The New and Improved All Access Solenoid

(SMALL BUT POWERFUL!!)

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, we just developed a new Solenoid that is currently on the road with the Killers, Dave Matthews Band and Nickelback. I wanted to call this product the VersaNoid, but everyone thought it sounded like an extra-terrestrial race or a terminal disease.

Too bad. I liked the name.

So what is a Solenoid, exactly? In the staging world, a Solenoid is something very different than the object described in Wikipedia – when it comes to physics, our device is mainly concerned with the law of gravity. Essentially, our Solenoid is a curtain release system. Many bands will set up their stage behind a large curtain, and right as the show is starting, they’ll drop the curtain so that the audience is especially enthralled by the abrupt reveal of the artist and the set too (if it was built by All Access).

In the old days, a reliable curtain release system was hard to come by. The crew would cross their fingers and hope the curtain dropped at the right moment. It was pretty embarrassing when the curtain didn’t drop on cue and even more embarrassing when it dropped prematurely. Since timing is everything in live entertainment, it was clear that this unreliable system wasn’t making the cut. Along came the first Solenoid.

All Access has offered Solenoids for many years for both rental and purchase; however, our new version is something special. The new All Access Solenoid differs from our old one in that it has more weight capacity. We had our electro-mechanical team run a few tests to see just how much weight capacity these babies can hold. The results are in:

• 1 Solenoid can hold over 500 pounds without breaking a sweat!


• 15 Solenoids dropped 35 pounds with a 300 foot cable run!

Yeah, I know. We’re pretty impressed too, but that’s not the only highlight of this new product. The days of praying that the curtain will drop are over – we use a proven release locking system that has been used in other industries for years. Additionally, the All Access Solenoid runs off of a standard 110 volt outlet, so you can even set a few up in your house for an extra special Burlesque show (we can rent you some truss & a par can with red gel too).

The coolest aspect of these new Solenoids is how versatile they are. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Versa System, our entire product line was actually designed to be VERSAtile, hence the Versa brand name. Our staging decks can be configured any which way and integrate seamlessly with any of our other Versa products. Our Solenoids are no exception. Sure, any old Solenoid can drop a single, flat stage curtain, but our new product is great for circular shaped drops, arced drops, double curtain drops, and even triple drops.

Our Solenoids are available for rental or purchase. And they’re from All Access, so you know you can trust them at curtain call.

Why We're So Awesome (And Humble Too)

When it comes to sets and staging, we at All Access like to think of ourselves as “innovative” and “cutting edge.” While these terms may seem cliché, they aren’t just empty labels – we’re constantly striving to come up with new products and stay at the forefront of the music scene.

This month alone, we’ve released prototypes for three products, and we’re also pumped about our “First One’s Free” (FOF) promotion. This FOF thing is really cool. We’ve been donating free drum risers or amp dollies to new bands, which helps acts that are starting out to increase their production value without the additional cost. That’s just our way of supporting the cause and keeping live music, well, alive even though the economy isn’t doing so hot.

With all of these blog-worthy new products, promotions and tours, we thought that it was about time to launch ourselves into cyberspace. This is a big leap for All Access! Most of our staff isn’t very into computer technology, with the exception of the CAD department. We’re former roadies who just got around to trimming our mullets last year. Literally. Yeah, we know that the eighties have been over for about twenty years now, but old habits die hard, right?

Stay tuned for more news on our current product offerings and hairstyles. And don’t forget – All Access, All The Time, Don’t Even Ask.