http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/Fender250.htm

http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/FenderPassport500.htm

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0691007000

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0692001003

I was performing at a Country club today for a Luncheon using my Roland 150 amp/S900 combo around 75-100pp. They also had a Fender PD150 setup for a FOTH system for speeches, presentations, etc, etc... when I was done & the people left I unplugged my output leads and hooked into the Fender PD150 & cranked out a few tunes while the waitresses cleaned up to see how it would sound.....I was surprised at the clarity & really nice sound these little babies gave off with power to spare I only had it up to #3 volume on both channels, flat EQ. I did a few tunes with vocals & then cranked up a few Sinatra & JLo Mp3's with the same results & nice stereo separation & decent bass, crystal highs...it filled the small room for sure. I'm reading reviews & I see BOSE helped design the speaker array angles tweeters etc, also.
I was so impressed I went home & ordered the Passport PD250 to use for my smaller jobs, I need a small easy to transport system besides my Big Guns Roland CK100's.....Check 'em out It could be for your needs too.Heres a demo.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AEfFweaS1o




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-05-2008).]

Thanks for that info Donny. I have always loved Fender amps for guitar. I swear by them and have been using them for almost 40 years now and still do. I just never thought about using them for keyboards but now I will since you have recommended them.

What sort of price range is the PD250 you are getting?

IMHO if they added a small sub to that setup they would sell a ton of them.

Hi Nigel.....The PD250 deluxe is in the approx $699.00 range.....
The PD500 is around 1150.00.
My sales rep says I should have it in a week or two. I'll have more after I perform with it at my Small jobs also for you. The portability & flexability is soooo nice also.
More to come.....check em out if you can.

Does this mean the demise of your CM-30's? The units looks nice. I hope for that price the buyer is getting his/her money's worth. Good luck with 'em.

CM30's are long gone Cass.....they did there job.......for a while..


Who cares about price, its business gear fir teh working Pro .....one or two gigs its all paid for......it will make a profit thousands of times over for sure just in small jobs alone, I have big guns for big functions 300-500pp+...............
Just another gear investment with HUGH Returns! Nothing worse then players using OVERKILL Pa systems in tiny venues ....I see it all the time, having two different size Pa's makes better sense Musically & leaves you many options The Passport PD250 should provide what I need after hearing it myself & seeing other artists acts too on stage.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-06-2008).]

Maybe the glowing review will be worth something after you have kept something for maybe a year or more, Donny

I wonder how many went out and got CM30's after all the hype they got..? They might consider next time taking these glowing reviews with a grain of salt. If a piece of gear can't keep your interest for more than a few months, just exactly HOW good could it have been in the first place?

If you are STILL using something two or three YEARS after you got it (especially something that few expect to turn around as often as, say, an arranger ), THEN I would consider that an endorsement. Until then, no offense, it is of little value, IMO...

Diki........nothing lasts forever in my world....I use em try em out MAKE Mucho Money with them & move on if necessary no biggie my friend. My philosophy is this I pay X amount for gear....I play a few gigs and get paid back for my initial layout....after that its all gravy. If I dump it, throw it out, give it away, trade it, or sell it so what? its my prerogative, many times its not because the gear isn't adequate or not good its just a business decision....my needs are not other peoples needs. Keep stuff 2 years? Oh Come Now!

I for one purchased a pair of the CM30s as I recall after Cass bought them ( not completely sure) but it was Donny's review that got me interested in them. Short story is the pair I bought ( one used, one new) are doing the job for my NH gigs. The Barbetta 31c is overkill for the NH gigs. I'm happy with the CM30s, lightweight quick set up and for the average gathering at a NH of 40 to 50 people they are ideal and to these tin ears they sound real decent, not the best but decent.

I'll be honest with you I never would have purchased a Korg PA800 either if it weren't for Donny's glowing review. I liked the PA800 so much that I upgraded to the Pa2xPro and for the immediate future I'm staying with it until Tyros 5 is released with 76 keys

Not sure what my point is but, as part time musician I gotta have a frame of reference and the guys who are in the trenches everyday playing are the ones I look to, Donny hasn't steered me wrong yet.

Steve....exactly.

I'm a fickle gear head....always was. But in no way would I ever mislead anyone, I give my opinion of what works for me at the time & why. I'm fortunate enough to be able to pick, choose, and buy & sell when I want & will always help anyone that asks to the best of my knowledge. The three amigos Fran, Dave & myself would always mix & match gear all the time. Makes life exciting Steve one of these days I'll shoot up North, hit Foxwoods on the way & we'll do some Lobstahs

Donny say the word, when you head up north.Foxwoods is 40 minute drive south of where I live. Yea, Lobstahs that's the way we say in this paht of the country. Sounds like a plan. We'll also get tonymads to meet up with us too.

