SuperSeagull

How have you got on with this? Having the same thought process as you.

They said Kent Armstrong. Exchanged some emails with Aaron Armstrong and I think I'll be sending it off to him later today. Thanks for the other suggestions and input - always appreciated.

Thanks. My local guitar shop have had it on their bench and concluded it needs a rewind.

Had it checked by my local guitar shop.

The bridge pickup on my Flea Jazz has gone, first time 47 years of playing I've had a pickup fail. Ideally I'd replace with another American Vintage 64 but they don't seem to be available now so plan on getting it rewound. Other than Kent Armstrong, any recommendations as to who to speak to?

I too have been very confused by the names now given to MB cabs so that is really helpful - ta!

Ah, if I'd known about this (and I wasn't in Tenerife 😄) I would have made the short trip from Burgess Hill to see you. Plus I've a passion for work with the homeless and I spent 18 years working in Horsham. Next time.

Just by way of an update on this. I've been chatting with another supply and install business with a good understanding of church needs. They are going to do a site visit next month but have already suggested we look at a A&H Matrix system which gives a one switch on and off solution with auto volume on the mics, plus an A&H mixer for when we want more flexibility for live music and have an operator.

My P Lyte comes in at 7lbs, two pounds lighter than my Status S2. When my back is struggling I'll use the P Lyte at rehearsals but always default back to the Status for a gig.

That's great. As you say, very visual. Thanks.

Would have loved to have joined but I shall be grabbing some winter sun in the Canaries. Would be interested in the outcomes from the PA shootout. Re acoustics - the natural reverb isn't bad but can always be improved - eg we have no window coverings at all.....yet!

My youngest son has a PhD in Acoustic Engineering and 3D sound systems - he is going to call by the next church next time he is visiting his old man, he just doesn't know it yet.

Yes, the question of how much do we value someone else doing all the heavy lifting of supply and install, in some cases literally heavy lifting, is a good one. Is it worth £3k? It’s close I think but would mean sacrificing spend in other areas but it’s always about choices I guess.

Great input already, many thanks. Just to clarify a couple of points. Most importantly, that chicken curry sounds lush. Typical Sunday doesn’t have a band, just speech and MP3 playback. There are enough folk I’d judge competent to run a well set up system - couple of musicians, another person who looks after the current tech set up and does the same for a big local school - nobody is going to be mixing live for Def Leppard anytime soon but based on my many years in and around churches there is enough capability. Building is pretty much a box shape, 13m from the front of the platform to the back, 15m wide and 4m high. Plenty of banners to help with the hard surfaces but yes, can always use more - I’d judge it not a particularly difficult place acoustically given other places I’ve been in but plan is to get carpet under the band and I think it’s a good reminder to look at how other surfaces can be softened. We have a wooden slatted ceiling which may help. IEM - feels like overkill given relatively little use of live band. I used IEMs at a much bigger Church so appreciate the upside and the downside but I don’t think right for us at the moment. Stick type system, interesting thought. Whatever we do, nothing needs to be packed away after a service. Having spent years at a Church where everything came out of a container pre service and had to go back afterwards this is a massive benefit. Current system is a simple one power switch on and a variety of mics come on at something like the right level. I was thinking the same simplicity using the capability of a digital desk and better quality speakers etc but with more inputs for the wider range of signal sources we now have and more flexibility for the wider range of events that we are now happening. But get the comment that a well meaning but unskilled person can make the best kit sound rubbish - you’ve obviously heard me play bass 😂

Thanks. Happy to pop over and chat over that meal you are cooking 😃 Alternatively, yes further thoughts welcome. Speech is the priority - currently delivered via three small ceiling mounted JBLs at the front of the seated area.

