Battery powered amps?

Venom of God · #1 10-24-2010, 07:06 AM

So, my band and I just got ourselves a little old '78 Toyota Hi-ace campervan! We plan on going up the east coast of Australia in it next year- gigging, busking and picking fruit all along the way!

Can anyone recommend me a good little battery powered amp for busking? I don't have an acoustic bass and really don't want one, never liked the feel of them or heard one acousticly that I liked the tone of.

I was thinking something like a Micro Cube could be good, though last time I looked they didn't do battery powered bass ones.. would the guitar one suffice? I have a SansAmp that I could run through it.

We'll be playing your usual busking type songs (The Black Sorrows, Oasis, softer Pearl Jam etc) in a three piece with guitar/vocals, bass/backing vocals and one of those snare box things/backing vocals.

Thanks!!

SnakeKappele · #2 10-24-2010, 07:13 AM

I've never used or heard one, but they make a bass Micro Cube:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....Amp?sku=483095

Venom of God · #3 10-24-2010, 07:13 AM

http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...?ProductId=940

My mistake, there is one! Is this the way to go or does anyone have any other suggestions for me? Not sure what these cost either, but I will say that I'm not made of money, haha!

RCCollins · #4 10-24-2010, 07:17 AM

I use a Pignose HOG 30 for "unplugged" settings.

Venom of God · #5 10-24-2010, 07:23 AM

The rechargeable battery is nice! How does it sound? Would it be a nicer, warmer tone for acoustic stuff than the Roland (I ask that since it has the one larger speaker as opposed to four tiny ones)?

Would be more of a hassle having to use a tuner and chorus pedal, though (which I wouldn't need to bring with the Roland).

SnakeKappele · #6 10-24-2010, 07:38 AM

Actually, the four 4" speakers have twice the surface area of the 8" speaker.

Jazz Ad · #7 10-24-2010, 07:45 AM

Bass MicroCube and Pignose Hog 30 are the best deals on portable amps.

Venom of God · #8 10-24-2010, 08:05 AM

I've been reading a fair few reviews and they all say the MicroCube has no bottom end to it.. I know that I can't expect much from such a tiny, battery powered amp, but am I going to plug into it and hate how it sounds? Would it still be enough to fill out the bottom end under an acoustic guitar? Or more to the point, good enough to just busk with?

pbd · #9 10-24-2010, 08:08 AM

how about a small bass amp and run it off of a power inverter from the van battery? You could even use a auxilary battery that you recharge between gigs

Todd

mpdd · #10 10-24-2010, 11:49 AM

the pignose hog 30 is good sounding, durable, and the battery lasts forever and i mean forever, the sound from the headphone jack sounds weird but what do you expect for 150 dollars it can't be perfect

pedrorolo · #11 11-01-2010, 11:42 AM

I read somewhere that the hog distorts the lows and that Crate's Taxi Series are better,,, They are much more expensive also,,,,

mpdd · #12 11-01-2010, 12:27 PM

it distorts somewhat but it hasn't been an issue for me, because i am not really after a super clean tone

Philonius · #13 11-01-2010, 12:39 PM

Phil Jones Briefcase. Runs off internal battery; good for +/- 60 minutes, external 12v deep cycle battery for a long time, or your vehicle's 12v system fo'evah. And sounds great.

BassmanPaul · #14 11-01-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venom of God

So, my band and I just got ourselves a little old '78 Toyota Hi-ace campervan! We plan on going up the east coast of Australia in it next year- gigging, busking and picking fruit all along the way!

That testosterone stuff is goin' to getcha in trouble one day!!!

Have a great trip but above all be safe!!

goran · #15 11-03-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeKappele

Actually, the four 4" speakers have twice the surface area of the 8" speaker.

No, actually four 4" speakers have the same speaker area as ONE 8" speaker.