Topic: Small Business Idea...(Gear fetish?)

[Burke]

I have been aquireing some vintage guitar amps recently and any amp or effect that comes my way cheap enough. So I the other day I was remembering back to when I was young and an "Active" musician and when bands go into the recording studio. It was always a challenge to find a good guitar sound. It may sound fine live but does not come though in the studio.
An engineer told us that "the best performance + the best instrument/amp = the best sound. "
Remembering how much of a struggle it was to get cool sounds/the sound in the studio, I thought that it would be cool to rent amps and effects out.
I am looking in to this more and to get the legalities down and make sure I protect myself. But I think that would be a cool thing to do. Then I can buy more stuff with the profit!

I have not found many music stores that rent much of anything out side of horns or PA's. So this may be a niche thing.?.
What do you guys think? 

[Duke McDukiedook]

Rentals, as long as you don't mind people trashing your rental equipment and doing a lot of repairs.

You know the old saying, drive it like you rented it...

[MötleyRöx]

Part of your "services" could be to help set up, tear down, and be around for advice or what not with the equipment/ keep a watchful eye on your gear.  This could help build rapport with the clients so that if you felt comfortable leaving your gear in their hands later, you would at least have a little more trust and they might also feel less inclined to screw up your stuff.

Insurance with Lawyer coverage is great for your type of situation... are you on your wife's great insurance plan.  I am, can you tell?   

[Burke]

Abuse is the major factor . I thought of many ways to reduce the chance of this but that is why insurance exists. I will have to find out how much that would be to weight againt the value of the amp and the return needed.
I have also thought that possibly working strickly with studios. Whrere I could drop ff and pick up fromthe studio only.The studio could offer my sevice (at a cost of course/discount to the user), hopefully then the clients would be happy with the product (recording), and I could build off of this.
Still working out the details.

Helping tear down/setup would be something to look in to.
Thanks for the input guys.  

[78 k550]

there is a place out here called jam space usa. I can find out more info if youwould like. There right across the street from the junk yard i go to all the time.

Paul

[Retro Rocket]

Music hire gear has been done in Aus for as long as i can remember.....pre 80's

Mick

[mlinder]

Most pusicians are very used to their gear. I would never record with gear I'm not familiar with. The effects, guitar, and amp all make a certain tone together, that people spend a lot of time making 'correct' for their sound. It's up to the engineer to capture that sound.
But go for it, maybe I dunno what I'm talking about on a larger scale.

[Retro Rocket]

Correct there Mlinder on the engineers mate, most have a huge selection of settings or recommendations they use for different situations and they generally do this as a given when recording, unless you are recording yourself and thats a completely different situation...

Mick

[MötleyRöx]

I Have a business acquaintance with a professional recording studio 4 blocks from me.
He has quite a collection of mostly 50s and 60s fender amps and guitars (high dollar, collectible stuff).
The usage is figured in to the overall cost, but is a separate charge.
Bands record with their own gear, but often use the "studio gear" for that vintage sound... so the idea is not way out there.