A familiar venue for us in Crawley on Friday. One new experience, one regular. New - drunk woman wanted to sing one her songs with us and had a chord chart ready! It didn't happen. Regular - drummer messes up anything with a rall at the end, just doesn't listen or watch 😡

Appreciate this forum is really about PA in a band situation but I find myself the lead person on recommending a solution for an installed PA at our small church and wanted to check some of my thinking with experts here. We meet in a 1970s building, lots of brick wall and tiled floors but no pillars or medieval tombs to worry about! There is a part raised area at the front where speakers and musicians are – approx. 12m x 4m. From the front of the raised area to the back wall is 13m with a max width of 15m and ceiling height of 4m. We need a system that can cope with speech, singers, an MP3 type device that is used for backing tracks and a band (drums, bass, acoustic guitar, keys and vocals). It also needs to support a proposed new TV screen system plus various community meetings during the week when one or more mics might be needed. We are short on people who are technically minded so simple operation is important. Typical attendance is between 60 and 70 on a Sunday but can peak at 100 plus. We’ve no money, every penny will have to be raised, so budget is important. We have to get three quotes, two of these will be from supply and install companies used to working in churches and the third will be from me. First supply and install quote has come in at between £9k to £14k dependent on options. This may prove too expensive / over spec’d. Incs an A&H QU mixer, EV or Citronic passive speakers, Sennheiser or JTS wireless mics. I'd not heard of either Citronic or JTS before. Having spent time reading this and other forums plus meeting with some folk I know who run the tech side of a larger church but who understand what is needed for a smaller set up, I’m thinking of. 1. Behringer X32 desk plus S16 stage box. Had a long discussion about whether a physical desk was needed but conclusion was it’s easier for a non tech person to operate on the fly plus recall scenes for different meeting types. 2. dB LVX active speakers. These are used in a small set up at another church and seem to be perfectly fine to me – only question is 10” or 12”? Plan to use speaker stands, at least initially to simplify the install process. 3. Behringer F122OD powered monitors, probably 2 (and can also be used as a simple portable PA on occasions outside or elsewhere on the premises) 4. Sennheiser XSW 2-ME3 headset mics, I’m still confused about which band I need. 5. Sennheiser XSW 2-835 handheld wireless mic. 6. Sennheiser E835S mics for vocalists. Plus all the sundries – cables, stands, rack case, DI boxes etc and a tablet for remote mixing. I’ve not included a sub but think that might be something that should be added and I’m wondering if there is a more cost effective solution for the wireless mics. I reckon I could source all of this for around £6k and that install would not be difficult (although there is a hearing loop amp system that needs plumbing in). With the saving on the cheapest other quote we could pay for all the new TV screens and ancillary bits. How does that look? What am I missing or not considering? Thanks.

Thanks. Very clear.

Could you explain what you mean by the comment about compression having the same effect as lots of headroom please? I don’t usually use compression live but there is something about the way the Elf adds in compression that I like. Ta.

When I used mine for half a set when my MB overheated it was into a 8 ohm 1x12. It was running hard but still loud enough - we are a reasonably loud band and I've never, ever been accused of being a quiet bass player!

Yeah, I know what I'm doing but always happy to have a gentle reminder. If you see a blown MB combo or Elf for sale next week you'll know I know less than I think 😄

I might give this a try next Friday when we gig. I can hook up the internal 12" speaker in my MB combo plus the NY and see how it goes.

I’m wondering how an Elf would cope in my loud ish pub band with two MB NY121 cabs. I already one cab and the Elf - looking to downsize weight from current rig (see my Ultra Lightweight Cabs thread)

So many great ideas on here, thanks all for your input. I'm settled on dropping the combo plus an additional cab and going for amp plus two cabs - keeps everything as flexible and light as possible. I was tempted by the BF One10 x 2 route as a modular solution but not convinced its the right idea for the type of band I tend to play in. Ideal would be a couple of BF Super Compacts so will be looking out for those s/h. Now, they come in at between 10 and 12 kg, my current MB NY121 is only 13kg so possibly find another of those, new amp on the top and, I think the smartest idea of all, a trolley. But I'm still considering options and in the meantime my back is improving thanks to my chiropracter.

Its a good idea. I've used IEMs before - not the greatest fan but I would use them again. I don't think the rest of the band are up for it at this stage and we'd need an upgrade to our PA as well.