Thinking again of adding rentals

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ittigger said:
But this is where some earlier statements come into play .. if I'm not there and you pick it up and claim its damaged, I could say it wasn't.

If you don't figure this part out, you may be lining yourself up for some grief. I'm not saying it would happen .. but in my opinion, the 1st time it does and you're not prepared, you'll hate it.
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I agree with you on trying to be prepared. I'm really not that worried about damage. It's going to happen and should be built into the cost of doing business. My instinct says that if I handle delivery/pickup AND I configure the sound system and lock off the controls so that all they can do is plug in an ipod or stand in front of a mic stand to speak, I should (hopefully) eliminate the bulk of the problem. It's not too much unlike when I added uplighting. I really figured I'd have a good bit of problem with fixtures getting stepped on or kids kicking/breaking fixtures but I've only lost 1 fixtures out of 40 and that's after 3-4 years of operation. I think if you configure your gear properly you're going to minimize problems (stating the obvious). The rest are just a cost of doing business and we'll take those on one at a time.
 
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It's tough to lock the controls of amps, powered speakers, mixers, etc. .. basically anything audio related, unless you make custom cases that lock away the components. You might be able to use some install-type equipment, which typically is designed to have controls removed and panels placed over them, but you're out of luck with most MI equipment. Best you can hope is to rent stuff that has a high tolerance band.

Keep it simple, keep it rugged.
 
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steve149 said:
It's tough to lock the controls of amps, powered speakers, mixers, etc. .. basically anything audio related, unless you make custom cases that lock away the components. You might be able to use some install-type equipment, which typically is designed to have controls removed and panels placed over them, but you're out of luck with most MI equipment. Best you can hope is to rent stuff that has a high tolerance band.

Keep it simple, keep it rugged.
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You are gonna have to let them have control of the volumes
 
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steve149 said:
It's tough to lock the controls of amps, powered speakers, mixers, etc. .. basically anything audio related, unless you make custom cases that lock away the components. You might be able to use some install-type equipment, which typically is designed to have controls removed and panels placed over them, but you're out of luck with most MI equipment. Best you can hope is to rent stuff that has a high tolerance band.

Keep it simple, keep it rugged.
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I'm looking at putting the amp/mixer into a case that is lockable. The delivery person's job is to set the gear up, run some test music through, adjust the controls, then close the box and lock it. For music, I'd have an 1/8" plug/cord on top of the case, ready to be plugged in. If we do a mic, and this is the part that scares me the most, it will be low enough volume that it will not feedback. If I keep it as a wired mic, tape the mic to the stand, then install the stand behind the speakers, it should block off most of the problems and if something comes up just look at the placement of the mic stand. You moved the mic stand? You broke it. I'm probably over-thinking this but maybe not.
 
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>>>>The delivery person's job is to set the gear up, run some test music through, adjust the controls, then close the box and lock it.<<<<

This is a great idea. On the mike stand, I'm not sure how you'll do it, because they will move it...

GJ
 
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rhythmgj said:
>>>>The delivery person's job is to set the gear up, run some test music through, adjust the controls, then close the box and lock it.<<<<

This is a great idea. On the mike stand, I'm not sure how you'll do it, because they will move it...

GJ
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Then they are liable for any damages as this will be clearly covered in the contract and in our instructions to the client. I'm thinking a clear "Do not move" sticker on the stand should help as well.
 
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I'm thinking you are really overthinking this. Let them (best man or other) pick up the equipment and bring it back. Setting it up and leaving is still an open invitation for someone there to fiddle with it when they want it to be a little louder .. and who knows what kind of output their gear has. Might as well expect it and deal with it, leaving the liability with them. Enclosing the gear is fine for an install .. not so much for portable rentals.

Lights are different, as colors need to be set and the lamps aimed .. If you're going to all the effort for setup and breakdown .. offer a kid at $15/hr to sit there for the 5 hours .. probably not a whole lot more costs than an additional round trip.

So rent and take it yourself for "x" or we set it up and staff it for "x+75".

K.I.S.S ....
 
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That is like renting someone a car and telling them where to drive. Good Luck. If the shoes are too big to wear why try?
 
ahoustondj said:
That is like renting someone a car and telling them where to drive. Good Luck. If the shoes are too big to wear why try?
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Sometimes you don't learn the right way, until you've done it the wrong way. It's all good.
 
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rickryan.com said:
If I keep it as a wired mic, tape the mic to the stand, then install the stand behind the speakers, it should block off most of the problems and if something comes up just look at the placement of the mic stand. You moved the mic stand? You broke it. I'm probably over-thinking this but maybe not.
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**puts the good ol' ODJT DA hat on** For this specific example, simply moving the mic stand back will avoid showing that I did anything.
 
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How about hiring a young person say early teens - who you know and trust to stay at the event out of the way watching over the sound limits and to take it down, pack it up and load out for $60.00?
 
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dunlopj said:
What speakers would you recommend for rentals - K12's or the new JBL 600 series?
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The K12s are a standard in that market, but I might go with the Yamaha DXR12 ... see them a lot at the conventions in Vegas. Wouldn't bother with the EONs until they're proven.
 
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ahoustondj said:
That is like renting someone a car and telling them where to drive.
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No, it's like renting someone YOUR car and telling them to not do donuts in the parking lot.

ahoustondj said:
If the shoes are too big to wear why try?
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How will Rick know if the shoes are too big if he doesn't try a pair on.
 
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dunlopj said:
What speakers would you recommend for rentals - K12's or the new JBL 600 series?
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I would go with Yorkville or Peavey the both are virtually indestructible and reasonably inexpensive to replace


Valerie Hicks said:
locking off controls isn't a failproof insurance policy as the entire system works like a pipeline; send in a clipped signal on the front end and you can still damage speakers.
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Right on the head....and probably alot more damage than overdriving a properly gained system
 
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