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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The SWR one.
Played through one yesterday and it was really nice, two channels, one guitar and one for mics. I think it's the Cal Blonde II, goes for $750. Sounded way better than the GB Shen Jr.
I'm thinking about buying it but thought I'd ask first, Anyone have experience with this amp? |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | For that kind of money, you might be able to obtain a top-of-the-line Genz Acoustic Pro. I did. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I had the original California Blonde for a while. I liked it a lot, there's a lot to be said for using a 12" speaker compared to the smaller speakers used in most acoustic amps. But it's big and heavy, and I figured most of the time I'm playing through a decent PA with good monitoring so it was pointless lugging it around. Especially now since I got the Bose systems. Before you commit to the Blonde take a look at the new Bose L1 compact, it's a little more expensive, but it'll eat the SWR.
Bose L1 compact |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Wow, that's slick. I hadn't noticed they had a compact now. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | last one I played through went
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | last one I played through went
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | CB or L1? |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | The SWR, the preamp on mine was pretty noisy too, exacerbated by the HF horn. Seems to be a common problem, I've heard this from owners of SWR bass gear too. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Thanks Paul, I'll check out a Bose before buying. |
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August 2008
Posts: 90
Location: los angeles | My only experience hearing one was a guitarist playing a Laravee (don't know model but had lots of MOP) through the Cal.Blonde. It sounded horrible in the room - very, very metallic. Don't know if it was the guitarist, the guitar, the amp, or the room.
Bob |
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June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | You might also check out the Fishman SoloAmp.
Paul, how does the Bose Compact compare to the L1? |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | It seems to me that the problem with the Bose is that it doesn't appear to have any effects built in, so if you want a little delay or reverb you need seperate units. The Genz or, in my case, the Acoustisonic SFX, has lots of effects built in, and is dead quiet. Got mine used (like brand new) for $400. Negative?....heavy as hell. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | SWR is owned by Fender, so I wonder if there is any direct cross-pollination of technology? They now own Genz Benz as well. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I knew a California Blonde once...but thats another story for another time...lol :eek: ;)
My Genz Benz Stereo 60 is a versatile amp and being one of the first it's got the weight which the newer ones don't...I think it adds to the sound but it may be wishful thinking...for what I paid, its all I need right now...I usually go thru the PA anyway... |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I posted on this before.. The Cali Blonde is a nice amp... but I have heard many and the seem to really color the sound of the guitar. Now this can be desirable. Walking the NAMM show floor, a significant number of guitar makers were using a Cali Blonde to demo their instrument. They sound great and can make just about any acoustic sound great. BUT.... It sounds like a Cali Blonde, not like whatever is plugged into it, just louder.
Al mentioned the SSSSSHHHHHHHHHH (hiss). I have heard this as well. If you're gigging, it's probably not a big deal, most vintage amps hiss too, but room noise covers it.
Now the Bose L1... Just plain ROCKS!!!! I have said it before, but again, at NAMM... crowded noisy.. hearing an Ovation just cutting through the din...(Temp playing at the G-Band booth) and it wasn't until you got close that you realized.. Hey.. that guitar is amplified. It sounded so natural and true to the guitars tone. Really once you got close the "give-away" was he had a little reverb on it. That wasn't noticed at distance. But really... The Bose nailed at least what I think an Acoustic amp should do. |
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California Blonde