Acoustic Advice Needed

[rugby1970]

So, I'm starting to play out solo again. It's all volunteer stuff - memory care/assisted living facilities and such (I also volunteer to teach guitar to our US veterans that have PTSD, it's free for them. The The organization is a non-profit called Guitars For Vets (G4V) - check it out if you have a moment or two). I have my Alvarez Yuri with a factory mounted pick-up and preamp, Fishman LoudBox mini, Shure mic, etc., the amp accepts the mic input and overall it sounds good. I also have a new Harbinger MLS900, that I bought on the advice of a member here, and a Mackie DFX6.

The question is: since the venues are on the small side which rig do I use? The memory care/assisted living gigs are each only an hour in length. The MLS900 sounds better but I don't want it to be too much for the senior citizens, even though some of the gigs will be "happy hour" at the facility. I also don't want to underwhelm the audience with just the LoudBox. If I use the MLS900 I'd most likely would run the guitar and mic through the Mackie first.

Thoughts?

[hamerhead]

Whichever is easiest to carry and set up!

I had to look up the Fishman and it looks really nice. I'd say it's a coin flip, with a nod towards the Harbinger in the bigger rooms.

The Guitars for Vets program is awesome. Good on you for being a part of that. 👍

[scottcald]

I'd say bring the larger one.  You can always turn that down if it's too much, but if the Fishman isn't enough, you'll just struggle and/or not sound its best. 

[Dutchman]

I'm familiar with all that gear. I'd get a small beach trailer and use the Harbinger. You should be able to load in with 1 trip. Collapse the Beach wagon. And put it behind you.

https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-Folding-Wagon-All-Terrain-Activities/dp/B09F98DMRR/ref=asc_df_B09F98DMRR&mcid=9634c38aa9a43e91b0914ddbe6013525?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80195747038897&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583795277098456&psc=1

[hamerhead]

My daughter got us one of those wagons. It's handy as hell and gets used waaay more than I would have imagined. Good call!

[rugby1970]

I ordered a wagon a few days ago, great minds think alike!  I A-B'd the Fishman and the Harbinger in my garage and had my neighbor over for the sound check (I gave him a PBR for his efforts). His review was that after I adjusted both systems, they sounded equally good, equally loud.

It's a toss up

[tomteriffic]

From experience...

I used a Loudbox Mini Charge for a number of casual things, farmer's markets and the like, mostly outdoors where the idea was to "waft" over a parking lot.  Up close it was reasonably loud and very intelligible.  I also used a Trace Elliot all in one pedalboard, powered by a Volto battery pack.   For inside stuff such as the things you mentioned, I'd think it would be all you'd need since your audience would be 1) inside and 2) up close.  Top tip: put it up on a folding chair or similar, just for better dispersion.

OH and a big Plus to Guitars For Vets.  I don't know if he still does it, but Dean Zelinsky used to make a G4V model where, if you bought one, a vet got one free.  Pretty good guitar too.