You made me laugh. This Cutaway Martin D-18 with Baggs Anthem PU is absolutely superb. It is my main gigging guitar. The only reason I don't play my D-18 standard w/fiddleback Mahogany more is because I use the upper registers enjoying the access the cutaway affords me. I LOVE this guitar. Thanks for the nice wordsl
Made my career doing live sound and recording for classical, jazz and folk-rock. I am very particular about what I hear. I am looking for a small portable PA for busking. Here is the difference I hear in these two: the Fishman has a sharp high frequency edge on the note attacks and finger slides, very brittle to my ears. The Bose sounds warm and round. Also, well balanced and full. I very much prefer the Bose S1. Thanks for the demo.
Eternal Recursion. Appreciate your comment. You certainly have the bona fides. I agree with your statement , however , I have a Mini Loudbox that I gig with. I play a Martin lower end acoustic electric and lower end Telecaster through it and it sounds great. It can be tweaked for better warmth , as I'm sure you know ; but had I seen this video beforehand I may have gotten the Bose.
To my ears, that lil Bose made his playing sound so much better. It gave it so much more presence and tone and it drew my ears in with an almost magical quality to it.
Thank you for such a true real-world test. I like them both. It's your guitar, pickup, and hands that would sound good on anything. Love that acoustic tone brother!!!!
Thanks Gary. Nice playing. I’ve been playing through the Bose for the last few years. Starting to make some humming noises around the mic,voc,off switch of each channel.. I think I’ve just worn the thing out. Reconsidering the loud box mini right now. Thanks so much for your video. Perfect timing for an A- B test. Enjoy the verb more on the loud box. Thought Bose could have done a little better in that department. Thanks again. Nicely done!
I just got an electro voice Everse 8 battery powered speaker and used it for the first time last night at a gig. I’m very happy and impressed so far. Its battery powered AMA can sounds more like the Fishman but worth more power and headroom than the Loudbox mini charge.
@@tobiasjansen9117 I cannot argue the S1 Pro has a tonal sweetness that is unique. I simply clip and overload the S1 Pro way too easy. So I've been using the Everse 8 in its place and find it does not overload or clip as easily as the S1 Pro.
@@gair1944 yeah that is my issue too, especially with vocals. The fishman sounds the best on guitar no doubt. Singing through the fishman is a solid 5/10 where the Pro+ is more a 7/10. The transmitters are nice but sound quality is for sure compromised. I think the Bose is possibly the best unit if convenience is your objective. No wires at all. I don’t intend to use the Pro+ for performance, just maybe hammocking in the park, outside my studio etc. I have EV30Ms for performance. My next thought is how to get the Bose as nice on the guitar like the fishman. DI pedals like the aura or platinum pro? ToneDEQ?
@@tobiasjansen9117 I haven't been able to ever get the Bose S1 Pro to sound as musically sweet and honest sounding as the Fishman Loudbox. I've tried a few preamps: RedEye, Baggs Venue, Session DI, Empress Para EQ etc. Every piece of gear has its strengths and I can't exactly match one to the other. Just optimize for the best sound possible. I've noticed in loud venues with lots of crowd / customer background noise, the 5/10 Fishman vocal sound is just fine.
I've heard and played through both of these live and own the fishman. I think the bose name has a lot of us bluffed. That fishman sounds amazing. I also think ol Gary has got a lot of us bluffed. His playing through a tin can and a string would sound beautiful!!!!!
Ha! I agree the Fishman loudbox mini charge sounds more natural For acoustic guitar. But that’s Bose performs better overall when you sing and play together.
Totally agree with Gary’s playing is solid combined with his amazing guitar and pickup selection. Anything will sound good. Bose vs Fishman is a good problem to solve. As I get older I prefer the array dispersion of the S1 compared to direct point source amplification. Of course, I’m the idiot in a chain restaurant with a dB phone app complaining about ambient music volume. Lol
The Fishman sounds more like an acoustic guitar, only louder. The Bose sounds more piezo-like--it accents the piezo tone. In other words, the Fishman sounds more natural to my ears.(That's why I bought it after doing my own live comparison with the Bose :>)
I tested both in my local shop and tested both and made my mind up very quickly - I chose the Fishman - it had more direct presence and sounded much more natural to my ears. The Bose spreads the sound more but reminds me a little bit of when you overdo the stereo effect in when recording..not sure if I've expressed myself very clearly there. Anyway, I've been gigging and busking in Germany for over thirty years and know a little bit about sound :-) but at the end of the day it's a pretty subjective theme. I have the Bose L1 for mid-size gigs and it's good but its little brother is somewhat over-rated...the Bose name is what sells it I think....I also own an Acus one for street which is great( better than the Fishman in fact. I had an AER combo with built-in battery for years and I always thought the sound was unbeatable but I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say that I prefer both the Acus and even the fishman. The AER is loud and very nice for vocals but the guitar always sounded boxy and harsh in the mids that were nigh on impossible to eq out...
I agree with your thoughts as well. I do however use my Bose S1 Pro as a floor monitor for my solo shows and as an extension speaker if I need to project sound in another direction however.
Hi Nicholas, I really enjoyed reading your response it was very informative ! I actually owned the Acus one for Street for a few weeks and I used it on a very busy and loud Street ! I'm sorry to say it was nowhere near Loud enough to cut through all the loud traffic and noises in that area. I was really sad that I had to return it ,plus it may have cost me $200 or more to return it to Germany ! I finally found one battery powered amplifier that was actually loud enough to cut through all the loud noises on that street. It is called the Carvin Stagemate S600b ! I think it is rated to put out 119 decibels of sound. But what's more impressive than that is it carries the sound for maybe two blocks. It uses a technology that I think is called line array, it's like five speakers one above the other and the sound really carries ! It sounds very good and it has bells and whistles Galore ! Anyway, I hope you're doing very well and God bless you !
Thanks for your reply! I might take a look at the Carvin - have heard of it but never heard it. The main reason why I went for the Acus was that the engineer for it was the brains at Schertler, a company that is renowned for its expertise in acoustic instruments. We just did a small gig with 2 of them in fact!
I’m going crazy what to buy, i travel with play a lot (s1, mackie, fishman,…) i play acoustic guitar and I need body and warmth), acus sounds the best to me but idk if its too big to handle trough planes.. and it costs a lot.) please help me brother. :)😅
Your review is very helpful ! Thank you. I'm purchasing the LR Baggs Anthem pickup and a Fishman Loudbox Mini for my Martin D18. Your video convinced me.
Excellent Video! I have the original Loudbox - but ive just snapped up a CHARGE version 2nd hand. At least i can leave the ´power reel´at home now - if i ever go gigging again!! CHEERS FROM MADRID
Thanks for pointing out the version, I'm looking to buy a fishman charge and didn't know there are different versions, I'll keep an eye out. Thanks, also from Madrid!
I was already sold on the Fishman but your review confirmed the right choice for guitar. Not even due to the comparison piece of your review. Good job!
Here's my observation on this video: Bose S1 Pro - PA system - sounds digital - good for voice/microphone Fishman - amplifier - sounds natural - good for guitar I already have the Bose, so I think I'll get the Fishman for my guitar.
You are welcome. I've found the Fishman Loudbox Artist to be more capable and even better sounding than the Loudbox Mini. The Bose is however remarkable in its own way.
I’ll take one of each. Bose for vocals, Fishman for guitar. I’ve never been a fan of singing and playing through the same amp, but together this would be a fantastic combo. Thanks!
I was shopping around for a battery powered amp and ran across that fishman today. Checked the tube for real world reviews, and I see my old friend! Love the channel brother. Hope you are well and life is treating you right. All the best. Always admired your ear for gear and meticulous style.
Hey Johnny! Are you still here in Tucson? I love the Fishman Loudbox Mini charge. It is very natural sounding. The XLR Vocal channel however is 'ok' but not great. I love it at home (I plug in a lot and use a Looper for spontaneous background rhythms and writing) It's also good for small intimate sorts of shows.
@@gair1944 I'm still in Tucson, same number and all that. Have you tried that Digitech Trio band creator pedal? If not you definitely should. Amazing tool for writing and just creating a quick backing track to jam ideas on. Has a good looper as well.
I was using the hk move pro 8 for street music, which is excellent but it wasn't mine. now ordered the Fishman mini for street music, because I heard it at a friends house and it sounds so natural and I really like the reverb. Great playing BTW!
Thanks! The mini charge sounds great. It’s borderline for output other than super close to where you are playing but should be great for busking and street performing
Thanx for the demo. I liked the tone of the Bose a bit more but as we know listening on youtube can be a trap. I think the versatility of inputs on the Bose has me sold. The LR Baggs was doing a nice job too.
I agree TH-cam video's only give you a ballpark. You dont get the sense of response as you play and other subtle nuances. I truly love the Baggs Anthem. It is my favorite acoustic guitar pickup. Period.
@@gair1944 I have the Baggs M80 in my Taylor for gigging and I've been pretty happy with it. am thinking of putting a PU in my HD-28 which I only use at home - am looking at the anthem so thanks for that feedback
Great guitar playing. The guitar sound, itself, is more rich, more complex, more interesting through the Fishman through my computer speakers (Monsoon planar speakers w/subwoofer). The textural details seem to be smoothed over on the Bose. Of course, TH-cam and audio conversion may not best serve the actual in-person guitar.
