• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Boss new wireless WL-50 and WL-20

My wl-20 arrived and will quickly be going back. Plugged in to my G&L L2500 nothing but a rhythmic thump thump thump every second. Does this whether in passive or active. Plugged in to my Pedulla Pentabuzz there is a very noticeable high pitched whine. Plugged in to my Sire P7 it is the quietest but not silent like a power cable. Haven't tried my Tobias yet. Too bad. I had high hopes for these new Boss units but alas.
Bummer! I was looking hard at these too. I hope they get it sorted out over at Boss.
 
I get your point on a system that can use AA batteries in a pinch, I would still rather not have to buy endless packs of them and constantly change them out. A good rechargeable (even though proprietary) battery that is long lasting, still sounds like a much better option for me.
i'm splitting that baby in half with my line 6 G75, i use rechargeable AAs in it. no buying batteries every week but i always can if i need to.

eneloop AAs are the industry standard here, just ask any photography people.
 
If the Shure does prove to be the right choice I will be sure to pick up spare batteries. Though I get your point on a system that can use AA batteries in a pinch, I would still rather not have to buy endless packs of them and constantly change them out. A good rechargeable (even though proprietary) battery that is long lasting, still sounds like a much better option for me.
I've also mentioned AA batteries which could also rechargeable on my previous post. So, buying endless AA batteries has never happened in my case with my wireless packs.

i'm splitting that baby in half with my line 6 G75, i use rechargeable AAs in it. no buying batteries every week but i always can if i need to.

eneloop AAs are the industry standard here, just ask any photography people.
Yeah, I'm also using eneloop AAs with mine, the Pro variant. I have a bunch of them since they aren't proprietary to my wireless packs: my wireless mice use them, my wireless keyboards use them, even my bedside clock uses one.

And on this part of the world, it's waaay more easier getting the eneloops if I ever needed more than buying a proprietary rechargeable pack.
 
eneloop AAs are the industry standard here, just ask any photography people.

I had my last DSLR, taking AA batteries... uhm, more than 10 years ago. once I upgraded to a camera with a non-AA li-ion rechargable battery it lasted much more (I think, all non-ancient DSLRs don't have AA batteries for that very reason). had to use Eneloops in the flash unit yet.

AA rechargables are bulky and not really long lasting. I have 6 Eneloop Pros in my battery-powered combo and compared to a combo with built-in battery (or running with a laptop powerbank), AAs are the worst. though, I admit, a wireless system is not as power-demanding as DSLR or a tiny combo amplifier.
 
Last edited:
I had my last DSLR, taking AA batteries... uhm, more than 10 years ago. once I upgraded to a camera with a non-AA li-ion rechargable battery it lasted much more
i wish li-ion rechargeable AAs were a thing but apparently not, li-ion cells are minimum 3.7V.
 
Bummer! I was looking hard at these too. I hope they get it sorted out over at Boss.

Boss told me it will be hit and miss with active preamps. The only bass it worked on for me was my Sire P7. High pitched constant whine when connected to my Pedulla Pentabuzz with Bartolini electronics. Consistent thump thump every 1 second when connected to my G&L L2500 whether the preamp was active or bypassed. A different tone pitch of squeal when connected to my pre-Gibson Tobias with Bartolini electronics. Boss said that if the WL-20 didn't work with my active basses the forthcoming WL-20L wouldn't either. I returned mine to my local Guitar Center and was told it wasn't the first set returned for the same reason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jhengsman
Boss told me it will be hit and miss with active preamps. The only bass it worked on for me was my Sire P7. High pitched constant whine when connected to my Pedulla Pentabuzz with Bartolini electronics. Consistent thump thump every 1 second when connected to my G&L L2500 whether the preamp was active or bypassed. A different tone pitch of squeal when connected to my pre-Gibson Tobias with Bartolini electronics. Boss said that if the WL-20 didn't work with my active basses the forthcoming WL-20L wouldn't either. I returned mine to my local Guitar Center and was told it wasn't the first set returned for the same reason.
I am pretty sad about this. I need a good wireless system and this just looked so dang promising. Maybe my Aguilar Pre will be one of the ones that gets along with the WL-20L.
 
Boss told me it will be hit and miss with active preamps. The only bass it worked on for me was my Sire P7. High pitched constant whine when connected to my Pedulla Pentabuzz with Bartolini electronics. Consistent thump thump every 1 second when connected to my G&L L2500 whether the preamp was active or bypassed. A different tone pitch of squeal when connected to my pre-Gibson Tobias with Bartolini electronics. Boss said that if the WL-20 didn't work with my active basses the forthcoming WL-20L wouldn't either. I returned mine to my local Guitar Center and was told it wasn't the first set returned for the same reason.
Have you tried a TS -> ST small extension cable?
 
Picked up a WL-20 a few weeks back, no issues with the basses I've used so far but did get some weird interference this evening. Sounded like a dying cable. Replaced the wireless with a cable and it stopped. Anyone experienced any electronic interference so far?
Which basses have you tried it with so far? I have a 20L on order intended for use with a Yamaha TRBX504 and an old Stingray. Anyone else who has a 20 or 20L that works OK (or not) with your bass, please chime with which bass you have.
 
Which basses have you tried it with so far? I have a 20L on order intended for use with a Yamaha TRBX504 and an old Stingray. Anyone else who has a 20 or 20L that works OK (or not) with your bass, please chime with which bass you have.

The noise was my fault for not doing the auto connection thing. Only tried a couple of basses; Dingwall (active) and Marleaux (passive). Will try a couple more.

I have an Xvive which did the whine sound with the active bass; the boss is so far a big improvement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kartiste
Tried a few other active basses;
Musicman Stingray: worked.
Warwick Fortress MEC electronics: squealed as soon as BMT knobs moved away from flat either way
Ltd semi acoustic: worked
3 Dingwalls all with Glockenklang pres: 2 fine, one had a very faint squeal slightly exacerbated by the treble control, but barely noticeable.

2 passive basses; fine.

For laughs I plugged in a Kala U-bass; no signal. Maybe didn't like the trs on the transmitter.
 
That's a very well done comparo. I'd like to see it redone with a mainstream active/passive bass and with the WL-20L rather than the WL-20. For bar gigs and similar, I think the practicalities of the WL-20 form factor would, for me, still greatly outweigh the tonal differences vs. the G10, such as I can hear them. Not a deal breaker for the WL-20L I have on order.
 
  • Like
Reactions: loopee
That's a very well done comparo. I'd like to see it redone with a mainstream active/passive bass and with the WL-20L rather than the WL-20. For bar gigs and similar, I think the practicalities of the WL-20 form factor would, for me, still greatly outweigh the tonal differences vs. the G10, such as I can hear them. Not a deal breaker for the WL-20L I have on order.
It also features the WL-50 with the "cable tone" off, which should be the same as the WL-20L soundwise.