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Double Bass Bose L1 Compact for DB

RMacBass

RMacBass

Bass Commander
Supporting Member
Jun 2, 2003
98
71
Victoria, BC, Canada
rossmacdonald.com
#1
I sometimes have trouble hearing my own tuning on the double bass when I switch between plucking and the bow at a venue with a PA. Especially playing with a larger group, there isn't always time to obsess over the EQ of the bowed sound. So usually, I wind up with far too little of myself in the monitor and have to pray that I'm audible out front.

Bob Gollihur's idea of having a separate speaker at ear level ( Invalid Link Removed ) is a great one. As soon as I noticed the Bose L1 Compact at the local music store, I realized it would be a most elegant method of achieving proper personal monitoring for the DB.

I can carry it and my DB in from the car at the same time. It's a comfortable one-handed carry (25lbs) and an ultra light bag with a shoulder strap for the array (3 lbs). When assembled, the L1 Compact has a tiny footprint.

Last night I played a show at a theatre with an opera singer intent on covering the range between Pavarotti and Tom Jones. I was doubling on electric bass and upright bass so I used two separate DI's (Headway EDB-1 and Avalon U5), and ran them into the two inputs on the Bose. My bass sounded not just great, but amazing on stage, all night, and I didn't have to change any levels when switching between bow and plucking.

I was sharing the stage with vocalists, so I didn't turn up too loud for fear of bleeding into the vocal mics, but the speaker was right next to my head--I didn't need to turn up loud. I think I've found my perfect mid-sized doubling rig.

(As an aside, the Bose sounds flat-out amazing with an iPod plugged into the 1/8" stereo input, and having two channels makes it simple to share with a keyboardist or guitarist. I played through it today with an electric guitar and a Pod X3 Live and it was rockin'.)

I've also used it during rehearsal with a 35-piece concert band and experienced the same kinds of benefits. One BIG plus: usually my bass sound is projected right at the trombone section that sits in front of my bass amp, but with the L1 Compact's loudspeaker only being at the top of the tower, not the whole tower as in the L1 and L2, my sound dispersed much more evenly, and filled the room much more effectively and I didn't receive any angry glares.

One downside is that there's not a combo jack input allowing either XLR or 1/4", like on the Acoustic Image heads. Not a big problem for those with preamps with XLR outs, but a minor annoyance. Also, only the XLR channel has EQ settings (bass and treble). Since I always have a preamp for my DB, that doesn't matter, but for some who don't use that approach, it might be a downer.

Anyway, I'm pretty impressed with the ease I had getting a great big warm tone on a stage I expected to be drowned out on. Has anyone else ever tried an L1 Compact as a stage monitor or bass amp for small gigs?
 
#2
I wanted to like the L1 and L2 series Bose linear arrays, bit there expensive, you have to have the bass binns. and they're not all that light. I'll have to explore this setup with my rig. I already have the Headway EDB-1 and I love that box. Since there are a whole lot of different options for EB preamps, it shouldn't be that hard to do that either.

Ric
 
#3
Do you get enough low end with the Bose Compact? I have played through the L1 single bass setup, and without the sub connected it didn't have near enough bass response to be really useful. I guess the Compact is a bit of a different concept though.
 
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#4
The L1 Compact has the sub unit built-in to the base, so there is plenty of low end.

I was playing through it with a Modulus electric some more today in a much boomier room (actually a terrible room to play in, so my comments may be regarded as a worst-case scenario). I noticed that it wasn't as quick to respond or "immediate"-feeling as when using a 1x10 Genz Benz Shuttle raised about 2 feet off the floor. It was very capable of crisp tones, low-mids were not super well defined in that room. However, the other night, in a theatre with better acoustics, it sounded great for both electric and DB.

I also tried a nice carved bass with a Gage running through an Avalon U5 and the L1 Compact this morning in the same room, and at a low to mid volume, arco sound reproduction was beautiful.
 
