worse gig ever

[dj-jaym]

So turned up saturday to do a wedding in a marquee, Spoke to groom before hand said on a generator, Thought ummmmmm, Got there was a 66kva just running marquee lighting bar and myself and a singer, Should of breezed it easy !

Running hour late the reception was, So we built the rig up outside soon as time to go in got it rigged up looking smart neat cables ! all taped up.

Power on lights motors running !, No light ummmm ? check bulbs not that, Reboot them nothing, Ring a mate see if he could bring some bulbs up hes out, Singer plugs her equipment in massive breaking through popping her amp clipping like crazy, So off i go to inform groom, The guy in charge generator then comes over, Blames her equipment, I mention my problem he says unplug and reboot genny, So we do that,

Back on her mini disc player is dead, SO her roadie goes gets another that doesnt work to ! 66KVA genny not powering a mini disc deck !. SO this chap takes the lid of her mini disc deck starts fiddling,

By this point i am about call it a day, Sorry but i dont risk my gear wedding or not !. Then i notice all the leds not working on my mixer, Do a soundcheck sound still coming out though !, Amplifier is clipping madly at very low level, And external hard drive is buggered ! Nice !.

I then insist power run from house or we leave the site, This leads to the grooms father who may i add is multi millionair, Demanding we plug back into the generator and just get thru best we can for his sons wedding !, Err no, Starts talking down to me at this point i ask him to leave he does.

They eventualy run power down from the house or so im told !, An extension appears well 2, They had actualy run one lead down and split it outside the marquee !, lighting was breaking through to sound occasionly couldnt put finger on it till we packed up !.

Was not bad night up dancing etc, Top it off packing up and the pratt turned genny and sightlighting off and went home, Left is packing up in dark middle field with a torch !, Nice !

So today i get the gear tested and price for repair and contact generator owners boss, To be told my fault should have setup day before left my gear in a field and we coulda sorted out the power done tests ?

Told him i cant do that, Security etc, He then said i dont know how to operate it crap company etc etc, Told him politely not true he was the unproffesional, Which case he slammed phone down.

Leaving me out of pocket to sum 900 quid to replace the damaged gear

Left with do i take him to court, Or do send heavies round

Lesson dont use a generator !

[CRAZY K]

So turned up saturday to do a wedding in a marquee, Spoke to groom before hand said on a generator, Thought ummmmmm, Got there was a 66kva just running marquee lighting bar and myself and a singer, Should of breezed it easy !

Running hour late the reception was, So we built the rig up outside soon as time to go in got it rigged up looking smart neat cables ! all taped up.

Power on lights motors running !, No light ummmm ? check bulbs not that, Reboot them nothing, Ring a mate see if he could bring some bulbs up hes out, Singer plugs her equipment in massive breaking through popping her amp clipping like crazy, So off i go to inform groom, The guy in charge generator then comes over, Blames her equipment, I mention my problem he says unplug and reboot genny, So we do that,

Back on her mini disc player is dead, SO her roadie goes gets another that doesnt work to ! 66KVA genny not powering a mini disc deck !. SO this chap takes the lid of her mini disc deck starts fiddling,

By this point i am about call it a day, Sorry but i dont risk my gear wedding or not !. Then i notice all the leds not working on my mixer, Do a soundcheck sound still coming out though !, Amplifier is clipping madly at very low level, And external hard drive is buggered ! Nice !.

I then insist power run from house or we leave the site, This leads to the grooms father who may i add is multi millionair, Demanding we plug back into the generator and just get thru best we can for his sons wedding !, Err no, Starts talking down to me at this point i ask him to leave he does.

They eventualy run power down from the house or so im told !, An extension appears well 2, They had actualy run one lead down and split it outside the marquee !, lighting was breaking through to sound occasionly couldnt put finger on it till we packed up !.

Was not bad night up dancing etc, Top it off packing up and the pratt turned genny and sightlighting off and went home, Left is packing up in dark middle field with a torch !, Nice !

So today i get the gear tested and price for repair and contact generator owners boss, To be told my fault should have setup day before left my gear in a field and we coulda sorted out the power done tests ?

Told him i cant do that, Security etc, He then said i dont know how to operate it crap company etc etc, Told him politely not true he was the unproffesional, Which case he slammed phone down.

