I had looked at an Audio Technica wireless,but was turned off to the fact that it had a body pack and also was VHF(the model I looked at anyways),so I saw this in the Musicstop flyer (Atlantic Canada's big music store) and did some net research...searching out reviews and comments...
I found only positive feedback from those who purchased this system,and sold me on the idea !
Improvements ???
I don't think they can improve on it...In my opinion !
Samson should pay me to endorse this product !!!
*wink*
Price: $460.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Musicstop...Halifax Nova Scotia
With no body pack,this system ROCKS !!!
One small transmitter plugged directly in the bass...The receiver(they recommend putting it on the floor),I set up on top of my amp...(works fine there,by the way),spread the antennas and turn it on.
THAT'S IT !!!
Samson does make the Airline system for bass.I bought the guitar model for a couple of different reasons...
It was on sale,the bass model was not...
The specs on both units are IDENTICAL(Thanks fellow AB'er Dave Magaro for that insight)...
I only use a 4 string bass,right now it's a 1980 Ibanez Roadster...so I can't really say how the Guitar model will do with a low B string of a 5 stringer!My bass set up is a Peavey Mark III thru 'David' Eden cabs(D-110W+D-115)...
Works the BEST !!!
I've used this system at 6 shows so far,so I can't really say that it won't let me down...
but I'd stake my reputation that it WON'T ...
Samson's been in this buisness a loooong time and you don't stay in buisness making junk...Bottom line !
I went through a pile of UHF wireless systems. I constantly broke trasmitter cables. I also hated switching 9-volts every other night. The Airline gives you twice the time on a WAY cheaper battery (AAA). So far, I'm impressed. If this thing can withstand 100-150 gigs a year, I'd say it's the only way to go. The price is great, and it's way easy to use, so I say GO FOR IT!!!! Buy yourself one!!!
Price: $285.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Internet store
The reason I wanted to try this wireless was to eliminate body packs and 9-volts. I agree with most people on the trasmiter battery cover. I wish it was a little more sturdy. I also wish that Samson would include a power supply. Cheap asses!!
It's built pretty well. Like I mentioned above, I hate the battery cover. It's not something that I expect will withstand my normal equipment abuse, but we shall see. It's all plastic, so it's a little scary.
Overall opinion
Really cool system I've been waiting on. I can't tolerate body packs. This is the answer to my wireless wants. (I'm not good enough to have needs) :-)
I chose this system because:
A. It works... good.
B. No body pack.
Product could be improved in 3 areas.
A. Battery cover nub.
B. Tendency to emits racket when transmitter powered down.
C. Compensation for Gibson style jacks that are recessed.
Favorite feature - no body pack (I'm obsessed, I know), small size, adaptability to wide range of output signals.
Careful who you buy from, MSRP is $500 and I got it new from a local music store for $300. Big difference even if you're made of money. I feel like crying that it doesn't work in my Yamaha. It's such a sweet instrument. Maybe my Yamaha want the quality that only comes with a cable. To make Lucky feel better, I'll get it a really expensive patch cord for it's first coming home anniversary. (I said I was obsessed)
Here's a pirated picture from Musician's Buy.
Price: $299.99 (new)
Where Obtained: Mars Music in Raleigh, NC
Features? It's simple, does what it was made for and does it well. It's got lot's of little customizations you can make if your bass is putting out too hot of a signal. It's got a squelch. Squelch's are cool, plus fun to pronounce. Accidentally forget to shut your reciever off? That's fine because when you unplug from the reciever, the power is cut off.
This thing even has a tiny (plastic) screwdriver hidden in the battery compartment jsut in case you need to make an emergency squelch adjustment. That impressed me.
I use this during our praise and worship service at the First United Pentecostal Church in Raleigh, NC.
Setup is as follows:
Bass - Samson Airline - Line6 BassPod - Boomerang Phrase Sampler - Mixing board for live sound system.
Wishes?
They got it right except...
For some reason, when I shut off the transmitter, the reciever occasionally produces noise. Loud bursty noise. Wish it had a "mute" button instead of power. But I can use my bass volume knob instead. A switch would be nice though.
This works will all my basses (
see my member page) except the Yamaha. The Yamaha output jack is recessed just enough to prevent the Samson from fitting all the way into the jack. Thing is, the Yamaha's my favorite.
:-(
Reliable?
Samson claims the aaa transmitter will work for 14 hours straight. If your gig is that long, you got more to worry about that a wireless system breaking down (like your audiencing leaving). It's got huge range. It's only supposed to work line of site, but I went into a different room across the house and it worked fine through drywall. That may change with old batteries.
Manufacturer is well known for making durable parts. David Ellefson himself endoreses this brand and he's pretty wild player.
Although it's made in Japan (least it ain't China) it's *almost* rock solid. The reciever has a wimply little plastic nub that holds down the battery cover. Be extremely careful when swapping batteries. I had to set the thing down due to frustration and come back later because the little plastic thing came off in my hand. I was able to get it back on. I was lucky the plastic nub didn't crack up. I can't give an excellent here because that's a stupid thing to miss. That's gonna be *the* most used thingy on the box over time. Always gonna have to change batteries.
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