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Good idea or bad idea?

Radical Edward

Radical Edward

Feb 22, 2010
263
0
38
Grand Rapids, MI
#1
So, my vocalist has a really amazing voice, she comes to band practice pretty regularly and drives from pretty far away to do it. She's pretty awesome..
However, she doesn't have the money to buy her own PA and mic right now, and we don't have one any longer for her. I feel like she's being left behind with where the band is going.
I was thinking if everyone in the band pitched in $20 or so towards a cheap PA for her, and if she could cover the rest we could at least get somewhere.. and maybe down the line do the same for some stuff that the guitarists need..? (Better amps)
Any opinions of this idea? I think it'll make us all feel more of a team and more like we've worked together to maintain our band and further it.
What do any of you think? Good or bad idea?
 
#9
electracoyote said:
So, you're a four-piece?

If you each pitch in $20.00, you might be able to get her a used Shure SM58.

I'm not sure what to say about the rest of your PA needs though.
Click to expand...

OH. I should've elaborated, myself. The man standing there is the old drummer. There's a new drummer from my side band and a new guitarist. So, there are 5 of us and I'm willing to pitch in a bit more for the sake of the band.
Imo, regardless if the band works out or not a few extra dollars here or there to jam and have a good time with friends is worth it, but .. I'm wondering if everyone else will go for it or not..

iri5h_punk21 said:
If you really think she's a good fit and she actually works and gets things done, I would consider it a good investment for a serious band. Other than that, no.
Click to expand...
She's better than most of the "professional" singers out there and the fact that she drives from so far away and works towards learning new stuff and asks lots of questions tells me she's dedicated. I don't want to lose her and then end up seeing her on TV some day and wondering why I ever let her go.
I'm not trying to brag, but honestly I feel really lucky to have her be a part of our band.
 
#10
Mikaela Ellinger said:
OH. I should've elaborated, myself. The man standing there is the old drummer. There's a new drummer from my side band and a new guitarist. So, there are 5 of us and I'm willing to pitch in a bit more for the sake of the band.
Imo, regardless if the band works out or not a few extra dollars here or there to jam and have a good time with friends is worth it, but .. I'm wondering if everyone else will go for it or not..
Click to expand...

Oh, you're a five-piece.

In that case, get her a NEW Shure SM58.

I'm still not sure what to say about the rest of your PA needs though.

Have you actually gone out and priced a decent PA system that will work for your band's needs?
 
#11
of all the things you might spend "band money" on, a practice PA is one of the more "legit" ones.

a mixer head, a mic or two, and a couple of speakers will make the difference between "rehearsing" and just "making noise in the basement".

buy used, buy cheap.
 
#12
electracoyote said:
Oh, you're a five-piece.

In that case, get her a NEW Shure SM58.

I'm still not sure what to say about the rest of your PA needs though.

Have you actually gone out and priced a decent PA system that will work for your band's needs?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I don't know much about PA's and such. If I can get everyone involved to agree, I think the best route would be to go to GC and try out quite a few and see what works best in our price range.
 
#15
Don't buy a PA as a "Band".

Someone in the band buy it for themselves and let the band use it free of charge for rehearsing. That way the question of "who owns what" doesn't arise. This is the way I do it - I've always had some sort of rehearsal/small gig PA since I got serious. I let the band use it for rehearsing, and if there's a small gig that it's suitable for I charge a nominal hire fee.

If it's just a microphone she needs, then I'd suggest everyone chip in and get her one as a birthday/christmas/kwanza/hannukah/ramadan/hogsmead gift.

Anybody who has been in the business for any length of time will tell you that co-ownership of band equipment is NOT a good thing. When the band dissolves, or someone leaves or is replaced it leads to a situation where everybody has a different idea regarding what the value of their share is.
 
#20
Jazz Ad said:
It really is a strange thing with singers that they never afford their own gear, at least a mic.
I mean, would you expect the band to pay for your bass?
Click to expand...

It just seems to have been the accepted norm, for the 30 years I've been gigging, that they're considered to have made a HUGE financial sacrifice and deserve congratulations and a pat on the head when they buy a $100 SM58.

Meanwhile I'm standing there with a Bass and rig worth anywhere up to 4 or 5 grand...
 

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