Re: Seeking to upgrade from a B rig to an A rig
This is a very interesting thread. Across the pond (I think our markets are reasonably different), two of the companies I freelance for have found that a huge amount of extra business has come from providing high quality stage packages for touring artists and other events. So they'll provide a couple of desks (whatever is specced from Soundcraft to digico to midas), a line system and stage cabling, distro, IEMs, wedges, and a mics and stands package for a competitive (but definitely not cheap!) rate. The repeat business comes from the quality and ease of use of line system (all VDM multi pin disconnects, all working channels, enough xlr, all labelled according to the acts requirements) and the reliability of the gear (it all gets checked and serviced every time it enters the warehouse, breakages on tour are swapped out etc).
This seems to me to be a pretty cost effective method of building up high profile clients without actually splashing loads of cash on a speaker system that won't meet a rider. It also means less warehouse space, less trucking expense and possibly lower insurance premiums (fewer people to cover, no flying etc).
I understand it isn't very glamorous, but it does mean you can get a steady income stream to cover slowly building a proper A grade rig (d&b, l'acoustics etc).
