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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

Permalink Outdoor Gig and Generators

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The Fin-Dicators have a beach gig coming up in September at Manasquan, NJ. We will be playing at the Surfrider Foundation Classic Longboard Contest at noon while the contest takes a break. We want to play up closer top the beach but I'm afraid the 20 or 30 amp service and extention chord will only stretch what 100 feet before a lot of power loss.

HAs anyone played outdoor gigs using a generator (brushless I hope)?

Playing outdoors you need as much power as possible and a good backdrop because the sound evaporates if no bounced back.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

  • Cliff Woodbeach
    www.theFinDicators.com

What day is Surf Rock's birthday? Looks like Surf Rock and I was born the same year. Maybe we are both Libras?

Hi Cliff, You will want to use a voltage regulator. I have a Furman AR-117. The new model has a slightly different model number. It will give 117V output regulation, with a cleaned up AC sine wave, with the input voltage being between ( can't remember lowest V}, and 142V. If you play on a big stage, and they accidently give you 220V. the Furman regulator will not pass it to you amps.

These are great to use in clubs with poor AC power. When Slacktone plays gigs like 4th of July parades, etc. where a generator is used, I watch the input voltage meter on the Furman regulator swing from lowest to the highest readout.

Don't toast those Showmans!

-dave

Dave,

I've been meaning to get a Furman voltage "conditioner" especially because the the pull-out lights are useful for fiddling around with wires on a dark stage.

How big was the generator you used and what wattage were you drawing. I can use a 2500 watt generator and will draw 13500 watts.

I have a very loud '70's master volume Fender (evil) Twin that will use for the beach gig. Its official as of this morning that The Fin-Dicators have that SF contest gig. I feel sorry for the drummer who will be cleaning sand out of his bass and high-hat pedals but I guess its what you have to sacrifice for your art.

Regards,

  • Cliff Woodbeach

What day is Surf Rock's birthday? Looks like Surf Rock and I was born the same year. Maybe we are both Libras?

The furman one space regulators can handle 1500 watts. That;'s about 15 amps of current draw. Your amps will be well under that. The furmans with the pull out lights are not regulators. Have fun at the gig!
-dave

I was recently talking to an amp tech who said more damage can be done feeding too little power than too much. I have no idea if that's BS or not, but the voltage regulator is quality advice.

We did a few gigs using genrators and suffered from power irregularities causing the volume to rise and fall like swells on the open water.

Good Luck,
Spanky
023

OK, I checked Furman, an AC-15, the 15 amp job is (gasp) over $1000.
I've got to sell a lot of t-shirts to make that kind of dough. Maybe if I go to the electronic salvage place I can get one for much less without the fancy Furman LEDs and pull-out lights.

  • Cliff Woodbeach

What day is Surf Rock's birthday? Looks like Surf Rock and I was born the same year. Maybe we are both Libras?

It's not that much.. here's an example: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AR15/

There's no pull-out lights, those are not regulators.

-dave

Dave , do you hear a difference in your amp merely by plugging it into this unit, as other people claim?

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

This is a little off topic, but I thought it was interesting.

My wife and I were recently at a "Green" energy thing where I noticed some performers using solar powered setups. I didn't ask any details and their setups were very minimalistic to be sure. Such a setup for a full-out rock performance would be cost prohibitive I would imagine.

Perhaps someone rents out these things?
http://www.citnet.org/newsletters/2005-02/solar.aspx

When using a regulator, not hearing a difference is what you're looking for. Your bias will remain correct, and most of all, bad generator power with it's distruction of the AC waveform, and fluctuating voltage swings, can't smoke your amp!

AR-15 for like $600, thats less than what I paid for the Twin, and its easier to carry around.

As it turns out, the town will attach a 110V line to the pole and the event will run "on the grid". Whew, no power fluctuation worries and stray eddy currents, (hopefully).

  • Cliff Woodbeach

What day is Surf Rock's birthday? Looks like Surf Rock and I was born the same year. Maybe we are both Libras?

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