#5
How do you find the L1 compares with your EA stuff, or have you had a chance to A/B them in the same environment ??
I'm considering buying a Doubler/MLine combination and would be interested in knowing your thoughts on the comparison, or if the L1 is a viable alternative.
Also, how does all this compare to the Baby Blue ?
 
#6
Hi Don, nice to see you on here. Well, my EA rig is something entirely different. It's awesome when I want to lug both 1x12 cabinets out to play a rock show. For most acoustic jazz gigs, it's entirely overdoing it, but it sure does get a huge warm sound. I have a Phil Jones Super Flightcase on order for the band that should be here any day, you should drop by the bandroom sometime to check it out.

As far as the Baby Blue goes, I haven't been using one, since the band has a Genz-Benz shuttle that I prefer the sound of for bowing and it's smaller, lighter and loud enough. I used my Avalon one time into the effects return of a Baby Blue with busted EQ knobs and was very pleased with the sound, but I just find that it's hard to ignore the added convenience of the smaller new generation of amps.

If I were in the market for an ultra light amp right now, I'd get the EA Doubler and Wizzy 110, and an AMT mic. However, my Micromark is enough for me right now.
 
#7
I have an Eden 410H that I use for the bar gigs with my old J bass. My amp I use with it blew up and no one seems to know what the problem is, so I've been powering it with the Baby Blue head, another reason I'm considering getting the Doubler.

I have two Baby Blue's that I've been using since they were new on the market. If I have a gig that requires both DB and EB I bring both and use them as dedicated units - as there is never time between numbers to re EQ. With the Doubler I would only need to bring the one head.

I wonder how the Doubler would sound with the BB speaker box ?? Hmm another possibility ??

I had a look at both the Shuttle and the Phil Jones Flightcase at ISB in June but it's hard to compare when you're using an unfamiliar bass, and a pickup you don't like in a cement room full of people.
Didn't know the Band had a Shuttle, I've been out of touch lately.

I have an ATM 35 that I used to use occasionally but I found that it didn't work all that well for me. Most of my work is in cramped surroundings and I found that by the time I got usable sound out of it, there was too much bleed from everything else, so I went back to my trusty Wilsons. They always work well as long as you don't have to go too loud.
As far as mics go, I got my best live sound out of an EV RE20.

I'm due for a visit over your way, If you think of it give me a call when the Phil Jones gets there ( hopefully before the Christmas rush, I know how busy it gets ) I'd love to test drive it.
I've been trying to decide between the EA and the Phil Jones, and now there's the L1 in the mix.
Maybe we can spend some time some afternoon A/B ing this stuff.
 
#8
I tried the L1 compact today at Guitar Center and it sounds great.
The biggest drawback I see is there are no tone controls so you have to buy an external preamp.
I'm headed back to try it with my Fishman Platinum pre.
I had the original Bose system and it was expensive and cumbersome.
The L1 is much more reasonable.

I would not use any Bose products with an electric bass.
 
#9
kerrycares said:
I tried the L1 compact today at Guitar Center and it sounds great.
The biggest drawback I see is there are no tone controls so you have to buy an external preamp.
I'm headed back to try it with my Fishman Platinum pre.
I had the original Bose system and it was expensive and cumbersome.
The L1 is much more reasonable.

I would not use any Bose products with an electric bass.
Click to expand...

I bought my L1 Compact yesterday and love it.
It seems most natural sounding in a small room with one extension column.
The options available with the two extensions or attaching the array directly to the sub makes for an extremely versatile PA system for upright.
Again I did not like the sound at all for electric bass.
My upright is equipped with a Realist and sounds natural and uncolored.
I am interested in comparing the sound with a fishman or other preamp.
 
#10
I can attest to the Bose Compact for UB, I have a Revolution Solo pickup and find no need to eq - perfect.

BTW, I also use my electric through the Bose and it does a better job than my ashdowns, the only problem is that the vocalist insists on going through the compact as well.
 
