Karaoke Forums

What is a good binder???

We have to find a binder that withstands "alcohol abuse"... I have been looking at the Varicap binders as a possibility. What kind of binder should we buy so as not to be changing them every few months. We've been at this business for two months and our binders are shot.

Any help and suggestions....

Thank you all for your help.

Books & supplies are an ongoing expense & depending on the club, you may need to replace every couple months or once per year. It's how your customers treat your equipment/supplies (or how you train them to treat your equipment/supplies).
More expensive doesn't mean better either, I bought binders that cost $2 each up to $10 each & the $10 ones died in a couple months while the cheaper ones actually hold up better &cheaper to replace when the time comes.

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We use transparent coloured, plastic duotangs and change them when we redo the books about once a year or so, with no individual plasitc inserts. Cost of the duotangs about 50 cents or less each around the start of the school year.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

STAPLES... what a great store!

I get 1 1/4" binders, I use plastic inserts, and they last about a year. Granted, I leave them at the venue, and they're only used once a week or so.

But I've always considered books to be a financial cost involved in your shows... in addition to music, sound equipment, microphones, cables, etc.

It sounds like doing 4-5 nights a week, it's just going to be a 3 or 4 times a year expense.

Thanks for your input, folks.

No not at all so. We do at least five shows a week and using the duotangs, we easily get a year out of them. Now that we have all corrections done (at least I hope so) we're looking at a two year lifetime for them with new additions going in as we get them.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I use the heavier duty D ring binders as they last longer and hold more in less bulf (binder width). Replacement is a fact of life and a business expense. I will say that my college crowd is MUCH rougher and spill more into the books. I am thinking of a couple of laminated books for that venue. I think they must want to see if the books float. I wish the cheaper books would work for me but I find they are not an option.

Tim, I think it's all a matter of where you're at, and the support you have from the bars.

I've had people use my books as placemats! !

I tried the dutangs (or however they're spelled) on a trial run, and they didn't last two months!!

Yet I've been doing the insert-page-in-the-plastic-laminated-sheets routine for eight years, and had far greater success. BELIEVE ME, I'd love to print them and then staple or put them in the format you're describing and make it work... it just doesn't work in my town! !

Just a tip for the "insert-page-in-the-laminated-sheet" method: do NOT try this on a humid day. I've been trying to do some books the last few days in Michigan (T-storms every day for the last week), and I swear I've almost chucked a couple of books across the room out of frustration. This is one instance where I wish child labor laws were repealed. =)

ahhh yes, the ol' humidity factor!!

Many times, I work in a room with fans blowing... I also have been known to blow gently into the plastic opening... it tends to help out the stickiness factor!

Like Star said, use heavy duty D ring binders (Avery is a good brand). Beyond that, put a little clear packing tape along the top edge to keep the beer and stale cheese smell out. Even doing this, you'll be lucky to have a book last more than two months:m just budget for frequent replacement.

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"C'mon people! We can get drunker than this!"