I completely agree the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge is more natural and the acoustic sounds better. I play through this amp primarily. The Bose S1 Pro is however better overall for small performances when a Vocal mic is also needed. It sounds better for vocals versus the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge.
You're very welcome. Thank for the kind words. I am guessing I know which you preferred, but thought I'd ask which you liked best. I know what my preference is.
@@gair1944 I liked the fishman, I wanted to like the Bose especially since the battery was easy to exchange. I just do play guitar no vocals. I had used the fishman before just wanted to make sure it’s the best solution. Thanks again for the great vidy!
Thanks John. That is exactly what I do. Line out from the Fishman into the Bose S1 pro. I still favor the fishman loudbox mini charge for overall sound.
Fishman sounds much better, i think in a live situation where you need strong clear midaccent tone. maybe Bose are better for vocal, more like a PA system.
I upgraded the Loudbox mini to a Fishman Loudbox Artist. Thats my first choice but I am also a fan of the newer Bose S1 Pro Plus. Its tone match settings are plentiful versus the one fixed Tone match setting on the original S1 Pro. The Bose S1 Pro “plus” version ofis the one to get iif you go with a Bose in my opinion.
Thanks a lot for this comparison. After this video I got the Bose S1pro because you said at the end of the video that for vocal it is a better choice: and it is really great! Maybe the guitar, with Fishman, sounds warmer but the Bose is not bad! I suggest don’t use the preset Tonematch for guitar and adjust the bass and treble on the Bose. And if you have on your own guitar the possibilities to use a knob of midrange, the guitar will sounds very very good. Thanks again!
After making this Video, I also learned I do NOT prefer the Tonematch setting either. I now use the Bose S1 Pro in standard mode. The Fishman sounds great acoustically for guitar but for me, it is unacceptable for Vocal. The Bose is the more versatile tool for the job.
Nice comparison. I use a Fender Acoustic Jr. amp and I run guitar and vocals through that into a Bose S1 Pro and it really sounds great. The Fender has a lot of effects and it really enhances the overall sound. I would actually recommend the Fender over the Fishman Loudbox just for the fact that it's a little less expensive but you probably can't go wrong with either one as vocals also sound great through both
Haha. I just left a comment on your video comparing the L1 compact and the pro 8. I use the S1 for a regular basis and love it. I play guitar and sing for a smallish group of seniors and the S1 is perfect, especially because it has the built in reverb and Bluetooth. I also have an L1 compact which I used to use but found it annoying that I needed to add separate reverb. I still use the L1 compact for larger rooms but with a small mixer with built in fx. Considering how small and light this is , the sound is pretty big and plenty loud enough. Thanks for your awesome reviews! Have you ever tried the boss acoustic singer live?
Thanks for the review Gary. It really helped me decide what to replace my heavy Marshall/Peavey PA set up with now my gammy shoulder is just not healing. I bought the Bose S1 and played them side by side, and was relieved to find the Bose, on both Mic and Guitar, sounded if anything better. Of course much less power, but the quality is there. Cheers Cliff
Hi Cliff, Thanks for the nice comment. I am glad it was helpful. For the sorts of tasks and jobs I would use the Bose S1 Pro for, it is plenty. I also found it works great as a monitor when I gig with my Bose L1 Compact or the newest Bose L1 Pro8. In terms of contrast to the Fishman, I prefer the acoustic guitar tone through the Fishman but I consider the XLR/mic channel useless on the Fishman. It doesn't sound good at all. The Bose S1 Pro outperforms it as a complete package when used stand alone.
I had the Bose, then returned it. Then got the Fishman, and I honestly do not like it. I’m returning it and going back to the Bose. Thanks for the review! It was super helpful. Plus you play magnificent dahling. 💋
One question - were you using the tone match setting on the BOSE? Truly great product review - fantastic side/side comparison and because you play wonderfully cleanly, with dynamics, across all voicings it really helped understand. Thanks - you are helping my purchase decision. I have been considering both S1 and Fishman LB mini for use a small venue or as a personal monitor for larger gigs. Violin and guitar primarily - classical, singer-songwriter, jazz, country. I currently use a Fishman SA-220 which I think sounds quite good (some reliability issues however - two returns, one repair) but it's a bit large for ensemble use (as well as wide dispersion) which is not ideal for monitor. In your recording, I think the S1 sound superior to my ears - particularly because of the tonal clarity - found the midrange difficult in the Fishman (passing tone voicings) although the Fishman seemed to cut-thru when solo w/ accompaniment which might be helpful for some performers. When I purchased the Fishman SA-220, I looked hard at the large Fishman Loudboxes and had the same aesthetic sense - the loudbox name appropriate but midrange more loud than clear - think maybe too much signal in guitar mid-voicing going thru the larger diameter speaker (this is why probably I like the SA-220 array of smaller speakers much better). The S1 I believe has several small speakers and either between the EQ settings and/or the cross-overs, seems to give really great clarity.
Hi Eric, Yes I had the S1 in the Tonematch setting for this demo. I have actually come to realize it may be more versatile with the Tonematch "off". But it has a level of versatility that I don't think the Fishman LB Mini Charge can match. That said, I love the Fishman Loudbox Mini for playing at home acoustically. But for any sort of gigs, I think the Bose offers more. If you ever sing through either, its game over. The Bose is superior by a long shot for vocals. That tells me it may be better for Violin too. Perhaps that's a stretch. But I am super impressed with the Bose S1 Pro. I only use it as a stage monitor for gigs however. I gig with a Bose L1 Pro8 and use the S1 Pro as a monitor. Really nice pairing. I am glad this video was helpful. I will be making a new one comparison video of the Fishman and Bose S1 Pro without the Tonematch setting.
@@gair1944 I really dig my Taylor though I think it is L2 (L1?)with B2.....cant keep up with names....ive had couple iterations of pole, way back to when they looked like basketball poles, ha....ordered a S1 in an attempt to find a smaller simple rig....I used to gig (guitar and vox) with a Roland AC90 acoustic amp in that fashion....and it covered some pretty good sized decks when I lived in Austin, Tx...fun stuff....thanks for the review!
Great Demo, I have an S1 Pro and a Fishman Artist, but have been gigging with an older Fender Passport Pro (300). Works okay, 4-6 ports good for open mics.... just a touch power-challenged at times (plus the DI outputs are a little - different). Anyway, I've been looking at maybe harnessing the S1 Pro / Artist combo for gigs (my gigs are hosting open mics and playing small-mid venues - bars, farm markets, listening rooms - less than 100 listeners - and I like the clarity from my Artist. Your demo sounded beautiful, with a minimum of that 'bose' overtone. Questions: My D18 has a K&K, and does produce some wolf tone a bit. Second, is your S1 in the 'tone match' position, or unshaped? Third, have you used the S1 outboard of the Fishman (ie, thru the DI out)? Great demo btw - thanks in advance!
Both sound good. The Bose sounds smoother more processed? Makes the Acoustic sound more electric guitar like. The Fishman sounds totally acoustic, more like the actual guitar. I like both.
To be honest, this Loudbox Mini Charge failed after a four years. I have not had the Bose for more than about a year and half. Still going strong. I love the Loudbox Mini tone for acoustic guitar so much I will replace it with another.
I think the fishman was crispyer and more sparkling as a musician myself you always find the sound you like on any amp when you perform the people you play for want you to sound good they don't have amp comparison in mind I worked with fishman and bose at the end of the day .....what is the price differents between the two amps 😅
Hi Gary- nice demo. I'm curious about your day job- not many guitar players are seen wearing suits/watches (profile pic!) My guess is that you left corporate life around 2012, grew a goatee and are finally pursuing what you love! If that's the case- good for you! The vestigial watch is a give away. This is a tough one. I LOVE my Fishman Mini but that Bose surprisingly sounded great. It might be a little DSP heavy (Fishman was more natural) but it works. The Fishman definitely looks better and has been reliable for many years- rock solid in fact. Ideally, run both in stereo (active ABY pedal) 5-10 feet away from each other and you (equal triangle) and the difference in tonal qualities will blow you away. They will compliment each other well. Add a looper and a beat buddy and you'll be rockin'. The mic in on the mini sounds ok but isn't that loud. I looked at your other videos- you have some nice gear. At some point look into some of the Fractal Audio products- it's next level gear. Gear aside, your playing is great as well- very soulful and deliberate...especially your acoustic tunes.
Sorry for the late reply. I laughed when I read your post. I still work a corporate day job. I love music. It is personal therapy for my soul. Will try a Helix or Fractal at some point to see how they integrate with the Bose. For now, all of my gigs are acoustic guitar. I might bring an electric guitar at some point however.
