EV Evolve 50 vs Bose Compact & L1s

We did our final test of the Bose L1 Compact, EV Evolve 50 and Bose L12. They all sound good but clearly to everyone who heard the three, the EV was the clear winner for Music, Voice, Flamenco Guitar, Classic Rock and Rock. Everything was run at unity. Same settings to all three from QSC TM8. Thank you Scott & Sarah at Iron Plow Vineyards for letting us use the room. Taz Sellers for explaining and sharing the EV knowledge, Kathy Hull Tarassov thanks for putting up with me and helping me set up the systems and filming. The EV really was warmer and to our ears a more defined sound and tone. #teamEV #EVEvolve #EVOLOVE50 (Above- Left to Right: Bose Compact, EV Evolve 50, and Bose L1s)

From left to right. Bose Compact, EV Evolve 50, and Bose L1s.

Bose Compact

EV Evolve 50

Bose L1s

Wireless Set up for Flamenco Guitar

I just completed my wireless set up for my Andy Culpepper Flamenco Blanca using DPA 4099g Mic with a YPA Sennheiser adapter to the Sennheiser EWD1 Transmitter to the Sennheiser ewD1 Digital Receiver. It then goes to a Radial Engineering Voco-Loco Preamp with eq and effects loop including KoKKoSpace Reverb and DigiTech Jam Man SoloXT looper .  I used the Boss Pedalboard Cable Kit 6 Connectors purchased from Prymaxevintage in NJ eBay too or Prymaxe. Cory F and Steve were great. They have great service.  It all now looks and sounds great to the Bose L1, or speakers.

Pedal Boards

Some folks have asked about my pedalboard and what I use. 

I basically have 3 systems each has thir purpose.  They are as follows. 

#1 the most.  Its main component is the Grace Design AliX that dose the Gain, EQ, Bost, Effects loop, DI out to get the signal I use s Saturn Works A/B Switcher one signal is wireless A and the other is s cable B into a one line out. This goes to the Grace AliX I do the Gain structure hear and eq the lows and tame 110Hz on High I give 1-2db bost.   I run a tuner the DÁDDARÍO pedal tuner from line out. My effects loop has the KoKKo Space Reverb and Digitech Jam Man Solo XT Looper.  I use this on my 3 giging guitars the Andy Culpepper Blanca with Lr Baggs Dual Source,  JDZ Blanca with LR Baggs and a Cordoba GKSL with Fishman Dual Source.

**Update** 9/7/17 

I wanted to have the Boss AD-2 for gigs without a Pedalboard and to use with Behringer Europort MPA40BT.  So I put the Fishman Aura Nylon on.

#2 Grace BiX to a KoKKo Reverb and a TC Electronic Ditto Looper.  Smaller board and less control but great sound.  Easier to travel with.  I do at time move the Line 6 Wirless over to this pedal board too.  I use this on my 3 giging guitars the Andy Culpepper Blanca with Lr Baggs Dual Source, JDZ Blanca with LR Baggs and a Cordoba 
#3 Boss AD-2 Pedal I use it for locations where there’s not easy access to AC power and for smaller events like weddings, cocktail hour on the beach.   I generally use the pedal with the Behringer Europort MPA40BT battery powered PA speaker.  Generally the Cordoba GKSL is the guitar I use. 

#4 Boss AD-10 When the new AD-10 becomes available I will try the new digital Preamp out.  

New Grace Design AliX pedalboard setup

New Pedalboard Layout. One of the best things about Grace Designs AliX is that there’s enough power to power all these pedals and wirless receiver. No messy power supply or extra cables. I run this direct into my mixer, Bose L1 Compact or Bose L1II wB2 sub & ToneMatch mixer, or a powered speaker like QSC K8. Thanks Eben Grace and Team at Grace AliX ROCKS! The board is: Grace AliX, input from Line 6 Relay G30- AliX, from efx loop (TC Electronic HOF Mini-DigiTech JamMan Solo XT w FS3X Switch) back to AliX and out via DI in AliX. All pedals are powered from AliX. The pedal board is the Pedaltrain Metro 20.

L.R. Baggs Dual Source Pickup System

I just installed a LR Baggs Dual Source (Element & Mic) on JDZ Negra its fantastic string balance e-E and warm tone, mic can be blended in at 100% with no feedback. This is the best dual source I’ve come across so far. No cutting sides, adjustable low cut on mic from 100-2K, Phase Switch, Pickup Gain Selector, and so easy to switch between mono and stereo out. I have thus system installed in two of my guitars. With the Bose L1 systems and Bose ToneMatch Mixer (L.R Baggs Element Preset) I have a great gig rig.

