smalll PA

[mandomaybe]

My son just got his first paying gig, and I'm thinking of helping him out with an inexpensive PA. He's playing solo, acoustic guitar, singing, at a small bar (not a loud bar), and may do coffeehouses,etc. if he's lucky. (If I'm lucky, he'll invite me to play mando alongside him sometime). Anyway, budget's an issue, and I'm looking to see if anyone has an opinion on the current version of the Fender Passport Conference PA. Retails for $400 (yes, budget's an issue). Thanks for any feedback.

[colorado_al]

I like the Behringer EPA300 better
http://www.music-group.com/Categorie...EPA300/p/P0787

[Jim B]

The Behringer is a nice unit.

I went even a little cheaper.
When we play in churches with my band and they don't have a PA I bring a small PA consisting of:
2 Kustom PA-50 powered speakers ($79.95 each @ guitar center)
1 Behringer 1202FX mixer (got for $40 on eBay)
Cables/stands from Monoprice.com (a great source for cables)
I already had 2 mics and our guitar/harmonica also plays in a western swing band so he's got mics

Total invested ~$375

Happy playing.

[colorado_al]

If you need to, you can do the EPA150. But that doesn't leave a lot of headroom.
http://www.music-group.com/Categorie...EPA150/p/P0642

[Mandoplumb]

Keep in mind that entry level PA are like entry level mandolins not much value for used. For that reason if I couldn't find a used unit I would do as Jim B said. With separate components you can add to and build up without junking everything you have.

[MikeEdgerton]

I have an older Kustom Profile 100 I've been using for years for small venues. They make small speaker stands for them as well but mf doesn't carry them.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/searc...kustom+profile

[pops1]

See if you can find a used Carvin Stage Mate. Great little unit, you can take the battery out and cut the weight. Right now they are 37% off, still above your budget, but the new ones are more versatile.

[UsuallyPickin]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...package?pfm=sp

This is enough to get him started. Add a couple of mics stands and cables at some point in the future and he can hire you to back him up. There is nothing much more fun than playing music with your kids....... R/

[Chip Stewart]

Check out the Yamaha DBR10 powered speaker ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...Y&Q=&A=details ). It's 700W (500W + 200W) and has two inputs (1 mic/line + 1 line). The current price is $399.99. It would be more than enough for your son if his acoustic guitar has a pickup installed. If not, you can pick up a small mixing board to put in front of the speaker like a Peavey PV6 ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._USB_Live.html ) for $99.99. The mixing board would also allow you to perform with him. Both of these units are performance quality and you can add on to them later. You shouldn't have to replace them with something else later.

[mandroid]

Yamaha stage pass http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global...cts/pasystems/

all there is to deal with is the 2 speakers Amp mixer stows in 1, the same space in 2nd one takes cables..

& you can buy just 1, with the amp-mixer ..

[multidon]

+1 for the Yamaha StagePas. I used to use the Kustom Profile 100 but the Yamaha is a huge upgrade, and so much better in quality, power, headroom, sound quality, and ease of use. Very versatile unit.

The guy who sold it to me said "I like Yamaha equipment so much, if Yamaha made ketchup, I'd buy it instead of Heinz!"

I do have the speaker stands for the Kustom Profile, but they are no longer available. And the speaker stand sockets in those speakers do not fit standard stands. So that unit has to be used without stands or you would have to jury rig some kind of adaptor.

[gtani7]

If not, you can pick up a small mixing board to put in front of the speaker like a Peavey PV6 ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._USB_Live.html ) for $99.99.

The Peavey mixers are a solid investment for anybody playing out, as are the Yamaha MG line, if you're not going to spring for, say a Soundcraft or Allen/Heath, they both sound decent with dynamic mikes, condensors and line level inputs. The only issue is that they have phantom power for all mikes or none, and i think it's better to get one with at least 10 or 12 line ins, for when people show up. I have a PV6, or at least i think i do,

[Shelagh Moore]

+2 for Yamaha StagePAS

Very neat and convenient.

[allenhopkins]

I've used a Fender Passport 150 since the Stone Age, and am (generally) pleased with its portability, output, and durability.

But there are things it doesn't have, like phantom power, and with only three channels, I've used a sub-mixer (which has phantom power) for anything more than solo work I'm a fan of condenser mics, so I also have a little 9v-powered phantom unit for when I want to use a condenser with the Passport.

Notice I did mention the "Stone Age." Lots of good stuff's come out since I bought the Passport from a fellow Neanderthal. Good suggestions above, but I did want to mention that I've found my Fender quite satisfactory.

[Dan Co1e]

I like the Yamaha stagepas.. Recently upgraded to JBL EON 610 and a Soundcraft UI12.

Found everything on Reverb at a good price..

[harper]

Another votes for Yamaha Stagepass. I have 400i, which is beyond your budget, but perhaps the smaller units would were for you. My contra dance band uses it for smaller venues. We can plus in 4 XLR cables and 4 1/4 inch instrument cables.

Another thought is the Mackie 350 speaker version 3 used like an amp. It produces excellent acoustic guitar amplification.

[BrianWilliam]

I like the fishman loudbox. Very simple. Nice sound. Downside is scalability but to me, simplicity wins.

[Mandobart]

I've been playing thru my Carvin AG 300 since this summer; really like it. Three channels, 200 W, phantom power, great sound, with a speaker pole mount and about 35 lbs. Smaller and more portable with less to haul around then a PA. Three way speaker box with great bass response for mandocello and octave viola. An acoustic amp with two or more channels makes a lot more sense than a PA for a solo performer in small to mid-size venues.

http://www.carvinaudio.com/products/ag300

[Barry Wilson]

I have a powered yorkville setup but playing the markets I ran into power problems (none available). I picked up a Traynor 50 watt battery powered pa. it lasts about 15hrs on a charge. has 2 channels (one xlr one 1/4") and a third rca stereo input. I run fx off an eliminator. It does allow playing anywhere

[mandroid]

The Compact, Roland AC 60 (& 90 I presume) also has a socket for a speaker stand in it's bottom....

it has a stereo input on the back panel, to run a Mixer - preamp sitting near you for more channels..