I need some power, Help!!!

[countrypilot]

After 5 years of playing guitar, I am starting to get realy serious about it and I am ready for some serious equipement. I currently use my first accoustic guitar (Fender Dreadnought DG6) and my new Ibanez Artcore ( which is a wonderful instrument). I also have a Behringer XVAMP and a decent non-powered mixer. I use a home stereo amplifier (100 watts) through a small cabinet speaker (2x8" speakers). I want to get like at least 300 Watts out of 12" speakers for some serious sound. Considering I want to put on shows for at least 300 people, what should I get. Any suggestions would be gladly appreciated. (also trying to watch the budget)

[Emo_kid]

Are you talking about a PA system or do you wish to make your guitar louder?

[IbanezRocker03]

For guitar, you don't need any more than 100 or so watts of TUBE AMP power. Obviously, I'd reccomend peavey 5150's, but they've been discontinues.. A 100-150W head and a 4x12 cabinet (16 ohms) should be sufficient for any show, large or small scale.

For PA systems (Vocals, instrument mics, etc) I reccomend Carvin products.

We had a 200-watt Kustom PA that got us through parties and small gigs, but after some research, we bought a package from Carvin consisting of a 1000-watt PA head, and (I believe) two "1564" cabinets. The vocals are usually the loudest part of our shows now, whereas they used to be inaudible. Plus, if you supply the PA for all the other bands when you play shows, you'll receive some perks.

[countrypilot]

Yeah, I've been looking at those Carvin systems. I really like the one which includes a 1000-watt power amp with a 16-channel board and two 400-watt cabinets. I already have a small board (for my personal instruments) and all the pedals I need. What I'm looking for in a PA-system is something that can handle large shows (500-1000 people) and can be turned way down for just a small garage practice. I don't know if the Carvin systems are capable of this. I know of a friends system (1000-watt Peavey Power-Mixer) where you have to keep it above 50% power to get a clear sound.

[IbanezRocker03]

All I know is that we practice in a garage or a living room, and the PA sounds fine in there..

When we play shows, ranging from local rec-center types to big stage/fairgrounds-types, the PA is very capable.

The thing most valuable about the Carvin system is that it is a Tri-amp. Meaning, you can have 4 speakers plugged into the back, and add 2 monitors from the back of the PA head itself... not that you really need the 4 speakers, since they put out 600 watts of power..

I'll try finding the exact package that we bought, and link you to it. It's paid off greatly since we purchased it.

[IbanezRocker03]

Apparently they don't offer it in the package anymore, but heres what we got.

Speakers (http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=1562&CID=CLB)

PA Head (http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=PA1200&CID=MXP)

EDIT:
On the PA head page, they offer the packages... so here's a link to the one we bought.

PA1200-1562 (http://carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=P1200-1562&CID=SYS1)

[countrypilot]

Thanks for that link, but personally i tend to stray away from power-mixers. I've had some really bad experiences of feedback and "hum" noise generated from them. For a good system, I will definitely have to have a seperate power amp. (I just can't run the risk of forking out 1-3000 $ for a PA system that just does not work well (I want it to be crystal clear when I want it to).

For the past week, I've been seriously checking out Carvin sound systems and I think this would be a very good solution to my needs: 844-1540
the link: Carvin Sound System (http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=844-1540&CID=SYS2)

[IbanezRocker03]

That looks pretty good man, and as I said.. Carvin makes quality products.

The only problem I see with that system is the speakers.. dual 400w will be able to handle the 1000w at peak level, but it's probably not that great for the speakers' "health."

If you want to be able to project the vocals for large scale shows, I'd suggest larger speakers.. more heavy duty transportation, but guaranteed for better clarity. If they offer that mixer with the larger speakers.. it shouldn't be TOO much more expensive, and will probably be a better investment.

Let me know how it all works out for ya :)

[countrypilot]

Yeah, I was wondering about that too, but I will find out about that pretty soon. I'm going to be moving out to school in about 5 weeks, so i will be able to go to a music shop and actually try out the system before getting it.

Just as a question of curiocity, what type of guitar do you use primarily (your nic "ibanez rocker)

[IbanezRocker03]

Heh, well for about 3 years my main one was an Ibanez RGT42bp (I bought when I was 13). Nowadays I primarily use my ESP-LTD EC-1000 for shows, and the ibanez is either a backup or an alternate tuning guitar.

Soon enough I'm gonna have a fully loaded John Petrucci 7-string. :)

[countrypilot]

Pretty sweet man, though it is kind of on the expensive side (my friend had a nice ibanez 7-string for about 700$ can).

Your Esp kind of looks similliar to a Gibson Les Paul.

Personally, I am very happy with the Ibanez Artcore AFS75T (in blue), with the vintage tremolo bar. After using it since january and finally finding a set of strings that really suits my style on this guitar (blues, and classic rock mainly), the D'Addario Jazz/Rock .11 gauge, I find it much more comfortable than a Les Paul, especially for bends. The weight is barely half, plus I have pretty nice "standard" pickups on it. I even have a tremelo bar where a Les Paul doesn't, plus my guitar those attract quite a bit of attention (it changes colour with the light), and it is different from the rest because it is a hollow-body. I picked this one out due to the fact that I am moving out to school in the fall and I didn't want to carry around two guitars (A stratocaster, and a fender Dreagtnought). As I have said before, I am very pleased with this purchase.

[IbanezRocker03]

I know the JP is kinda on the expensive side, but my grandmother wants to get me something really special, and basically set my limit around $1800. So I'm gonna take the offer and go with it! :)

Yeah, my ESP looks like a Les Paul.. but it has 10 times the crunch and tone of one! The neck plays so well for my tastes.. I couldn't refuse to buy it for $700. I basically got a pimped out Les Paul for a third of the price.

If you care to listen, my band has one of our older mp3s up here. (http://myspace.com/incarnateonline) We should be recording some new stuff in a few weeks..