Wireless systems

[TBird1958]

Hey All,

I rather suddenly find myself needing a new wireless for onstage use, my old unit, an AKG is cutting out and I'm never happy to use something I don't trust in a "live" situation. So is anybody regularly using a wireless that they're liking? Got some recommendations for a new set up? Any brands I should avoid?

Thanks   

[Bass VI]

Mark,
I went "untethered" for years, my best advice is to shop for a system that dosn't "color" your sound too much. I used a Shure LX ( I think?) for quite a while because it seemed to give me about the same tone that I got when using a cable. Some systems muck up the tone to a point that you find yourself eq ing the crap out of your bass rig to get back what is lost. I don't have a real preference between VHF and UHF systems, but I do believe you should look for one that is "true diversity", basically two seperate transmitters and recivers, you'll get far fewer dropouts that way. Having said that, wireless technology is always improving ( cost down/features up ) but I havn't found a system that wasn't in the thousand plus range that I really liked the tone ( versus a cable that is ) Haven't looked in about a year or so, I'm sure they are out there.
FWIW,

Cheers,

Scott

PS..... I actually can't imagine you playing without a wireless, seems like it woul cramp your style ( unless of course you could turn the cable into a fashion accessory  )

[chromium]

unless of course you could turn the cable into a fashion accessory 

You've probably seen 'em , but if not, check out Bullet Cables.  Really good quality.




The one I use has .44 magnum bullet casings:



...not because I like bullets, but because I like coily cables and this is the only one I've found that doesn't suck.  Besides - it's fun to clothesline bandmates with it 

[PhilT]

I had a Samson Airline UHF for a while (the one with the bug).  Nothing wrong with it, except I sometimes caught the pad switch on the bug and spent a few minutes wondering where my volume had gone. In the end I had a back to basics purge and got rid of it, along with a load of pedals I didn't really need.

[Chris P.]

I believe it's Ahsdown who made a wireless system specially for bass players. They think it's the first one which can transmit bass sounds well.


http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?section=labs&ID=213

[TBird1958]

Thanks Chris, that looks interesting......I see Bass Nortrhwest is a dealer, I'll talk to Evan Sheely about it this coming Thursday or Friday. 

[Chris P.]

I always prefer a good vintage looking cable, cos I don't play at 60 ft. stages. But this Ashdown indeed is interesting. Like to try it out once.

Keep us posted George!

[sflajimmy]

Thanks Chris, that looks interesting......I see Bass Nortrhwest is a dealer, I'll talk to Evan Sheely about it this coming Thursday or Friday

let us know how that turns out. I have an Airline wireless with bug and I lent it to a friend. I thought it colored the tone too much personally plus I really have no need for it but I do hate cables. I'm a dork and they get in the way....

[Chris P.]

I talked to the guys o Ashdown at the Messe. To the son of mark Goodday, who's also in the company. They had very good reactions on the wireless system, but of course they wanna sell 'm.
Haven't tried it out yet, but I will soon.