Karaoke books

[WDEWDAD7]

I have been with Hoster now for just about a year. I have read the forums and found them quite interesting and helpfull. One topic that I have not seen asked or addressed is karaoke books. I do shows at several places, and one bar in particular is especially hard on my books. As my song list gets longer, and the wear and tear does it's job, I replace my books quite often. Has anyone come up with the solution? The three ring binders sure do get abused; plus the so-n-so who takes the page out and brings it up to you to ask " if you have it" or he wants to sing that one. Some computer users no longer use books, but your singers still like to look through books. Any suggestions?

[swany]

If you put ten out and seven are used you'll still get someone coming up and saying "Can you find this song?"

[TKaraoke]

Pelltmon, I guess I look at myself and it seems that if I go with my wife and the books are seperate one by artist and one by title, we always seem to know the song or the artist and happen to have the wrong book. So I've double columned my book so as to cut the size down in half because they were WAYYYYYYYYY TOOOOOOOO big & heavy. I quess we all do what works for each of us, but it's good to hear all the ways everyone is doing things. I find the customers seem to like both in the same book, but it does cost more and takes more time updating. But what's the difference when we have all this time & $ invested anyway!
TK

[pelletmon]

Originally Posted by TKaraoke

Pelltmon, I guess I look at myself and it seems that if I go with my wife and the books are seperate one by artist and one by title, we always seem to know the song or the artist and happen to have the wrong book. So I've double columned my book so as to cut the size down in half because they were WAYYYYYYYYY TOOOOOOOO big & heavy. I quess we all do what works for each of us, but it's good to hear all the ways everyone is doing things. I find the customers seem to like both in the same book, but it does cost more and takes more time updating. But what's the difference when we have all this time & $ invested anyway!
TK

Interesting.I'll ask some of my regulars if the would like it better that way.Thanks.................anyone els?

[spud9000]

I use Three hole punch paper for the books and then get the three hole punch covers at the office depot. Then put the books together with plastic zip ties tighten them up with a pair of side cutters, then cut off excess the large end of the tie will hide in the hole. This presses all the pages together tight I have not had a book come apart in over 5 years. Also be sure to print the books with waterproof ink, the covers I have have lasted for over five years. PS use two zip ties (usually 11" or bigger) on the book both go through center hole then out to outer hole

[Jerndeb]

for the book that keeps getting bigger.... super glue the rings together.
just a drop.... then when you need to add more pages.... grab a wet bar towel...warm water works quicker... disolve the glue... add pages... then re-glue it.

[bryant]

That sounds like the best idea I've heard all along, you're on a roll today, Jern!

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Jerndeb

for the book that keeps getting bigger.... super glue the rings together.
just a drop.... then when you need to add more pages.... grab a wet bar towel...warm water works quicker... disolve the glue... add pages... then re-glue it.

If water disolves the glue then what is all the beer and spilled drinks going to do to it?

[George]

Doesn't matter to me what others choose to do, but it seems easier to just buy the safety lock type binders.That's what they are made for. When in the lock position, they won't even pull open.

[pelletmon]

Super glue on metel ? I don't see how it would hold up for long.

[admin]

Originally Posted by George

...it seems easier to just buy the safety lock type binders.That's what they are made for. When in the lock position, they won't even pull open.

MAKES COMPLETE SENSE TO ME!

As George said, that's what the 3-ring manufacturers designed it for... exactly to solve the problem you have of books coming open.

[bobcox- with the Lord]

I use the heavy duty three ring binders and somebody always forces them open and then the ring is bent and will not line up again and the pages get caught in the rings.
on the books i have tack welded they just rip out the page they want???
i guess there is no easy way to do it. Bob

[tommyjon]

I have been fighting the book thing forever. As long as you deal with drunks and booze the books will eventually loose.

I am now getting the most miles out of my books that I ever have and here's what I do. I use a wilsonjones 1 and 1/2 inch 3 ring (flat on one side) locking binder that holds 400 sheets. I use avery clear premium heavyweight sheet protectors (3.3mils) that come in a 200 pak box from Costco... way cheaper than office supplies. I also add a little pouch for the pens and the karaoke slips. After I stuff the books I take a roll of black electrical tape and cut 3/4-1 inch strips. I then attach the tape to the metal rings where they interlock, then add a little superglue as I wrap the rest of the tape around the ring and usually add a little more glue. The trick is to keep your fingers moving constantly or the will definitely end up attached to your book. My fingers end up slick because of the drying superglue and yes it is a messy job, but when some drunk drops a heavy book on the floor, it doesn't come apart.

Oh yeah, for the final touch. I add four little clear rubber feet to each side of the binder and clear duct tape over the feet. This keeps the book up off the beer and drinks on the table and the tape keeps the drunks from peeling of the rubber feet. Finally I keep black duct with me to patch up the books, because eventually they start to fall apart.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, and it is expensive, but my books last a long time.

Oh yeah, with update songs you have to cut the tape off and redo it. To WDEWDAD7 from Great Falls, I'm from Billings. Keep on Karaokin'

[horseshoe]

Some great ideas. I will impliment them tonight. I may need your phone number to find out how to get my fingers cut loose from the binder rings, though...................

