One of the things that causes problems and disruptions on stage are cables, especially with guitarists because they usually move a lot. The solution: of course as wireless system. As a young band (not so long ago), we always saw rock stars with Nady guitar systems, so that's what our guitar player and bassist got. Sad to say, during those times the Nady system came an extra bonus... a radio station..hahaha... at times or most times, when we were touring Singapore, in the middle of a song, a local radio station could be heard along with the guitar sound. It was a mess. So we dropped using it. After a few years, I worked with some new players who again bought a wireless system, Nady again, and yes, although not that frequent, it still had that Radio add-on problem. Aside from the radio interference, the Nady's clip-type set-up which hung on o the strap also posed as a problem because it usually drops so we had to tape it secure. After a few months of battling those problems on stage, it was back to the messy cables which did a better job.
In Hong Kong, when we arrived, our alternate band's guitar player and bassist were using a wireless system with a transmitter just slightly bigger than a thumb and the receiver the size of an average phone. It was small! We played together in a bar (up to now) and during the first months, we noticed how their wireless systme worked so well without any major or even the slightest problems. It was the Samson AirLine Guitar - Wireless System. In my whole career it was the smallest wireless guitar system I've encountered.
Let's first take a lot at the technical specs of the smallest guitar system we know as provided by the Samson site:
AP1 Pedal Receiver:
Power switch and level control
Power On/Low Battery LED indicators as well as TX/Peak LEDs
Dual swivel mounting antennas for optimum positioning
1/4-inch unbalanced output jack
DC input
Squelch control
AF1/AG1 Transmitters feature standard 1/4-inch plug, Power/Battery LED, Power switch, 15dB pad switch and operate on single AAA battery
The transmitter of the Samson AirLine Guitar - Wireless System is so small and lightweight it is almost invisible, as if part of the guitar. It requires no beltpacks or clips and just plugs in to the guitar's jack. But don't let it's size fool you as it packed with the miniature circuitry and technology which can provide superb transmission, reception and quality sound output.
The transmitters of the Samson AirLine Guitar - Wireless System has two models. the AF1 was designed for Strat style inputs while the AG1 is for use with Gibson style inputs. Both models run on a single AAA battery which lasts up to 14 hours. The UHF (Ultra High Frequency) transmitters has an On/Off switch, LED power on or off indicator and a level control.
The AP1 is the receiver for the Samson AirLine Guitar - Wireless System. It has a 1/4" output jack, LED for peak signal and a volume level control. An AC-DC adapter could be used to power it or a 9-volt batter.
Now, our guitar player has been using his Samson AirLine Guitar - Wireless System for almost a year without problems. Sound is superb, reception is crystal, very compact and easy to set-up and durable. On occasions, during some guitar frenzy acrobatic shows, the Samson AirLine Guitar - Wireless System transmitter has beeb dropped, stepped on, even burned..yes burned for several seconds during a guitar on fire ritual, but still it works. It maybe the smallest wireless guitar system on the planet, but I could say it's one of the most durable and one of the best.
We got ours in Hong Kong for HK$2,500. Online average price is US$250.
***A Gizmo Guerilla Music Gear Review
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