Playing classical for a wedding but no power...

fep · #1 11-16-2008, 07:01 PM

I've been asked to play classical guitar for a wedding and to accompany a vocalist for a song or two. I was excited to do it but just found out there is no electricity.

The location is outside on a bluff right by the ocean (a local surf spot). There will be 200 people. I was orginally planning on micing a classical guitar with another mic for a guitar duo on a couple pieces and a mic for a vocalist. I have a small PA that would be perfect (two Behringer B212a speakers and a small mixer, power consumption around 800 watts).

This is a low volume gig, but near the ocean with 200 people... I definately think amplification is necessary.

I'm considering looking into renting a generator. But would a generator be way to loud?

riovine · #2 11-16-2008, 08:31 PM

Generator would definitly be too loud, unless you like playing next to a lawnmower. I know, I did a gig for a parade where we were on a flatbed trailer with a generator to provide power, it was horrible.

I'd suggest maybe looking into either picking up or renting an acoustic amp that can run on batteries (i.e. an amp made for busking). That should give you enough volume, definitly better than no amp.

Funny story about outdoor weddings & power etc. I played a wedding several years ago that was booked for guitar/sax for an outdoor gazebo in a park. They guaranteed there would be power. When I was packing up to go to the gig, I thought about taking my acoustic, but I ended up just grabbing my strat. Well, the night before there was a big thunderstorm that knocked out all the power to the gazebo. So, imagine someone playing furiously on a strat with a sax, what an embarassing gig.

mr. beaumont · #3 11-16-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riovine

Generator would definitly be too loud, unless you like playing next to a lawnmower. I know, I did a gig for a parade where we were on a flatbed trailer with a generator to provide power, it was horrible.

I'd suggest maybe looking into either picking up or renting an acoustic amp that can run on batteries (i.e. an amp made for busking). That should give you enough volume, definitly better than no amp.

Funny story about outdoor weddings & power etc. I played a wedding several years ago that was booked for guitar/sax for an outdoor gazebo in a park. They guaranteed there would be power. When I was packing up to go to the gig, I thought about taking my acoustic, but I ended up just grabbing my strat. Well, the night before there was a big thunderstorm that knocked out all the power to the gazebo. So, imagine someone playing furiously on a strat with a sax, what an embarassing gig.

good advice.

this is why my microcube is in the trunk at every gig i play. worse comes to worse...

hot ford coupe · #4 11-17-2008, 09:56 PM

A few years ago I had the same problem. I was lucky enough to have a battery powered amp which did the trick. Definitely check into that. It's well worth the cash.

rio · #5 11-17-2008, 11:42 PM

Perhaps something like this could work with a normal amp?

Xantrex PowerPack 200 Plus Portable Power Supply with Air Compressor

hot ford coupe · #6 11-18-2008, 12:12 AM

That looks like a winner. It sure has the staying power for the gigs.

ronjazz · #7 06-05-2010, 09:53 PM

Crate Taxi or something like it is a good investment, will pay for itself on the first gig. I have several Crate battery amps, they've made me literally thousands of dollars.

JohnW400 · #8 06-05-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riovine

Generator would definitly be too loud, unless you like playing next to a lawnmower. I know, I did a gig for a parade where we were on a flatbed trailer with a generator to provide power, it was horrible.

.

I did a parade gig back in 1991 with a generator . Big mistake.

Besides the super loud generator, The stop and go part on the float was terrible and I kept getting jolted around

Here I was thinking that we were crazy to do this an who else would do it? I guess I know now

fep · #9 06-06-2010, 09:00 AM

Hi Guys,

This thread is alive again!?

I used this:

Buy Roland CUBE Street Battery Powered Stereo Guitar Combo Amp | Solid State Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

It worked great, ran a mic for the guitar in one channel and a mic for the Priest and other speakers in the other channel.

Then durring the school year... it just barely fits in a school locker.

mattymel · #10 06-10-2010, 07:30 PM

i have resorted to a microcube in that exact setting. it got the job done. personally, nowadays i just forego the classical guitar in favor of a archtop. sounds better. i cant stand piezos and micing a classical into a microcube is kind of like putting hydraulics on a yugo. if there is power, a real amp and mic can sound okay. someday im going to have to throw down for one of those new AC33 deals. a little more respectable.