@@gair1944 I figured (takes on to know one.) If in your corp. capacity, you can ever use a solid recruiter (headhunter), let me know! I agree about playing music. A few years back I got sick and in my down time, I was able to dive fairly deep into the musical rabbit hole. I recently found a site called Guitar Tricks which so far is great- definitely exceeding my expectations. That says a lot as two of my past instructors were Berklee guys so I have a high bar. If you go on (free trial), check out an instructor named Chris. Maybe you could even be an instructor...but there is always something to learn. The Fractal products are incredible. The FM3 is more affordable, but the AxeFXIII has more power (similar tone less a fairly significant amount of CPU power.) If you are only playing acoustic, it might not be necessary but as I mentioned before, definitely play two acoustic amps in stereo using an active ABY pedal in a triangle set configuration. You can still mic it or use a PA if needed. If you did ever go the Fractal route, their solutions would play better with a quality pair (2- again, stereo is key) of studio monitors vs. amp. For the times when you are playing at home, you might also want to check out the Neural DSP Plug-In's. I just bought two of them and they are outstanding. I also bought the V-Moda headphones which are also great. Using a laptop you could use the Neural PI's to play live. I would just have a back-up just in case there are ever any issue with the software. I've played thought them for month and once I dialed in my settings and configured all the I/O's and pc interface, everything have been near perfect. That Rambler sounds great. The bass notes really shine through. Lately I have been getting into slash chords e.g., D/F# where you play a moving bassline with your thumb. I bet they would sound great through that amp. Some simple tunes that use this are Plush by STP and especially December by Collective Soul. They would shine through the Rambler. Cheers!
@@gair1944 I tried to get the Bose but it’s going to take a while before they’re available. I’m overseas deployed and my boys need a decent amp to jam during down times. Quite a few that can play decent, inc myself lol. Watching this video put some weight on the decision process although the Fishman came out available and ready to go. Might get the Bose S1 pro for me and my daughter later after this army gig. Thank you again, sir. And God bless you for sharing this and your other videos.
You wouldn't go wrong with either, but if I had to pick one, I probably go Fishman mini. I hear a little more acoustic sound than the Bose and slightly louder.
I love bose speakers, (own 3 bose products ) but the Fishman Sounds more woody like an Acoustic Guitar should sound. The bose makes it sound more like a Piezo pickup and less like an Acoustic "miked-up" - Nice demo & guitar playing.
I tend to agree the Fishman sounds more natural.That sound, the Bose is the more versatile tool for small gigs, especially if I need to use a vocal channel
@@gair1944 Can I ask why? They both offer Reverb. Is the Bose a better on-board reverb unit? I thought the acoustic sounded significantly better thru the Fishman? Maybe it's different in the actual room?
@@michael_caz_nyc Vocals sound horrible through the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge. Vocals however sounds perfectly decent through the Bose S1 Pro. I also use the Bose as a floor monitor along side my Bose L1 Compact or new Bose L1 Pro8. The Bose overall projects better and is substantially better sounding on vocals. I will never take the Fishman Loudbox Mini charge to a gig if I have to sing through it. I do however admire and enjoy its acoustic guitar tone amplified.
@@gair1944 Hey Gary. You mentioned the vocals suck on the fishman. question, would it make a difference if i throw in a vocal preamp or mixer in the middle? i assume it will have improvements on the vocal sound. have you tried it or ?
These amps are both great and it's just a matter of preference and budget (Bose is more expensive than Fishman). In my opinion Bose is more "airy" and "crisp" with emphasis in the mid-high frequencies. Fishman is more "warm" and "full" with emphasis on mid-low frequencies.
for guitar clarity, I would go for fishman. And because it's designed for guitar accoustic sound specifically. For guitar, I think I would go for fishman. But for other instruments as a PA speaker system, I think we all have to go for bose.
i have the L1 1 S with the B1 also the Bose Compact and I bought the S1 Pro...so needless to say I love the Bose quality. I have the T1 also. I recently purchased a Loudbox Mini. I've yet to try it live but.....I caught myself carrying so much shit I am thinking of just going with the mini DI'ed out to the S1. Just a thought.
Thanks for the review, Gary. Clearly you prefer the Bose for vocals. If anyone out there has an opinion re: vocals thru the Fishman, please share. Thanks.
sir ur telecaster is really beautiful and martin too , also very nice video . what boost pedal r u using for acoustic and do use any other pedals for acoustic guitar?. im confused between weather to buy first an equalizer pedal or an acoustic amp for stage acoustic guitar playing
I think your playing is lovely. I have an S1 pro simply because I reckon vocals are better though it, but the guitar through the Fishman sounds woodier.
Thanks Gary, fine review and very nice playing, too! For me the Fishman would be the choice. The Bose sounds -to say so- kinda modern and kinda boring: Adds too much cream to the sauce, at least for my ears.
Agree with your comments below. I also have both, and Bose overall is better. With that being said, my Fishman Charge started not charging the battery and also now has a bad hissing sound. Any suggestions on who can repair it? Not sure if even worth the expense. Thanks for your post.
Hi Gary, thank you for the nice comparison. How would you compare the sound quality of S1 Pro to L1 compact? Thank you. Greetings from the Czech Republic.
Hello my friend. Thanks for asking. The l1 compact is a lot fuller and will project a lot more than the S1 Pro. I think it would take a pair of S1 Pros to rival the coverage and fullness you get from a Bose L1 Compact. But the S1’s would not have the deeper bass since the L1 Compact has a subwoofer.
Fishman all the way. It’s funny how ppl think the Bose is better. I’ve owned both and the Fishman is a true acoustic amp while the Bose makes for a good kitchen countertop speaker.
I thought the Bose was deeper richer and less flat. I have a Roland that I also think is smoother and less brittle than the loud box, especially for vocals.
Which you prefer depends on a number of factors. Fishman is voiced for the guitar, ... undoubtedly. With that, ... it isn't my preference because I like a warm mid-rangy guitar. Many would like the accented high mids and treble of the Fishman. I have wondered if the the Fishman highs could be tamed for me taste, but you described having already trimmed the treble, which suggests to me that you also think the highs are a little over the top for the Fishman. Many would like this tone character in an acoustic amp as it likely makes it feel more resonant across frequencies and it would appear brighter, ... hence clearer. All according to taste. With the Bose, I probably would be concerned about the bass taking over the frequency range, but I think I could eq it better for my melodic fingerstyle playing and the voice channel would be much better than the Fishman. While the Fishman may sound more true to an acoustic guitar sound, ... all that high end shimmer can be annoying when you are singing. To each his/her own. The Fishman would likely sound louder but I'm not sure it would project as well. High end tones are notoriously brittle, falling apart when they hit barriers, whereas the middle and bass tones tend to carry on past objects. Depending on the room, one or the other of the amps might sound better. I would mostly use the amp for small gigs, home use and jams with other musicians. The Bose would probably be better. I have the Bose L1 system and I don't really like it as an acoustic guitar amplifier but it's great for vocals and general pa in a small area, running guitar signal through pedals and separate amp. Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate. I would like to have heard a classical guitar with these as I play both classical and metal string acoustic guitars. Take care.
I’m selling my Alix and leaning toward getting the Bose S1 Pro. Did you decide which one or are you keeping both? Everytime I watch your video I start leaning towards the Fishman.
I had the Fishman and didn't like it for vocals. I have a Bose L1 and it blows the Fishman away, don't get me wrong the Fishman sounds great but doesn't compare for gigs. I now have the S1 Pro and it is better than the L1. As for guitar sound, just buy a pedal and you can make the guitar what you want to hear.
Both sound very good with the Martin. I have a fishman loudbox 100 which sounds good after you dial it in. I like the bose as much as the Fishman. Have you tried the Lyric and how are you setting the mic and ust with the anthem. I have a b-band a2.2 pickup in one martin an a k and k in my hd28. Very nice playing with the loop. I think the bose sounded better with you loop and lead.
I have not tried a Baggs Lyric. But the Anthem is the tru ic plus the element under saddle transducer. The Fishman is more natural alone but for gigs the Bose is more worthy
I used a Loudbox 100 (LBX-400) as workhorse amp for acoustics (and sometimes for electric guitar though a Korg AX3000g) for more than 10 years. I replaced it with a Mini Charge. What the MiniCharge lacks in features (less effects types, no phantompower) it makes up in sound quality. Works well even with Drop-C. I play a Striebel RS 12-fret (for the low tuned stuff) and a Stanford Parlour, both with Schatten Design Artist pickups. No external components/effects needed. Minimum hassle for my sound: Grab a guitar case or two and the Fishman and I'm good to go...
Enjoyed your video and your playing. Appreciate hearing the two amps with the Martin D-18. Lovely guitar. I was at a music store a couple of weeks ago and pulled a used Gibson J-45 off the shelf and needed something to play through in order to hear the electronics. I tried the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge and fell in love with guitar and amp. Boom, $2,100 later and I'm out the door with both. After I got home, I plugged my 20 year old Martin DC-16 GTE into the Fishman amp. Unfortunately, I couldn't dial in what I wanted to hear. Too much midrange. You sort of alluded to that issue in the video. After trying multiple configurations with Martin guitar preamp and Fishman amp, I decided to try an LR Baggs DI box in front of the Fishman (redundant, I know) to better EQ. Nothing was really coming together for me. BUT when I plugged in the J-45 into the Fishman it became a whole new ball game. Love my tone now. Got a gig in a couple of weeks. We'll see how it goes. :) After hearing both amps in your demo video, I slightly favor the Fishman over the Bose. I like the Bose systems in general - particularly for vocals - but I noticed they tend to digitally compress guitar tone a bit. I think the Fishman replicates the acoustic sound a little more cleanly. Cheers
Think I’ll go for the Bose.Question: Electric and Acoustic have both? Also want to play Fender Tele through the Bose? What do you think?Excellent Video! Thankyou
I haven’t really played the tele Through the Bose S1 Pro. I can make a demo video for you if that would help. My experience has been only playing clean sounds good through these PA speakers. Is that your plan? Ps: email me at gairman1@gmail.com
The Bose sounds better for vocals and it disperses better and has a hole in the bottom for a pole-mounted stand. I am very self-critical of my vocals which is why I haven't ever done a demo, but your comment reminds me I need to do that. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the info on the Bose having a hole for a pole-mounted stand, I have the Fishman Charge and since I’m primarily a vocalist and play harp I’ll have to try out the Bose.@@gair1944
The Bose in my opinion gets muddy. The Fishman has more clarity. I listened a few days apart to see if I could feel differently. I would suggest Grace Design Flix or Alix. That studio quality preamp can dial any amp or speaker into perfection.
