VLs on Ebay

[LavaASU]

Vari-lite Consoles & Lighting Fixtures | eBay

So... saw this and thought it was interesting... though I rather doubt they'll sell for that much unless someone needs VL5s/6s. Anyone know which fixtures are which? Some of those look very very early in the VL series.

 

[VL5]

they look like the 200 series, not the 300 series which are VL5's and VL6's, I believe these are VL1's and VL2's

 

[JD]

Don't those use the Marc350 lamp? Not sure that is in or out of production these days, but without lamps they would be fancy boat anchors.

 

[lightingguy1]

Actaully those look like VL3s......If I remember correctly, VL3s can be seen thru out Areosmith's music video of The Other Side......



YouTube - ‪Aerosmith - The Other Side‬‏


-Lightingguy1

 

[Footer]

Don't those use the Marc350 lamp? Not sure that is in or out of production these days, but without lamps they would be fancy boat anchors.

Yes, I believe they do, and yes, they are out of production. I have two spots in my space that take that blasted lamp, a "new" one costs 350 bucks and lasts 40 hours if your lucky. When they are sold there is no guarantee that they are new or that they will work at all. Don't touch these things with a 100' pole with a clown on the end. You won't be able to afford to keep them lamped up.

 

[LXPlot]

So... saw this and thought it was interesting... though I rather doubt they'll sell for that much unless someone needs VL5s/6s. Anyone know which fixtures are which? Some of those look very very early in the VL series.

I doubt that they'll sell as well, but look whats included:

(2) Vari-Lite mini Artisan 200 (lighting boards) w/ CPUs

(16) Vari-Lite Fixtures

(2) Vari-Lite Smart DMX / SPC-36 Controllers

(1) Six-Pack Chassis

(3) Output Breakers

(1) Very Complete "Test Box" Spare Parts

(20+) Vari-Lite 2 Fixtures

(20+) Vari-Lite 5 & 6 Fixtures

You get quite a bit of equipment for the price. They may not be helpful, but if you fancy old fixtures or something... I suppose one might contact the seller and ask for a deal on just a part of the lot.

 

[techno89]

Does anyone know more about the controller? Does it work with DMX

EDIT: Does anyone have a manual for a MiniArtisan?

 

[Footer]

All of this gear was from the era when VL only rented gear. Its not DMX. It really is just scrap metal, nothing more. Without a VL tech who worked on them back in the day I doubt you could even get this gear going. Tell me if I'm wrong, but from what I have been told this stuff was not even documented that well.

 

[techno89]

It would seem to me if it was a mini artisan2 I would maybe buy it if they would sell it for 50 bucks and i think PRG has a huge manual for how to setup a system of this kind of stuff, but I think its a mini artisan not artisan2, i can't even find anything on a plain old mini artisan

 

[shiben]

There is that random 16+ VL fixtures, the deal could be a total winner if they are more modern VL stuff, tho I doubt it... Would be kinda funny tho if they turn out to be VLXs or something, would make the 10k asking price pretty worth it... Would maybe try and find out what those are?

 

[techno89]

I'll work on finding out more.

 

[LXPlot]

There is that random 16+ VL fixtures, the deal could be a total winner if they are more modern VL stuff, tho I doubt it... Would be kinda funny tho if they turn out to be VLXs or something, would make the 10k asking price pretty worth it... Would maybe try and find out what those are?

You could buy the set and gamble on it! Send me one of the chinese knock off varilites they turn out to be when you get it!

 

[shiben]

You could buy the set and gamble on it! Send me one of the chinese knock off varilites they turn out to be when you get it!

If I had 10 grand, well, I wouldnt be spending it on that. I would probably be, you know, paying rent, buying gas, buying something better than pasta, cheap sauce and the occasional treat of "Asian Sensation" noodle bowls and/or fast food to eat. I dont really want/need that kind of thing, even if it is just to kick around for fun, When would I do that? Between the 8-14 hours a day of work, 8 hours of sleep, and a couple hours of driving every day? ;-) Im sure they are real, the guy at the shop just couldnt figure out what kind they were or something similar. Probably VL1s or something.

 

[Esoteric]

It would make a good museum exhibit. We had a working piano board and working salt water dimmers in our "museum" at college.

 

[shiben]

It would make a good museum exhibit. We had a working piano board and working salt water dimmers in our "museum" at college.