OK Steve....that sounds like a plan!

I did the PD250 for (1) gig and couldn't wait to take it back. Too heavy - many cords, difficult to eq and packaged up in the suitcase was a monster. Almost as bad as the L1! The Mackie 450v2 on the floor was my perfect solution - powerful, crystal clear and portable..These things, along with the PA800 are incredible.

Donny steered himself wrong when he gave up on the 800

Donny, you should really take another look.

Oh how we differ.....btw Zuki why didnt you like the Bose L1 unit?

Been there done that....Korg Pa800 is not for me .....the lack of styles & difficult Os folder system is something I dont want to deal with again for sure...although I enjoyed many of its features....sorry I'm done with Korg.

I have to admit I bought the PA800 and CM30's based on Donny's assessment. I use my CM30's daily, and find them great for my needs. The PA800 is now Zuki's, and is also a very good board. My G70 from Zuki is even better(for me). Donny has said he considers the G70 top shelf, albeit, large and heavy.

I look forward to his reviews, as he is honest. It matters little that they don't hold his interest long. It just means he will soon be trying something else, to say nothing about his willingness no help a fellow muscian.

Thanks Donny
Bernie

Bernie....glad to hear your enjoying the G70. When I get the urge I play Fran's at the studio many times. I miss many of its great features, sounds & styles, key-feel, makeup tools, SMF playback, VH, touch screen, but I dont miss the size & weight & really hope next time around Roland makes a few changes to make me re-purchase another arranger in the near future. I'm a singer first & a player second so my arranger KB needs are always geared for my accompaniment to my singing versus a Solo non singing player who uses sounds for melody continusously It's going to be an interesting next wave of arrangers from all the manufacturers for sure. I'd love to also see a possible upgrade to the CM30 also, maybe a CM60 or CM100. The CM30 played within its power range is a very formidable piece of gear. I will certainly report back on the Fender PD250......I also want to demo the PD500 too. I bought it for a certain niche to fill in my gear arsenal nothing more. Sound, transport & convenience is imperative for the working musician, I'm hoping it fits the bill. I like the fact that BOSE was involved in the design of the PD250 also
If not Bye Bye

Carry on..



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-07-2008).]

Two years ago I bought a PD250 and my first bad impression was the excessive weight.
Performance:
Good for acoustic guitar and mediocre for kbds and mics( adding the total lack of low frequencies )
I used for just a month and returned to my handcrafted speakers, so far better.Chico

Chico,
I felt the same thing when I tested it. I hope Donny's experience is better, but I doubt that he'll keep it after he uses it a bit.

Dave I dont remember you owning/using the PD250 on gigs? I really can't say yet until it comes in & I use it on my small gigs.....I'm interested in the portability of it....but I'm sure the PD250 will do the job as the smaller PD150 I played thru last week wasn't bad at all after I EQ'd it for low volume background music which covered a nice size room of about 75 pp....we'll see.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-09-2008).]

From the musicians friend website the first review:
Who ever designed this unit never tried to carry or transport one. They are heavy and hard to handle. Although they do a fairly good job of handling sound the features are only average. The gimmicky priority control on the lead channel is rediculous! The output jacks barely grab the 1/4" plugs and feel really "iffy" in terms of holding up. My biggest beef though, is with the shape of the unit; it is simply the most awkward thing to carry, transport on a dolly or in a vehicle and to top that off, the case is easily scarred. A simple square cabinet design would be infinitely better. Forget the cutsey latching of the components into one hard to handle unit.

Posted by Dldmny from Seguin, TX on Dec 7, 2007

Well one negative amongst SO many positives reviews isn't gonna change my mind at all, did this dude every hear of amp covers ....As I said before I carry 70lb CK100's Cube speakers all the time no big deal..25 years old & sound Soooooooooo good...I want to thank Fran for reintroducing them to me again, so much that we bought 6 of these units.
The small one PD150 I used sounded fine...
the PD250 will fill my needs.....& bottom line is after 1 or 2 gigs its paid for if it dont cut it I dump it like I did with the Bose Pas which after 2 months or so was not my cup of tea, & the Samson PA Dave sold me also....simply horrible ....its just gear...buy it use, sell it, no biggie & move on.
Thank you for the post....please go try a PD250 and give me a real review if you can also & remember LOW Volume, Small gigs, heck I use the S900 speakers ALONE on some gigs too so you see what I mean plus you have many using PC speakers too so whats it all about?

stay well




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-09-2008).]

for the Philly locals: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/713173371.html

Dave ......wrong unit thats the OLD GREY P250, not the new BLACK PD250

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0692001003

Big difference. Don't be fooled.




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-09-2008).]

Ooops!
Never saw the black one, sorry. It was the grey one that was lackluster.

http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/Fender250.htm