Thanks Benjamin. The Grace Felix or Alix are top of the line preamps. The thing is, my Baggs Anthem is an active pickup with a preamp. How many preamps can you run ..and then into an amplifier with its own preamp?
Gary Roberts I’ve had the Baggs Anthem before. It’s a great pickup. I’m just leaning toward a Alix, Reverb Pedal, and PA Speaker. Most amps like the Fishman, Bose, etc color the sounds. Alix is neutral and the PA speaker would generally run flat allowing you to shape the sound.
@@bjamminsincebirth3494 Yes I have. I think the 8.2 needs a preamp. It is very good. But definitely benefits from preamp in front of it. Is that what you use?
Gary Roberts No I use the Alix with a MXR M300 Reverb pedal. I don’t have a speaker yet. I’m on the hunt. I tried the Bose S1. I use to own the L1. I’m just really picky when it comes to sound. 😂
@@gair1944 thank you sir. I just bought the 60 watt boss singer. I'll soon get to see first hand. As for fishman vs bose s1 I like the fishman sound better. Thanks again and happy holidays.
I think either one is the very limit for doing a live gig. I think the fish man artist or preformer would be much better but don’t know what Bose has that’s comparable. It’s not so much the power but the woofer size
Fishman is more pure authentic...Bowes is far too cloudy and bassy.....i use Fishman..the best....thanks for reinforcing what i already knew....Fishman for the solo singer songwriter who knows his/her stuff...no rookies here.....
Hi, I watched reviews and read reviews were people were complaining that the Bose vocal channel does not get anywhere near as loud as the music channel ! Many have said that the underpowered vocals on the bose is a deal-breaker for them !!!!
Guy Homes in my experience the Fishman vocal channel on the mini charge is barely adequate in terms of overall sound and tone. I would choose the Bose S1 Pro every time for “small” close quarters. I use a Bose L1 Compact for 99% of my shows however. The Bose S1 Pro is for me intended for home use, monitoring or super small events
i am able to confirm. Fishman for gigging and busking. Easier to use, nicer more natural acoustic tone AND voice , nicer reverb and louder. Bose is not crap, but looses in direct comparation for my taste and is double price.
I think the Fishman sounds more like a acoustic should sound the Bose has more low end how do they sound with a nylon string guitar? I’m buying the Fishman mini I think 🤔
I found this video because I searched something about Bose S1, but on my studio monitors surprisingly Fishman sounds better like Bose. I will made decision between Aer, Acus, Eae, Bose ... and now I heared this Fishman mini, which in version without battery could be a very nice option :) Thank you for this review.
I agree. The Fishman Mini Charge sounds better for acoustic guitar. For performing Live shows, the Bose is better overall because it is superior for vocals. But for just acoustic guitar amplified, I believe the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge sounds best.
@@gair1944 Hi Gary, quick question on the vocals, do find the Bose significantly better on vocals or is it a subtle thing? Is the reverb not more natural on the Fishman? Both vocal and guitar sound are important to me for remote shows and small gigs. I'm very much leaning towards the Fishman as the natural sound on acoustics is just awesome, but wanted to know if the difference on vocal is major or not. About to purchase today but thought i'd message in case you happen to be online.. Thanks!
Ash Radford yes vocals are significantly better on the Bose S1. By a large margin. Not even close. I would never recommend the Fishman mini charge for vocals.
They both sound great but the Fishman does sound more natural. The Bose is bass heavy. The Fishman has more mid presence. I would try running them together.
the Fishman have more presence, effects, medium EQ, Phase , the Bose is only loud and only have treble ,bass and you can play louder with backing track ,and microphone , there are bigger PA system 100 watts(acid batteries) for 300 dollars and sound like the Bose..i prefer the Fishman mini for a good sound in the guitar. i can elevated the quality's sound of microphone with TC mic mechanic pedal that work with batteries
The Fishman loudbox Performer is an amp I used professionally for a few years. It’s not the last word for vocals but that model or the Artist are the only too I would use for guitar “and vocals “. I prefer ether projection of the Bose L1 compact and the new Bose L1 Pro8. I get better nearfield monitoring for myself and the off axis projection is profoundly even. But those are a Lot more $$$.
@@joe_casinoacoustic1773 Yes the Bose L1 Compact and Bose L1 Pro8 has a subwoofer module and an extension pole where the high frequency speakers are on the top. Here is a link to a video I made 10 Minutes after I got the Bose L1 Pro8: th-cam.com/video/jF-UQeiF0-c/w-d-xo.html
I think the clear winner here was the "Martin D-18 Cutaway". I'm tempted now to buy that guitar with the Bose. Thanks for Sharing!...
You made me laugh. This Cutaway Martin D-18 with Baggs Anthem PU is absolutely superb. It is my main gigging guitar. The only reason I don't play my D-18 standard w/fiddleback Mahogany more is because I use the upper registers enjoying the access the cutaway affords me. I LOVE this guitar. Thanks for the nice wordsl
@@gair1944
Your welcome. And thanks for sharing your talent and experience with us. Cheers.
Made my career doing live sound and recording for classical, jazz and folk-rock. I am very particular about what I hear. I am looking for a small portable PA for busking. Here is the difference I hear in these two: the Fishman has a sharp high frequency edge on the note attacks and finger slides, very brittle to my ears. The Bose sounds warm and round. Also, well balanced and full. I very much prefer the Bose S1. Thanks for the demo.
Eternal Recursion. Appreciate your comment. You certainly have the bona fides. I agree with your statement , however , I have a Mini Loudbox that I gig with. I play a Martin lower end acoustic electric and lower end Telecaster through it and it sounds great. It can be tweaked for better warmth , as I'm sure you know ; but had I seen this video beforehand I may have gotten the Bose.
i dont care about the system or feedback your guitar playing just blows me away AWSOME
Your kind comment made my day! Thank you! 🙏
To my ears, that lil Bose made his playing sound so much better. It gave it so much more presence and tone and it drew my ears in with an almost magical quality to it.
Thanks for Listening . I use the Bose a lot as a stage monitoring or extension speaker
Thank you. I'm just now starting learn about amps. This was very helpful. Nice playing too.
Thank you for such a true real-world test. I like them both. It's your guitar, pickup, and hands that would sound good on anything. Love that acoustic tone brother!!!!
Thank you for listening and for your kind words!!
Thanks Gary. Nice playing. I’ve been playing through the Bose for the last few years. Starting to make some humming noises around the mic,voc,off switch of each channel.. I think I’ve just worn the thing out. Reconsidering the loud box mini right now. Thanks so much for your video. Perfect timing for an A- B test. Enjoy the verb more on the loud box. Thought Bose could have done a little better in that department. Thanks again. Nicely done!
I just got an electro voice Everse 8 battery powered speaker and used it for the first time last night at a gig. I’m very happy and impressed so far. Its battery powered AMA can sounds more like the Fishman but worth more power and headroom than the Loudbox mini charge.
@@gair1944 I tried EQing the Everse 8 to sound as good as the S1 Pro+ in the spots that matter, but did not have luck.
@@tobiasjansen9117 I cannot argue the S1 Pro has a tonal sweetness that is unique. I simply clip and overload the S1 Pro way too easy. So I've been using the Everse 8 in its place and find it does not overload or clip as easily as the S1 Pro.
@@gair1944 yeah that is my issue too, especially with vocals. The fishman sounds the best on guitar no doubt. Singing through the fishman is a solid 5/10 where the Pro+ is more a 7/10. The transmitters are nice but sound quality is for sure compromised. I think the Bose is possibly the best unit if convenience is your objective. No wires at all.
I don’t intend to use the Pro+ for performance, just maybe hammocking in the park, outside my studio etc. I have EV30Ms for performance.
My next thought is how to get the Bose as nice on the guitar like the fishman. DI pedals like the aura or platinum pro? ToneDEQ?
@@tobiasjansen9117 I haven't been able to ever get the Bose S1 Pro to sound as musically sweet and honest sounding as the Fishman Loudbox. I've tried a few preamps: RedEye, Baggs Venue, Session DI, Empress Para EQ etc. Every piece of gear has its strengths and I can't exactly match one to the other. Just optimize for the best sound possible. I've noticed in loud venues with lots of crowd / customer background noise, the 5/10 Fishman vocal sound is just fine.
I've heard and played through both of these live and own the fishman. I think the bose name has a lot of us bluffed. That fishman sounds amazing. I also think ol Gary has got a lot of us bluffed. His playing through a tin can and a string would sound beautiful!!!!!
Ha! I agree the Fishman loudbox mini charge sounds more natural
For acoustic guitar. But that’s Bose performs better overall when you sing and play together.
