
The Line 6 G55 arrived ahead of schedule (I do love the big A). With one gig under it's belt, it proved itself already.
The initial post of the Line 6 G55 was a run down of the parts ordered. Here, I walk thru the open box and voice my impressions on the first gig using the G55.
First, a run down of the parts.
First, a run down of the parts.
The main unit (the receiver) feels solid and weighty. Line 6 gives the customer the option of which feet to put on the unit - large or small. I chose the large feet.
The 1/4 to TA4F cable that comes with the G55 was heavily critiqued and as a result, I purchased the Sure WA304 to replace it - a right angle 1/4 to TA4F cable. However, upon holding both cables, the quality of both cables looks similar. But the right angle on the Sure really makes sense. The Line 6 cable makes a great back-up cable.
The remote (wireless sending unit) feels metal, solid, and weighty - like the main unit. The battery door on the remote was mentioned more than a few times (on a few forums) as a problem. While I think Line 6 fixed the reported issue, the door is still a little weird. I use the remote in a Neotech Wireless Pouch so there is no worry about the door popping open during a performance - but when I was loading the remote into the Neotech pouch, the door popped open a few times.
Setting up the device was very simple. Plug in, pick a channel, and go. The remote device remembers the channel selected even after being turned off so unless some interference is encountered at a gig, the channel selection will not have to be messed with again.
The device worked perfect at a gig. Outdoors, later afternoon/night performance, with warm temperatures. I never once felt or heard a dropped signal. Moving all over the stage without signal loss.
The "Cable Tone Simulation" feature was not used. Well, I don't think it was used. I couldn't see the light flash on when I pressed the button. I couldn't tell if the simulation was on or off. I don't use pedals so my gut tells me I will run the device without the simulation. But I'd like to hear both side - maybe next gig.
One note - the battery. I purchased the eneloop XX rechargeable batteries as I didn't want to be at a loss come gig time. However, there were a few issues.
The 1/4 to TA4F cable that comes with the G55 was heavily critiqued and as a result, I purchased the Sure WA304 to replace it - a right angle 1/4 to TA4F cable. However, upon holding both cables, the quality of both cables looks similar. But the right angle on the Sure really makes sense. The Line 6 cable makes a great back-up cable.
The remote (wireless sending unit) feels metal, solid, and weighty - like the main unit. The battery door on the remote was mentioned more than a few times (on a few forums) as a problem. While I think Line 6 fixed the reported issue, the door is still a little weird. I use the remote in a Neotech Wireless Pouch so there is no worry about the door popping open during a performance - but when I was loading the remote into the Neotech pouch, the door popped open a few times.
Setting up the device was very simple. Plug in, pick a channel, and go. The remote device remembers the channel selected even after being turned off so unless some interference is encountered at a gig, the channel selection will not have to be messed with again.
The device worked perfect at a gig. Outdoors, later afternoon/night performance, with warm temperatures. I never once felt or heard a dropped signal. Moving all over the stage without signal loss.
The "Cable Tone Simulation" feature was not used. Well, I don't think it was used. I couldn't see the light flash on when I pressed the button. I couldn't tell if the simulation was on or off. I don't use pedals so my gut tells me I will run the device without the simulation. But I'd like to hear both side - maybe next gig.
One note - the battery. I purchased the eneloop XX rechargeable batteries as I didn't want to be at a loss come gig time. However, there were a few issues.
The black battery on the left is the eneloop XX AA battery. The gold battery on the right is the AA battery that came with the Line 6 G55 - looks to be a standard AA battery. The black line is my attempt to show the different diameter of the two batteries. The black line is the diameter of the eneloop XX battery. Copied and placed over the standard battery, you can see the eneloop XX measured line is larger. This is what I found in practice as well. The normal AA batteries would freely slide in and out of the G55 remote. The eneloop XX AA would not. I had to use pliers and force them out. |
This by itself is not a deal breaker. However, after the initial ten seconds of working with the eneloop XX, the remote would go dark. I could not figure it out. After trying a few times, I eventually had to use the normal batteries that came with the G55.
I will be looking into this issue. I need to use the rechargeable batteries.
All in all - I am very happy with the G55 device. I no longer need to mess with cables and I can set it up within minutes. Once I find the issue with the rechargeable batteries, I will be all set.
And yes, I still carry normal cables to all the gigs. The short few months I endured at age 10 as a cub scout taught me to be prepared for anything.
I will be looking into this issue. I need to use the rechargeable batteries.
All in all - I am very happy with the G55 device. I no longer need to mess with cables and I can set it up within minutes. Once I find the issue with the rechargeable batteries, I will be all set.
And yes, I still carry normal cables to all the gigs. The short few months I endured at age 10 as a cub scout taught me to be prepared for anything.