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I am hoping to do some SPL shows next year for AUTO SHOW PROFESSIONAL or even some local shows by myself. I love to do some db drag racing shows. I just started building a new "mini tower" for indoor shows and bad weather.
About 6 years ago I collected almost all my Equalizer photos, awards, important items and placed them in a "time capsule" and hid them deep in my basement. The idea is my children will find them at a much later date and hopefully see a little insight what car electronics was in the 80's and 90's
When I started installing (1979) 8 tracks were being replaced by tape players. There were over 80 model of vehicle that did not even come with a radio. Head and 4 meant - am fm and 4 six by nines in the rear deck. Mindblowers Cricket Spark o matic and the Jensen 6*9 3 way with the 20 ounce magnet
Auto security in the ealy eighties was bulky. At that time there were no "chirps or tranmitters" - key locks in the fendor was the ticket. A small clevelnad base company caught my attention around 1986 - it was called DEI. They had an alam module called TMS? It was the first alarm brain with tons of programable options. They moved. What ever happened to that company?
EQ boosters were the first amplifiers installed in the late 70's and early 80's. Jim Fosgate was making some electronics. MTX was making some stuff. A company called hifonics was making powerful amplifiers. I remember the first big "BATTLE OF THE BIG AMPLIFIERS - Coustic 560?, Power 1000 and Hifonics Colussus (1 board version) around 87
First big mangnet woofer I could remeber was the RFL cranker series by MITEK. I think the magnet was around 80 ounces.
I starting competing in 1986. I believe it was sponsored by Alpine. I won my first event in 87. I had a LTD station wagon. I used the spare tire well for a stealth appearance and plent of sound. I won with a 136 db and had high spl of the day
Here is a picture from one of the EQ laborday shows 1997
-------------------- Sam
2008 SPLMAX CUP
2008 Continental Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament July 2-6, 2008 Cleveland Ohio Posts: 2643 | From: Shaker Hts., Ohio USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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Here is one of my first SPL vehicles. A 1967 Fiberfab Gt40. This car was kit car version of the ford gt40. It was only 40" inches high and a blast to drive.
I first competed with a hifonics amp and 4 tens in 1988. I then switched to rockford amps and tubes. I finished by converting it to an extreme vehicle for a Carlos Lopez in 1999.
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As a national competitor the best I ever did was 3rd place db drag racing finals (98) 3rd place enduro competiton (98) 1st place USAC (94)
What was amazing was the media attention given to me for the 94 win. I recieved telegrams and magazine interviews. I was asked to travel the United States and display the vehicle at all sorts ofr manufuacturer, distributor, retail and SPL events.
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A popular annual party at the Equalizer was MONTE CARLO NITE (later renamed ) Las Vegas Nite. We would invite VIP customers and car dealers to the store. We cleaned up the shop and placed wager games (crap, poker, wheel of luck) Banks were set up in the show room. There were banks such as 1st national bank of Pioneer, 3rd national bank of Rockford Fosgsate. Each person recieved a presentsation from the bank and could make a loan from the bank up to 5 thousand Equalizer play money dollars. They would then wager the money. At the end of the evening they would bid on prizes using the play money way cool.
We even had live entertainment such as Elvis
Somewhere around 1999 thins started to change Sound laws were getting tuff in cleveland tickets for loud music police allowed to confiscate equipment permits needed for amplifers greater than 600 watts
A new medium was coming to mobile electronics - mobile video. Equalizer started focusing on video and less on SPL
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there were a few times at sam's shows this year i had some technical difficulties. for each of those, he had comments that were aimed to make me think things werent so bad. so now i guess it's my turn. sam, does this have anything to do with you furthering your career with gay pride magazine? most of you wont understand this, but sam knows what i'm talking about.
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good luck in the future Sam,Is this just another sign of the car stereo retail shop holocaust?
quote:Originally posted by mytloud1: there were a few times at sam's shows this year i had some technical difficulties. for each of those, he had comments that were aimed to make me think things werent so bad. so now i guess it's my turn. sam, does this have anything to do with you furthering your career with gay pride magazine? most of you wont understand this, but sam knows what i'm talking about.
WTF???
