I’m starting to come down from the mountain & distill my thoughts a bit on this whole Big Sur thing. I thought that a place to share thoughts, reflections, & things we learned - both technically & personally - might be a benefit to the whole forum.
The beginnings were simple & humble.
I’ll start in with something I learned Sunday night that meant a lot. Cliff & Ken started the quest for the L1 with a simple meeting to decide how they could help musicians. That is a pretty lofty goal, & started with a simple conversation. It wasn’t a high-powered board meeting with marketers & engineers, just a simple meeting between two friends to talk about the problems we all face as musicians. Knowing that this wonderful system we get so much from started from such humble beginnings gives me a nice warm fuzzy.
Just try it.
The other thing I learned was that the first concepts Cliff had for a line array “cylindrical radiator” speaker were looked on by the Bose engineers as a bad idea. If Cliff hadn’t already created a prototype that worked, the idea may have died as just that - an idea. But Cliff had a very direct & child-like way of looking at it - something we can all learn a lesson from. He said, “Just try it.” Can you imagine that a speaker as meaningful to us as musicians came from someone experimenting with sound concepts & saying, “Just try it.” The Bose engineers did try it, & lo & behold, it worked! That lesson became a personal motto for us at Big Sur when dealing with folks who have never heard the L1 & are only concerned with the concept & the specs. Jussst Tryyy Iiiit… It works for a lot of things in life, & is a great way to understand the engineer’s mind.
What I learned in Big Sur is that I wasn’t even remotely prepared for what swallowed me up and spit me onto an eastbound jet 3 days later, stunned and mesmerized. What was that? What just happened to me?
I said to Tom here that this post would probably be the safety valve blowing, finally, for all of us. I’m still pressurized and compressd from it all, but such a thread, I think, will be the vehicle we all need to get the True Story of this 3-day supernova out not just for us but for all to enjoy and learn from. Thanks Tom for lighting the fuse.
Oh Boy, what fun.
I learned about Clarity. Clarity about what this system is, clarity about the purity of music, clarity about life.
Clarity about what this system is -
Here’s something I posted to the AD forum* a couple days ago.
Our product & our company is different. This is reflected in everything we do, from design to sales to customer service. The design was based on a philosophy of creating something to make live music better & simpler. The sales is based on a transparency that we are here to help more than to make zillions of dollars. The service is that we will teach the customer how to use & enjoy the system through personal training & unmatched access to the wealth of knowledge on our forums, & we will take care of them if anything goes wrong.
Clarity about the purity of music -
One of the most striking moments in our entire meeting occurred late in the afternoon on Tuesday. After remaining quiet for most of the event, David Schiffman of the Big Sur Natives spoke so eloquently about music & how the L1 lets us deliver it that he took our collective breath away. I am in hopes that a transcript will be posted when it is made of his few but piercing words. He spoke to what music fulfills in all of us & to our need to share it & spread it to all. He spoke to the desire to get it from the heart out into the world unfettered & pure. He was grateful that the L1 allowed him to do this so transparently that the purity could chime through. It almost stopped my heart.
Here is a link to what he said: David Schiffman quote
Clarity about life -
It’s not too hard to see what impact these thoughts have on your life if you let them. (I’m writing this with tears streaming down my cheeks.) Life really is about the bonds you build & share with others. It is about the beauty that music pours into our lives & flows all around. It is about that ethereal thing called love & the genuine thoughts & feelings that weave all around it - music, love, peace, soulfullness. Ahh…a little decompression…
*For those of you who don’t know the AD’s. AD’s are " Assisted Direct" sales representatives. We are scattered throughout the country as representatives of Bose who give Bose a personal face in your neighborhood. We’ll give you a knowledgeable demonstration of the system in your own practice space or venue & help you understand how to set up & use the system. We are a wonderful local resource for you. You’ll see us all over the forums here. We’re frequent posters & were chosen because we had a desire to help & a thorough understanding of the L1. Here’s a list of the guys: Assisted Direct Sales Reps
[edited to add David Schiffman link]
The guys who run this company are all genuine guys with a real concern for music & making it.
I think you could already figure this out with a speaker as good as the L1, but I wasn’t prepared to find out that these guys are all giants of men - but humble & equally as respectful of you & willing to see you as a giant to them. That’s uncommon in my experience & very much a pleasant surprise.
Also they are a small company in this division - LMTG (Live Music Technology Group), & very much a startup. The guys you see & interact with on the forum are the majority of employees, & very much WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get). There is no hidden agenda or ulterior motive.
This makes me feel much more a part of them & proud to know them & use their products.
There’s a TON of technology & engineering packed into the L1.