Totally agree with Gary’s playing is solid combined with his amazing guitar and pickup selection. Anything will sound good. Bose vs Fishman is a good problem to solve. As I get older I prefer the array dispersion of the S1 compared to direct point source amplification. Of course, I’m the idiot in a chain restaurant with a dB phone app complaining about ambient music volume. Lol
The Fishman sounds more like an acoustic guitar, only louder. The Bose sounds more piezo-like--it accents the piezo tone. In other words, the Fishman sounds more natural to my ears.(That's why I bought it after doing my own live comparison with the Bose :>)
Yo también lo probado el Bosé, tenia en casa el fishman, mejor fishman
Do you think the fishman can be use on e drums?
I tested both in my local shop and tested both and made my mind up very quickly - I chose the Fishman - it had more direct presence and sounded much more natural to my ears. The Bose spreads the sound more but reminds me a little bit of when you overdo the stereo effect in when recording..not sure if I've expressed myself very clearly there. Anyway, I've been gigging and busking in Germany for over thirty years and know a little bit about sound :-) but at the end of the day it's a pretty subjective theme. I have the Bose L1 for mid-size gigs and it's good but its little brother is somewhat over-rated...the Bose name is what sells it I think....I also own an Acus one for street which is great( better than the Fishman in fact. I had an AER combo with built-in battery for years and I always thought the sound was unbeatable but I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say that I prefer both the Acus and even the fishman. The AER is loud and very nice for vocals but the guitar always sounded boxy and harsh in the mids that were nigh on impossible to eq out...
I agree with your thoughts as well. I do however use my Bose S1 Pro as a floor monitor for my solo shows and as an extension speaker if I need to project sound in another direction however.
Hi Nicholas, I really enjoyed reading your response it was very informative ! I actually owned the Acus one for Street for a few weeks and I used it on a very busy and loud Street ! I'm sorry to say it was nowhere near Loud enough to cut through all the loud traffic and noises in that area. I was really sad that I had to return it ,plus it may have cost me $200 or more to return it to Germany ! I finally found one battery powered amplifier that was actually loud enough to cut through all the loud noises on that street. It is called the Carvin Stagemate S600b ! I think it is rated to put out 119 decibels of sound. But what's more impressive than that is it carries the sound for maybe two blocks. It uses a technology that I think is called line array, it's like five speakers one above the other and the sound really carries ! It sounds very good and it has bells and whistles Galore ! Anyway, I hope you're doing very well and God bless you !
Thanks for your reply! I might take a look at the Carvin - have heard of it but never heard it. The main reason why I went for the Acus was that the engineer for it was the brains at Schertler, a company that is renowned for its expertise in acoustic instruments. We just did a small gig with 2 of them in fact!
I’m going crazy what to buy, i travel with play a lot (s1, mackie, fishman,…) i play acoustic guitar and I need body and warmth), acus sounds the best to me but idk if its too big to handle trough planes.. and it costs a lot.) please help me brother. :)😅
I need it for busking and smaller gigs hopefully in future.
Your review is very helpful ! Thank you. I'm purchasing the LR Baggs Anthem pickup and a Fishman Loudbox Mini for my Martin D18. Your video convinced me.
Thanks for listening. Let me know how you like them
Excellent Video! I
have the original Loudbox - but ive just snapped up a CHARGE version 2nd hand. At least i can leave the ´power reel´at home now - if i ever go gigging again!!
CHEERS FROM MADRID
Congratulations on your new Fishman Charge. I hope you love it and that gigs start back up soon!
Thanks for pointing out the version, I'm looking to buy a fishman charge and didn't know there are different versions, I'll keep an eye out. Thanks, also from Madrid!
I was already sold on the Fishman but your review confirmed the right choice for guitar. Not even due to the comparison piece of your review. Good job!
Here's my observation on this video:
Bose S1 Pro
- PA system
- sounds digital
- good for voice/microphone
Fishman
- amplifier
- sounds natural
- good for guitar
I already have the Bose, so I think I'll get the Fishman for my guitar.
I agree 1000%. You nailed my thoughts exactly.
Gorgeous with the pickup , amp , and guitar combo. my god just beautiful
Thank you
Thank you Rachel!
I found a ©LOUDBOX mini at a thrift store. (not blue tooth), Cost me $25.00 and it was in perfect operational condition. The vinyl was well warn, but the metal finish was perfect and unscratched. Can't believe this was passed over by other shoppers. And did I mention it only cost $25.00.00!!!!!!! LOVE this thing with my Taylor!
Great deal!!
Your lucky to find that amp at $25.
Really enjoyed your playing. Nice job and great comparison. Thank you.
The Bose sounded a little louder and thus fuller, but hard to tell on my phone.
My pleasure.. thanks for listening
THANK YOUUUUU!! Both are good , yet the Bose drives are crystal clear and round tone .
You are welcome. I've found the Fishman Loudbox Artist to be more capable and even better sounding than the Loudbox Mini. The Bose is however remarkable in its own way.
I’ll take one of each. Bose for vocals, Fishman for guitar. I’ve never been a fan of singing and playing through the same amp, but together this would be a fantastic combo. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree.
I agree. Good idea.
I was shopping around for a battery powered amp and ran across that fishman today. Checked the tube for real world reviews, and I see my old friend! Love the channel brother. Hope you are well and life is treating you right. All the best. Always admired your ear for gear and meticulous style.
Hey Johnny! Are you still here in Tucson? I love the Fishman Loudbox Mini charge. It is very natural sounding. The XLR Vocal channel however is 'ok' but not great. I love it at home (I plug in a lot and use a Looper for spontaneous background rhythms and writing) It's also good for small intimate sorts of shows.
@@gair1944 I'm still in Tucson, same number and all that. Have you tried that Digitech Trio band creator pedal? If not you definitely should. Amazing tool for writing and just creating a quick backing track to jam ideas on. Has a good looper as well.
I was using the hk move pro 8 for street music, which is excellent but it wasn't mine. now ordered the Fishman mini for street music, because I heard it at a friends house and it sounds so natural and I really like the reverb. Great playing BTW!
Thanks! The mini charge sounds great. It’s borderline for output other than super close to where you are playing but should be great for busking and street performing
Thanx for the demo. I liked the tone of the Bose a bit more but as we know listening on youtube can be a trap. I think the versatility of inputs on the Bose has me sold. The LR Baggs was doing a nice job too.
I agree TH-cam video's only give you a ballpark. You dont get the sense of response as you play and other subtle nuances. I truly love the Baggs Anthem. It is my favorite acoustic guitar pickup. Period.
@@gair1944 I have the Baggs M80 in my Taylor for gigging and I've been pretty happy with it. am thinking of putting a PU in my HD-28 which I only use at home - am looking at the anthem so thanks for that feedback
Great video, it’s two different types of gear used for the same purposes. Do more reviews a couple years later before newer models pop up.
Thanks for watching. I actually sold the Loudbox Mini and bought a Fishman Loudbox Artist. I'll compare that to the Bose S1 Pro sometime soon.
Great guitar playing. The guitar sound, itself, is more rich, more complex, more interesting through the Fishman through my computer speakers (Monsoon planar speakers w/subwoofer). The textural details seem to be smoothed over on the Bose. Of course, TH-cam and audio conversion may not best serve the actual in-person guitar.
The Fishman is definitely more natural sounding in person. If that shines through in the TH-cam I would say that’s accurate.
I would be happy with either one...thanks man. Bose wins
I agree
Man you play awesome.....I like the Fishman,,,Researching both now,thanks.
Thank you so much
The fishman seems to sound more natural and with a nice warm tone. The Bose sounds great, too, but the Fishman seems to sound a lot better.
I agree completely
Bose make the guitar sound almost like an electric, very metal sounding... The fishman replicates the acoustic sound much better.
I completely agree the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge is more natural and the acoustic sounds better. I play through this amp primarily. The Bose S1 Pro is however better overall for small performances when a Vocal mic is also needed. It sounds better for vocals versus the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge.
Thanks so much for the video, It made it very clear which unit sounds better for the guitar! Great playing too!
You're very welcome. Thank for the kind words. I am guessing I know which you preferred, but thought I'd ask which you liked best. I know what my preference is.
@@gair1944 I liked the fishman, I wanted to like the Bose especially since the battery was easy to exchange. I just do play guitar no vocals. I had used the fishman before just wanted to make sure it’s the best solution. Thanks again for the great vidy!
video
@@stefan3083 That's what I thought. The Fishman is my favorite for natural great sounding acoustic guitar tone as well. Thanks again!
Very well done review. I am looking at both of these. Just wished you would have done a little vocal comparison.
If you heard me sing you might be glad I didn’t?! Lol … ever think of that?
I have the Bose 2 of them I would plug in the fisherman into the Bose to mix in both together would be cool. Enjoyed your playing very nice.
Thanks John. That is exactly what I do. Line out from the Fishman into the Bose S1 pro. I still favor the fishman loudbox mini charge for overall sound.
Fishman sounds much better, i think in a live situation where you need strong clear midaccent tone. maybe Bose are better for vocal, more like a PA system.
What would you take for a solo acoustic/singing gig at wine bars and small venues of 10 to 50 people.
