Good news is that Bose cust. service great, Went thru issue with him doing everything I'd already done.
Then... They will pay for shipping of base unit back to them and won't even wait til it gets to them to ship new one. So review will have to wait...........

[Mr_LV19E]

That's too bad, hope the new one comes soon.

[unclrob]

Thats a good sign that cusotmer service is good.If it wasn't causing other visual problems I'd say it the sound the PA we use make's when a cell phone is near or going off.

[flatlander]

Thats a good sign that cusotmer service is good.If it wasn't causing other visual problems I'd say it the sound the PA we use make's when a cell phone is near or going off.

My enthusiasm about cust service has waned a little. I was told they would send out the new base unit as soon as they saw my shipping tracker back to them in system. That didn't happen.
Called yesterday and was told they would expedite and should go out yesterday and I would recieve e-mail. No e-mail today. Looked up my tracker and unit was delivered to them at 12:00 yesterday. Forget in system, they actually had it. Still didn't go out yesterday. This morning while speaking they did create return tracker and were supossed to by calling warehouse to make sure it actually went out today. We'll see.
I was making a plan to use it for gig next weds, but now it looks doubtful. It wouldn't get here til Tues, if out door today, and I won't be able to play around with it Tues to check it out before gig. Also I'll have to put my other system back together which I have tore apart, I'm talking boards out of it.
   I think all in all if it does goes out today then that is reasonable, just don't tell me that it will ship at least by Wednesday and don't follow thru.

[Queequeg]

They flunked "managing expectations" irrespective of the ultimate outcome.

[flatlander]

I received the new base today. It doesn't work at all! No sound out. Called Bose back and now they are telling me to work it out with the retailer.
Have them swap the whole thing out. This is a different problem than before. Before it put out sound and just clicked with higher levels (not that loud) input. Well you can guess my pleasure.
Have to call retailer back in the morning because only tech support can write RMA's. Then box it all up, get it to UPS and wait again while the clock ticks.
In case anybody is wondering I've played music with mixers and Various PA systems for over 30 years. Yes I checked everything from cords, to mics, measured power from outlet, checked ground and more. It just don't work. :(

[JOYCEfromNS]

Now that is real unfortunate. This L1 system has a wonderful reputation.

Likely coincidental or an isolated case but causes one who has seen many companies in the past spread itself too thin to ask - has this happened to Bose? The last couple of years seems like a tremendous influx of Bose this and Bose that. This may be good or maybe bad. Certainly bad if it is something more than an isolated case.

Are you in a position of a refund or are you willing to give the hitter 3 strikes

Certainly appreciate your frustration as clearly sensed your anticipation of this product

[flatlander]

Now that is real unfortunate. This L1 system has a wonderful reputation.

Likely coincidental or an isolated case but causes one who has seen many companies in the past spread itself too thin to ask - has this happened to Bose? The last couple of years seems like a tremendous influx of Bose this and Bose that. This may be good or maybe bad. Certainly bad if it is something more than an isolated case.

Are you in a position of a refund or are you willing to give the hitter 3 strikes

Certainly appreciate your frustration as clearly sensed your anticipation of this product

It's probably isolated. Probably bad karma from me calling them mafia like in there price and sales tactics! Yea retailer gives 45 days. Yes the thought has crossed my mind about refund.
I did order it for a reason though and I THINK I'll end up with good one. But I'm thinking about it. I don't want the 45 days to go by without even getting a chance to check it out.

[unclrob]

I say get the refund and wait 45 days and try again.For some reason I thought the Boss came out with a version of this system,does anyone know?

[flatlander]

I say get the refund and wait 45 days and try again.For some reason I thought the Boss came out with a version of this system,does anyone know?

I hear ya.