[solidsound]

Originally Posted by tommyjon

I have been fighting the book thing forever. As long as you deal with drunks and booze the books will eventually loose.

I am now getting the most miles out of my books that I ever have and here's what I do. I use a wilsonjones 1 and 1/2 inch 3 ring (flat on one side) locking binder that holds 400 sheets. I use avery clear premium heavyweight sheet protectors (3.3mils) that come in a 200 pak box from Costco... way cheaper than office supplies. I also add a little pouch for the pens and the karaoke slips. After I stuff the books I take a roll of black electrical tape and cut 3/4-1 inch strips. I then attach the tape to the metal rings where they interlock, then add a little superglue as I wrap the rest of the tape around the ring and usually add a little more glue. The trick is to keep your fingers moving constantly or the will definitely end up attached to your book. My fingers end up slick because of the drying superglue and yes it is a messy job, but when some drunk drops a heavy book on the floor, it doesn't come apart.

Oh yeah, for the final touch. I add four little clear rubber feet to each side of the binder and clear duct tape over the feet. This keeps the book up off the beer and drinks on the table and the tape keeps the drunks from peeling of the rubber feet. Finally I keep black duct with me to patch up the books, because eventually they start to fall apart.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, and it is expensive, but my books last a long time.

Oh yeah, with update songs you have to cut the tape off and redo it. To WDEWDAD7 from Great Falls, I'm from Billings. Keep on Karaokin'

I tried straws, it is very effective. Some straws size fit exactly on binder ring. I cut them enough to fit on the rounded ring and then i put tape on both ends. It's easy and not messy.

SolidSound

[WDEWDAD7]

I hope I didn't open a can of worms. I appreciate any and all suggestions. I have tried several things inre: karaoke books. Tape, glue, plastic gas line hose for the 3 ring binders, etc. I was just surprised that no body jumped on the bandwagon and made/created...Karaoke books. It would not be too hard to satellite a couple computers for singers to use/look up songs. Just more to haul around. Once being a traveling musician, I discovered....go as compact as you can, but don't lose quality. I like to get the best show, best sound and be as compact as possible. I know there is a satellite program where singers can look up songs and send their request right to your main karaoke computer; but, I also like the contact with my guests. I have already lessened the amount of books I use. I am continually adding new discs. It's the printing of the books that gets pricey. Some have discontinued books all together. I still use books and slips..for now. Singers like to have something in front of them to look at and do while waiting their turn. I agree, the drunks and rowdies take their toll on our books, mics, etc. Part of the job, just try to keep things in check. " I Love My Job"! I really do. To the KJ in Billings, my mainstay is "The OP" in Great Falls. I am known as " The Karaoke Guy ". I know, not very original, but my following named me. Drop in sometime, I will try to drop in Billings sometime. Still trying to get to see mindonstrike in Spokane. I think this forum is great! Makes for good business. Question, is their a forum where KJ's can list their venue, so other members can visit when in the area? I know when I am out of town, I like to look for karaoke. I usually find the bad ones first, then the good ones later in the evening, when they are winding it up. Seems to work that way. " Keep on singin'.

[swany]

Ring binders are all the time opening up and one way I've found to remedy it is to use small shrink tubing on the rings to bind them together. I find just doing the outside ones works well. The shrink tubing can be had at most lumber companies, your local wal-mart or radio shack.

[gotrich]

I play in some real dives sometimes but I make my money. problem is a electric book would get tore up each night cause there are some really stupid drunk kid/no respect people mixed with some of my best customers. My books last about 6months each. biggest problem is people writting on the page and putting back in the plastic sleeve. I buy the 2 binder from dollar store. plastic page covers and tada. cheap and works for me. I have a decent sixe book no 20,000+ but im atleast half way. what I do for my covers is take my cover sheet put it in a sleeveupside down that way the opening in facing down inside the cover of the binder so the beer if spilled goes in the binder cover it dont get my cover sheet wet.

other thing I do is I bought a large shipment of tiny keychain lights. I use fising line to keep them tied to a zipper on my puches under the front cover. if its in a dark part of the room they can use the light.. I use fishing line since of course they steal them from time to time. Fishing line breaks when they want it to and is clear so its neater than string.

lots of people love em expecially the older folks!

Rich
Dr. Karaoke

[pelletmon]

Try this one.In 2 plus years of putting 8 books out there 4 nights a week (4 by artest and 4 by song) I have yet to have one open up on me and its really quick and easy to undo and redo if needbe. All you do is solder the 2 outside rings.I recomend using a gun rather than an iron cause it takes a good bit of heat and contact to melt the solder in good. Use only rosin core solder and keep a rag handy to wipe off the exess rosin from the ring after it cools a bit.Also what I do to keep from having to unsolder so often to add more tunes is this. When I load up my book I put in 6 or 7 more document protecters than I know I will use.So now my finished book has protecters after the last page with no pages in them.When new songs come along,you just slip em right in there!!! P.S I love the idea about the keychain light and the rubber feet.Thanks.

[gotrich]

i found that you can buy bungie key chain strap to attach the light too..even better than fishing string...sometime they steal both but less than a 1$ invested per book