I upgraded the Loudbox mini to a Fishman Loudbox Artist. Thats my first choice but I am also a fan of the newer Bose S1 Pro Plus. Its tone match settings are plentiful versus the one fixed Tone match setting on the original S1 Pro. The Bose S1 Pro “plus” version ofis the one to get iif you go with a Bose in my opinion.
What would you choose today between the Bose S1 + and the Fishman Artist? That is a decision I’m contemplating.
Thanks a lot for this comparison. After this video I got the Bose S1pro because you said at the end of the video that for vocal it is a better choice: and it is really great! Maybe the guitar, with Fishman, sounds warmer but the Bose is not bad! I suggest don’t use the preset Tonematch for guitar and adjust the bass and treble on the Bose. And if you have on your own guitar the possibilities to use a knob of midrange, the guitar will sounds very very good. Thanks again!
After making this Video, I also learned I do NOT prefer the Tonematch setting either. I now use the Bose S1 Pro in standard mode. The Fishman sounds great acoustically for guitar but for me, it is unacceptable for Vocal. The Bose is the more versatile tool for the job.
@@gair1944 Hi. How do you put the Bose S1 Pro "in standard mode?"
@@BrotherRey There is a switch on each channel. Off / Guitar (tone match) / Mic. I would say standard mode is "off" but thats just my best guess.
Fishman for me. The Bose has a midrange hollow sound that I try to avoid. Your demonstration and playing was excellent 👌.
Nice comparison. I use a Fender Acoustic Jr. amp and I run guitar and vocals through that into a Bose S1 Pro and it really sounds great. The Fender has a lot of effects and it really enhances the overall sound. I would actually recommend the Fender over the Fishman Loudbox just for the fact that it's a little less expensive but you probably can't go wrong with either one as vocals also sound great through both
Thanks for the great info. I’ll bet the Fender into a Bose S1 Pro is very capable! Great idea.
Nice playing too
Thank you for listening and for the kind words!
Haha. I just left a comment on your video comparing the L1 compact and the pro 8. I use the S1 for a regular basis and love it. I play guitar and sing for a smallish group of seniors and the S1 is perfect, especially because it has the built in reverb and Bluetooth. I also have an L1 compact which I used to use but found it annoying that I needed to add separate reverb. I still use the L1 compact for larger rooms but with a small mixer with built in fx. Considering how small and light this is , the sound is pretty big and plenty loud enough.
Thanks for your awesome reviews! Have you ever tried the boss acoustic singer live?
Thanks for the review Gary. It really helped me decide what to replace my heavy Marshall/Peavey PA set up with now my gammy shoulder is just not healing. I bought the Bose S1 and played them side by side, and was relieved to find the Bose, on both Mic and Guitar, sounded if anything better. Of course much less power, but the quality is there. Cheers Cliff
Hi Cliff, Thanks for the nice comment. I am glad it was helpful. For the sorts of tasks and jobs I would use the Bose S1 Pro for, it is plenty. I also found it works great as a monitor when I gig with my Bose L1 Compact or the newest Bose L1 Pro8. In terms of contrast to the Fishman, I prefer the acoustic guitar tone through the Fishman but I consider the XLR/mic channel useless on the Fishman. It doesn't sound good at all. The Bose S1 Pro outperforms it as a complete package when used stand alone.
I had the Bose, then returned it. Then got the Fishman, and I honestly do not like it. I’m returning it and going back to the Bose. Thanks for the review! It was super helpful. Plus you play magnificent dahling. 💋
One question - were you using the tone match setting on the BOSE?
Truly great product review - fantastic side/side comparison and because you play wonderfully cleanly, with dynamics, across all voicings it really helped understand. Thanks - you are helping my purchase decision. I have been considering both S1 and Fishman LB mini for use a small venue or as a personal monitor for larger gigs. Violin and guitar primarily - classical, singer-songwriter, jazz, country. I currently use a Fishman SA-220 which I think sounds quite good (some reliability issues however - two returns, one repair) but it's a bit large for ensemble use (as well as wide dispersion) which is not ideal for monitor.
In your recording, I think the S1 sound superior to my ears - particularly because of the tonal clarity - found the midrange difficult in the Fishman (passing tone voicings) although the Fishman seemed to cut-thru when solo w/ accompaniment which might be helpful for some performers. When I purchased the Fishman SA-220, I looked hard at the large Fishman Loudboxes and had the same aesthetic sense - the loudbox name appropriate but midrange more loud than clear - think maybe too much signal in guitar mid-voicing going thru the larger diameter speaker (this is why probably I like the SA-220 array of smaller speakers much better). The S1 I believe has several small speakers and either between the EQ settings and/or the cross-overs, seems to give really great clarity.
Hi Eric, Yes I had the S1 in the Tonematch setting for this demo. I have actually come to realize it may be more versatile with the Tonematch "off". But it has a level of versatility that I don't think the Fishman LB Mini Charge can match. That said, I love the Fishman Loudbox Mini for playing at home acoustically. But for any sort of gigs, I think the Bose offers more. If you ever sing through either, its game over. The Bose is superior by a long shot for vocals. That tells me it may be better for Violin too. Perhaps that's a stretch. But I am super impressed with the Bose S1 Pro. I only use it as a stage monitor for gigs however. I gig with a Bose L1 Pro8 and use the S1 Pro as a monitor. Really nice pairing. I am glad this video was helpful. I will be making a new one comparison video of the Fishman and Bose S1 Pro without the Tonematch setting.
I like the Bose....but I am used to playing with my Bose Pole. Both sound great
I gig with a Bose L1 Pro 8 also.
@@gair1944 I really dig my Taylor though I think it is L2 (L1?)with B2.....cant keep up with names....ive had couple iterations of pole, way back to when they looked like basketball poles, ha....ordered a S1 in an attempt to find a smaller simple rig....I used to gig (guitar and vox) with a Roland AC90 acoustic amp in that fashion....and it covered some pretty good sized decks when I lived in Austin, Tx...fun stuff....thanks for the review!
Great Demo, I have an S1 Pro and a Fishman Artist, but have been gigging with an older Fender Passport Pro (300). Works okay, 4-6 ports good for open mics.... just a touch power-challenged at times (plus the DI outputs are a little - different). Anyway, I've been looking at maybe harnessing the S1 Pro / Artist combo for gigs (my gigs are hosting open mics and playing small-mid venues - bars, farm markets, listening rooms - less than 100 listeners - and I like the clarity from my Artist. Your demo sounded beautiful, with a minimum of that 'bose' overtone. Questions: My D18 has a K&K, and does produce some wolf tone a bit. Second, is your S1 in the 'tone match' position, or unshaped? Third, have you used the S1 outboard of the Fishman (ie, thru the DI out)? Great demo btw - thanks in advance!
Both sound good. The Bose sounds smoother more processed? Makes the Acoustic sound more electric guitar like. The Fishman sounds totally acoustic, more like the actual guitar. I like both.
I thought so too. Thanks to Gary for posting.
Both are beautiful. I own both. You did an out standing demo, thanks .
Hey Stephen, which do you prefer for vocals mid frequencies for guitar n vocals?
Great comparison video Gary. Twenty months later, any comments on reliability, etc, between the two?
To be honest, this Loudbox Mini Charge failed after a four years. I have not had the Bose for more than about a year and half. Still going strong. I love the Loudbox Mini tone for acoustic guitar so much I will replace it with another.
Both are very good but the sound of the bose seems a little bit warmer and a little compressed. I really like the bose smooth Smooth and warm.
I think the fishman was crispyer and more sparkling as a musician myself you always find the sound you like on any amp when you perform the people you play for want you to sound good they don't have amp comparison in mind I worked with fishman and bose at the end of the day .....what is the price differents between the two amps 😅
Hi Gary- nice demo. I'm curious about your day job- not many guitar players are seen wearing suits/watches (profile pic!) My guess is that you left corporate life around 2012, grew a goatee and are finally pursuing what you love! If that's the case- good for you! The vestigial watch is a give away.
This is a tough one. I LOVE my Fishman Mini but that Bose surprisingly sounded great. It might be a little DSP heavy (Fishman was more natural) but it works. The Fishman definitely looks better and has been reliable for many years- rock solid in fact. Ideally, run both in stereo (active ABY pedal) 5-10 feet away from each other and you (equal triangle) and the difference in tonal qualities will blow you away. They will compliment each other well. Add a looper and a beat buddy and you'll be rockin'. The mic in on the mini sounds ok but isn't that loud. I looked at your other videos- you have some nice gear. At some point look into some of the Fractal Audio products- it's next level gear. Gear aside, your playing is great as well- very soulful and deliberate...especially your acoustic tunes.
Sorry for the late reply. I laughed when I read your post. I still work a corporate day job. I love music. It is personal therapy for my soul. Will try a Helix or Fractal at some point to see how they integrate with the Bose. For now, all of my gigs are acoustic guitar. I might bring an electric guitar at some point however.
@@gair1944 I figured (takes on to know one.) If in your corp. capacity, you can ever use a solid recruiter (headhunter), let me know!
I agree about playing music. A few years back I got sick and in my down time, I was able to dive fairly deep into the musical rabbit hole. I recently found a site called Guitar Tricks which so far is great- definitely exceeding my expectations. That says a lot as two of my past instructors were Berklee guys so I have a high bar. If you go on (free trial), check out an instructor named Chris. Maybe you could even be an instructor...but there is always something to learn.