Leaving me out of pocket to sum 900 quid to replace the damaged gear

Left with do i take him to court, Or do send heavies round

Lesson dont use a generator !

HEY THATS TERRIBLE. really sorry to hear this story.

Did you have any terms in your contract about damage caused by Generator.

I wont agree to use anything except mains unless I have an undertaking to repair my stuff.

Otherwise--no gig.

On my next job I have insisted on taking my own 30 metre mains lead rather than use a generator.

To be fair PROPER PROFESSIONAL Hire Companies use big reliable generators like Hondas--I did work on a couple last year but those were the dogs......

You could just tell the contractor knew what he was doing.

Accusing people of having dodgy equipment is a giveaway that the Contractor knows his genny is a problem--probably happens all the time.

Are the Genny Contractors members of any professional Association--if so contact them and complain now!

I would consult a Solicitor or Citizens Advice or legal helpline.

If theres nothing in writing its going to be difficult--but you have the singer who can be your witness. Take the top off my mini Disc Player
:eek: Go away!!!!!!

It rather depends on what if anything was agreed between the Millionaire Customer and the Hire Contractor.

I think you may end up having to sue your Millionaire because it was his contractor who supplied you with faulty electricity.

Sorry cant be more positive at this stage, you need professional help with this

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

crikey Jake mate thats awful you have more patience than me chap. was it saturday just gone? if I can help out in anyway you know where I am.

dont just mean cover ... if i can lend you some back up gear etc.

[Candybeatdiscos]

ouch - i would have personally refused the booking unless he met my T&C's

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE ARRANGED BY THE CLIENT
The Client agrees to ensure the availability of at least FOUR(4) electrical circuit outlets (wall sockets) within ten (10) feet of his set-up area within the venue. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical outlets and dj set-up area are adequate and safe. We reserve the right to cancel our services should we discover that the Venue is unsuitable or dangerous. In these circumstances, no refund will be made and all remaining fees as agreed in the agreement above must be paid by the client in full.

I know I am not the only person who insists on this stipulation. At end of day no-one would be taking lid of any my gear lol honestly i don't know what you can do - i would however think you would be best to try and recup costs from the person who booked you.

[CRAZY K]

So turned up saturday to do a wedding in a marquee, Spoke to groom before hand said on a generator, Thought ummmmmm, Got there was a 66kva just running marquee lighting bar and myself and a singer, Should of breezed it easy !

Running hour late the reception was, So we built the rig up outside soon as time to go in got it rigged up looking smart neat cables ! all taped up.

Power on lights motors running !, No light ummmm ? check bulbs not that, Reboot them nothing, Ring a mate see if he could bring some bulbs up hes out, Singer plugs her equipment in massive breaking through popping her amp clipping like crazy, So off i go to inform groom, The guy in charge generator then comes over, Blames her equipment, I mention my problem he says unplug and reboot genny, So we do that,

Back on her mini disc player is dead, SO her roadie goes gets another that doesnt work to ! 66KVA genny not powering a mini disc deck !. SO this chap takes the lid of her mini disc deck starts fiddling,

By this point i am about call it a day, Sorry but i dont risk my gear wedding or not !. Then i notice all the leds not working on my mixer, Do a soundcheck sound still coming out though !, Amplifier is clipping madly at very low level, And external hard drive is buggered ! Nice !.

I then insist power run from house or we leave the site, This leads to the grooms father who may i add is multi millionair, Demanding we plug back into the generator and just get thru best we can for his sons wedding !, Err no, Starts talking down to me at this point i ask him to leave he does.

They eventualy run power down from the house or so im told !, An extension appears well 2, They had actualy run one lead down and split it outside the marquee !, lighting was breaking through to sound occasionly couldnt put finger on it till we packed up !.

Was not bad night up dancing etc, Top it off packing up and the pratt turned genny and sightlighting off and went home, Left is packing up in dark middle field with a torch !, Nice !

So today i get the gear tested and price for repair and contact generator owners boss, To be told my fault should have setup day before left my gear in a field and we coulda sorted out the power done tests ?

Told him i cant do that, Security etc, He then said i dont know how to operate it crap company etc etc, Told him politely not true he was the unproffesional, Which case he slammed phone down.