-------------------- In Loving Memory, David Alfaro
2008 ahhhh the retired life. 2007 U.S.Top Certified in street A,B,and C 2007 0-24 No-wall NSPL World Champion and Record Holder 157.9 2005 Db Drag Street A World Champion 2004 Db Drag U.S. record 642 points 2003 Db Drag Points World Champion http://www.maxxsonics.com/
Back in 02 my girlfriend said I had to make a choice between her and DB Drag....I told that b-tch I've made harder decisions at the Coke machine. Posts: 3951 | From: Suitland,MD USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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Over the years have helped many competitors (in and out of the lanes)
example Steve was at finals - he was eating at a restaurant. He showed interest in a waitress. She wanted nothing to do with him. I was sitting at another table. I ran up to Steve with a pen and a napkin asking for his autograph. The waitress looked puzzled. I told her he was the lead singer for Match Box 20. Results: DaTe On
another example Chris norris was at a restaurant. he showed interest in anything tha moved. One waitress caught his attention. I told the waitress Chris was the number one ranked semi pro curler from america. He was on his way to canada for a big match results: Date On
Maytimes I tried to get media attention for the competitors. Sometime if I would see a photographer at a show I would have the competitors smile. I created a fictious magazine name and told the competitors they wanted to do a cover story and feature a "full spread". For some reason many competitors turned done the offer
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sam it fun at all of your show. hope to see you around man.
-------------------- FRED SPARKS Proud member of BROKEN SILENCE TEAM MA AUDIO 05 USACA MOD 0-300 World Record Holder With 156.9 04 USACA MOD 901-1800 World Record Holder With 160.6 04 USAC mod World Champion 161.4 04 IASAC ADV3 World Champion 164.6 04 DBDRAG 2ND Place S-M 3-4 With 159.7 Posts: 28 | From: IL | Registered: Nov 2004
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Sam What are you doing with the shop and that legend from the past the cannon? I'm sorry to see you leave but you have to do what you have to do.
-------------------- Just some thoughts from a nobody. Posts: 3499 | From: Lakewood,Ohio | Registered: Aug 2003
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Sam you rule, in 2001 when everbody else was saying I was cheating, you were the only judge that didn't attack me, you were fair and honest, you inspected my vehicle and told everyone I was 100% legit. Do you remember at Chris Norris' triple in Ft. Wayne when someone told you I had 4 alternators.....hahaha. That was funny. Anyway sorry to see you closed your shop. Good Luck in whatever your next venture is I am sure you will suceed.
-------------------- The Answer is not in the box, it's in the Band. Posts: 68 | From: Loves Park, Illinoize | Registered: Feb 2002
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You were one of the few positives in this sport. You are a great guy and will be missed.
-------------------- T3 Audio Incorporated >World Class Subwoofer & Speaker Development< Johnathan Demuth/Chief Forklift Operator at T3 Audio/ Senior Email Checker/ Junior Phone answerer/ Warranty specialist/ Marketing relations coordinator/ Competition team manager/ R & D guru/ president of psuedo-manufacturers anonymous.
" No matter the obsticles before me, I truly know that I am, on some level, destined for greatness." ... J. Demuth
posted
I also have mixed feelings about your decision, Sam. I am sorry to hear you will not have the presence that you have had in past years, but I fully appreciate and respect your decision.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all you have done, not only for Ian and myself, but for the car audio industry and dB Drag as a whole. I am sure that dB Drag would not have experienced the growth without all of the hard work and effort you have put forth.
Somehow I feel there is much more to your decision, but I will respectfully not ask what made you decide to step back.
I think I know how you feel about closing your business too, as I did the same thing after years of devoting countless hours building up my own business, which I closed several years ago.
Anyway...hopefully your decision will lead to as many positives as mine has. Heck...now I literally get paid to go to Car Shows as a living in my current job!
Best of luck to you (and your family) in whatever you decide to pursue and if I can ever be of assistance in any way, please give me a call.
Sam, you will ALWAYS be "The Man!"
Bob Ashton aka IansDad dB Drag Retail Member AUTOKNOW
Posts: 884 | From: Utica, Mi USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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-------------------- PREPAIR FOR THE NEW EVOLUTION
DOUGLAS CHINGO S.S.1-2NW PANTHERS CAR AUDIO AND SOUND PRODUCTION "OWNER" 2003-dB Drag Retail Member Posts: 247 | From: LANSING MICHIGAN | Registered: Oct 2001
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Good Luck in all your adventures from here on out.
Dealing with you during our days in competition was and still is one of the more pleasant parts of my competion history.
Cheers to you my friend.
-------------------- Jeff President, Sweet Sounds, Inc. Three (3) Time World Champions ('00,'00,'02) Eight (8) Time World Record Holders ('00,'01,'02,'03) www.SweetSounds.com Posts: 2729 | From: Mankato MN | Registered: Jun 1999
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Man...... I remember that show in 97, we drove the van up there ... lots of fun, and a lot of great memories with you Sam. You are always welcome at Streetwerkz anytime your in Columbus
Best of luck to you, and enjoy a lil time off, with the family.
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Sam I still remember seen the S-10 at SBN I think it one of the sickest thing I have ever seen. Also all I can say is you are a lucky man by doing what you have accomplish thru out all those years and the few times I've seen you, all I have to say is you are a humble person and a great judge.Good luck in your future and hope to see you around. Take care...
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