Gig Rig Update Bose L1 Compact & ToneMatch

     So for the last two years I’ve had some serious asthma problems.  Now under control. However I’ve started to play a lot of solo gigs private party’s , weddings, cocktail hour… and I’m loving it.  I wanted to have somthing smaller than my former band rigs, speakers, monitors, power amps, snakes, racks of gear, mixer etc.  So a few months ago my wife took a risk and purchased the Bose L1 Compact, I thought it was a joke.  I could not have been more wrong.  It sounds great I’ve done 10+ gigs with it and have only had complements on how good it sounds.   I really like when I’m driving home and I’m no sore or exhausted from setting up or tearing town. 

   So this setup sounds amazing, sets up in less than 2 min and is so easy on the back. I use the preset for the LR Baggs Element pickup.  I’m using the LR Baggs Dule Source preamp which is the Element and Mic.  I rool off to about 1K or around there for the mic and below that the pickup dose the work.  In the Tone Match I have it set pretty much flat and if I do get low end feedback I have the Para EQ set at Level -2-6db, Freq A# 117Hz, With 1.00oct.  And then a bit of the Large reverb. Time 2.20 Bal 50% Mix 30% Bright 50% and then a TR cable from Tone Match to Compact on Flat TR input (not mic chanel). Turn in on and I’m good to go.  With the ToneMatch mixer you have 4 mic inputs 3 on Tone Match w phantom power and 1 on Bose Compact no phantom power just high and bass Eq.  And on compact you have a 1/8 TRS for iPod and play back so in essence you have 6 channels.  

  

  

  

  

Gig Rig JDZ & Pedal Board

  
Updated “Gig Rig” all starts with a custom hand made Flamenco Cedar Blanca made by Jorge de Zofia of Palm Beach FL. I use D’Addarío EJ45 or EJ45C and EJ25C.  It’s outfitted with a L.R. Baggs Dual Souce Pickup System (Element & Mic) to a Line 6 Relay 30.  Then it’s all Eq’ed in the Grace Designs FELIX preamp.  (At times I also use the DPA 4099 G mic) on all my guitars. In the effects loop I have a Strymon Big Sky, to a DigiTech Jam Man Solo XT with a FS3X foot switch, to a BBE Sonic Stomp back to Felix. The pedals are mounted to the Pedaltrain Fly board.  I use the Bose L1 Compact or QSC TouchMix 8 and QSC K10’s. 

Pursuit of perfection in nylon guitar sound and tone is a passion.

  
A few folks who read my blog and follow me hear or on FB have asked what I use and like.  When you demand the best out of your instrument and gear you try so many things and it can be a long never ending journey.  For me it’s taken some years.  I would like to say I’ve found what works for me and let’s me play what I hear and feel.  My Luithier & guitar of choice is the Jorge De Zofia Cedar Top Blanca.  I like her more than other guitars I own.  This is for live use.  I hope to be getting a Negra soon (hint hint Jorge) from there if you play loud or need to be amplified there is only one choice.  I really like my DPA 4099g and Grace Felix Preamp. I have to thank a few folks before I can even mention the system.  Thank you  Al Marconi, Jason McGuire for telling me about the LR Baggs Dual Source Elemnt and mic.  Gerald Rohm who has been so kind. He’s a mechanical genius who has invented a fantastic tool for getting saddles perfectly flat to work wonderfully with pickups.  He also designed a fantastic cable for use with the system that takes a TRS Jack and then splits the cable to two TS jacks.   It’s the best sounding cable I’ve ever used.  I use the D’Addario EJ25B and EJ45C strings.  Thank you Yannaki Arrizza for getting me to try new stings😎.  Finally everything usually goes to my QSC TouchMix8 and QSC K10’s or Bose L1S and ToneMatch mixer.  Thanks to Arturo Romay, Taz Sellers, John Gilliat  for sharing techniques on amplification and how to use this gear and sound great.  There’s no way I would have the sound I do with out the help and people above who have a passion and desire for perfection, who have shared what they know.  Thank you Victor 

   
    
 

DPA 4099G Still Mic For Me Live

For me my microphone of choice when playing live is the DPA 4099G when I play my Lester Devoe Flamenco Negra. I have used it with the Bose L1 S system with great results only needing to cut a few decibels on the bass (4-6db) for live playability without feedback.

A few recent updates on gear (Strings & Pedalboard)

Recently with some travel gigs I’ve wondered if I could strip down my pedal-board and get something very small to fit on the pedal train-nano pedalboard I’ve been able to do so coming in from my guitar cable I go into a TC electronics poly tune then the TC electronic spark then the Neunaber Wet stereo reverb then the Digitech jam man solo XT out to my Bose tone match mixer.

I’ve also come across a new string that I’m really enjoying on my DeVoe Negra and my JD Z Blanca they are the D’Addario Pro Arté Composite Core EJ 205B strings they are silverplated wound on a copper core, and black treble strings. I think they feel great they look great especially the black trebles with the cedar top guitars. The strings are very smooth and the tone is very warm with the base being very snappy and bright with a quick response. Thanks goes to my friend Yannakie Arrizzia for sending me a set of D’Addarío EJ49 That set made me want to try the D’Addarío EJ25B.