Hi Ant,

Forgive my lack of knowledge about band equipment.
I have played in bands a long time ago, but I can only pass on what I have used personally as a self contained artist.
My set up was a Studio-Master mixer amp with I think 6 input channels. There was a larger one too, more suitable for perhaps a band. None of these were expensive, but my choice of the smaller one initially was wrong, I needed more power. There were several sound effects built in, including reverb on all channels.
The quality of sound, and reliability were 100% every time.
My speakers were Hertz, again 100% quality and reliability.
I was like you, working off a low budget, and I got what I wanted by trying them out in the shop.
I know how it feels to me limited financially, but in most cases you do really only get what you pay for.
My years of custom with this shop served to help as well I think, but do shop around, there are some real good bargains to be had. A good tip would be to go and look at other bands and see what they are using and talk to them. Hope this helps.

Hi Bill,

Sorry for the slow reply and thanks for your input. We still haven't got round to sorting a new PA amp out yet but I'll bear your advise in mind.

I'll check out some other bands like you suggested and see what they recommend. I think the Behringer equipment is good. Seems to get good reviews on the internet.

Do you not play in bands any more then?

Hi Ant, I did wonder if you had got sorted out, after not hearing from you.

The advice I gave you was only based on what I personally thought sounded good...for me!
If you go to a GOOD music shop, they will usually have equipment set up ready to convince you that, what you see is good gear...and ..to be fair...if they are in business, then they should know what they are talking about. One of the most popular, (amongst the best) is Johny Roadhouse in Manchester.
Again, I would strongly advise you to go and look at other bands, and ask ask ask, because no-one rarely volunteers info.
If you had a crap amp that was new..would you want to tell someone? Especially if they asked? NO!
Key Questions To Ask.
- Name of Retailer where they got equipment.
- Cost of items and how paid for...Cash / Terms / Loan etc
- Warranty on Equipment
- Any problems with equipment...Pro's / Con's
- Operational Standards Good - Fair - Excellent
NEVER DISMISS YOUR OWN OPINION OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN HEAR & SEE BEING USED.



They do lots of stuff, and do deals too so I'm told.
As a band you all need to decide firstly what sort of sound your looking for, and that should reflect the type of material your playing (or do this the other way round) decide on material, and then if you want to do exactly that sound as a cover.
For example: My band (to answer your question) is in the process of formulation.
We are all 60+ not yet played together as a full band.
We have all the people on paper, and 3 of us have had a jam together, but currently we have another Rhythm and Bass player waiting to join us.
We know we are doing 60s covers, and (some Shadows) which has a specialised sound, so know what equipment produces that sound 'or close to it'.
If we were doing a Tribute, then it would have to be very specific, and perhaps costly.
I do hope you get sorted out Ant.

And please send me some more info about your band and what your playing etc etc.

Regards___ Bill

Behringer equipment is good. Ive had mine for 7 years with minimum servicing ie:dust removal from fan ports etc.
Bare this in mind though. If your amp goes tits up..there are no locally based spare parts and by locally I mean UK.
U need to send it back to Germany and the turnover is about a month.
Good luck with the music though and
Rock On

Worked for twenty years with two amps a Harrison twin mono Great amp normal 19inch rack 3unit weighs a ton takes two to lift it Never went wrong and I bought it second hand two separate amps in one 1000watt a side or two thousand bridged old but what a reliable machine 2nd amp an old cs1000x peavy power amp made in the USA going for peanuts now, this amp was running a club disco with others when I bought it again ran perfectly for over twenty years. I would recommend all the cs range

Long time since I posted here. The Berhinger equipment did the trick in the end and has been reliable since although I haven't been using it all the time.