Leaving me out of pocket to sum 900 quid to replace the damaged gear

Left with do i take him to court, Or do send heavies round

Lesson dont use a generator !

Just to mention also that its complete rubbish to say you should have gone for a test before the gig.

The gigs I did last year on generators--just turned up talked to them quickly, they gave me a trailing lead and that was it--no problems.

DID THE CUSTOMER GET THESE PEOPLE ON THE CHEAP--THATS HOW IT SOUNDS.

If the Contractor is supplying power for a Disco they know the approximate amount needed for Bands and Discos--assuming lighting is fairly standard and not excessive then should not be a problem.

CRAZY K

[dj-jaym]

@ Dave, Yeah mate it was, I will give you a bell later on explain better over phone, Cheers re lending of gear,

Well i have spoken to a solicitor apparantly somethign called civil litigation ???, I have the specialist from the law firm ringin me back in the morning to arrange appointment and him to tell me best course of action

Well keep people posted, It did realy push my patience but i did the proffesional thing and tried to pull of the gig to the end,

Has made me reflect and was close to hanging up the headphones but luckily im going to carry on

[Thames Valley Discos]

If you use a generator always use a double convertion UPS, that way only clean power gets to your gear. Cost about £400 but keeps your gear safe.
Powerware do a good double convertion UPS

[dj-jaym]

Did have a ups but it was forgetten, Having spoken to some specialists within the generator industry, They have advised probably wouldnt have made much difference and not to rely on a ups

[spin mobile disco]

Unfortunatly although UPS does solve some problems it wond solve a constant under load problem as it has to draw power to store what you are going to need anyway. It helps against small surges and fluctuations but any contant problem will still kill it as well as you gear.
I managed to blow an amps fuses and rcd this weekend for a similar reason. Wasnt a generator but it was poor electrics caused it. And that was with a power cleaner in circuit. Ran from another source changed fuses reset rcd and it was fine but if I had lost it I would have been gutted as it was on of my £1100 amps and that is a bugger to replace lol.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Thanks i will keep this in mind as i have an outside garden party this weekend and its in a marquee.Does anyone know if there are laws for the supply of electricity from generators?We have to provide pat test certificates for all our equipment before we get in to set up at most venues.Surley there must be the equivelent for generators.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

One thing that springs to mind for me. Did you not pre-arrange your requirements for power? I know I would have done if I booked a marquee job in.

[dj-jaym]

One thing that springs to mind for me. Did you not pre-arrange your requirements for power? I know I would have done if I booked a marquee job in.

Yes was pre arrange 2 13 amp supplys, All of this was covered with the groom before hand, Length of cables etc,

It boils down to the generator,

i just hope people can learn from this and be more cautious in future

[CRAZY K]

Yes was pre arrange 2 13 amp supplys, All of this was covered with the groom before hand, Length of cables etc,

It boils down to the generator,

i just hope people can learn from this and be more cautious in future

Well if all this was agreed in advance with the "client" then probably thats who will have to pay--or his Millionaire dad!

They can sue the Generator supplier afterwards.

You asked the CLIENT for and did not receive a "safe properly regulated supply of electricity" NOT the Generator Company.

THE GENERATOR SUPPLIER HAS FAILED TO DO SO --IT WOULD SEEM.

See what your legal people say:eek:

Thankfully my remaining marquee jobs have mains power but I will be looking very carefully at any new proposed Marquee jobs and asking questions from the start and pointing out my disclaimer.

I was going to say that usually the better paid quality jobs for Marquees normally have better quality Companies supplying the Marquee and generator-so no problems-BUt this seems to show otherwise--as you state the father is very wealthy.

Make sure you have details of the singer who was using a mini Disc player as a witness.

Darren whats your company policy on generators in marquees?

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

Well if all this was agreed in advance with the "client" then probably thats who will have to pay--or his Millionaire dad!

They can sue the Generator supplier afterwards.

You asked the CLIENT for and did not receive a "safe properly regulated supply of electricity" NOT the Generator Company.



thats kind of what I suggested Alan to Jake maybe try a nice approach first and try and keep the client onside and informed ..... you sue the client for breach of contract or whatever the legal jargon would be .....

he inturn launches proceedings against the generator company for their part in the fiasco???

might be a rubbish idea but only one i could come up with.

