The Dark Lord

I'm playing a party in a pub function room this Saturday. And I need an electro acoustic for the gig. I used to have a Fender Kingman, but sold it on here! Can anyone on here help by lending me one - or even telling me where I can hire one anywhere from Southampton to Worthing? We have finally convinced the landlady that she doesn't need a licence for a three-piece for this gig. She has said okay, just so long as we play "those acoustic guitars that you plug in. None of them, electric ones". Aaaaaaaargh. Or is there somewhere I can buy a low value one? After putting all this effort in, we really want to do the gig, and I don't want to be the 2nd six strng acoustic player. For the sake of bass playing integrity - I need some help

[quote name='cupples' timestamp='1382556372' post='2253683'] Hi, a bit late to this thread. if money is truly not a concern, and you like the sound of the AER bass amp, how about the AER PA kit? Their prices are eye-watering, but I'm sure the kit is compact and powerful - something like the AER AS 550 top and sub would run you around USD12000 for two of each... I have no idea if they have a UK dealer, but it would be fun having a play with them :-) [/quote] This is an interesting idea. Mind you, it's difficult to figure them out, as they must have THE worst website of any manufacturer of anything. I'll look into this though.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1382539425' post='2253393'] I don't want to appear rude here but I certainly would be looking into to some basic skills of using a PA before investing heavily. [/quote] You appear rude.

Depends what we plug them through at the time - but use high pass all you like, you'll still hear the bass through the vocal mikes. Just less of it when you use a filter and the higher the setting (depending whose technology you are using) the more robotic the voices will start to sound. Nothing wrong with not using a filter.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1382515419' post='2252968'] ......... If you are only going to use them for vocals why buy the subs? They make very expensive stands and if you only use them for vocals they won't make a sound as you can't sing that low. You could also add them later if you decide to start putting bass and kick through your PA. [/quote] I understand what you are saying, but there is another point to consider. When you play in a pub, with the backline so close to the singers, the full range of the band (including drums, bass and guitar amps) will be picked up via the vocal mics and then projected into the room via the tops and subs. So, you do get value from having them. It's not massive, but it is in there and part of the whole sound mix. If you ever take a recoding out from the desk at a gig on one of the vocal channels, you'll hear what I mean. I may only get one sub for the moment - and add a second if it goes well.

American Standard Precision. Get one and get a seat at the top table of bass ownership - at the head of the table where the King sits. From about £500 used to £1050 new - so money is indeed no object for most people. No better bass. Accept no imitations. Strap on. Rock.

Yes indeed. When I say that cost is not the main criterion in this case, your bloke up there a couple of posts back is correct. What we're really after is something that is portable, powerful enough AND very easy to set up. I'm shifting towards the Mackie DLM thing. My guess would be 2 x DLM12 units as tops connected via poles to 2 x DLM12S units as subs. Then 2 x DLM8 units as monitors - all tied together by one of the DL806 mixers. That looks like a good option.

Thank you. Armed with the info above, I spoke to my mother in law's best matey who is the local county councillor for the ward where the pub is. She knew about the law change but double checked with her mate who is the Chairman of the licencing committee on the council. He said it would be fine and he said to tell me to call a particular officer at the council tomorrow to advise them of the event. In the meantime, council mate of mother in law is popping in to the pub (just so happens she's a regular there) to advise the landlord that all is fine. The pub actually does have an entertainments licence but I have been advised that this will not be relevant just so long as there less than 200 people there (there will be about 100) and that we don't play ouside the hours of 8 pm to 11 pm. All we have to do now is to get the pub to agree that all of that is fine but hopefully Mrs councillor will do that bit for me. Thans for the advice gents.

Hi Can anyway help me to find the right information? We've been booked to play a private party in a pub next Saturday. The client has just called up to say that we can only play as a duo - as the landlord says that he only has a licence for two musicians to perform. I spoke to an agent at tonight's gig. He tells me that law no longer exists (I did hear something about that). If it indeed no longer exists, I'd like to go down the venue tomorrow and show them evidence of the relevant law change and see if I can persuade him to let us play with the three of us (meaning that we can use the drummer instead of the drum machine). That'll make for a better gig. So, if you can point me to a web resource or something? Thanks in advance!

Hi Can anyway help me to find the right information? We've been booked to play a private party in a pub next Saturday. The client has just called up to say that we can only play as a duo - as the landlord says that he only has a licence for two musicians to perform. I spoke to an agent at tonight's gig. He tells me that law no longer exists (I did hear something about that). If it indeed no longer exists, I'd like to go down the venue tomorrow and show them evidence of the relevant law change and see if I can persuade him to let us play with the three of us (meaning that we can use the drummer instead of the drum machine). That'll make for a better gig. So, if you can point me to a web resource or something? Thanks in advance!

