General Music Chat

I rented a PA. system. Lights, Two trees & A Roadie light for the front floor. $175.00. for two days. Had well over $200.00 after transportation. Thats close to half of our pay gone for rent. Only need a few power amps, graphics, effects. to complete full PA. The lights for two trees & controls were around $40.00. Thats not so bad a $. Roadie light cost $18.00. In my opinion, It pays to Own. You can get some good deals on PA amps. [Would you put the money from your gigs toward equipment? Or would you Rent?] Got a three day show out of it, So it turned out to be a great Memorial day weekend. And my throat {Pipes} can use a break. Find a deal in order to own your own equipment guys......Peace.

Hey VB,

Glad you guys had a "giggin " holiday...I hope to make it up your way to hear ya sometime this summer... I was playin at the Vandalia all weekend..Yeah , when ya first read how much it costed ya to rent everything, it doesnt seem that bad really...BUT, after 5-6 gigs, it starts takin its toll...Ive never been in a local band that rented so I really never knew what it was like to give up an "extra" chunk of pay to go for renting...Ive been on both sides meaning Ive owned the PA, lights etc and not charged the band for the purchase , hauling or upkeep of the PA..AND Ive takin advantage of being the user also so in my local band exp., its prolly evened out.Many bands try the old proverbial taking $$$ out of each gig to pay for the PA and everyone has part ownership....Oldtimers, how often does that work??? Thats a RED FLAG that comes up in coversation when I call about joining a band...I run for the hills...The youngins seem to be doing that alot around here...They play places where subs and LOTS of pwr are needed and often times are playin venues where there only playin 1-2 sets and only for one nite...Yeah , a youngin called about 6months ago to hire me and thought nothing of the fact that it would take me 5-6 gigs to "buy" into the band...If a band stays together long enough to actually play 5-6 gigs with the same musicians, thats a miracle nowdays ...Technology has insisted that we "keep up" nowdays so the days of buyin old used PA gear is a thing of the past...BUT, buyin new gear nowdays is alot cheaper than it was having to buy it 20 yrs ago retail before computers...Stores, including us, pretty much have to match the internet price....So yes VB , I say BUY also....

John

Couple a things...

You guys should be getting more money!

Secondly, owning is great until you haul all that stuff around, set it up and tear it down, and have to repair parts - one time too many. That's why I went to renting. It's WONDERFUL to have lights and sound that show up at the gig by themselves, get set up, run and taken down by people besides ME!

Makes it totally worth the rental price and then some.

So Irminsul, I need a 'sound man' that is not only good, But also owns his own equipment for live shows. Rental in this area, You have to transport, setup & tear down yourself. Then return equipment on time. I see your point now. [A Good SoundMan] ???? Lights, etc.