Request for some help....for the deployed troops (music gear related)

  • Thread starter Thread starter vicenzajay
  • Start date Start date
antichef...

antichef said:
OK - the order's in (MF #P5644683) - total was 318.99, since there was a $20 handling charge due to the size (but no shipping charge). They say they'll ship tomorrow after a 24 hour verification period, and their system says the AD50VT should arrive in Fallujah 5 to 7 days later.
Click to expand...

That's amazing - count me in on contributing...let me get home today, and I'll pm you tomorrow with an amount, etc. PM me with how you'd like the contribution, and I'll let Trey know it's on its way.

Jay
 
Antichef....

donation sent...hope several others chip in here and make this easy for everyone involved.

Thanks a ton for doing all the footwork on this.

Jay
 
thanks!

The USPS tracking number that MF gave me is D078737673006028509 - I got the email that the amp shipped today, but it usually takes a while to show up in the USPS website (it's not there just now).

I know they don't really show tracking info, but I'm going to check anyway. At least it'll show when the amp is delivered.

vincenzajay - do you know LCDR Glaze (or are you in contact)?
 
Antichef...

I'll send the tracking number to his email....I haven't heard from him in a couple of days, but I'm sure he'll get it shortly. Jay
 
Here's some more info

Copying an email from LCDR Glaze below....seems as if the chaplain at the Ramadi camp has more need of some of the items (mic stands/mics/etc.). I'll try to stay on top of this, but it will be hard as I'm out of internet in about 10 minutes (for about a month). I'll do what I can to have my wife answer this thread with more info.

email:

LCDR Glaze

I am most interested in listing some of the music instruments that Camp
Ramadi could use at Memorial Chapel. We are doing a concert this week,
in the center of camp at the stage, and have two great music groups (and
are just starting two more). It would definitely get some use if we
could get the response. Our drum sets are shot, and we have a great
drummer. Our sound system is on stage, behind the singers (not a good
place). We have more singers than mikes. We would like to add at least
two more guitars.

Complete drum set with heavy duty throne Replacement drum heads two each
for base, toms and snare. Also at least 5 drum keys for adjustment and
tuning.
Heavy duty cymbal stands 4 each
Cymbals, 13 inch thin, 16 inch crash, 18 inch crash Heavy duty froot
pedal for base drum Speaker, mixer system for indoor/outdoor and wire
snake to set up system at far end of theater Microphones, chords, stands

Guitar, acoustic with elec pickup
Bass
Other instruments like trumpet, sax, trombone would be nice for the
people who play and do not have them with them

Any help we can get would be outstanding!

Thanks,

Ch, LtCol Gary R. Califf
Memorial Chapel
Camp Ramadi, Iraq
 
here's an update with regard to the Vox AD50VT -- the "tracking number" still isn't showing up in the USPS site, and I'm not sure it will prior to delivery -- that's why I hope we can get a confirmation from the camp or from MF. I called MF just now, and they confirmed that they shipped last Saturday the 3rd.

On the donation side, I've gotten a total of $50 toward the amount of the purchase (thanks!!! you know who you are) - in a couple days, I'll list the users who wanted their usernames posted. Vincenzjay will be on that list, of course.

I'll post back every couple of days with more info.
 
bump....

I've got about 5 minutes of online time at the LNO office....wanted to bump this thread up for Antichef - he's put a lot on the line for this particular effort money-wise, so I hope we can get some more help with this. LCDR Glaze will let me know when the VOX arrives, so I'll do my best to report back with that info soonest.

Jay
 
vicenzajay said:
I've got about 5 minutes of online time at the LNO office....wanted to bump this thread up for Antichef - he's put a lot on the line for this particular effort money-wise, so I hope we can get some more help with this. LCDR Glaze will let me know when the VOX arrives, so I'll do my best to report back with that info soonest.

Jay
Click to expand...
Thanks Jay -- the post office website isn't helping much with delivery info :)

So far, contributions total $80 -- we've got Jay (vincenzajay) and eyema_believer on the list. If you want to pitch in, PM me -- I can see how this would be a more attractive option *after* we confirm the amp has been delivered :D - but I have faith in the post office. If you want to do homework you can call MF and ask for a delivery confirmation on the order number (P5644683), and they'll at least confirm what it is, when it shipped, and where it's going, I think.