[dj-jaym]

thats kind of what I suggested Alan to Jake maybe try a nice approach first and try and keep the client onside and informed ..... you sue the client for breach of contract or whatever the legal jargon would be .....

he inturn launches proceedings against the generator company for their part in the fiasco???

might be a rubbish idea but only one i could come up with.

Yeah i think ur rite dave, From speaking to a few others looks like the situation, Not a nice one but its got to be done,

Will update when spoke to solicitor in morning

[dj-jaym]

Well if all this was agreed in advance with the "client" then probably thats who will have to pay--or his Millionaire dad!

They can sue the Generator supplier afterwards.

You asked the CLIENT for and did not receive a "safe properly regulated supply of electricity" NOT the Generator Company.

THE GENERATOR SUPPLIER HAS FAILED TO DO SO --IT WOULD SEEM.

See what your legal people say:eek:

Thankfully my remaining marquee jobs have mains power but I will be looking very carefully at any new proposed Marquee jobs and asking questions from the start and pointing out my disclaimer.

I was going to say that usually the better paid quality jobs for Marquees normally have better quality Companies supplying the Marquee and generator-so no problems-BUt this seems to show otherwise--as you state the father is very wealthy.

Make sure you have details of the singer who was using a mini Disc player as a witness.

Darren whats your company policy on generators in marquees?

CRAZY K

I do indeed have contacts of the singers, And 2 other witness's

[flatliners]

contact citzens advice and they might help you i had the same problem at a gig
main genny packed in back up one not powerfull enough blew my compression dirvers in my jbls and 2 bulbs in lighting effects

[dj-jaym]

Flatliners, Could you enlighten me a little more ?

What was outcome how did you resolve it

[flatliners]

well cost me to get the speakers fixed didnt put in a bill to them as stupidly didnt realise the problem till the next gig lucky the next gig wasnt far away from my house so got my spare speakers rigged up

[Penfold42]

contact citzens advice and they might help you i had the same problem at a gig
main genny packed in back up one not powerfull enough blew my compression dirvers in my jbls and 2 bulbs in lighting effects


Flatliners, Could you enlighten me a little more ?

What was outcome how did you resolve it


well cost me to get the speakers fixed didnt put in a bill to them as stupidly didnt realise the problem till the next gig lucky the next gig wasnt far away from my house so got my spare speakers rigged up

Have I missed something here....:confused:

I think dj-jaym was on about citzens advice.....not how you got out of a fix Flatliners....:)

So you didn't go to citzens advice then...

[Penfold42]

I know it dont help but you might want to look at this http://www.consumerline.org/search/?cat=Taking+Legal+Action&item=Legal+Action+in+the+courts+
and you probebly have...hope you get sorted. :)

[TONYTIGER]

A little tip for djs who want to sa***uard there sensitive gear when using generators , i allways use a CPS which will cut in if there is any disruption with power supply .Will hold for about 75min gives you chance to get sorted and your gear getting fryed. Tony Tiger

[CRAZY K]

A little tip for djs who want to sa***uard there sensitive gear when using generators , i allways use a CPS which will cut in if there is any disruption with power supply .Will hold for about 75min gives you chance to get sorted and your gear getting fryed. Tony Tiger

Whats a CPS Tony and how much do they cost?

CRAZY K

[PropellerHeadCase]

Probably better known as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), I'm guessing the 'C' is for Constant.

[CRAZY K]

Probably better known as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), I'm guessing the 'C' is for Constant.

COST?

CRAZY K

[colinm345]

Yes a good generator supplier is able to supply certificates

[CRAZY K]

Yes a good generator supplier is able to supply certificates

Colin, Lets hope they are worth more than an MOT and PAT certificates:eek:

Thats the problem really--what happens on the day--is it safe and reliable?

regards

CRazy k

[TONYTIGER]

COST?

CRAZY K

Hi can buy from maplins or on the net the 75min one cost me £45 . i beleive it works like a large rechargeable battery and takes over if there is a blip in power supply saved my computer gear many times
TONYTIGER

[dj-jaym]

Please NOTE:

A UPS will not always save you !