Battery Powered Amp Recommendations

Mr Antt · #1 10-18-2011, 01:09 PM

Hi there.

Since joining the college band I've finally been given the excuse I needed to buy some proper equipment. So, I'm not in the process of building my stack. Which I great. If there's power.. However, Christmas is coming up and we've got a lot of outdoor gigs lined up some with power, some without.

So, what I'm asking is. Can I have some recommendations for a battery powered amp, capable of keeping up with a small orchestra-type thing. Not everyone will be playing all the gigs, so there will be less people than when I can use power. I just need something that can keep up volume-wise.

Otherwise, any alternatives would be great.

Thanks, Anthony.

Oobly · #2 10-18-2011, 02:33 PM

A Phil Jones Briefcase may be what you are after. 100W and sounds nice. Quite expensive, though. I know Roland make some good sounding lower power battery amps, but not sure if they'll be loud enough or which are good with bass.

Joe Louvar · #3 10-19-2011, 08:11 AM

I play my Fender BG-31 bass through a battery powered Crate Taxi at parks, camping, etc and it easily keeps up with a two unplugged acoustic guitars, bongos, etc. It’s a guitar amp so it’s not the best sounding for bass but it works. However it’s not loud enough to keep up with an orchestra. The Phil Jones Briefcase bass amp is about as good as it gets in the small battery powered bass amp world, expensive but it will keep up with a small orchestra.

lug · #4 10-19-2011, 09:28 AM

An alternative would be a 12 volt battery and an inverter (device that goes from 12 DC to 110 AC). If you already have a nice small amp you like the sound of, this could be your answer. You'll need some way to charge the battery (battery charger or jumper cables to your car battery)

will33 · #5 10-19-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

An alternative would be a 12 volt battery and an inverter (device that goes from 12 DC to 110 AC). If you already have a nice small amp you like the sound of, this could be your answer. You'll need some way to charge the battery (battery charger or jumper cables to your car battery)

Yeah, like truckers use.

Carvin makes these. Carvin.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio. More of a do it all tiny pa. Never used one with bass but maybe another option.

Joe Louvar · #6 10-19-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

An alternative would be a 12 volt battery and an inverter (device that goes from 12 DC to 110 AC). If you already have a nice small amp you like the sound of, this could be your answer. You'll need some way to charge the battery (battery charger or jumper cables to your car battery)

Or maybe a portable power supply ~
Portable Emergency Backup Battery Power Pack

Mr Antt · #7 10-19-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Louvar

Or maybe a portable power supply ~
Portable Emergency Backup Battery Power Pack

That's perfect, thankyou. Run 30watts for about 7 hours, that will do me just fine.

Joe Louvar · #8 10-19-2011, 12:52 PM

You’re welcome and thank you lug. I’m buying one too - it looks like a handy power supply to have around.

Joe Louvar · #9 10-19-2011, 07:20 PM

DURACELL® POWERPACK 600 - $149.95 at Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Radio: Automotive

James Judson · #10 10-19-2011, 07:43 PM

I would talk to the folks that sell boats they usually have many inverters to choose from. Get a car battery (or two), make a box to fit your battery and DC to AC conferter set your amp on top of that then bungie the whole thing onto a hand truck. Make sure you get a big enough battery to last as long as you need. Make sure the inverter can handle what the amp needs.

I have seen rigs like this that worked well.

Joe Louvar · #11 10-19-2011, 07:57 PM

Hi James, that would work too. I ordered a 600 - much lighter, easier, and etc and over 200 positive reviews.