PA on a budget

[Timbo]

So here's the deal, I'm in a band with three other musicians. We're 17 years old, and we're as broke as you'd expect a 17 year old to be. We need a PA system very badly and have been looking around for a good blend of quality/price point.

We're thinking probably around 700 dollars is what we'll be able to muster for everything. I don't see the shows exceeding 200 people any time soon. If you guys could help point me in a good direction I'd be greatly appreciative.

I called my bass teacher about it, and he called a trumpet player he recorded/gigged with. (Stevie Wonder's trumpet player or ex-trumpet player) He suggested a Behringer 1832 mixing board, and either JBL or Mackie speakers and to go refurbished. I could probably get that within the budget but I'd only be able to pick up one speaker running at like 400 watts or close.

Help?

[spencer]

If you need a P.A. system then you should be making money when you use the P.A. system.. I.E. a GIG..

[Timbo]

yeah we're gonna hold a
"Buy us a PA!" show. But would like some help on the direction to look towards.

We also plan to start playing a lot of kickbacks and partys. The point of this for us isn't really to make money it's moreso just to enjoy the hell out of Senior year. If we can make some money doing that that'd be even better.

[Snakeman1066]

Hit the pawn shops! You can usually find a used P.A. at a decent price...Also some stores sell their old rental units cheap as well. Buying used is going to get you more for your money....try churches in your area as well they may have upgraded recenty and have an old one for sale. Check Craiglist, the local weekly shopper (Thrifty Nickel etc.) paper etc. they are out there and there are bargains to be had! That said however a quick search turned this up

1. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...age?sku=630544



and this...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...age?sku=600158



and this...

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Phonic-P...88-i1395802.gc




Basically i found a butt load of P.A. packages in the below $700.00 dollar range but most of them are 400 watts or less

as i said before look around for used you will get more for your money....there is always a band that just broke up looking to unload...

[Timbo]

Thanks!

I didn't even think about old rental PAs.

400-500 watts is probably going to be enough.

[Bard2dbone]

The rig in my practice room is a used 12-channel board from a Mom and Pop store that had taken it in as a trade in on a Peavey board. Cost me $75.

The speakers are a pair of CGM floor wedge monitors from a guy whose band broke up and je had a garage sale. Cost me $50

The power amp is a little Nady amp that I found on the 'Stupid Deal of the Day' on Musicians Friend. $ 79 counting shipping.

No, it's not enough to gig with. But it is enough to run my guitar amp modeler and my keyboard through for practice and jam purposes. And it was dirt cheap.

[Wesley R]

2nd buy used
3rd try to make at least one item something that will not need upgrading soon.

I just helped some local guys (way younger than I ) get an old CS800 for less than 200, some home brew cabs with a 15" and a horn for 125, and a used peavey little mixer for 75. Loud and functional, not lovely, not superb but loud enough and functional. Shop, young man shop!

[Timbo]

It's summer so I have time to scour for deals instead of do homework.

Could you guys give me a list of some PA brands of quality vs not-so much.

IE for basses Qual- sadowsky/fender/peavey cirruses/etc/etc
not qual-etc..etc..

help me narrow down my spectrum. The only good brands I realy know of now is JBL and Mackie