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Boss new wireless WL-50 and WL-20

#141
I own the Boss WL-50. I previously used it on a Yamaha BB414 (passive), works just perfect with amazing clarity, range and sound. My main bass is however a Woodo X5 (active), and I when I tried it on that bass I was met with many problems.

First of all, I had this high pitched hissing/squealing noise, that I eventually found out was because it was connected to a "switchable" port on my supply power (an isolated port that can be switched between 9v, 12v and 18v). The amperage and volt on the port were correct, so the problem is that the pedal simply doesn't work with those switchable ports (may just be my supply power though, a Harley Benton ISO Pro 2 (No, not the daisy-chain-in-a-box one).

The second, and most frustrating problem, was this rhythmic beating/pumping every second that a few mentioned here. I can't get rid of it no matter what I do. I did however see a few solutions suggested in this thread, so I just want to ask a few things before doing anything drastic:

1) Changing the ring and sleeve cables on my bass input: Will that affect the sound of my bass in general otherwise, or is it all safe n sound to flip them so that my Boss WL50 may work properly?
2) I can't seem to find those TS-TS extension cables anywhere (I live in Sweden). Anybody able to give specific links to the product? Preferably from international sites, but the closer to Europe the better (like Thomann and so on)

Thanks!
 
#142
I have just taken delivery of the Boss WL20-L. So far, I love it. Attached to my acoustic bass with active pickup it works perfectly. Attached to my Martin with active pickup it works perfectly.

Unfortunately, attached to my Larrivee with after-market D-Tar Multi-Source active pickup I get a subtle but noticeable high-pitched whine. It's not noticeable when I play, so perhaps a noise gate is a workaround; however, I would like to eliminate the whine.

The manual for the pickup says, "the preamp is directly connected to a special TRS stereo endpin jack." Interestingly, if I run a cable from my guitar to the input of any pedal and connect the WL20 transmitter to the output of the pedal the noise completely disappears. As I understand it, the jacks i
n almost all guitar pedals are TS. Perhaps the pedal is converting the TRS signal from the guitar to TS which is then being transmitted by the WL-20 and that's what's eliminating the whine? If that's the case, wouldn't an adapter such as is linked below do the same thing? At $3, it's worth taking a shot, but I'm curious what folks here think.

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-GPP-290-TRS-TS-Adaptor/dp/B000068O4M

Thanks in advance.
 
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#145
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#146
Line of sight isn't really important. Wether it's a board mounted unit, or amp-top when are you NOT line of sight? A person interfering won't have much effect, or occasionally ducking behind the backline to grab a beer.
Range has almost nothing to do with wireless. They will ALL go thirty feet, which is about the limit of how far you can go before hearing the delay. At 50 feet, you'll actually have sync problems unless you're wearing in-ears. Don't choose a wireless cause on has 100 foot range, and another has 200 feet. You can have TOO much range, which is why walkie talkies and CB radios have a range control (squelch). It shortens the range for less interference. When Edge walks 100 feet out onto the catwalk, without in-ears he would probably be screwed.
 
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#147
KevinB656 said:
Thanks, Donald. I just ordered one. Hopefully, it will work. Interestingly, I just tried the wireless with my Larrivee 12-string with exactly the same pickup and it was quiet as a mouse.
Click to expand...

If anyone's interested, I have determined that there is a grounding issue with the pickup system. Unfortunately, short of installing a new pickup there does not seem to be a way to solve it.
 
#148
I've bought one and think it's great! It works with my active, passive and acoustic basses as well as my 6 string acoustic fitted with a Baggs Anthem. One consideration though is that because of the design of the jack socket on my TC BH500 (it slopes away from the hole) it won't activate the power on the receiver. I've solved this by putting a washer round the jack!
 
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#149
I wound up getting the right-angle adapter recommended by Donald in post 145 and, thankfully, it eliminated the high pitched whine in my Larrivee with D-Tar Multi-Source pickup. Yay!

Unfortunately, the hole in the adapter is slightly larger than the plug on the Boss, so the Boss doesn't go in tightly enough to activate the power on the Boss. Wombat, the washer is a great idea!
 
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#150
Thanks, my next challenge is to find a way to stop losing washers! I've found that an old glasses case is a great home for the transmitter, receiver, the right angled ts/ts I bought in case things didn't work with my active bass or Baggs Anthem (as recommended here) and a few washers. However I can see me losing washers in the dark as they tend to fall off when you take the receiver out!
 
#151
WombatGB said:
Thanks, my next challenge is to find a way to stop losing washers! I've found that an old glasses case is a great home for the transmitter, receiver, the right angled ts/ts I bought in case things didn't work with my active bass or Baggs Anthem (as recommended here) and a few washers. However I can see me losing washers in the dark as they tend to fall off when you take the receiver out!
Click to expand...

Since I will always need to use the angle adapter, I think I'll just glue a washer to it.

I'm curious. Does your Boss connect securely with the angle adapter so the power switch properly depresses? Or is it instead very loose like mine?
 
#152
My right angled adapter fits snugly and i don't need a washer. I got the Hosa one from Amazon. I will use it where I have an end pin attachment. Unfortunately the front panel on the BH 500 doesn't really allow me to use the right angled adaptor. I've had success using a headphone extension cable (female to male) but the washer is working well.

I did think of gluing a washer to the BH but I might want to sell it at some point.
 
#153
WombatGB said:
My right angled adapter fits snugly and i don't need a washer. I got the Hosa one from Amazon. I will use it where I have an end pin attachment. Unfortunately the front panel on the BH 500 doesn't really allow me to use the right angled adaptor. I've had success using a headphone extension cable (female to male) but the washer is working well.

I did think of gluing a washer to the BH but I might want to sell it at some point.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about gluing the washer to the Hosa adapter not the Boss. I realize, though, that my issue is different than yours.

To be sure I understand, when you plug the Boss into the Hosa adapter there is a tight connection between the two and the power button on the Boss is reliably depressed? If that's the case, perhaps I just got a bum adapter.
 
#154
Yes, I think you you must have a duff one and I was talking about gluing one to my amp not the receiver. Mine has a tight fit and powers whichever WL20 bit I plug in.

I expect gluing a washer to your adapter will work. Depends if you want to try and change it.
 
#155
WombatGB said:
Yes, I think you you must have a duff one and I was talking about gluing one to my amp not the receiver. Mine has a tight fit and powers whichever WL20 bit I plug in.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I got the same Hosa model number as the one on Amazon, but tried to save a buck or two by ordering from eBay. I will order the Amazon one and hopefully avoid the need for a washer altogether.
 
#158
WombatGB said:
Yes, washerless is the way. I'm current convincing the wife that to be washerless I should trade the TC for a nice Mark Rig. Can't cost me much more than a grand....
Click to expand...
Tell her the BH500 is a legacy product and the WL20 is a modern product, that's the reason about the problematic fit as they are generations apart :D

Have you considered trading the WL20 for the WL50? It's using regular cable to the amp.
 
#159
Lol. I'm a Line 6 person so was originally attracted to a G10 but that, like the WL50 needs power at the 'amp end'. What got me with the WL20 was the plug & play nature. When I'm on guitar I use it from my pod to the FOH, or acoustic to pa, or acoustic to pod....

The permutations are endless. The only problem I've found is the rogue jack socket and that get solved with a washer!
 

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