Anyone try a Fender Passport PA ?

I keep wondering about using a Fender Passport PA for an Arranger/Vocal/DJ gig. When they first came out my school bought one for the Chorus and it served its poupose well. 4 mics and a cassette player plugged into it. A while ago I heard a guy doing vocals with midi track backing in a small bar/restaurant using the PD250 and he sounded good. A lot more bottom to the sound then I would of expected. They've recently added the PD500 to the line and it is only about 50 lbs total. Reading all these posts about the super expensive BOSE system makes me wonder if anyone has investigated the Fender Systems. BTW, my local service center says they've had very few of them come into the shop and they do come with a pretty good warranty from Fender. He also told me its been Fender's biggest selling item since they came out so there's a lot of them out there..

http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/017628.html

How times have changed .... it ain't bad , BUT.....it ain't no BOSE!

Bill run down Rt 18 / Rt 27 & check em both out in GC & Sam Ash.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-16-2009).]

DNJ
Thanks for the reply and info. the way this site discusses and the new stuff I KNEW you guys had to of talked about these sytems before. Sorry for the duplicate question.

Yea, I used to "live" in those stores but haven't been ther in a while. Last visit they ahd a PD250 demo for a good price which is what caused me to go down to my service guy and get his take.
Still thinking about it.

Good luck Bill

Bill,

I had the PD250 and I thought it was a nightmare. Was extremely bulky to carry. Then when I played my PA800 in stereo, I was disappointed in the sound quality.

I next had the Stagepas 500, which I thought was better, but still not what I wanted - a tad weak in the bass and cumbersome.

From there I went to the Mackie 450v2. At first I enjoyed, but they seemed to lack color in the end.

Fran found the Podiums. Many gigs later, using them as wedges and running my 800 in stereo, I cannot be more pleased. They have beautiful color and power. The price is incredible too.

Again, many will disagree, but wanted to give you more options to consider.

The Peavey Escort blows away the Fender, in my opinion. Podiums blow them BOTH away for far less money, but you'll probably need a mixer with them, so add another $99. or so.
DonM

Zuki said:
Bill,

I had the PD250 and I thought it was a nightmare. Was extremely bulky to carry. Then when I played my PA800 in stereo, I was disappointed in the sound quality.

I can say the same.

Chico

Podium 802's ...

Thanks for the replies. Nothing like getting the news from people who've been there and done that. Saves a lot of confusion.
I'm also looking at the Peavey Escort because Peavey stuff is reliable. Don't know about the sound thiough so maybe someone can chime in on that. Also like the one piece packup feature.
What mixer do you guys use with the Podiums and does it have effects for vocals?
Thanks again
Bill

Bill when I use a mixer with the Podium 802's ..I use the Alesis Multimix6 FX($99)..I recommend the combination..When I use the G70 and the podium's..I do not need a mixer..the on board mixing of the G70 is enough..

Podium 802's ... anyone got a link?

http://www.onlyfactorydirect.net/servlet/StoreFront


http://www.onlyfactorydirect.net/servlet/Detail?no=146

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 06-17-2009).]

Thanks Fran. I'll check out the combo. Sorry I missed you in Wildwood. Was there the weekend after you finished. "Star" was playing Sunday at the Elks. Nice group. Talk about retro equip. Keyboard player use Ensoniq TS10's.for his SMF's that they play along with. He has five of them!
This portable PA thing is getting crowded. Just found another. The Behringer EPA900. Looks good, lots of features and one piece but Behringer has been suspect.

I've had a Behringer mixer this past four years and it's been reliable enough, except that the pan controls sometimes act like a volume control.

Bill, you can check the band schedule here..
http://www.justintimeband.com/index1.html

Thanks Fran

You will be seeing us down there soon. Soundclips on the site sound great.

Bill

Thanks Fran

You will be seeing us down there soon. Soundclips on the site sound great.

Bill

Bill we (my wife and I, as a Duo) had the Peavey Escort - YEARS ago - well... 2001, as a FOH PA for awhile.

The sound was *ahem* ok, but we quickly outgrew it.
No bottom end (no sub of course) and pretty tinny.

We graduated to a conventional PA and moved the escort to the rear of stage where it served as a Monitor system.

(I just asked my wife how she recalled the sound of the Peavey, and she said (and I quote) "Like we'd forgotten to take speakers with us"......lol

The Caveat here is:

The Escort may have improved dramatically since 2001.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document/fender/passport_deluxe?doc_id=89264
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/FenderPassport500.htm



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-20-2009).]