Also, if you were thinking about pitching in, but don't have the $, don't worry about it - everything's covered. Sounds like it would be even better to send more stuff like Chaplain Califf is describing in that email above.
 
This may be a silly question, but why are you buying things from the U.S. in order to ship it it has to cross an ocean? I totally get shipping the stuff you have for donations, but isn't there someway to purchase and ship it from either Europe, Turkey or perhaps Israel? It has to at least be worth looking into on an online store or ebay.
 
Last edited:
hungovermorning said:
This may be a silly question, but why are you buying things from the U.S. in order to ship it it has to cross an ocean? I totally get shipping the stuff you have for donations, but isn't there someway to purchase and ship it from either Europe, Turkey or perhaps Israel? It has to at least be worth looking into on an online store or ebay.
Click to expand...

I think the big savings is because of the way the USPS treats military addresses. I've done a ton of shipping, and $65 to ship a big ole 50w amp across the state is a pretty good deal, let alone across the world.
 
with regard to that VOX amp, shipping from the US from Musicians Friend was "free", and there was a $20 handling charge, so I guess shipping was $20 (and if the amp gets there safely, I'm going to have to say that they're *not* idiots, as was subtly implied by another thread in this forum). The price on the amp itself was good, too (about $300) -- so the total was $318.99.

You're right I didn't consider a closer origin, but eyema_believer said it -- the US postal service essentially treats the Fallujah camp as a local US address, so shipping is artificially cheap. All us yanks are making up the difference when we pay our taxes :D
 
Update!!!

The guitar amplifier reached Iraq this week - Trey let me know that it came in and is already being used for shows and Sunday services this weekend!

Thanks antichef and all of you that helped.....bump for him as well as he could use some more donations to help offset the cost of the amplifier.

Jay
 
Another update - thanks to antichef and Jon (Naiant)

I am now in Fallujah myself...helping with the chapel and MWR's music program.

The VOX amp is used every single day by a very large sampling of musicians...it really is a very nice "one size fits all" guitar amp - very impressed (especially with the boutique clean preset...takes effects and different instruments very well). EQ is very responsive, and the amp is PLENTLY loud for pretty much any application. Antichef...the staff here wanted to thank you very, very much for your work on this score.

Next,

Jon - Naiant Studios - your box of cables, mic connectors, and cable connector parts, etc. has been a God-send for the setup here. They have a volunteer sound guy (who is a contractor for A/V across the base) who has rewired the stage setup with your cables...he's happier than a clam having color coded mic cables now with robust connectors.

Bottom line is THANK YOU.

For anyone else that's looking for a good cause for which to donate something, they are very short of instrument microphones (they have 1), guitar/bass straps (they have 2), and the big item...a bass amp. They actually have a single 12" combo...but the electronics are shot, and the box is extremely noisy (constant loud hum and hiss). We are dealing with it, but I'm sure very soon it will fail altogether.

Again - thanks to everyone for their help...it is greatly appreciated, and the troops here are very glad to have some reliable gear for the talent shows, concerts, and chapel services.

Take care,
Jay
 
Jon...

As of now, they have a SM-57 (one...fairly beat up) that they can use to stick on a guitar amp (or any amp), and they have nothing with which to mic acoustic instruments. To be fair, they only have a couple of strictly acoustic instruments available to play. In addition, they have several "gospel" choirs that use some dynamics slung high for performances...not the best, but there you have it.

Bottom line is that they're getting by just fine except for the acoustic and amp microphones...the one 57 is the worse for wear, and it's all they have.

In any case - your help with the cables/connectors/attachments/etc. was fantastic and just what they needed. Thanks very much again!

Jay
 
vicenzajay said:
As of now, they have a SM-57 (one...fairly beat up) that they can use to stick on a guitar amp (or any amp), and they have nothing with which to mic acoustic instruments. To be fair, they only have a couple of strictly acoustic instruments available to play. In addition, they have several "gospel" choirs that use some dynamics slung high for performances...not the best, but there you have it.

