Enforced Downsizing

[funksoulbrother]

Unfortunately, I am being forced to downsize my disco operation, due to medical reasons. After being in this business, which I love, for over 30 years, I have found out this week from my orthopeadic specialist, that I have Rheumatoid-arthritus in both knees, the right one being the worst.

The outlook is that if I don't reduce my workload/equipment load, I will be in a wheelchair within 12/18 months. I am therefore having to change the way I work, using lighter equipment etc, remembering also that no matter how light something is, when lifting properly, you use your knees, and this is the crux of my problem.

Unfortunately, the doctors have told me that they will not operate because, as I am too young......:Laugh: , and also that I smoke, I had given up but restarted when the pain got worse:shrug:

So I will be selling a few bits and pieces in the near future:beer1:

[Shaun]

Sorry to hear of your condition, Richard. You can't take chances with your health though.

Without knowing what you currently use it's hard to make suggestions.

Do you transport using a van or a car? I used to use an ultimax micromax, and use a ramp to wheel it into the van with the flightcase on. It's was pretty easy to do and no lifting involved.

Speakers: If you currently use a passive system maybe consider going down the active route. There are some very lightweight active speakers on the market. Maybe some air powered speaker stands or winch stands to go with them, so the speaker poles take the strain out of lowering and raising them.

Lighting: Maybe go down the route of the kam Powerbar (or Thomann equivelant). Relatively lightweight and more than enough light output for every venue I've used it in.



Possibly consider using a roadie too. Best of luck Richard, I hope it all works out for you.

[funksoulbrother]

Thanks Shaun for your best wishes.:beerchug:

I've just bought a 4' ultimax just over a month ago, might try the wheel attachment, to see if it's any better. It it is, I might look at getting the micro poles so that I have the option.

Speakers, I went down the active route last year, but I got the Warrior 15" actives, great as they are (and the weight), I might get smaller and lighter ones.

Lighting, I've been in two minds about the Powerbar etc the jury's still out at the moment

[WWDJ]

Speakers, I went down the active route last year, but I got the Warrior 15" actives, great as they are (and the weight), I might get smaller and lighter ones.

Great speakers for the money, but the weight, especially if you run them on stands .... well it's not an easy lift ...

I'm going down the same route. I can make the lift now, but I don't want to damage anything, so everything is going lighter this year.

[MikeW]

Sorry to hear you are having problems Richard. Hope it all goes ok for you.

I am going down the same route with regards to reducing the weight (dodgy back). I have just bought a pair of QSC K12s and have found them easier to handle.

[funksoulbrother]

Thanks Dave & Mike:beer1:

They are something that I will definately be looking at to reduce the stress.

Thanks for the pm Dave, will have a look.

[Excalibur]

Richard, I'm sorry to hear of your problems. I'm a year older, and though I'm still convinced I'm 21, my body disagrees. :(

Though my knees are not good, ( I damaged one playing rugby forty years ago ) fortunately they don't seeem to be getting worse, so I'm lucky.

Nowadays, a lot of kit is getting lighter, so it is posssible to cut the weight without sacrificing performance.

There are plenty of lightweight active cabs out there, I seem to remember the QSC K series aren't too heavy. If you had been passsive, I know that many of the new digital amps are unbelievably light, and very reliable.

Playout system, well the main contender is the Denon MC6000, it is small, light, and very good.

Lighting, well though the Powrbars of whatever nationality are a one fixture solution, I'd say they were a tad unwieldy when in their case, so perhaps there's a better option, I don't know. ( Although I rate the Powerbar very very highly. )


All the best mate, take care.

[CRAZY K]

Richard, I'm sorry to hear of your problems. I'm a year older, and though I'm still convinced I'm 21, my body disagrees. :(

Though my knees are not good, ( I damaged one playing rugby forty years ago ) fortunately they don't seeem to be getting worse, so I'm lucky.

Nowadays, a lot of kit is getting lighter, so it is posssible to cut the weight without sacrificing performance.

There are plenty of lightweight active cabs out there, I seem to remember the QSC K series aren't too heavy. If you had been passsive, I know that many of the new digital amps are unbelievably light, and very reliable.

Playout system, well the main contender is the Denon MC6000, it is small, light, and very good.

Lighting, well though the Powrbars of whatever nationality are a one fixture solution, I'd say they were a tad unwieldy when in their case, so perhaps there's a better option, I don't know. ( Although I rate the Powerbar very very highly. )


All the best mate, take care.

Sorry to hear this, yes the old aches and pains start once you reach a certain age.:daft:

I have somewhat possibly unwisely incorporated Line Dancing into my show which means---no hiding place.:eek:

I really would use a Roadie--these things never get any better only worse.

Good luck with it and take it easy.

I have to go to the Osteopath every four months for a "service" to my back which has worked very well--although my improvement probably can be traced to buying the old GAL---my Ford Galaxy which has a very comfortable driving position and lots of leg room--- after a hard nights work a pleasure to drive home. Possibly reconsider your transportation as well.

No longer do I get in at 4am after a 2-3 hour drive get out the vehicle and find I am suffering from serious stiffness.:D

[funksoulbrother]

Peter and Crazy, thanks for the good wishes.:beer1:

Unfortunately, my brain still thinks it's 21, but the surrounding bodywork is starting to look (and feel) it's age. I am seriously looking at all my various options and eventually will make a reasoned choice based on those options.

:)

[djsteve10]

If you are down sizing, Have you thought about looking at a couple of Bose L1's or Bose L1 Compacts?

Lighting wise, The others have suggest Par bars and the power bars which is a very good suggestion.

I currently use the MC6000 for playout with a Apple Macbook pro and it is very solid, stable and is very lightweight in the flightcase I have it in too :)

Hope this helps!