Setting a conversion budget of £100,000 (including internal structural work) they contacted Studio Output for their 2D graphic design work and the experienced Julian Taylor Design Associates (with whom they had previously worked in Newcastle) for the interior fit-out. The result is a 220-capacity late night music and cocktail bar.
Despite its bijou size, the owners wanted to achieve maximum flexibility, and based on recommendation, contacted CP Sound's Colin Pattenden to install a versatile DJ and live playback system based largely around Harman Pro components.
The installer has been able to provide cocktail lounge sound on the first floor, with a more potent mix down at ground level, where DJ's pump the music out until 2am on weekends. After specifying an industry-standard DJ booth he turned his attention to the general environment, dividing it into a four-zone space.
The main dancefloor is served by two flown JBL Control 28s with a floor-mounted JRX118 sub providing the bass extension. With Sunday acoustic gigs already taking place (and world music nights planned for the future) two AKG D88 vocal mics have been provided for musicians, which are mixed through a six-channel Soundcraft EPM6.
Upstairs Pattenden has turned to a pair of JBL Control 25s to take feeds from downstairs, with a further six Control 25s distributed downstairs at the main bar and front-of house. The entire system was optimized using dbx 231 and 223 processors.
Says Pattenden comments: "We were recommended largely as a result of our reliable service and back-up. It's been a pleasure working with the operators, and we were also fortunate to be working alongside a good building team."
Will Partridge, in turn, credits CP Sound for having done "a great job". And as for that name? "Wax Jambu is an Indonesian fruit - but it works really well for a venue," he says.
(Jim Evans)