It’s deceptive that something so simple is full of engineering theory & technology. The cylindrical radiator waveform was highly theoretical before this application in the L1. Each of the guys in LMTG is a very accomplished engineer - some with patents to their names. The experimentation that led to the L1 was backed with the knowledge & understanding of thousands of hours of study & contemplation about sound. It wasn’t an accident that this speaker was invented, but a culmination of thought & dreams.
The amazing thing is that it is so simple - one speaker, very few controls, great sound.
It’s not about what you play, but how you play it.
This is pretty obvious to a lot of musicians, but it was really driven home to me in Big Sur. When I played my set on Tuesday I connected with the group in a way that was very gratifying. I was tired, I bobbled a lot of notes on the guitar, but my heart was in the right place. Ken told me that there were two ways to measure a performance - technically & emotionally. Technically I knew I hadn’t given my best performance, but emotionally I couldn’t have been more into it & connected to my audience.
I know I’ve found this in the studio, but it’s a lesson I don’t mind learning again & again. Get into your performance & the audience will follow you. The passion you feel for the music is directly related to the passion the audience feels for the music, & by extension - for you.
Where do I start?
Here’s a teenyweeny of what I learned:
“you’re a musician, like it or not” (thanks David Schiffman). Implied: “so get out there and play, stupid.” Amen, brother. I’m on it.
Examples of the great team player’s attitude made real:
1. Ken Bausano, after levelling everyone with a stunning trumpet solo. He waved off the applause everyone was rousing. I know why too. It was "stop that and listen to the music"
2. Steve Miller got up and just sang. It wasn’t The Steve Miller the undeniable Monster American Icon, but rather Steve the singer in the band. It was a thrill to learn this about such a personable and delightful man: he’s totally transcended his enormous celebrity, a very difficult accomplishment. Wow.
3. Aaron Stone’s playing. This guy truly played for the band, for the song, and not to hear his instrument.
4. ST and The Joseph, set it all up so others could make the play. Bravo.
So, dribs and drabs are starting to emerge for me.
This forum has inestimable value.
I knew the guys on this forum were going above & beyond to help others, but I didn’t know it was also because they are genuinely concerned for others. If you are new to the L1 & new to the forum, take advantage of the expertise & kindness you will find here. We are all willing to help you & know our craft.
The biggest factor in this stems from the fact that we were all drawn here because we recognized excellence & caring in the engineering & design of this product. Goodness begets goodness, & the caliber of the L1 drew the caliber of musicians that are here to help on this forum.
The Bose engineers are genuinely interested in you.
I was just amazed that the Bose guys (Cliff, Ken, Kyle, Chris, Guy, & Wiggy) were honestly interested in my opinions of the L1 & its design & engineering. Of course this makes for a better company & a better product, but it doesn’t speak to their sincerity or personal attention - that goes way beyond.
Isn’t it obvious in our world that the personal interactions we make can define us & make our lives richer? The Bose guys seem to understand this intuitively.
Seeing the sights & experiencing great things make life worthwhile.
Don’t we all know this, but aren’t we so afraid to let it happen to us?
Go out & live life.
Put yourself in challenging situations with the possibility of greatness.
Surround yourself with beauty in your eyes, your ears, your heart.
Take chances.
Show respect for others.
Take a trip - spiritually or physically.
Go outside yourself.
Give all your attention to another being.
Dance.
Play.
Joseph! Buddy!
Wow, great to hear from you.
I’ve got a VG pickup on my Ibanez GB10 running into my VG-99. Every time I look at that thing I think of you. (remember our conversation about the GB-10 years ago)? I’d still love to get my hands on a Teuffel Birdfish. Does your buddy still have his?
Wow, just wow. That was six years ago we all met in Big Sur. Six years ago - four days ago.
That was a life changer.
I’m doing just great. Feel better physically than I did back then, playing more, having more fun overall. Doing well.
How are you?
Great to hear from you, Joseph! I’m doing great, too!
Hi Joseph, ST, and Tom. Good to see that everyone is well. Big Sur was amazing and an event that won’t be forgotten.
Great to see you back on the forum briefly, Kyle! I sure miss the old days!
We hiked here today and thought of you all!
Hey Tom! Boy, they really turned that place upside down since we’ve been there! Hope you (and everyone) is well!
We drove over to the cabins and down to the road to the studio as well. Felt like old times! I tried to look up Joseph and Brock with no luck.
Hi Tom, Kyle,
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Seven years ago - whew.
Hey Wanna help me celebrate 10 years?
Yah, ST, it’s weird being here without the group. Thanks again for inviting me!
It has been seven more years. I'm thinking of you all today during this COVID time. Just happened to mention this thread to a friend, and I had to revisit all our comments to make sure I didn't do this in another life. Best to you!