A practice room without equipment is no practice room, that’s just the way is is. So we’ll have to get our PA’s amplifiers and drum kits from somewhere.
Since buying equipment new is relatively expensive and used music equipment is often just as good (if not better!) than it’s factory-fresh brothers and sisters, it has been Helicopter common practice since it’s founding to travel far and wide to snatch yet another second-hand gem.
Our very first PA system for example (bought in 2010) came straight from a barn in a North Holland polder near Anna Paulowna. We had some amplifiers at lying around at home, as well as the drum kit: The first incarnation of Helicopter was there.
In the meantime 14 years have passed but not much has changed in our modus operandi. A few months ago we picked up a beautiful Pearl Duo Reverb, a Japanese imitation Fender Twin Reverb from the 70s, from a rocker in Beek (Gem Montferland), a street away from the German border in the Achterhoek. Perfectly maintained and kept with love. This amp currently shines in room 1.
A more recent development is that we were able to take over amplifiers from friends from more established bands who rehearsed at Helicopter and who have a soft spot for the rooms. Both rooms 12 and 13 currently have a Peavey 1810 bass cabinet from the 80s. A beast of a speaker cabinet with both an 18” speaker and two 10” speakers – it doesn’t get more rehearsal room proof than this. One of the two came from Ruben, the bassist of Personal Trainer and Private Banking, among others. The other copy belonged to Michelle, bassist of The Klittens. An obscure but apparently popular speaker cabinet among Amsterdam indie bands.
Also, very important to note, the Yamaha drum kit from room 13 was donated by none other than our own Captain Danger! Oh, and the electric projection screen from room 1 comes from no other venue than Paradiso.
You see, each of our amps or drum kits has a unique story, which is what makes a small-scale DIY practice space like the Helicopter so much precious in our opinion. If you’re curious to hear about more stories on Helicopter gear, don’t hesitate to ask!