Need a cheap setup for one time use - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

stangconv · 10-27-2009, 03:50 PM

What would you guys recommend for a cheap one time show?

Its my Mothers 50th birthday coming up, and my sisters and I are renting a hall and throwing her a surprise 50th.

I got some buddies together to and we are going play some songs for people to dance to.

Anyways I WOULD like some lights for us, but I dont want to have to spend an arm and a leg. They dont have to be anything fancy, just add some dimension.

I have been looking used, but there is slim pickings around here (Saskatchewan, Canada)

I have looked into the 4Bar system, and it seems really cool but they are around $500 up here and thats way too much. I looked on here in the for sale section, and slim pickings too....

Any suggestions? Desk lamps and colored bulbs? Haha

bigjd · 10-27-2009, 04:25 PM

http://www.cheaplights.com/cart/page40.html
Here ya go Cheap and Easy stuff the first package

stangconv · 10-27-2009, 04:42 PM

Cool.. Thanks!!

Plan-B · 10-27-2009, 04:50 PM

If it's just for one time use I personally would look for rental gear. If that's not an option the cheapest set up that comes to mind would be 4-8 colored par bulbs and fixtures. Screw the fixtures down to some sections of plywood for stable bases and set them at the front of the stage for up lighting. Not a far cry from your desk lamps.

stangconv · 10-27-2009, 04:56 PM

Also cool...

Remedy · 10-27-2009, 07:00 PM

chauvet vue VI is huge bang for the buck in terms of throwing beams of light all around the room (from my experience) just from 1 light. Would be good for getting some light moving around the hall. Helps if you want ppl dancing. Kinta would be another option too and cheaper, that might be the go

Then get some plug in flood lights with coloured bulbs from the hardware store for onstage theyre cheap and effective, or some pars as suggested

my 2c

stangconv · 10-27-2009, 08:45 PM

The chauvet vue VI isnt cheap..... unless you know somewhere good? I just checked ebay.....

stangconv · 10-28-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plan-B

If it's just for one time use I personally would look for rental gear. If that's not an option the cheapest set up that comes to mind would be 4-8 colored par bulbs and fixtures. Screw the fixtures down to some sections of plywood for stable bases and set them at the front of the stage for up lighting. Not a far cry from your desk lamps.

I am liking this idea....

Question about it: each base has 2 bulbs.... I was thinking if I put a base in front of each person then would you put different color bulbs in each? What would you do for colors? which would you use?

its a 5 piece band.... 2 guitar, bass, singer, and drums

Plan-B · 10-29-2009, 01:31 AM

I'd look at getting as many different colors as I could find and placing 4 of the bases evenly across the front of the stage. Point the bulbs where needed. You could also get two more bases and place them on either side of the drummer. At this point your getting pretty close to the price of one of the 139-P38-CHASE as suggested by bigjd. These lights could easily be taken off the stand and mounted to plywood for up lighting and would give you at least a little movement with the chase patterns. Even better if you could swing another $30 for a second tripod stand and hang two lights in each front corner of the stage.

drunkinminer · 10-29-2009, 01:43 AM

I would suggest Long and Mcquade.

stangconv · 10-29-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunkinminer

I would suggest Long and Mcquade.

the nearest long and mcquade is 2.5 hours away....

MDLMUSIC · 10-29-2009, 03:13 PM

Coffee cans and light bulbs.

That's what I use.

TrickyBoy · 10-29-2009, 03:56 PM

Not sure what your budget is, but for somewhere around $125US you can get 4 PAR38s a tree and a chase unit. Spend $5 on some primary color gels, set it to sound active and rock. When your done, you could probably sell it to some kids with a band for close to $100.

stangconv · 10-29-2009, 07:49 PM

My budget is as cheap as possible...I am going to be spending alot of money already on the birthday part (renting a hall, midnight lunch, booze, etc.)

Those 139-FLAT4 are looking pretty attractive.... for $100.... and they have a sound sensor? (from what I can tell)

TrickyBoy · 10-29-2009, 08:23 PM

For an extra $15 I'd go with these 139-P38-CHASE

stangconv · 10-29-2009, 08:32 PM

WOuldnt I need 2 of those though?

TrickyBoy · 10-30-2009, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stangconv

WOuldnt I need 2 of those though?

If you are trying to do it by the book, yes. But in reality, I've played more than once with a single tree - either put it directly behind the drummer and just fan them out to cover the stage (probably what I'd chose) or put them in front of the band off to one side. I've done both. Those units come with flood bulbs, so they will provide a good wash either way, and the chase controllers give you some movement.

You're not going to look like Pink Floyd or anything, but I think you'll still get the "concert feel" that you're looking for.

In fairness, though, I know nothing about those other units that you are looking at.

stangconv · 10-30-2009, 08:26 AM

Haha thanks for the help... I dont really know anything about either unit...

stangconv · 11-02-2009, 08:54 PM

Thinking of a couple of the noma lights in front and then something cheap and sound activated on the corners to get some movement....

Hows that sound?

kevinnem · 11-03-2009, 11:08 AM

See u 22 is a member that lives in graystone (greyston? .. soemthing like that).

They might be able to rent you good gear, that would be well inside the budget.

Kev.

