Hog-20 Sucked...

SevenPrime · #1 07-07-2010, 04:55 PM

I'm in the market for a small battery-powered bass amp, one that's potentially small enough for air travel. Nothing with high volume output, enough to compete with a couple of acoustics, or fiddles (I'm currently in a celtic group).

Anyway, I hear that my local music store had a Hog-20. I went over there, took a few of their basses off the wall, and plugged it in. What came out was absolute crap. Everything below the D string was completely distorted, rattled, sounded terrible. The store clerks were gaping at how terrible this thing sounded, I think the lady who took it off the shelf felt really bad.

Too bad because it was the perfect size/weight for what I need, and the volume was pretty good too.

I'm just wondering if that's normal for a Hog-20 or whether there was something seriously wrong with this amp. Most bass players use the Hog-30, but unfortunately, at that size/weight, it pretty much kills my chances of traveling with it. I have heard that the Hogs distort the low end when uncharged. Does anyone have any experience with the Hog-20, and whether it makes sense for it to sound that bad?

SevenPrime · #2 07-08-2010, 01:54 AM

KPJ · #3 07-08-2010, 05:05 AM

Well, the Hog 20 is a guitar amp. You may want to check out the Hog 30 which is designed for bass and keys. You may like that a little better. still, there are limits to what to expect from a 30 watt amp with an 8" speaker.

SevenPrime · #4 07-08-2010, 11:40 AM

Hog-30 is not ideal, it's too large and heavy to accept as airplane Carry-on luggage. I plan on using this thing to fly to festivals around the state (Alaska), some of which can't be driven to. I don't trust baggage handlers. What are my options? Also, some of the festivals I would be going to would be outside, no power, which is why I'm looking for a battery powered amp.

lug · #5 07-08-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenPrime

Hog-30 is not ideal, it's too large and heavy to accept as airplane Carry-on luggage. I plan on using this thing to fly to festivals around the state (Alaska), some of which can't be driven to. I don't trust baggage handlers. What are my options? Also, some of the festivals I would be going to would be outside, no power, which is why I'm looking for a battery powered amp.

Depends on the airline. Here's a link to what each airline allows:
http://www.luggageonline.com/about_airlines.cfm

Like KPJ said, the Hog 20 isn't a bass amp so it's not appropriate for your use.. The Hog 30's dimentions are 14" x 9-1/2" x 17" and weighs 28 lbs. Don't know of anything smallere that's gonna put out any decent amount of bottom. The little Roland is an easy carry, just doesn't have a lot of ompf to compete against other instruments. The Phil Jones Briefcase may be ideal....if you are rich enough...with dimentions of inch 6.5 x 14.5 x 15.75

BassmanPaul · #6 07-08-2010, 01:34 PM

What about the little Phil Jones amp??? Might be small enough.

Paul

Sorry Lug - you beat me to it!

JackANSI · #7 07-08-2010, 01:38 PM

Doesn't Roland have a small battery powered amp? The Phil Jones is probably the only one with enough oomph to actually be called a bass amp though you might have issues with its sealed lead-acid battery and flight rules...

SevenPrime · #8 07-08-2010, 04:56 PM

Eh, this is pointless. I told my bandmates that it really isn't worth it for me to get a battery powered amp. I'm only seeing one gig where it would be of any use coming up. They've been asking me to come down to Juneau for a festival every year, but I really don't know if I can justify that. Basses really aren't flight-happy instruments. If I do a gig that I need to fly to, I'll just line one up on the other side. Spend my money on stuff that I'll use a lot more fequently. I don't even like folk music to begin with.