What do you think of this business idea?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mightywarlock
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mightywarlock

mightywarlock

Well-known member
got to thinking,
There has to be a way to make some money over all the ridiculous amount of amps I own, and perhaps others who may be nearby in the L.A. area as well, and have this silly idea, and wanted to get some opinions, and if you guys think it could work or not.

Amp Rentals.
For Studio or Live use.

Do you guy think people would spend money to rent the amp of their dreams, if they cannot afford the amp they want to use on either a recording project, or whatnot?

Such as, say someone wants to record with a Diezel, but cannot get ahold of one, or cannot afford one...
They could rent one for a small daily or weekly fee and get the amp of their dreams.

Think of it as similar to video game rentals at blockbuster, but for more professional purposes.

I've got so many great amps, that record very well, and I know some other nut cases like me who are on this forum, and have way too many things, perhaps we would all collaborate our amps into this mix...

Wear and tear is one thing to worry about, and all amps would have to be delivered in Cases and such. so there is a small starting expense, as well as wear and tear on the amps and tubes, but...

ya think this might work?

Or is it a waste of time?

Would a pro just call their amp company and have them send one to use and then send it back? this would negate the need for this type of business.

Whatcha think?
 
It could work, I've entertained this idea as well. The business may be few and far between depending on your local music scene, but there is a market for it.
Marketing your service would be a key factor in success however.
A contract would have to be drawn up, with stipulations regarding amp responsibility. Valid photo ID would be required as well. Maybe charge an insurance fee that they could wave if they wanted.
Physical damage, knocks, rips, tears, spills and scratches might be a concern if not in a roadcase. (already covered by you)

My two biggest concerns would be:
1. A client renting the amp, then saying it was stolen (bogus or legit) and causing a big insurance claim or legal battle.
2. User error by the client by powering up the amp without a load causing a major costly failure. That is so easy to do and you are going to get dumb, careless musicians who likely will do that.
 
I tried something like this many years ago - and there really isn't that big a call for it. Unless you have some vintage, hard to find, Holy Grail amps. And with modeling becoming bigger and bigger in studios it doesn't seem long term. I guess if you can do your own website and keep marketing cost super low anything is worth a shot.
 
What Shark Diver said about being a smaller market these days. And always remember that people would treat your amps like a rental car, whereas you probably take very good care of them. S.I.R. and other places use to make their own market for things like this, because they had great techs on staff to maintain the amps, etc.

And to accomodate for demand, you would probably have to have several of each amp on hand, to avoid rental conflicts.
 
I agree that small time guys will go to digital amp units, Kemper, Axe.

Google for people in the biz. See how far apart they are and population stats. That will give you a peek at how many people it takes to support a business.

Since you only offer the amp, not the place to play it... I just think it would be tough. Money is super tight. I would treat that business venture like the money you take to Vegas. If it goes away, no big deal.

I would not want some stranger fondling my amps anyway!
 
Shark Diver":7rx5jbnj said:
I tried something like this many years ago - and there really isn't that big a call for it. Unless you have some vintage, hard to find, Holy Grail amps. And with modeling becoming bigger and bigger in studios it doesn't seem long term. I guess if you can do your own website and keep marketing cost super low anything is worth a shot.
Click to expand...

This.

I perceive there's about as much call for this as there is for hardwood amplifier cabinets. :D
 
I would rent to the studio not the artist. If the artist has enough money to rent and record they can just buy. Or has their own amp that he/she loves so much. However the studio might keep you in mind. If they have such an artist looking for gear for a session you might get a call. Then you will have to discuss reasonable rates, damage insurance etc.

You just have to get out there and talk to people. Call em up and just throw out some ideas. You can never really tell what's a good Idea until it already worked out or not. I wish you luck.

Luke
 
And hybrid model of this might be re-amping. Record with your DI, then reamp through the dream gear. Services are where the margin is and you'd need to tack on engineering fees or budget recording space. Maybe even agree to bring mics and an adequate laptop to someone's rehearsal and record, engineer, and help them get a great sound from their dream amp of choice.

Definitely plausible as a side biz.
 
Being here in Los Angeles, is not the same as being in timbuk2.

There's a ton of crazy people out there, that's why I have so much gear to begin with...(not that I am crazy, that I get gear for Crazy cheap prices!).

But this was my idea, to cater to the studios, and the Re-amping idea is cool too...

Will give it some thought.

I mean even it it only rented a few times a year, still more money than sitting waiting for me to play them.
 
Here in LA it's been SIR forever...

http://www.sir-usa.com/page.php?page=ba ... category=1

No Deizel though... But I'm sure if some "Big time rawk Star" wanted a Deizel to record... he'd just send someone down the Tone Merchants, or The Amp Shop and grab one...

Isn't SIR where the AFD amp was stolen by Lynch AND Slash? lol...

Good idea, but Duplicates of everything would be nessesary to not lose business,,,
 
Yes, but there is a certain market to be served. As noted, S.I.R. doesn't have everything. Last year Stryper rented some backline from SIR and didn't like the JCM900 they got. Splawn called me (as a guy in LA with a Quick Rod and Nitro) and asked if I would be willing to go to soundcheck and potentially loan Michael whichever amp he liked. Google Stryper Canyon Club and you'll see my Quick Rod on top of the Marshall cabs. He had already ordered amps from Splawn --they simply weren't ready yet. Thus a need created and fulfilled.
 
racerevlon":37dzj20x said:
And hybrid model of this might be re-amping. Record with your DI, then reamp through the dream gear. Services are where the margin is and you'd need to tack on engineering fees or budget recording space. Maybe even agree to bring mics and an adequate laptop to someone's rehearsal and record, engineer, and help them get a great sound from their dream amp of choice.

