Request for help - music gear related for the troops

vicenzajay · #1 04-20-2008, 02:07 PM

Hey guys...I have a request for some help. (posted over on the homerecording.com bbs as well).

I'm being deployed to the middle east for a year (leaving in a week), and in the course of preparation for this, I've been talking to a few of the people I might be replacing (obviously, assignments get changed in the command I am heading to, so I don't know where I'll end up).

In any case, I've been talking to an individual residing in the camp at Fallujah...I might very well be replacing him, but I don't know that for a fact. As luck would have it, he is also very interested in music and plays the guitar/sings. This has translated into his leading a worship band for the chapel services there (80 people or so a service) as well as helping organize the band efforts for several talent-show pickup rock bands sponsored by MWR there within the camp.

Here's the problem...they need some usable gear as they are "dying on the vine" so to speak. They have no guitar amp (using a beaten up keyboard combo right now) and their bass amp is a single 15" model that farts badly and is very undependable.

Of course I was excited to hear about the effort to provide a musical outlet (and the worship band effort as well). In fact, I'm really hoping that I actually do replace this particular individual as I can help cover some of what he's doing musically for the camp as well. I told him I would at least post the musical gear "needs" on the forums I frequent in order to see if they could get some help.

I suppose the help I'm requesting has to do with finding some usable amplifiers to send these guys....used, a bit broken in, new, it's all good....I can't afford to just buy 2 or 3 new amplifier systems myself to mail over there...but I thought that putting this out there might yield some help from someone with that "extra - sitting in the corner" item that they might be willing to send over. I would be willing to donate toward this effort as well if the best thing might be to "group-purchase" something and send it over there directly. From what he tells me, it's taking about 2 weeks to send packages his way (sometimes as much as a month) - really not too long of a transit time given the situation.

Anyway, if anyone has an idea or thinks they might want to help - great. If not, no worries - at least I tried. Reading his messages again, perhaps ideally it would be best to try to get them two guitar amps (one for the chapel) and one for the MWR/rehearsal stuff - and at least one bass amp....it seems the musicians are actually having instruments from home sent to them...so he didn't mention any "instrument" needs at all.

Thanks for reading this in any case...I actually leave in a week, so if something is coordinated after that timeframe, I'll have my wife relay the camp's MWR address, etc. for shipping the stuff.

Cheers,
Jay

vicenzajay · #2 04-22-2008, 01:09 AM

Getting some decent response on homerecording.com/bbs for guitar/PA gear....but not a peep here at all.

Surprising, really.

anyone at all?

Jay

vicenzajay · #3 04-29-2008, 06:22 PM

Getting a lot of response to help out from the homerecording crowd - http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...d.php?t=262721 - guitar/pa/cables/mics/di's/strings/etc. all covered. Still nothing as far as bass amplification is concerned, however - thought I'd bump this up to see if anyone is interested in helping out.

Jay

roadkill2309 · #4 05-01-2008, 04:05 PM

I've got a beat-to-hell EMC 215, but I can't afford to post it and I don't know how I'd box it. If we can work it out together, I'll find a way to get it to you.

**Thor** · #5 05-01-2008, 04:25 PM

You can send stuff parcel post and it is only charged inland US parcel post rates. We sent a lot of stuff last year to a bro in Fallujah pretty cheap.

Sorry to say I don't have any extra amps around, if I run into something I'll ship it. Be sure to leave a link to get the FPO address and whatnot.

This is easier to do than shipping a bass for sure.

tombowlus · #6 05-02-2008, 09:13 AM

I'm sure I can find something to send over, say a head and a cab? Would that do? Do they have other needs?

Tom.

**Thor** · #7 05-02-2008, 10:49 AM

Nice offer, Tom! You are the MAN!

roadkill2309 · #8 05-05-2008, 08:33 AM

Forgetit. I checked with Canada Post about sending my behemoth. I just can't afford it. We don't have any postage specials up here for Iraq, since our troops are in Afghanistan...

**Thor** · #9 05-05-2008, 09:06 AM

That is a US deal as far as I can tell.

roadkill2309 · #10 05-05-2008, 08:53 PM

Yeah. Doesn't help me, though

BuffaloBass · #11 05-06-2008, 06:21 AM

Jay, Godspeed to you; keep your head down! ( I was lucky and went to summer camp for four years).

Only have two amps, no spares, but if you, or your wife, post your AFB addy, I can send some other trinkets.