Best wishes to the drummer .......... however ........... there are plenty of dep drummers out there. We're playing with one tonight. This is actually the 2nd time we will have used this guy ..... and only the 2nd time we will have met him. Last time, we sent him the set with a few comments and notes, he turned up and played brilliantly for us. It was a 3 x 40 minute set with an encore of 15 mins. He charged us £66 for the privilege. He is a lot better than our normal drummer too ..... and he chips in with a 3rd vocal. Why don't you go down that route?

I can't remember saying, anywhere in this thread, that our budget is £3,000. I did say I don't want to spend another £2,800 on something that might not be loud enough. I suspect we have a notional budget of about £5K but, in reality, we will pay for the system that we think suits our needs the best. We will only really be placing vocals through the PA. Our drummer has three or four waaaaaay high quality kits and his kick is never in need of any amplification. I'm also not 100% sure of all of this talk of 18" subs and the like. You get some bands who like to deafen the audience. I play either 2 x Aer Amp Ones or a MiBass 550 via a Barefaced Compact. There is no way on any part of The Earth that you will need to put this via the FOH in a pub. Anyway, the vocal mikes will pick up the backline. Also, bandmate as a 40 Watt Hot Rod Deluxe which puts out more dB than your average 100 watt Marshall. Those, with a quality drum kit, need no re-inforcement. Also, with no separate sound man/woman, it's too complicated to try to lower the stage volume and put it all through FOH. Remember, the context here is a pub. From zero to 200 punters usually. 18" subs?

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1382119576' post='2248357'] Hi DL, The system belongs to our guitarist and he hires it out to other bands and for various functions. It all fits easily in the back of his Skoda estate and the speakers stack nicely for easy storage at home. It consists of 5 x DLM12s and 1 X dlm12s Sub. This is felxible enough for small vocal only gigs right up to larger full band and drums mic'd gigs. The DLM12s are used as monitors as well as FOH on poles, they are small, lightweight and very loud with built in eq, effects and feedback elimination. We usually have 2 x DLMs on poles for FOH and 3 more as stage monitors. The desk is the 16 channel one and it is absolutely brilliant to use, each band member can set their own monitor mix on their i-phone or i-pad. We have never felt the need to do that, but the option is there if required. The desk also stores settings, so EQ and effects can be saved for each instrument or vocal and these can be recalled instantly and then tweaked for different venues. You may not need so many DLM12s or the 16 channel mixer, but it's nice to have the options and with 5 DLM12s there's always a spare in case of a breakdown in one. It suits us and it has been used by a variety of other acts who have been very pleased with the sound, but it may not suit you and there is always an element of risk in such purchases. Ours came from gear4music here: [url="http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Mackie-DLM12-DL1608-Digital-PA-System/P1H"]http://www.gear4musi...l-PA-System/P1H[/url] Hope this helps. Steve. [/quote] Mr Redstriper, I have never come across you before, but this is a post intervention WIN !! Well done. You may now pass Go and collect £200. Except not from me. Thank you. I assume that you are happy with the tone of the whole thing and you don't find it in any way "dire"?

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1382118453' post='2248330'] It's not just Fender basses you can get a good tone out of ya know [/quote] Yes. I understand I am a bit blinkered when it comes to basses. It's just my thing. Having said that, I have noticed these Yamaha basses making good noises before. They are therefore approved by The Dark Lord ........ although maybe not in this Ganny's Nightgown winceyette blue colour.

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1382106977' post='2248104'] I disagree, although you could probably make it sound dire like any speaker if you tried hard enough We use 5 of them, (2 FOH, 3 monitors) along with a matching sub and the wireless i-pad mixer. It's a fantastic versatile system that sounds great in any venue with any band. Lightweight and powerful with excellent feedback elimination plus built in gates, compressors and effects. [/quote] So, do you have 2 x DLM12 on poles and 3 x DLM8 as monitors? Also, which one of the digital mixers did you go for - the 8 or the 16?

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1382106977' post='2248104'] I disagree, although you could probably make it sound dire like any speaker if you tried hard enough We use 5 of them, (2 FOH, 3 monitors) along with a matching sub and the wireless i-pad mixer. It's a fantastic versatile system that sounds great in any venue with any band. Lightweight and powerful with excellent feedback elimination plus built in gates, compressors and effects. [/quote] Thank you. This is a useful contribution. I may ask you a question or two if I can think of them!