Definitely plausible as a side biz.
Click to expand...

good idea, sir!


D-Rock":37dzj20x said:
It could work, I've entertained this idea as well. The business may be few and far between depending on your local music scene, but there is a market for it.
Marketing your service would be a key factor in success however.
A contract would have to be drawn up, with stipulations regarding amp responsibility. Valid photo ID would be required as well. Maybe charge an insurance fee that they could wave if they wanted.
Physical damage, knocks, rips, tears, spills and scratches might be a concern if not in a roadcase. (already covered by you)

My two biggest concerns would be:
1. A client renting the amp, then saying it was stolen (bogus or legit) and causing a big insurance claim or legal battle.
2. User error by the client by powering up the amp without a load causing a major costly failure. That is so easy to do and you are going to get dumb, careless musicians who likely will do that.
Click to expand...

1. You could just ask for a deposit of the same value of the amp on the customer's credit card. People can rent a Ferrari here, $3000 per day, with $30k deposit. So nobody walks out with the amp.
2. Gets covered with #1.

When I had a band, I would've been in the market for such a thing (didnt had a herbert back then..)
:rock:
 
stefvorcide":2h2ln88n said:
1. You could just ask for a deposit of the same value of the amp on the customer's credit card. People can rent a Ferrari here, $3000 per day, with $30k deposit. So nobody walks out with the amp.
2. Gets covered with #1.

When I had a band, I would've been in the market for such a thing (didnt had a herbert back then..)
:rock:
Click to expand...

I'm going to say most people with a CC and available balance have the amp they want, :lol: :LOL: :lol: :LOL:
 
Shark Diver":13opoma1 said:
stefvorcide":13opoma1 said:
1. You could just ask for a deposit of the same value of the amp on the customer's credit card. People can rent a Ferrari here, $3000 per day, with $30k deposit. So nobody walks out with the amp.
2. Gets covered with #1.

When I had a band, I would've been in the market for such a thing (didnt had a herbert back then..)
:rock:
Click to expand...

I'm going to say most people with a CC and available balance have the amp they want, :lol: :LOL: :lol: :LOL:
Click to expand...

Yeah... That is the nature of our sickness...
 
Same could apply to guitars. Rent a Suhr, LP '59, PRS (Yuk), or any guitar that has a sound or pickup you've been lusting after. I think the real money is in having about 15 mics, good pres, a capable laptop with interface, and knowledge of a DAW software package (Pro Tools, SONAR, Logic, Reaper, etc.)

If you could take that gear to someone's rehearsal, record three tunes DI, then reamp and mix later, for a flat fee you could get an up-and-coming band a viable press kit quality demo. Win/win.

Hell, everything is virtualized these days, why not a virtual studio?
 
Honestly, you'd have better luck renting for live use, I think. Touring bands would be more likely to rent a rig for a night. Here in Chicago, Andy's does this type of thing. Especially in big cities, bands (international acts especially) need a good, familiar rig and aren't able to bring their main rig overseas with them.

Studios usually have a wide assortment of gear, plus the musician is going to bring in their main rig. It is rare that a musician will want to borrow anything that will cost more money--though I speak as a Chicago guy and LA may be much different.

If you're renting a rig out for a night to a touring act, you're in for less trouble. The issue is standard maintenance on all of the gear, and insurance, plus pricing it at a point where you're actually an attractive option. I wouldn't anticipate decent profit margins.
 
OK....
spent the last hour or so working on a site for this possible business...
here's the
1st website draft...


http://www.metalamps.com


Whatcha think?

What should I improve on?
 
Probably would want clips or videos. I think it is cool. Are you going to have cabs too?

I might work on the text a little, but thats me. Maybe a more unique logo for branding?

I like the name, but you are kind of hurting your marketing if you decide to expand into nonmetal amps.

Overall very cool. I like it. Great start. Best of luck. :rock:
 
I guess eventually, I can work up to clips or audio examples.
And yeah, I suppose I should put up the cabs as well...
Wasn't thinking about it at 2am last night when I was putting the site together.

As for the name http://www.MetalAmps.com
I don't know if I want to start with brands I don't know about.
YOU know me, so you know what kind of player I personally am...and for some vintage guy to come to me and ask for an amp, I might be kind of lost. I know nothing about VOX, or some of the other really vintage type amp companies out there, and I am not afraid to admit it.
I know METAL amps. Why? Because I have owned a ton of them, and tried a ton of them, and more specifically, in a band and recording environment, so I have a basic idea of what will and will not work...For Me.
Now, that's not to say if it doesn't work for me, it won't work for you...because plenty of people use amps I don't.
But this is also why I have a bunch of amps, and also know that some record better than others.
Hence the idea to rent to studios for recording purposes.

And AmpRental, AmpRentals, and the like, were already taken by electric companies!
So gotta go with what I know...
And also could use this as a storefront for selling Metal styled Amps as well.
Just throwing out ideas, but it is something I am thinking about...

Will work on a Logo and such soon, just wanted to get the site up to see if it would actually work and such.

Still have absolutely no idea on pricing yet either, nor how to really protect myself with contracts and such to protect against damage or theft.

Still working on it...



Shark Diver":1y8dxl7a said:
Probably would want clips or videos. I think it is cool. Are you going to have cabs too?

I might work on the text a little, but thats me. Maybe a more unique logo for branding?

I like the name, but you are kind of hurting your marketing if you decide to expand into nonmetal amps.

Overall very cool. I like it. Great start. Best of luck. :rock:
Click to expand...
 
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