In short, yes. You can switch between multiple instruments with only one wireless guitar system. Some systems are straightforward, while others can take a bit more time. There are a few different ways you can switch instruments with one wireless depending on your wireless system.
But first, you need to know that wireless guitar systems typically come with two units, the receiver, and the transmitter.
The receiver- The unit that attaches to your pedalboard or amp.
The transmitter The unit that attaches to your instrument/strap/belt/pocket/etc.
3 Ways To Change Instruments With A Wireless Guitar System
Have a different wireless receiver and transmitter on a different frequency for each guitar/bass. (not recommended, far more expensive)
Have a separate transmitter on the same frequency with one receiver already attached to each individual instrument.
Swap your transmitter to each instrument. (highly recommended, more details below)
All of us musicians know that when you’re on stage, the time it takes between songs to change an instrument or set up your wireless matters. Nobody wants to kill the buzz for taking too long fiddling with a wireless system mid-show.
The question should be… Which wireless guitar units are more convenient or how to make the wireless system I prefer/use more convenient to swap instruments?
I guess that your researching if you can use multiple instruments for a wireless system to figure out if you should take the step to get a wireless for the first time. Yet, you use various instruments, and you’re unsure how swapping instruments with a wireless system works.
We were able to formulate two categories between wireless systems that are easiest for instrument swap, and wireless transmitters easy to switch with Neotech Wireless Pouch attached to each instruments strap. This article will also specify how to have an easy instrument swap depending on the wireless system you are using.
The Most Convenient Wireless Guitar Systems For Instrument Swap (Combination Plug Transmitters)
Below is a list of the wireless guitar systems that are the most convenient for swapping instruments. These systems have tiny transmitters called combination plugs that plug directly into your instrument. All of these units work on the same simple steps in terms of trading instruments.
The reason they are so easy to change is that there are no extra cables attached. The combination plug transmitter plugs directly to the instrument such as the picture below.
Take transmitter out of instrument you’re done with.
Plug transmitter into the new instrument you’re about to use. (Just like you would with a cable)
Play
List of Wireless Systems With Combination Plug Transmitters For Easiest Instrument Swap.
Example pic of line 6 G10, the part circled is the transmitter which is the unit you plug into the guitar.
In broad terms, the list above is for new musicians that are only looking for a cheaper wireless solution to practice with or play smaller shows. It has the most affordable, and in most cases, the easiest to use wireless systems.
The Wireless system I recommend for smaller to medium shows in this category is the Line 6 G10. I have personally owned the G10 for a reasonable period of my life. I can tell you without hesitation, it works VERY well for the price and it’s by far the most convenient and easy to use wireless system I have ever owned.
The wireless I recommend for strictly practice use is the Joyo Jw-01. The reason being is, far too many people have rated this the best bang for your buck. Reviews suggest it has quality tone with strong signal strength.
Easiest Way To Switch Instruments With a Body Pack Transmitter (Using Only 1 Transmitter)
Example of a bodypack transmitter
You may be asking yourself, “Why should I get a different wireless system than the combination plugs mentioned in the previous category?” Although the 1st list has the most convenient and easy to use wireless systems, the higher grade pro level units are all bodypack transmitters mentioned below.
We will specify more on what makes a better wireless guitar system later on in this article. In order to change a single transmitter to multiple instruments as easy and affordable as possible, you will need a separate Neotech Wireless Pouch attached to each instruments strap. However, the Pouch is not required if you prefer putting your transmitter in your back pocket.
Neotech Wireless Pouch
A pic of my personal Neotech pouch, I use it for more than just easier instrument swap. I taped the top in case it slides but it is definitely not needed
Here is a pic of my personal Neotech Wireless Pouch. If you want to have an easy swap of instruments using one wireless system, the cheapest and most effective way to do so is by attaching 1 of these pouches to each of your guitar or basses straps. The pouch costs about $15, which is significantly cheaper than any other route to using multiple instruments with a wireless system.
The Neotech pouch is very simple and self-explanatory to use. Not only does it make it far more convenient to change instruments, but it also protects your wireless transmitter from impact, falling off your strap, moisture/sweat damage.
Wireless Systems Under $200: Needing Pouch for Easy Guitar Swap
If you are a local musician in need of a budget-friendly wireless system while using the Neotech Pouch for holding your wireless transmitters to swap instruments, then the list below is the choice for you. There are two great units on this list for the price such as the Line 6 G30 and the Nady U-1100.
The wireless instrument system I recommend on this list is the Line 6 G30. I have actually owned and toured with the G30 for a period in my life. It has excellent sound clarity and reliability for the affordable price at $190. In my honest opinion, the Line 6 G30 is the only wireless system under $200 that is reliable enough to tour with. I don’t necessarily recommend traveling with the Line 6 G30, but it will get you by.
Pro Grade Wireless Systems Over $300: Needing Pouch for Easy Instrument Swap
If you are a serious musician looking for a wireless system that has strong reliability, durability, exceptional tonality, and range, you’re going to need a system in this category. Unfortunately, these units run anywhere from $300 and up. Trust me; they are well worth the extra dime if you play out often.
On this list I have used 2 of the wireless systems, the Line 6 G50 and I currently still own and use the Shure GLXD 16. Both of these systems are top of the line, but I don’t think I’ll ever be more satisfied with a wireless unit than I am with the Shure GLXD 16.
What Makes A Wireless System Good?
There are multiple factors when determining a good wireless guitar system.
Reliability -Signal strength, little to no dropouts
Durability- Able to last long/withstand touring conditions
Tone- Does it negatively affect guitar or bass tone compared to a quality cable
Range- Able to have a strong signal to cover a big stage, or perform in the crowd
“I have too many reasons why I believe no professional musician should look any further for a wireless than the Shure GLXD 16, So I made a list”
Why I Recommend the Shure GLXD 16
My pedalboard, Shure GLXD-16 bottom right
The Tone Is Flawless- I tested it between my Mogami cable and the wireless, no difference.
Durability– Most units I personally owned died by sweat damage or parts of the transmitter will break from either impact or touring conditions. The Transmitter comes in Metal casing, add the Neotech Wireless Pouch to protect it from moisture/more impact.
Signal Strength/Reliability- ZERO DROPOUTS. For the year I have had it, big stage, small stage, tall stage, bar, brick, etc ZERO DROPOUTS. (If that changes on any of my upcoming shows I will come back to correct this) It has continuous interference monitoring and automatic frequency switching that eliminates signal interruption.
Convenience- GLXD 16 is a tuner as well, when I bought this I returned my $97 Poly Tune tuner. Works just as good as it, a 2 in one deal.
Battery life- 16 hours of battery life per charge(most out of every wireless). Unlike the Line 6 G50, you don’t have to buy extra batteries for this wireless. I save roughly 5 dollars a week.
Range- The range is 200 feet radius which is great for a digital wireless unit. Me and the guitarist have a part in our show where we do a solo battle in the crowd. There have been many times with the other units I had would cut out when I reach a certain point, it has not happened yet with the GLXD 16.
Rare Combination/Competitive Price – Usually mid-high level grade wireless units lack 1 or 2 of the following. Especially for the price.
Please don’t believe every article you read online, Check the reviews yourself for the Shure GLXD 16 here
If you’re looking for over-ear headphones, see our top picks here.
Line 6 Relay G70 Not only a pedal wireless guitar system that also has an integrated tuner, but the Line 6 G70 is 5 different pedals in 1. Wireless Guitar...
Sennheiser XSW-D Pedalboard Set The Sennheiser XSW-D with a built-in tuner operates in the globally unlicensed and unrestricted frequency band of 2.4GHz. It uses digital diversity,...
