Portable PAs

[martin w]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone out there knows about portable PA systems - I'm talking about the "all in a suitcase" type.

Does anyone have experience of them, good or bad?
Are they worth the money? What are the best makes etc?

Any info. gratefully received!
Thanks,

M.

[toremainn]

I would recommend Roland AC60. It's also a great acoustic amp.
Tore

[blueshome]

Used to play through a Fender "Passport" system - fine. Better than any amp for miked guitar and vocals. Amps are for pick-ups.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Martin,

The Fender is a good little system. I would advise a PA every time, acoustic amps are as Blueshome says, for DI acoustic guitars. A PA system is what you want. Go for something that doesn't have too many digital effects and tricks, just a good quality basic system. Personally speaking, I would put together my own system with high quality second-hand stuff; a good pair of speakers and an amp. Ron's system that we use with National Debt is excellent. Email ron at the London Resonator Centre and ask him what he uses. There is a shop in Islington where LRC used to be called BLUE, (Duncan Street) they are a second-hand shop for PAs, amps, hi fi, mics....etc.

Shine On,
Michael.

[martin w]

That's brilliant. Thanks all, for the info.

Have dropped Ron an email. A sound like that would do just fine!

M.

[Rick]

Hi there
I have used a Peavey Escort 2000 150w portable for about 5 years, & it does the business. I think Carlboro have brought out something similar. The Peavey has 4 channels, each with reverb, low & high tone. The speaker stands included are too flimsy for pub gigs, but you can use the space to store mic cables etc. We've hd quite a few compliments on sound quality over the years, and never any problem with the unit.
I did look at the Fender but at 75w it was too light.

For small pubs etc I use a Roland AC60 with a combiner cable that lets me fit 2 mikes (we're a duo) and that works pretty well.

Hope this helps

[martin w]

Thanks, Rick, that's very useful feed back. The Peavy is on on the list to look at.

Good to hear you get complimented on your sound as well. Would be interested to know if you mic. up your guitar(s) or plug in?

Thanks for your help.

M.

[silverslider]

Hi all

I'm a newbie to this great group, thanks for having me.
Regarding the portable PA, a friend of mine who is a doing fine on the folk/blues scene has recently purchased a very snazzy 300w PA called a Yamaha Stage Pass. Its very compact, in fact the amp will fit inside a compartment in the speaker!
I googled it up and it was under £300 and very portable indeed-good for small gigs.

Cheers
Andy

[silverslider]

Hi again

Here's the link for the Yamaha Stage Pass:

www.chamberlainmusic.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=Stagepass-300

You need to scroll down a bit.

Cheers
Andy

[martin w]

Hi Silverslider,
Welcome to the forum. And thanks for the info.
I'll add it to the list of the ones o be checked out.

M.