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Simple Entry Level Wireless Bass to Amp Choice?

Mar 27, 2023
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Greetings. After viewing a recent video from a teacher who had chosen to start using a wireless transmitter for his bass to amp, I thought this might be great for me too. I have my amp to my left of my sitting practicing seat and computer and cannot move the amp to a different location for various reasons. Routing the cord to the other side could be done, but in my layout, a bit of a pain, but I think if these wireless systems work and are not too clunky, it might be a good solution to try. I envision a battery transmitter attached to my strap (I always wear one even when sitting) and a receiver plugged into my Rumble 40. The teacher was using a Sure GLXD16, but that is quite expensive and I do not need a pedal (I already have a tuner pedal). At Sweetwater I see that Boss has a device for $175. I would want the batteries to be rechargeable either internal or I often use NiCad rechargeables. What thoughts do you all have on this topic? Thanks!
 
I've been using these for years. They're great. Small, rechargeable and great for small gigs. I also have a Line 6 pack and receiver, but I usually tend to grab these.

XVive U2 Wireless Guitar System

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I've been using the Lekato 5.8GHz for years on both active and passive basses, $60, less than half the price of the X-Vive, $160, and not prone to smartphone interference.

 
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As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I've been using these for years. They're great. Small, rechargeable and great for small gigs. I also have a Line 6 pack and receiver, but I usually tend to grab these.

XVive U2 Wireless Guitar System

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I have an xvive set and love it, but it isn't happy working with some preamps and it isn't usable on some of my basses. You may get some terrible hisses coming through the signal. Most my active basses play nice with the xvive - just wanted to give a warning
 
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I actually wish Shure did a variation of the GLXD16 without the tuner built in, but it’s turned out to be nice to have even if it has functionally displaced my beloved ST-200. As for the wireless bit, it works flawlessly for bass (and the tuner tracks incredibly well) and I haven’t once regretted paying the “buy once cry once” price tag since receiving it and using it. Zero tone suck and you could probably recoup a few bucks selling your existing tuner.
 
I've been using the 5.8 GHZ from CFG for about 10 gigs. No drops out. Excellent battery life. Competitively priced. I'm very pleased.
 
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There were some folks on here a while back praising a JOYO set up. It’s on my carry but I don’t have time to search for the thread- although it may have been in a “club” thread or the “worship bass pedalboard” thread.
 
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Greetings. After viewing a recent video from a teacher who had chosen to start using a wireless transmitter for his bass to amp, I thought this might be great for me too. I have my amp to my left of my sitting practicing seat and computer and cannot move the amp to a different location for various reasons. Routing the cord to the other side could be done, but in my layout, a bit of a pain, but I think if these wireless systems work and are not too clunky, it might be a good solution to try. I envision a battery transmitter attached to my strap (I always wear one even when sitting) and a receiver plugged into my Rumble 40. The teacher was using a Sure GLXD16, but that is quite expensive and I do not need a pedal (I already have a tuner pedal). At Sweetwater I see that Boss has a device for $175. I would want the batteries to be rechargeable either internal or I often use NiCad rechargeables. What thoughts do you all have on this topic? Thanks!
Greetings. After viewing a recent video from a teacher who had chosen to start using a wireless transmitter for his bass to amp, I thought this might be great for me too. I have my amp to my left of my sitting practicing seat and computer and cannot move the amp to a different location for various reasons. Routing the cord to the other side could be done, but in my layout, a bit of a pain, but I think if these wireless systems work and are not too clunky, it might be a good solution to try. I envision a battery transmitter attached to my strap (I always wear one even when sitting) and a receiver plugged into my Rumble 40. The teacher was using a Sure GLXD16, but that is quite expensive and I do not need a pedal (I already have a tuner pedal). At Sweetwater I see that Boss has a device for $175. I would want the batteries to be rechargeable either internal or I often use NiCad rechargeables. What thoughts do you all have on this topic? Thanks!
Check out the Line 6 G30 Wireless. It’s a little more than your $175 at $229 but you may never need to replace it. I’ve had one since 2011 without a failure or a repair.
It was introduced by Line 6 in 2009 and it’s still in their line-up. That’s a strong statement for engineering and reliability.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RelayG30--line-6-relay-g30-digital-wireless-guitar-system
 
I purchased the XVIV for about $200. I used them for a few months and recommended them to a friend who plays in a duo. They purchased 2 sets. By the end of one year I found them to be unreliable and after numerous noise and drop-out problems, I just threw them in the garbage with no regrets. My friend's bombed out shortly after and he moved to a different brand. I have other friends who use Lekato (SP?) and other inexpensive stuff from Amazon and they have had no problems. Over the years, the best I owned was in the pre Bluetooth era - with the dual diversity antennae. It was made in Omaha and worked like a set worth a few thousand bucks. These days, I use a guitar cable and don't mind it a bit.
 
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I've been using the Lekato 5.8GHz for years on both active and passive basses, $60, less than half the price of the X-Vive, $160, and not prone to smartphone interference.

I was just going to ask about these!! LOL. Thanks.
Used to use the Xvive, but issues with my active basses, so switched to Lekato years ago. Fully charged the battery life is great. I've done a 3.5 hour gig, forgot to recharge and a few days later did a couple and a half hour rehearsal with no problems.
 
Well thank you all for the fabulous feedback on this topic!

I tried the Lekato set up today from Amazon and it worked well for my bass. BUT, I did notice that the harmonic complexity of the sound was clearly, but subtlety reduced. I think in a band situation this would not be noticed at all and the benefits of no cord would be just fantastic, but in my practice room, just playing the bass, the notes sounded a bit woofier, slightly duller and without as much harmonic complexity. I found that I missed these slightly richer sounds. Obviously just a personal aesthetic choice that was OK to make in a home practice studio. So I have returned them.

My original concern was with my particular room layout, I was constantly getting tangled up in my cord. BUT, after realizing I didn't quite like the Lekato set up, I rethought the cord issue and found that that I could make it work to come from my other side, clearing up all the tangle problems.

Now I also tried the Lekato with my acoustic Taylor and Martin guitars which both have the K&K mini pickups under the bridge area internally (not piezo under the saddle) that sound just fabulous through the K&K preamp before going to the amp. The Lekato could not match the sound quality here and the decreased quality was very obvious with some distortion and very hot signals. I suspect there must be pre-amps in the Lekato transmitter and the quality was just not there for me for the acoustics. I did not try a regular electric guitar.

Thanks again for all the feedback from this great group. Again, for a band situation with a bass, I suspect these would be just fine.
 
I play/gig the Shure GLXD+ it is rock salad. I’ve never had a single interference or drop issue in 150 or so gigs.

Someone from work told me about this cheap wireless system so I picked one up just to have in my home office and it has really worked nicely. Really good connection and seems to have a pretty good distance. The reason I bought them is because the reference from the folks at work is that they’ve been using them to gig and super cheap.
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