#11
Just bought one yesterday and my initial impression is positive. I played through a Full Circle and an f-deck box and the tone and clarity was quite good at home. Used my Azola EUB last night in a big boomy room with a loud drummer and a noisy crowd and was not crazy about the outcome but i think any small amp would be challenged there. Fortunately I usually play a DB with a quieter jazz trio (bass, drums and guitar) in more quiet rooms and I'm hoping the bose will work well there and minimize transport and set up work.

My main question is whether or not to add a direct box or a small mixer and or some brand of preamp to the signal chain. Will this optimize my
my DB tone or am I good enough just going through the f-deck and then straight in to the compact? Any and all opinions would be welcome.

P.S. I tried using a shure sm58 on a mike stand along with the full circle and that really added some nice "air" to the sound but would prefer to not have to use a mike because of the feedback, drum bleed and extra equipment to lug issues. I might consider the mike route though, if neccesary. Thanks to all in advance!
 
#13
I use a FJB SuperFlight Case with Headway EDB-1 preamp and have recently jammed at a gig through the Line 1 - not the compact, but the single pole with sub. I gotta say, the air is there, ambient sound certainly there - which is harder to achieve with FJB only. Once a scrape a few bucks, I am seriously considering getting Bose next.
 
#14
Sticking my head into the DB forums long enough to say I appreciate this thread.

I am considering an L1 Compact for my teenage son and myself to sing/duo acoustically for smaller venues.

Also I think it would be handy to have a small but nice sounding PA that's easy to transport and self contained.

But I am also pleased to see it may also be useful with electric bass (and/or ABG I assume) for smaller events, particularly where stage real estate is a premium.

(I do have limited experience running an electric bass through the original L1s as one of my former bands used them, so I'm somewhat familiar with the concept.)

Since this thread does date back a few years, I'll ask everyone if you still like and use your Compact, and also I'm curious as what other situations/venues/applications did it work or not work.

Thanks! :)
 
#15
I had the chance to "audition" an L1 when it was the house bass amp on a jazz cruise I did last December. I was so impressed I bought one for myself. I also purchased a 4 channel Yamaha mixer, as I intended to use it as a PA system occasionally for my trad jazz band. That hasn't happened yet due to PAs being provided by the venues thus far. However, I have had the opportunity to use it 3 or 4 times in a trio with Marty Grosz on archtop acoustic guitar. I've used the mixer to mic his voice, his guitar and to amplify my string bass with a pickup and the results have been superb. Caveat: Marty's trio (with a cornet player and sometimes clarinet for a quartet) is very acoustic. The horns are never mic'ed. But for an intimate club/restaurant setting, this has worked really well for me.

When using as a bass amp, I have found it helpful to use my Fishman 5-band eq preamp if I need a little boost, but if the acoustics of the venue are right, I can plug straight in to the L1 without the Fishman.
 
#19
The L1 is a really nice unit for many applications, not sure about DB as it is really not designed for bass. Would probably work at moderate volume, esp with a hpf. That said, I use one in two acoustic bands, either for a monitor in our Bluegrass group or a main in gypsy jazz. For Bluegrass we use it as a monitor either put behind us with one of the array extensions or in front to the side and pointed across the stage, which usually works better. For the gypsy band we just need something for vocals for one mic so plug it in and you are ready to go. Tres simple. Not inexpensive but very useful.
 
#20
This thread is ancient but in my quest for MBOL I am looking at all options. Interestingly, while I had a low opinion of the Bose systems like the L1, L2, etc., a singer/songwriter I was playing with had one and on one occasion it was not feasible for me to bring an amp. He had the Tone Master, a dedicated eq/mixer for the Bose systems, and that Tone Master box had a PRESET that said "Fishman FullCircle", so we used that setting and I plugged straight into that box from my FC. Best, most airy sound ever from my bass, almost like a mic. Almost makes me want to buy the system but it's a lot to lug around.
 
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