I need multi

[mbroughton02]

Hey everyone, I just discovered this forum and I think its pretty great. Anyways, in the summertime I am the ME at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, NY and next year I am hoping to implement a rep circuiting plan on our hellish FOH positions which currently take up a lot of time during each of our short changeovers to rehang and recircuit for every show. What I want to do is run multi with staggered breakouts along each position so that I have a circuit every 18", thus eliminating the need to constantly move the multi based on each plot. What I need to do this is 22 75' lengths of 6 ckt multi (a few could be 50' or a few could be 100' if need be), the staggered breakouts (stagepin), and also 6' stagepin break-ins. So here is the question- do any of you work at a University or other theatre that is dark in the summertime that a) has this much multi that typically sits around all summer and b) might be willing to either rent it to a nice guy like me or trade for equip. in the other seasons when we are dark. I would love to find a University to set up a trade with. We have lots of nice things to offer to a theatre willing to lend us this amount of multi. Our season runs from mid May to early Oct, so when we are dark we could lend you some combination of Source Fours, Scrollers, Cable, or if you are lucky, maybe a VL1000 or two. This is a real shot in the dark but maybe someone here has some idea of how I can acquire this much multi for a summer without paying the rental quotes I have gotten ranging from $7,000 to $19,000 for the summer- way out of our budget right now. Thanks in advance.

[BillESC]

Your rental quotes sound a bit excessive.

A staggered 6 circuit breakout can be purchased new for under $ 200.00

12 gauge 6 circuit X 75' cables can be had new for around $ 500.00

You could buy all 22 sets for that high rental number.

[derekleffew]

You might consider buying used here. But only until 11/19/07.

I like your idea of a "seasonal trade." Good luck on that. Unfortunately, colleges don't generally deal with such stuff often, and almost all the pro rental shops disposed of their 12ckt Pyle-National 12/37 a while ago.

One final thing, mbroughton02 , stop by the New Member Board and start a thread introducing yourself. We like to know to whom we're talking. That and we're nosy. Tell us who you are, where you are, what you've done, what you'd like to do. No longer required is that you answer questions regarding pirates and the metric system. Currently, we want to know what type of pizza you prefer.

[JD]

You might want to consider "Tray Cable" for your longer runs. (Example- http://www.delcowireus.com/tray_cable.php ) It is very effective except in cold weather, which does not sound like a factor for you. Its UL approved at 600 volts and comes in 14, 12, and 10 AWG Depending on the gauge, they are available with up to 60 conductors (#14, nineteen conductors for the #10) The casing is pretty tough and even the rock and roll roadies never cut one up on me. (Its even rated for direct burial.) Where you need cold flexibility, you could use SDN (Example- http://www.calvert-wire.com/show_product.php?id=235 )

In all cases, it sounds like buying your own is the best bet.

[gafftaper]

First welcome to the booth and stop by the new member board to introduce yourself.

Second I'll think you find most state colleges are not allowed to loan or rent out gear. At least in my state, it's state property and the laws are very tricky about such things. I'm working on trying to be given permission to loan to other state institutions, but even that is questionable. State law makes it clear we are not in the rental/loan business.

Your rental price does sound nuts. What about spending a couple grand a year on a few cables and building up slowly?

[icewolf08]

We (PTC) are part of a state college, and we rent things out all the time, from costumes to drops to lighting gear (if I can spare it). I would love to help you, but unfortunately my season starts in September, so I would need gear back before you were done. I think most colleges start before you are done, which would create issues. You are pretty close to both Ithaca College and Cornell University though, you might give them a call just to explore the options.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Your rental price does sound nuts.

I'll lay odds that I can name at least one of the firms, extortionists and dangerous installers.

[len]

I agree with $7K being excessive. I did a tour last summer with 12 cyberlights, 12 Mac2K, hazer, multi, distro, and it came out to about $15K for 8 weeks.

I'd make a detailed list and check with Bill to get you a purchase price. I'll bet he can sell you for about the price of the rental. Or less.

[avkid]

There has to be some rental firms in the city selling off used gear.

[mbroughton02]

Originally Posted by avkid

I'll lay odds that I can name at least one of the firms, extortionists and dangerous installers.

Well the $19,000 joke of a quote came from one that starts with a P and ends with a RG. Hope I'm not giving them away Even the $7000 I really can't afford this year because I have to buy two followspots.
Thanks everyone for the good suggestions so far. If the swapping/loaning thing doesn't work out then I will try to buy some used multi each year for the next few years. I am still being hopeful about getting this rep circuiting thing up this coming summer because we are doing several really big shows, but maybe I will just do the worst of the worst positions first. Well I'm off to my favorite hemphouse in Brooklyn now, keep the ideas coming.
Thanks