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1382094191' post='2247790'] This is very much the niche we've been wanting to fill with our first PA cabs but we haven't had time to get any to market what with all the bass cab stuff. I strongly suspect that a modern lightweight power amp with DSP driving two Big Baby 2s could outperform many top + sub rigs at a fraction of the size and weight. DSP could be used for room space correction as well as EQ and crossing over to an optional sub for bigger/outdoor gigs. Anyone local want to test such a rig once we have some time? [/quote] Well, I'm only just west of Worthing Alex - and I am already a Barefaced user - so would love to do such a test. Can do it on a live band environment too.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1382095594' post='2247822'] This is where the thread is going to break down. It depends on the individuals definition of mutts nuts. [/quote] The thread isn't breaking down. I'm seeing lots of different opinions and helpful suggestions thank you very much!

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1382093153' post='2247754'] I'd be looking at the Mackie DLM series, or the QSC powered speakers. [url="http://www.mackie.com/products/dlmseries/lineup/"]http://www.mackie.co...mseries/lineup/[/url] [url="http://www.qscaudio.com/products/speakers/k_series/k_series_k10.php"]http://www.qscaudio...._series_k10.php[/url] [/quote] This is a good shout. I have considered keeping the Bose L1 plus its sub and using it behind the band - plus adding two Mackie DLM12 units on speaker stands as front of house. That would give us portability, welly, and great monitoring and versatility as we could decide which bits to take for which gig depending on the size of the room and required volume level. Also quote a cheap extra cash option at only £1500 or so as an addition.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1382091400' post='2247715'] I know that this doesn't quite answer the question but have you considered a decent quality normal PA and giving a 4th person ( roadie, light tech, sound man ) a cut of the gig money so you dont have the lifting etc to do ? [/quote] I know what you're saying. That would be an answer. But we like being a threesome. Less complicated communication and decision-making process.

[size=4]I'm on the horns of a dilemma.[/size] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]We want a compact PA system for our three piece pub rock / pop band.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]The band consists of two affluent business owners and a professional drummer. We have the money to buy whatever we want. The three main criteria are portability, sound quality and enough volume.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]For the last couple of years, we have been using 2 x Roland SA-300s as a stereo PA. We use it for vocals only. Very good sound and plenty powerful for the small to medium pub scene. Have been using 3 x Behringer B205D monitors of late (which are very good).[/size][/size][/font] [size=2][size=4][font="Helvetica"]However, the Rolands in their flight cases are bulky and heavy.[/font] [/size][/size][font=Helvetica]Time for hi-tech and portability.[/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]We have purchased a Bose L1 Model II cylindrical column with the big B2 bass bin and the T1 Tonematch system. This goes [i]behind[/i] the band and has a superb sound. But, even though Bose say it doesn’t – it feeds back at volume. It’s great for our quieter semi-acoustic gigs. Unbelievably easy to transport and set up. Fantastic sound quality – and our vocals improve as it sits behind us and we hear what the audience hear.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]We have considered getting a second one of these but we’re not 100 % convinced that just adding a second will give us enough power. I have provoked a technical discussion on the Bose L1 forum which has got me more confused. Apparently, according the main technical guru on there, we will only add 3dB of gain before feedback by adding a second unit.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]So, do we risk spending another £2,800 on the prospect of maybe having enough vocal volume?[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]Or, does someone have a suggestion? Great quality sound, very portable, loud enough for pub gigs up to about 300 people, money no object.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=4]I’m all ears.[/size][/size][/font]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1382044429' post='2247299'] I just assumed he was being 'ironic' [/quote] Nope. Not being ironic. Never heard of him. Come to think of it, I had vaguely heard of his signature bass, maybe. He's good though. Have Mr Big or any other bands he's been in ever bothered the charts?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1382035284' post='2247096'] That is Billy Sheehan on bass. I didn't like what he played OR his tone until I learned a Mr Big number, then had an 'ahhh!' moment. [/quote] ..... pause for a moment while I Google Billy Sheehan. Okay. Dun it. I might seek out more of this guy's playing. He plays good - and I really like the tone he is getting there.

Never heard of this lot. However, despite it not being my cup of tea musically and playing with fingers instead of a pick .... AND playing an un-Fender..... this dude is getting a good tone out his bass right there. I do like bands and songs where the bass is loud and in your face like this. We is not backing musicians. Bass should be right up there with the lead vocal and driving the chuuuunne. Looks like a Yamaha something or other. Difficult to see if you is playing through a Hartke or a Fender rig. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vef-tMatGs&feature=share

Good job.