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Hey guys,

I have been wondering a lot lately about the economics of owning vs renting a small PA system suited for a bands small show.

I own a super small and cheap system that I'm not quite sure I should keep. It's basically an affordable Tapco mixer and two 125 watts active speakers (8" boomer and a small twitter). I haven't used it much since I got it: used the speakers as monitors for vocalists live once, used the speakers for monitoring for a few months at a private rehearsal space with a band years ago, my bandmate and I used the system to rehearse a couple times. That's about it. I think I got the entire system in 2009 or something.

The thing is, it hasn't been used much and I doubt my needs are gonna grow in the future... Nowadays, my bandmate and I just rehearse in my bedroom, using my studio monitors and soundcard/laptop combo for mixing. Most clubs downtown have their own PA now. My system isn't good enough for proper live sound in a setup that's not a small bar with a 20 people crowd. Part of me thinks we could be better off renting some decent system on the cheap for the very few occasions we need to bring our own PA. Plus, that would mean I wouldn't have to deal with cost of repairing / replacing in case of failure or theft, and I wouldn't have to deal with upgrading shit either. And that would be that less to store.

My system cost me a little over 400€. I could sell it for a little bit over 300€. I'd have to invest to use my shit live (150-200€) anyway. Renting something far better and appropriate to up to a 100 people crowd would cost between 60 and 80€ depending which shop has what available.

What do you guys say? What are your PA needs? In your situation, do you think it's smarter to rent or own? Why?

Thanks much for helping get my brain moving on this.

How much does it cost to rent such a thing in France for an evening?

60-80 bucks for a 2.1 400 watts system and a compact console.

Somehow I looked over that detail the first time. How frequently do you play out? Do you have the real estate to store it?

That's where it gets tricky. I haven't had much use for it in the past (I've detailed this in the original post).

I'm gonna start playing out again, but I don't know how often. With that said, nowadays, most clubs downtown have their own PA so you don't need to bring yours. That's where the dilemma lies. Should I keep an underpowered one, maybe invest in a limiter to make sure we don't blow it. Or sell it, and rent out on occasions a system that is much more appropriate because we can tailor it to our needs, even though it might be a bit more painful 'cause we'll be dependent on two-three local renting companies.

It's comfy to know we can fall back on it. But I don't like the fact that this gear is aging, not being used much, and that the money would be put to better use in my savings account.

Honestly, at that point, I'm leaning towards selling.

I'd sell and rent a few times until you figure out how frequently you're going to play. Are there venues you'd turn down, or would you pretty much play anywhere that will have you? Have you already made a list of the venues you like playing, and whether they are already equipped for live sound? Also, are the gigs paid? If yes, is it enough to pay for the rental?

Yeah, the times in which we are not paid / the organizers won't pay for the PA / the venue doesn't have a PA is really residual. Ah fuck it, I'm defo selling.

Sell it. Pass on the gigs where you have to rent, or split the rental with other bands playing, or find a friend whose PA you can borrow on that rare occasion. It sounds like you'd only run into this dilemma once in a blue moon, so get rid of that ole PA and get yourself some pedal money.

aussy wrote:Sell it. Pass on the gigs where you have to rent, or split the rental with other bands playing, or find a friend whose PA you can borrow on that rare occasion. It sounds like you'd only run into this dilemma once in a blue moon, so get rid of that ole PA and get yourself some pedal money.

^^ This.