The Fractal products are incredible. The FM3 is more affordable, but the AxeFXIII has more power (similar tone less a fairly significant amount of CPU power.) If you are only playing acoustic, it might not be necessary but as I mentioned before, definitely play two acoustic amps in stereo using an active ABY pedal in a triangle set configuration. You can still mic it or use a PA if needed. If you did ever go the Fractal route, their solutions would play better with a quality pair (2- again, stereo is key) of studio monitors vs. amp. For the times when you are playing at home, you might also want to check out the Neural DSP Plug-In's. I just bought two of them and they are outstanding. I also bought the V-Moda headphones which are also great. Using a laptop you could use the Neural PI's to play live. I would just have a back-up just in case there are ever any issue with the software. I've played thought them for month and once I dialed in my settings and configured all the I/O's and pc interface, everything have been near perfect.
That Rambler sounds great. The bass notes really shine through. Lately I have been getting into slash chords e.g., D/F# where you play a moving bassline with your thumb. I bet they would sound great through that amp. Some simple tunes that use this are Plush by STP and especially December by Collective Soul. They would shine through the Rambler.
Cheers!
I like the fishman alone but the bose with the loop
Sir, you are just . . . badass!
You are very kind. Thank you
@@gair1944 I tried to get the Bose but it’s going to take a while before they’re available. I’m overseas deployed and my boys need a decent amp to jam during down times. Quite a few that can play decent, inc myself lol. Watching this video put some weight on the decision process although the Fishman came out available and ready to go. Might get the Bose S1 pro for me and my daughter later after this army gig. Thank you again, sir. And God bless you for sharing this and your other videos.
@@PopsKustojo Thank you for your service sir! My pleasure to share. Stay safe.
You wouldn't go wrong with either, but if I had to pick one, I probably go Fishman mini. I hear a little more acoustic sound than the Bose and slightly louder.
I agree!
I love bose speakers, (own 3 bose products ) but the Fishman Sounds more woody like an Acoustic Guitar should sound. The bose makes it sound more like a Piezo pickup and less like an Acoustic "miked-up" - Nice demo & guitar playing.
I tend to agree the Fishman sounds more natural.That sound, the Bose is the more versatile tool for small gigs, especially if I need to use a vocal channel
@@gair1944 Can I ask why? They both offer Reverb. Is the Bose a better on-board reverb unit? I thought the acoustic sounded significantly better thru the Fishman? Maybe it's different in the actual room?
@@michael_caz_nyc Vocals sound horrible through the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge. Vocals however sounds perfectly decent through the Bose S1 Pro. I also use the Bose as a floor monitor along side my Bose L1 Compact or new Bose L1 Pro8. The Bose overall projects better and is substantially better sounding on vocals. I will never take the Fishman Loudbox Mini charge to a gig if I have to sing through it. I do however admire and enjoy its acoustic guitar tone amplified.
@@gair1944 Thanks Gary. Appreciate your input. Stay Safe brother.
@@gair1944 Hey Gary. You mentioned the vocals suck on the fishman. question, would it make a difference if i throw in a vocal preamp or mixer in the middle? i assume it will have improvements on the vocal sound. have you tried it or ?
These amps are both great and it's just a matter of preference and budget (Bose is more expensive than Fishman). In my opinion Bose is more "airy" and "crisp" with emphasis in the mid-high frequencies. Fishman is more "warm" and "full" with emphasis on mid-low frequencies.
Thanks for listening. I love the Fishman for natural acoustic tone and the Bose for all around playing/ singing and also as a monitor!
for guitar clarity, I would go for fishman. And because it's designed for guitar accoustic sound specifically. For guitar, I think I would go for fishman. But for other instruments as a PA speaker system, I think we all have to go for bose.
Yes. I agree with you 100%!
i have the L1 1 S with the B1 also the Bose Compact and I bought the S1 Pro...so needless to say I love the Bose quality. I have the T1 also. I recently purchased a Loudbox Mini. I've yet to try it live but.....I caught myself carrying so much shit I am thinking of just going with the mini DI'ed out to the S1. Just a thought.
first of all thanks and congratulation on your playing. I like the bose better :-)
Thank you. The Bose is a professional tool for sure!
Fishman sounded better to me. I own own and it’s a great amp at this price range. Nice comparison
Thanks for your time
Thanks for the review, Gary. Clearly you prefer the Bose for vocals. If anyone out there has an opinion re: vocals thru the Fishman, please share. Thanks.
sir ur telecaster is really beautiful and martin too , also very nice video . what boost pedal r u using for acoustic and do use any other pedals for acoustic guitar?. im confused between weather to buy first an equalizer pedal or an acoustic amp for stage acoustic guitar playing
I think your playing is lovely. I have an S1 pro simply because I reckon vocals are better though it, but the guitar through the Fishman sounds woodier.
Thank you
Thanks Gary, fine review and very nice playing, too! For me the Fishman would be the choice. The Bose sounds -to say so- kinda modern and kinda boring: Adds too much cream to the sauce, at least for my ears.
Agree with your comments below. I also have both, and Bose overall is better. With that being said, my Fishman Charge started not charging the battery and also now has a bad hissing sound. Any suggestions on who can repair it? Not sure if even worth the expense. Thanks for your post.
I would contact Fishman. Its entirely possible they will help you out.
I bought a new battery for mine on Amazon for $20. Not sure about the hissing...
Hi Gary, thank you for the nice comparison. How would you compare the sound quality of S1 Pro to L1 compact? Thank you. Greetings from the Czech Republic.
Hello my friend. Thanks for asking. The l1 compact is a lot fuller and will project a lot more than the S1 Pro. I think it would take a pair of S1 Pros to rival the coverage and fullness you get from a Bose L1 Compact. But the S1’s would not have the deeper bass since the L1 Compact has a subwoofer.
@@gair1944 Thank you so much, that's exactly what I needed to hear and it helped me a lot! You are amazing musician. Wishing you all the best. Vaclav.
Fishman all the way. It’s funny how ppl think the Bose is better. I’ve owned both and the Fishman is a true acoustic amp while the Bose makes for a good kitchen countertop speaker.
LOL The Bose does work well in other places too. But I agree the Fishman sounds like a great 'acoustic' guitar amp.
@@gair1944 Agreed, and the Bose sounds better for vocals as well.
I thought the Bose was deeper richer and less flat. I have a Roland that I also think is smoother and less brittle than the loud box, especially for vocals.
Agreed
Which you prefer depends on a number of factors. Fishman is voiced for the guitar, ... undoubtedly. With that, ... it isn't my preference because I like a warm mid-rangy guitar. Many would like the accented high mids and treble of the Fishman. I have wondered if the the Fishman highs could be tamed for me taste, but you described having already trimmed the treble, which suggests to me that you also think the highs are a little over the top for the Fishman. Many would like this tone character in an acoustic amp as it likely makes it feel more resonant across frequencies and it would appear brighter, ... hence clearer. All according to taste. With the Bose, I probably would be concerned about the bass taking over the frequency range, but I think I could eq it better for my melodic fingerstyle playing and the voice channel would be much better than the Fishman. While the Fishman may sound more true to an acoustic guitar sound, ... all that high end shimmer can be annoying when you are singing. To each his/her own. The Fishman would likely sound louder but I'm not sure it would project as well. High end tones are notoriously brittle, falling apart when they hit barriers, whereas the middle and bass tones tend to carry on past objects. Depending on the room, one or the other of the amps might sound better. I would mostly use the amp for small gigs, home use and jams with other musicians. The Bose would probably be better. I have the Bose L1 system and I don't really like it as an acoustic guitar amplifier but it's great for vocals and general pa in a small area, running guitar signal through pedals and separate amp. Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate. I would like to have heard a classical guitar with these as I play both classical and metal string acoustic guitars. Take care.
I’m selling my Alix and leaning toward getting the Bose S1 Pro. Did you decide which one or are you keeping both? Everytime I watch your video I start leaning towards the Fishman.
Mejor el fishman … mas natural el sonido
I had the Fishman and didn't like it for vocals. I have a Bose L1 and it blows the Fishman away, don't get me wrong the Fishman sounds great but doesn't compare for gigs. I now have the S1 Pro and it is better than the L1. As for guitar sound, just buy a pedal and you can make the guitar what you want to hear.
fishman for me .more natural sound.
Both sound very good with the Martin. I have a fishman loudbox 100 which sounds good after you dial it in. I like the bose as much as the Fishman. Have you tried the Lyric and how are you setting the mic and ust with the anthem. I have a b-band a2.2 pickup in one martin an a k and k in my hd28. Very nice playing with the loop. I think the bose sounded better with you loop and lead.
I have not tried a Baggs Lyric. But the Anthem is the tru ic plus the element under saddle transducer. The Fishman is more natural alone but for gigs the Bose is more worthy
I used a Loudbox 100 (LBX-400) as workhorse amp for acoustics (and sometimes for electric guitar though a Korg AX3000g) for more than 10 years. I replaced it with a Mini Charge. What the MiniCharge lacks in features (less effects types, no phantompower) it makes up in sound quality. Works well even with Drop-C. I play a Striebel RS 12-fret (for the low tuned stuff) and a Stanford Parlour, both with Schatten Design Artist pickups. No external components/effects needed. Minimum hassle for my sound: Grab a guitar case or two and the Fishman and I'm good to go...