If you could get a pile of lamps, it could make a cool thing a-la the museum level of CoD MW2! "Hey kids, this is how they USED to do concerts! Note how the main difference is what kind of light they are using, not the fact that you are going and watching some guy sing!"

 

[RonaldBeal]

Ok the pictures show VL2c's , VL4's with tophats, and a Mini-Artisan console.
The console pre-dates the upgrade to Mini-Artisan plus(1995) which means it can only output S-200 native to the VL's, DMX for dimming for the VL-5's, and DMX for dimming only channels. It cannot patch other moving lights.

The VL5s and 6s should be able to be controlled by another DMX console, however the VL2s and 4s do not have the extra bits required to allow them to run off DMX. Don't know if those bits are still available through PRG.

There are no VL1s or VL3s pictured. In fact I believe only 1 VL3 survived from being converted to a VL2b, because Vari-Lite kept that one around for patent reasons

They do not use the Marc350 lamps. The VL2c uses an HTI600, VL4 uses HTI400, VL6 uses MSR400 or MSR600 depending on if it is a 6, 6b, or 6c, and the VL5 uses a 1200watt incandescent.

Only having one six pack chassis listed means they can only run 6xVL6's tops, and may have even less.

If there is no ACS or Mini-ACS rack, S-200 Trunk cable, and S-200 repeaters, then there is no way to operate the VL2s and VL4s. The ad list "3 out breakers" so that may be the required kit... it is hard to tell.

Hope this helps.
Ronald Beal
Vari-Lite Technician 1994-2002

 

[techno89]

Ok the pictures show VL2c's , VL4's with tophats, and a Mini-Artisan console.
The console pre-dates the upgrade to Mini-Artisan plus(1995) which means it can only output S-200 native to the VL's, DMX for dimming for the VL-5's, and DMX for dimming only channels. It cannot patch other moving lights.


The VL5s and 6s should be able to be controlled by another DMX console, however the VL2s and 4s do not have the extra bits required to allow them to run off DMX. Don't know if those bits are still available through PRG.

There are no VL1s or VL3s pictured. In fact I believe only 1 VL3 survived from being converted to a VL2b, because Vari-Lite kept that one around for patent reasons

They do not use the Marc350 lamps. The VL2c uses an HTI600, VL4 uses HTI400, VL6 uses MSR400 or MSR600 depending on if it is a 6, 6b, or 6c, and the VL5 uses a 1200watt incandescent.

Only having one six pack chassis listed means they can only run 6xVL6's tops, and may have even less.

If there is no ACS or Mini-ACS rack, S-200 Trunk cable, and S-200 repeaters, then there is no way to operate the VL2s and VL4s. The ad list "3 out breakers" so that may be the required kit... it is hard to tell.

Hope this helps.
Ronald Beal
Vari-Lite Technician 1994-2002

Thank you for all of that info Ronald, looks like I won't be buying the console than if its not a mini artisan 2.

 

[shiben]

Thank you for all of that info Ronald, looks like I won't be buying the console than if its not a mini artisan 2.

Well if you bought the console you would have all the moving heads too...

 

[techno89]

I meant I was going to ask if all that stuff doesn't sell (which it probably won't) if they would sell me just the console

 

[LXPlot]

If I had 10 grand, well, I wouldnt be spending it on that. I would probably be, you know, paying rent, buying gas, buying something better than pasta, cheap sauce and the occasional treat of "Asian Sensation" noodle bowls and/or fast food to eat. I dont really want/need that kind of thing, even if it is just to kick around for fun, When would I do that? Between the 8-14 hours a day of work, 8 hours of sleep, and a couple hours of driving every day? ;-) Im sure they are real, the guy at the shop just couldnt figure out what kind they were or something similar. Probably VL1s or something.

Of course they're real fixtures, I was kidding! But the fact that the techs cannot seem to figure out exactly what they are does make me a little suspicious of the sellers description that the product is "fully operational and functions as intended" and in "good-shape."

Also, your hours don't add up unless you're doing a 14 hour day every day.

I meant I was going to ask if all that stuff doesn't sell (which it probably won't) if they would sell me just the console

What do you plan on doing with the console? It could be a fun project to get it to work, but if not, you have a $50 (at least) paperweight. Although, if there turns out to be some way to convert it, you have a very nice board for a very nice price. Although, considering that the techs who could work that stuff are now few and far between, your prospects are rather low.

(sorry, brainstorming moment)