BANDIT DEBUTS VARI*LITE 3500 WASH ON TOBY KEITH’S BIG DOG DADDY TOUR

Bandit Lites is excited to introduce the latest addition to their rental equipment inventory. The VL3500 Wash luminaire, which was debuted at LDI 2006, is similar in size to other Series 3000™ luminaires, all of which provide a consistent hang configuration and appearance.

For the North American debut of the light, Country Music Superstar, Toby Keith included 18 of the fixtures to the lighting design for his current tour promoting his most recent album, “Big Dog Daddy.”

While designing the rig, Lighting Designer, Seth Jackson got word from Thommy Hall of Vari*Lite that the VL3500 wash would be ready in time for Keith’s summer tour. Given the green light from Toby Keith, Jackson collaborated with Bandit Lites, Vari*Lite, and lighting director, Eddie “Bones” Connell to create a rig that showcased the new lights.

In describing the appeal of the VL3500 Wash luminaire, Jackson commented, “This is going to be a strong fixture for everyone’s inventory. The beauty is that you can pull the light wattage back when you need, but then open it up and get that fantastic horsepower when it’s time. That power and punch in the same package as the VL3000 Spot allows you to have this design flexibility in large quantities. Combine all that with the two color wheels and beam shaping and it has unlimited flexibility. With this one wash light, you can get everything you need.”

The VL3500™ Wash luminaire features zoomable beam optics, CYM color mixing, variable CTO color temperature correction, dual five-position color wheels, a separate dimmer, and an ultra-fast strobe mechanism. In addition to its zoomable optics system, Vari-Lite introduces the VARI*BRITE™ mode. From any zoom position, this mode will allow lighting designers to produce a tight column of remarkably intense light.

The VL3500™ Wash also offers a choice of two lamp types without requiring a change of any internal hardware. With only a setting adjustment, the fixture will run either a 1200W or a 1500W short arc lamp to meet any application.