Bottom line is that they're getting by just fine except for the acoustic and amp microphones...the one 57 is the worse for wear, and it's all they have.
Click to expand...

We could probably get a collection going for some ES57s, maybe a dozen! :D

If you think something I do is useful for choir overhead, let me know and I'll have those out this week.
 
Jon,

mshilarious said:
We could probably get a collection going for some ES57s, maybe a dozen! :D

If you think something I do is useful for choir overhead, let me know and I'll have those out this week.
Click to expand...

You're right - the ES-57's would be a great choice - I own three of them myself at home. I think I'll just buy a three pack and have them sent here for the amps.

Actually - I think your standard MSH omni would be perfect for choir overheads....I know you've recently changed your lineup to newer models, but I've used your older MSH-2's and MSH-1's on choirs with good results...a spaced pair or quad always does the trick. At some point when I get back, I'm going to have to buy a pair of your newer models...my little studio just loves Naiant products!

Not wanting to tangentialize the thread - can we talk offline about the design/schematic for your older MDI "direct box connector"? I own two of them, and a friend back home will NOT quit pestering me about obtaining one (or something like it).

Back to topic - thanks again for any help...everything is getting used regularly and is VERY much appreciated. If you need anything - quotes/pictures/etc. for your site and your support for the troops, please ask!

Take care,
Jay
 
vicenzajay said:
You're right - the ES-57's would be a great choice - I own three of them myself at home. I think I'll just buy a three pack and have them sent here for the amps.

Actually - I think your standard MSH omni would be perfect for choir overheads....I know you've recently changed your lineup to newer models, but I've used your older MSH-2's and MSH-1's on choirs with good results...a spaced pair or quad always does the trick. At some point when I get back, I'm going to have to buy a pair of your newer models...my little studio just loves Naiant products!

Not wanting to tangentialize the thread - can we talk offline about the design/schematic for your older MDI "direct box connector"? I own two of them, and a friend back home will NOT quit pestering me about obtaining one (or something like it).

Back to topic - thanks again for any help...everything is getting used regularly and is VERY much appreciated. If you need anything - quotes/pictures/etc. for your site and your support for the troops, please ask!

Take care,
Jay
Click to expand...

Offline? Ah heck, here's the schemo. For a personal design, I would omit R7. It's there for two reasons: to pad the signal, and to increase headroom. Those are related. The problem is it increases input noise (since you are padding signal before the transistor). The better way to pad the signal is AFTER the transistor, but the MDI had another design compromise: the thing was freakin' small, man! There was only about 1/2" to build the circuit inside the connector, and it was done point to point! So there wasn't room for a pad on the output. Sure, you could use an inline pad, but now you've got something like 8 inches of connector (guitar in-->MDI-->pad-->mic out)

Also, I moved all of my products to balanced in/balanced out, so the MDI didn't fit anymore. I likey the transformer approach instead--no noise to speak of; no power required. You give up a bit of bass, but pick up much more headroom than any phantom-powered active device can offer.

I have a newer buffer circuit I use in the mics now--well, the X-M, specifically. That uses a low-current opamp, and offers tremendously high headroom (still not as high as the trafo though). I could build a direct box using that circuit, but it would be big and expensive, so . . .


How about the X-X for choir? Just let me know how long the drop from XLR needs to me.


I'd also like to do something on the site to promote money/gear donations . . . can you set up a Paypal Donate button or something? I can host that on a page along with a picture of your stage and maybe a quick note about what you're doing, hopefully that will trigger some more funds :)
 
Jon,

Thanks for the schematic!

The X-X sounds great for the choir...and they usually place the mics fairly high (say 8-9 feet) off the floor for the drop.

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you...my internet is pretty spotty. My wife has the kids back east for the month. Let me get back to you on the PayPal button once she gets home. She'll have more reliable internet, and I'd like to get a third party involved so there's plenty of accountability in the process.

Thanks again - I'm overwhelmed by your generosity!

Jay
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top