10-27-2009, 03:50 PM	#1
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	Need a cheap setup for one time use What would you guys recommend for a cheap one time show? Its my Mothers 50th birthday coming up, and my sisters and I are renting a hall and throwing her a surprise 50th. I got some buddies together to and we are going play some songs for people to dance to. Anyways I WOULD like some lights for us, but I dont want to have to spend an arm and a leg. They dont have to be anything fancy, just add some dimension. I have been looking used, but there is slim pickings around here (Saskatchewan, Canada) I have looked into the 4Bar system, and it seems really cool but they are around $500 up here and thats way too much. I looked on here in the for sale section, and slim pickings too.... Any suggestions? Desk lamps and colored bulbs? Haha

10-27-2009, 04:25 PM	#2
bigjd Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IDAHO FALLS IDAHO Posts: 929	http://www.cheaplights.com/cart/page40.html Here ya go Cheap and Easy stuff the first package __________________ Fiddles,Gibby V,Gibby SG,Ibby acoustic,Yammy RGX1212. Amps,Peav. Classic 120/120,Carvin TS100,Twin RI. Cabs,Kustom 4x12 V-30's,Carvin 4x12 MG-30's,Odd 2x12 80 clones. Pre-amp&Effects,Voodu Valve,TC G-Major,Quadraverb, MP-1,Gnx-3,various stomps I don't use. Lots of PA gear and Lighting. http://www.myspace.com/stiffrichardband http://www.facebook.com/pages/StiffRichard/117589049432

10-29-2009, 01:31 AM	#9
Plan-B Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	I'd look at getting as many different colors as I could find and placing 4 of the bases evenly across the front of the stage. Point the bulbs where needed. You could also get two more bases and place them on either side of the drummer. At this point your getting pretty close to the price of one of the 139-P38-CHASE as suggested by bigjd. These lights could easily be taken off the stand and mounted to plywood for up lighting and would give you at least a little movement with the chase patterns. Even better if you could swing another $30 for a second tripod stand and hang two lights in each front corner of the stage. Last edited by Plan-B : 10-29-2009 at 01:40 AM.

10-29-2009, 01:43 AM	#10
drunkinminer Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 462	I would suggest Long and Mcquade. __________________ May you be a half an hour in Heaven before the Devil knows you're dead! --------------------------------------------------- Tessie, "Nuf Ced" McGreevey shouted We're not here to mess around Boston, you know we love you madly Hear the crowd roar to your sound Don't blame us if we ever doubt you You know we couldn't live without you Tessie, you are the only only only

10-29-2009, 03:13 PM	#12
MDLMUSIC Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancaster, CA, USA Posts: 3,358	Coffee cans and light bulbs. That's what I use. __________________ Michael D./HCGB Trooper #105 My new website: www.mdlmusic.webs.com "I'm tired of rock-and-rolling, let's get married, Honey, let's go bowling..." --Martin Mull "Normal"

10-27-2009, 04:42 PM	#3
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	Cool.. Thanks!!

10-27-2009, 04:50 PM	#4
Plan-B Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	If it's just for one time use I personally would look for rental gear. If that's not an option the cheapest set up that comes to mind would be 4-8 colored par bulbs and fixtures. Screw the fixtures down to some sections of plywood for stable bases and set them at the front of the stage for up lighting. Not a far cry from your desk lamps.

10-27-2009, 04:56 PM	#5
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	Also cool...

10-27-2009, 07:00 PM	#6
Remedy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Qld, Australia. Posts: 2,461	chauvet vue VI is huge bang for the buck in terms of throwing beams of light all around the room (from my experience) just from 1 light. Would be good for getting some light moving around the hall. Helps if you want ppl dancing. Kinta would be another option too and cheaper, that might be the go Then get some plug in flood lights with coloured bulbs from the hardware store for onstage theyre cheap and effective, or some pars as suggested my 2c

10-27-2009, 08:45 PM	#7
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	The chauvet vue VI isnt cheap..... unless you know somewhere good? I just checked ebay.....

10-29-2009, 03:56 PM	#13
TrickyBoy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 178	Not sure what your budget is, but for somewhere around $125US you can get 4 PAR38s a tree and a chase unit. Spend $5 on some primary color gels, set it to sound active and rock. When your done, you could probably sell it to some kids with a band for close to $100. __________________ Jason www.thetrickydickies.com "Do or do not. There is no try" - Yoda

10-29-2009, 07:49 PM	#14
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	My budget is as cheap as possible...I am going to be spending alot of money already on the birthday part (renting a hall, midnight lunch, booze, etc.) Those 139-FLAT4 are looking pretty attractive.... for $100.... and they have a sound sensor? (from what I can tell)

10-29-2009, 08:23 PM	#15
TrickyBoy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 178	For an extra $15 I'd go with these 139-P38-CHASE __________________ Jason www.thetrickydickies.com "Do or do not. There is no try" - Yoda

10-29-2009, 08:32 PM	#16
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	WOuldnt I need 2 of those though?

10-30-2009, 08:26 AM	#18
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	Haha thanks for the help... I dont really know anything about either unit...

11-02-2009, 08:54 PM	#19
stangconv Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 277	Thinking of a couple of the noma lights in front and then something cheap and sound activated on the corners to get some movement.... Hows that sound?

11-03-2009, 11:08 AM	#20
kevinnem Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: calgary, alberta, canada Posts: 2,584	See u 22 is a member that lives in graystone (greyston? .. soemthing like that). They might be able to rent you good gear, that would be well inside the budget. Kev. __________________ -token canadian Lest we forget: double-blind tests make audiophiles look twice as stupid. CRAIG V 2007 Just for fun, what do you think would happen if you decided to take a nap in the fast lane of a freeway? agedhorse -2008 Funny, I'll bet I have a good one sitting on my shelf. agedhorse -2008

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