Since I know NOTHING about PA Systems or live gear...

[billywestom]

Next month is my birthday, and I want to get something that I can use to start playing local shows ( i.e. bars, restaurants, etc.) I want to do just solo acoustic shows, but I am very unknowing of the basic gear that is needed...I know I need some type of PA system, a microphone, and a guitar with a pickup (I got that)...But what do you all suggest for these types of shows? For a PA system, I searched around on Musician's Friend and found these links...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... e_id/54491

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... e_id/39501

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... e_id/40944

My price range for one of these would be around $500 (very rough)...Also, does the guitar plug right in to one of these? Or do I need a new acoustic amp?

Any.....ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED...

[ticohans]

The guitar will plug right into the pa mixer. I don't know about the other systems, but I know that the Fender you have linked is nicely portable, as it all hooks together into a single unit for carrying around. It also has way more power than the other two systems, and includes the mics. I know that one of those systems has a good number of built in digital effects, but the truth is that for a solo acoustic act, you won't need anything more than a basic reverb, if even that, which the fender system has. My advice would be to go with the fender as it gives you the most power, is super portable, the price includes mics, and is most likely the best overall quality.

[juineaux]

Well i would choose between the fender and the crate if it were my choice. I have used that same fender system when I played in a bossa jazz band and it worked out good for that situation. Is it always going to be just you? just your voice and one guitar, because if it is I would suggest one of these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... e_id/42498

Your guitar will sound better through these and they are easy to travel with and have two channels, one XLR for your voice, one 1/4 for your guitar.

[ticohans]

If you're just going to get an amp, go with the Ultrasound AG50 DS2 or AG100 DS2

[grock]

make sure that you actually need this system before you go out and buy it. i've yet to have a gig where the bar/restaraunt/coffe shop didn't have their own PA. talk to the musicians around where you live and see if this is necessary. of course any one that has read my posts can tell i am pretty stingy and always look for a way to optimize that cashflow. so i have a Sansamp DI that was given to me by a friend and it has done all i could want for my acoustic. if you do decide to buy your own PA (more power to ya if you can justify that to yourself) go with the fender. that is definately the best choice and i have several friends that own the Fender and love it and i also have several friends that never really use it cuz it is easier to just use the equipment at the gig.

[billywestom]

Well i would choose between the fender and the crate if it were my choice. I have used that same fender system when I played in a bossa jazz band and it worked out good for that situation. Is it always going to be just you? just your voice and one guitar, because if it is I would suggest one of these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... e_id/42498

Your guitar will sound better through these and they are easy to travel with and have two channels, one XLR for your voice, one 1/4 for your guitar.

i was looking at that one...but i didnt realize that voice can be put through it...i am not sure if i will always be solol..i have a couple friends who play guitar who may play lead with me, i just dont know...thanks everybody for your help!!

[m98ter]

This is a great question, cause I too am planning on doing some small stuff pretty soon. As with Billy, I too know nothing about the live stuff, so Im a little confused. I've always thought to do live stuff the three of us (my crew) all needed to have our own individual amps. Im assuming a PA system will eliminate the need for everyone to have their own seperate gear? We can all just plug into one PA system and rock out? And they all come with a mixer that allows us to mix our levels through the one or two speakers (which may not be correct term) that they come with. I may look into buying a PA system myself if I undestand what it does as opposed to an amp. Id rather spend $800 and have a setup for my whole band than $500 thats just for my use. Also, is there anything else you could use the PA system for? Im thinking for music as far as hooking up a stero for parties? Thanks for any help guys.

[snoopdoug1]

I just wish I was good enough to play for a crowd...

[m98ter]

To bad your not a little farther south in Missouri, or else you could jam out with us from time to time.....

[grock]

hey snoop where you from in st. louis. i'm from kirkwood, i'm in chicago now. but when i go back i usually find some guys to rock with.

[snoopdoug1]

I'm in St. Charles

Let me know when you come down

m98ter... where you at?

[grock]

no joking, i just met a guy from St. Charles up here when i was doing laundry two days ago. of course, he graduated in '92 so we didn't have much in common. He was just starting to learn guitar and i may jam with him sometime or help him learn a bit.

small world, huh?

[m98ter]

Im at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau MO.......pretty boring place, but its alright most of the time.