Enjoyed your video and your playing. Appreciate hearing the two amps with the Martin D-18. Lovely guitar.
I was at a music store a couple of weeks ago and pulled a used Gibson J-45 off the shelf and needed something to play through in order to hear the electronics. I tried the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge and fell in love with guitar and amp. Boom, $2,100 later and I'm out the door with both. After I got home, I plugged my 20 year old Martin DC-16 GTE into the Fishman amp. Unfortunately, I couldn't dial in what I wanted to hear. Too much midrange. You sort of alluded to that issue in the video. After trying multiple configurations with Martin guitar preamp and Fishman amp, I decided to try an LR Baggs DI box in front of the Fishman (redundant, I know) to better EQ. Nothing was really coming together for me. BUT when I plugged in the J-45 into the Fishman it became a whole new ball game. Love my tone now. Got a gig in a couple of weeks. We'll see how it goes. :)
After hearing both amps in your demo video, I slightly favor the Fishman over the Bose. I like the Bose systems in general - particularly for vocals - but I noticed they tend to digitally compress guitar tone a bit. I think the Fishman replicates the acoustic sound a little more cleanly. Cheers
I agree the Fishman is more natural sounding for acoustic guitar. But when you sing and play, the Bose sounds better for vocals.
Think I’ll go for the Bose.Question: Electric and Acoustic have both? Also want to play Fender Tele through the Bose? What do you think?Excellent Video! Thankyou
I haven’t really played the tele
Through the Bose S1 Pro. I can make a demo video for you if that would help. My experience has been only playing clean sounds good through these PA speakers. Is that your plan? Ps: email me at gairman1@gmail.com
@@gair1944 Me too! I have Yamaha and Epi acoustic guitars, 3 Juan Estruch classical guitars from Spain made in the 60's, and,.....a Tele!
But the real question is, how do vocals sound on them, as most of us sing and play at gigs so I'm hoping the bose would be better.....?
The Bose sounds better for vocals and it disperses better and has a hole in the bottom for a pole-mounted stand. I am very self-critical of my vocals which is why I haven't ever done a demo, but your comment reminds me I need to do that. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the info on the Bose having a hole for a pole-mounted stand, I have the Fishman Charge and since I’m primarily a vocalist and play harp I’ll have to try out the Bose.@@gair1944
@@RadiantJasmin glad to help!
Great work. I like them both. I’m a Bose guy, but they are pricey..
The Bose has proven its value to me over many years of gigging it costs more up front but is well worth it.
@@gair1944 is the Bose S1 loud enough for vocals when busking outdoors?
@@thirdgearband Depends on how far you need to project. But for up close, sure. Y
@@gair1944 do the batteries last quite some time and how much are replaceable ones? For the S1 Pro Bose
@@thirdgearband no idea about cost. I’ve done 5-6 hours before and never ran out of juice
The Bose in my opinion gets muddy. The Fishman has more clarity. I listened a few days apart to see if I could feel differently. I would suggest Grace Design Flix or Alix. That studio quality preamp can dial any amp or speaker into perfection.
Thanks Benjamin. The Grace Felix or Alix are top of the line preamps. The thing is, my Baggs Anthem is an active pickup with a preamp. How many preamps can you run ..and then into an amplifier with its own preamp?
Gary Roberts I’ve had the Baggs Anthem before. It’s a great pickup. I’m just leaning toward a Alix, Reverb Pedal, and PA Speaker. Most amps like the Fishman, Bose, etc color the sounds. Alix is neutral and the PA speaker would generally run flat allowing you to shape the sound.
Gary Roberts Have you tried your guitar straight into a QSC K8.2?
@@bjamminsincebirth3494 Yes I have. I think the 8.2 needs a preamp. It is very good. But definitely benefits from preamp in front of it. Is that what you use?
Gary Roberts No I use the Alix with a MXR M300 Reverb pedal. I don’t have a speaker yet. I’m on the hunt. I tried the Bose S1. I use to own the L1. I’m just really picky when it comes to sound. 😂
Do you have any knowledge or have you ever compared the fishman to the Boss singer acoustic amp.
I demoed the boss singer in a store once. It didn’t quite compel me to consider it but it was decent
@@gair1944 thank you sir. I just bought the 60 watt boss singer. I'll soon get to see first hand. As for fishman vs bose s1 I like the fishman sound better. Thanks again and happy holidays.
@@ttaurus393 I’ll bet you will enjoy the Boss Singer very much
@@gair1944 thanks again my friend.
Cmon! The Bose sounds much nicer and clearer.
I am a fan of the Bose as an overall gigging system.
I think either one is the very limit for doing a live gig. I think the fish man artist or preformer would be much better but don’t know what Bose has that’s comparable. It’s not so much the power but the woofer size
I love my loudbox mini
is 5:33 when you start to solo, an original song? sounds great
Fishman is more pure authentic...Bowes is far too cloudy and bassy.....i use Fishman..the best....thanks for reinforcing what i already knew....Fishman for the solo singer songwriter who knows his/her stuff...no rookies here.....
Thanks! Which Fishman Loudbox do you use? I am checking out the loudbox Artist tomorrow. I want to compare to the loudbox mini.
Hi, I watched reviews and read reviews were people were complaining that the Bose vocal channel does not get anywhere near as loud as the music channel ! Many have said that the underpowered vocals on the bose is a deal-breaker for them !!!!
Guy Homes in my experience the Fishman vocal channel on the mini charge is barely adequate in terms of overall sound and tone. I would choose the Bose S1 Pro every time for “small” close quarters. I use a Bose L1 Compact for 99% of my shows however. The Bose S1 Pro is for me intended for home use, monitoring or super small events
i am able to confirm. Fishman for gigging and busking. Easier to use, nicer more natural acoustic tone AND voice , nicer reverb and louder.
Bose is not crap, but looses in direct comparation for my taste and is double price.
Great feedback! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Excellent arrangement! Get on Patreon and sell some harts and tabs I'd buy them. Nice
The Bose by an XL Country Mile
Anyone know what the Bluetooth streaming is like?????
Bose sounds better to my ears.
It isn’t trust me
I think the Fishman sounds more like a acoustic should sound the Bose has more low end how do they sound with a nylon string guitar? I’m buying the Fishman mini I think 🤔
OK are they both wireless with recharge battery??? thats the question that needs to be answered.
Hey I have a boss vocal harmonizer pedal. Can I hook that up to the fishman? It is battery powered as well. Thank you.
thanks
Is Bose adding 48v phantom capabilities? What's the best way to get by with my existing S1 in the meantime?
I found this video because I searched something about Bose S1, but on my studio monitors surprisingly Fishman sounds better like Bose. I will made decision between Aer, Acus, Eae, Bose ... and now I heared this Fishman mini, which in version without battery could be a very nice option :) Thank you for this review.
I agree. The Fishman Mini Charge sounds better for acoustic guitar. For performing Live shows, the Bose is better overall because it is superior for vocals. But for just acoustic guitar amplified, I believe the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge sounds best.
@@gair1944 I need superior vocal channel, so we will see, thank for information.
My pleasure to help! I am glad it was helpful.
@@gair1944 Hi Gary, quick question on the vocals, do find the Bose significantly better on vocals or is it a subtle thing? Is the reverb not more natural on the Fishman?
Both vocal and guitar sound are important to me for remote shows and small gigs. I'm very much leaning towards the Fishman as the natural sound on acoustics is just awesome, but wanted to know if the difference on vocal is major or not. About to purchase today but thought i'd message in case you happen to be online.. Thanks!
Ash Radford yes vocals are significantly better on the Bose S1. By a large margin. Not even close. I would never recommend the Fishman mini charge for vocals.
They both sound great but the Fishman does sound more natural. The Bose is bass heavy. The Fishman has more mid presence. I would try running them together.
Great idea. I got sidetracked with some other things but need to try that. I'll report back
Gary, how do you like that PRS semi hollow ?
The PRS 594 semi hollow is in a class to itself. Absolutely superb, world class amazing guitar. So versatile!! Plays like a dream!
I brought a fishman because of the natural sounding effects
Gary, is there a way to plug in a headset in the FISH?
the Fishman have more presence, effects, medium EQ, Phase , the Bose is only loud and only have treble ,bass and you can play louder with backing track ,and microphone , there are bigger PA system 100 watts(acid batteries) for 300 dollars and sound like the Bose..i prefer the Fishman mini for a good sound in the guitar. i can elevated the quality's sound of microphone with TC mic mechanic pedal that work with batteries
Did you ever have to change the battery on the Fishman?
No I never have.
Gday Gary are the fish man loudbox sound any good I’m looking at getting the larger one? Could I plug a guitar microphone and stomp pedal in them
The Fishman loudbox Performer is an amp I used professionally for a few years. It’s not the last word for vocals but that model or the Artist are the only too I would use for guitar “and vocals “. I prefer ether projection of the Bose L1 compact and the new Bose L1 Pro8. I get better nearfield monitoring for myself and the off axis projection is profoundly even. But those are a
Lot more $$$.
The Bose is a speaker system is that right?
@@joe_casinoacoustic1773 Yes the Bose L1 Compact and Bose L1 Pro8 has a subwoofer module and an extension pole where the high frequency speakers are on the top. Here is a link to a video I made 10 Minutes after I got the Bose L1 Pro8: th-cam.com/video/jF-UQeiF0-c/w-d-xo.html