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Axemanbrill

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
16
Location
Eau Claire, WI
So I have been battling guitar wireless systems for years! My first wireless was a Samson Airline Wireless - Gibson style. It was cool, compact, and functional. Con: I didn't like the fact the only thing that kept the "bug" in was the little clip on your 1/4" plug, they also only came in 3 channels. I came into another group where the current guitar player had the same wireless...on the same channel - so I had to get the different one. I ended up getting an Audio Technica AT-2000 series wireless.

The AT wireless was great for years - I like the fact it was rack mountable, I liked the fact it had a body pack I could put in my back pocket, run the cord in my belt loops, and always wear the pack to switch guitars easily. The downfall - I have gone through 2 body pack cables (to the guitar) within the last couple months - I'm not even sure my problem is still in the cable. The last couple shows I played I noticed my guitar cutting in and out. Even my singer with a case of LSD noticed it. Talking to my local pro-audio sales place - he even claims the AT-2000 for guitar has always had issues - but the mics always worked fine. Loss of tone on guitar as well.

I had received a X2 wireless system from a friend who owed me some money. I tired that one weekend too. This wireless definatly sounded better than the AT wireless, pretty much as if I were playing with a cable! Con: the body pack is hard to place anywhere-clip doesn't stay clipped to strap, and I don't like it on the strap anyways because I switch guitars. Also only runs on 9V's (transmitter and receiver) unless you buy the additional adapter. All of those I can "live" with - but it just doesn't have any range! I played it one weekend at a place we always have a good following at- I couldn't get half-way out on the dance floor walking around, and started cutting out. But my bass player who I walk around the bar with, has a Shure PG series wireless...his didn't cut out at all.

So, after my bass players Shure worked out so good for him at one of our regular bars, I decided to try a Shure wireless. But I stepped up from the PG series. I got a SLX series. The transmitter, receiver, all the accessories that come with it, user friendly, and brand reputation are all great. Trying it out at home - I notice it is much noisier. I get a lot of "hiss". Honeslty, it is probably liveable. I do run some noise gates and so forth in my live rig to cut down on misc. noises I get from all my pedals and crap in my pedal board. I haven't had a chance to try that out yet.

Any of you other guys have as many issues with wireless? Or what do you use? The obvious answer is: "If you're having problems with wireless...go wired!" Yes, I totally agree. However - in my band, I also run sound. So I NEED to be able to walk out in front and check out the mix and make changes as needed and so forth. It's also good when you go out in the bar, on the dance floor, and make good relations with the bar and customers. Not to mention who doesn't like some little hottie bumpin and grindin on you as you play! :D My other reason to go wireless is just the fact I hate steppin on and trippin on and gettin tangled in cables!

Any suggestions guys?
 

jisham

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2002
Messages
76
Location
Rio Rancho, NM
I've used an X2 system for a few years with zero problems. I just stick the transmitter in my back pocket as I change guitars alot during gigs too.
 

bkrumme

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
2,926
Location
United States
Sennheiser G2...works great and has awesome range. Lots of professional touring musicians use this one.

Con: It's a bit pricy.
 

tommyindelaware

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2002
Messages
3,274
Location
wilmington , delaware
i've used an X-2 xrd for years now w/ my electric rig, and i still love it. no compression,no latency,no hiss,no confusing trim pots to calibrate,reliable. i also use the plus pedal version for my acoustic gig and it sounds as good as a high quality 6' cable. i love the transparency of them.
 

Jack FFR1846

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
2,176
Location
Hopkinton, MA
I use the X2. I use the clip either on the strap or my pocket....it's not the greatest. It can be removed pretty easily to put it in your pocket....has 5 channels.... You can use any 9V supply to run the receiver. Don't go buying one special for it....it uses very little current. I always seem to have a ton of these things hanging around from kid's RC cars and other toys.

There's an ad for a new wireless bug in Guitar Player this month. (sorry BP...I do read it). It's a bit over $200 and is a little bug that plugs into the 1/4" with no cables or anything. Yah, the jack holds it in. I'm considering trying one out, though as this would really be out of the way. I don't have the mag here.....I think it's one of the featured products this month.
 

jamie_au

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
135
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Sennheiser G2...works great and has awesome range. Lots of professional touring musicians use this one.

Con: It's a bit pricy.

What he said, except they're up to G3 now, so G2's have come down in price.

I'm lucky, in that I run an audio hire company so I've got an assload of Sennheiser G3's sitting around, but I use them. They're relatively the same price as the Shures but have much better features and sound.

Also, always have a wired spare.
 

maritimer

New member
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
1
Location
Sussex, NB
I've been trialing the Line6 G30 for about a month. Sound quality is great, range is all I need. I did have one instance where it cut out for a millisecond during a gig. Happened only once though and maybe it was the cable? Re: the cable, it is 1/4" to 1/4" which is great as the one that comes with it is junk. I use my own 18" 1/4" cable and that works great. I am using Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables and I get through a 3 hr gig no problem on one charge.

Cons: Plastic housing, cheap battery cover. My batteries came flying out as I was taking my bass off after a set.
I take this one back in a couple of weeks and will probably pick up the G50 for the more durable housing. I will be makign my own cable though.
 

mikeller

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2007
Messages
2,787
Location
Central Ohio
I used a X2 for a while until the input jack on the transmitter broke. I bought a Relay30 and couldn't be happier - never will go back to cable....

I use a Neotech pouch and attach it to my strap.
 

dibart77

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
1,491
Location
New York
Hey man:

I use a Lectrosonics R400 Digital Hybrid Wireless. Top of the line, but not cheap. But totally pro and I have NEVER had a dropout or issue. And it sounds 99.9% like a cable. And no hiss or noise. And if you do find a "busy channel", you can set it to autoscan for the cleanest frequency.

I used to use X-Wire, which then went away (sold and shutdown by new buyer -- I believe it was Sennheiser) but then after the contractual non-compete expired the original owner came back years later as X2, which then was sold to Line 6. The X-Wire stuff was really good, although I never used X2 or the Line 6 version.

-Jeff


 

aleclee

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2004
Messages
252
I have a Line 6 G50. It addresses most of the issues in the G30 except the crappy cable...and the G50 cable is more costly to replace/upgrade. Great system overall, IMO.
 

look_at_her

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
395
Location
Poland
Holly thread resurrection,Babe!
I use cheap AKG WMS PRO 40 for 3 years now-no issues at all,great value for the money,no compression,no lack of range,etc.
Never looked back to my previous Monstercable set-up.
 

TSHOW

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Covington, Louisiana, United States
I use this ...and it works fine....I also do sound as I mix....It is a necessity............AKG WMS SR 40 Flexx Wireless Receiver GB 40 Guitar Bug Transmitter ...........As low as $199.00.....

Good luck!!!!
 
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