What do you think of the Vox Amplug Headphone Bass Amp

[FBS1996]

I'm very tempted to buy one because I'm spending a few weeks in Whitby in the summer and my and my mate are gonna do some busking, but i dont want to fork out on an acoustic bass that I'll hardly ever use. Should I get it or not?

[Buster Brown]

Well, I will give it an "OK". I picked one up a year or so back for when I'm on the bus and don't want to disturb anyone. When I'm home I go into my mixer and into the cans..

It does a decent job, but remember that it's not an "expensive" item. That being said, for the money, I think it does a nice job. Are there better alternatives out there? Sure! But if you're looking for a easy fix for practice without a lot of cash going out - this will probably suit the bill.


Cheers!!

[FBS1996]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

Well, I will give it an "OK". I picked one up a year or so back for when I'm on the bus and don't want to disturb anyone. When I'm home I go into my mixer and into the cans..

It does a decent job, but remember that it's not an "expensive" item. That being said, for the money, I think it does a nice job. Are there better alternatives out there? Sure! But if you're looking for a easy fix for practice without a lot of cash going out - this will probably suit the bill.


Cheers!!

Thanks for the comments. Can you give me some examples of some better alternatives? I don't mind paying abit more

[jabsys]

It's good enough for practicing although there's a fair bit of hiss if you have the volume or gain turned up too far and they need to be up high if your using cheap headphones like the ipod ones.

[ih8law]

The infuriating thing about these is that the battery door cover always falls off. Quick fix is a piece of electrical tape. Still, they could have spent an extra five cents to make it attach more securely.

[glenb73]

It is HORRIBLE!!!! Noisy, crap sound, very cheap plastic, and they charge $50 for it?!!? Worth maybe $10 tops. I bought it and returned it. Avoid this junk.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by FBS1996

I'm very tempted to buy one because I'm spending a few weeks in Whitby in the summer and my and my mate are gonna do some busking, but i dont want to fork out on an acoustic bass that I'll hardly ever use. Should I get it or not?

How is a headphone amp going to be of any use for busking?

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by FBS1996

Thanks for the comments. Can you give me some examples of some better alternatives? I don't mind paying abit more

Cafe Walter is the best on the market, IMO.

[Shardik]

Disclaimer: The following is based on the use of VOX amPlug Classic Rock, not he Bass version.

Actually, I love the Vox amPlug concept for its portability. I have used mine a lot for guitar, tried it for bass, and I am going to order the bass version.
I have had no problems with battery compartment door.

Sure, it is not a miracle, but for semi-silent practice (strings on the instrument still makes noise which may annoy surroundings) I think it works great. I use cheap Koss Porta Pros with mine. I think the OD is OK for guitar, but not bass. At least it beats diode clipping OD on cheap solid state amps easily. Seems like the analog circuitry gives it a somewhat organic feel, but not coming close to real tube OD.

When not forcing the thing into OD, I think it works fine for bass, even if made for guitar. It seems it is not rolling off in the bass region, making a full bass sound. Not very loud, but loud enough for practice.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by JxBass

Cafe Walter is the best on the market, IMO.

+1 for the Cafe Walter.

I bought the Electro Harmonix headphone amp recently while staying somewhere I couldn't disturb anyone with an amp. I chose it over the Vox because it was cheaper, sounded better to me and didn't have a 1/4 plug sticking out of the side giving the option to put it anywhere. If I'd been able to buy a Cafe Walter without waiting I would have though.

[masturbasser]

I'm coming close to buying one since bassnw said it could be untold months before they get in the EBS classic session 60 I special ordered. They said they don't know what's going on with EBS. It's been a month and a half now and playing my bass with no amp is really getting old.

[ian_s]

It's ok for what it is. I have the AC50 one, not the bass one. The gain can really get out of control. OTOH, I have it plugged into one end of a tuner and it fits in the gigbag pocket and needs no other electricity.

If you're an iPhone owner I hear good things about the iRig.

[jmain]

Originally Posted by Turock

How is a headphone amp going to be of any use for busking?

^This. As always on TB, nobody reads the OP and says what they like best, or answer a question that's been answered numerous times before.

You are (were) looking for a battery-powered amp. I have a Pignose Hog30 that I like a lot for camping or generally playing outside. It has a bigger rechargeable battery. I've also heard good things about the Roland version that uses household-type batteries.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by jmain

^This. As always on TB, nobody reads the OP and says what they like best, or answer a question that's been answered numerous times before.

And as always some self righteous knob preaches down to the ignorant masses from his dubious soapbox. People were responding to the question "What do you think of the Vox Amplug Headphone Bass Amp". Re-reading the rest of the OP I see now what you're talking about but it wasn't by any means 100% clear.

As for answering "a question that's been answered numerous times before" Talkbass has been up for over ten years and if everyone only responded to questions that hadn't been answered over and over you'd hear crickets dude. And you're doing it yourself recommending a battery powered amp you big hypocrite.

[ack]

I have the Vox Bass amPlug - and as others have mentioned, it's OK.
Lightweight (cheap) and portable.
More noise (hiss) than I was expecting at higher gains.

At $50, I wouldn't get another - mine was a gift. I used to use the Tascam Bass Trainer which had more features, but the amPlug is so much more portable that it makes me leave the Trainer at home when I go on the road for business. That Trainer ate batteries, which the amPlug does not.
Good luck.

[RickenBoogie]

I'm with turok here, the op was about busking, and the amplug. No matter how great or crappy the amplug is, it's of no use for busking. I think that was jmains point as well. Mr Arddun is way off base here, and only stirring the pot- for no good reason. Busking people- whole 'nother thing.

[jmain]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

And as always some self righteous knob preaches down to the ignorant masses from his dubious soapbox. People were responding to the question "What do you think of the Vox Amplug Headphone Bass Amp". Re-reading the rest of the OP I see now what you're talking about but it wasn't by any means 100% clear.

As for answering "a question that's been answered numerous times before" Talkbass has been up for over ten years and if everyone only responded to questions that hadn't been answered over and over you'd hear crickets dude. And you're doing it yourself recommending a battery powered amp you big hypocrite.

Really? Feel better now, dood?

[DLESSING]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

Well, I will give it an "OK". I picked one up a year or so back for when I'm on the bus and don't want to disturb anyone. When I'm home I go into my mixer and into the cans..

It does a decent job, but remember that it's not an "expensive" item. That being said, for the money, I think it does a nice job. Are there better alternatives out there? Sure! But if you're looking for a easy fix for practice without a lot of cash going out - this will probably suit the bill.


Cheers!!

+1

[ack]

BTW, for busking...try the Roland Bass MicroCube...it's very cool, and louder than you'd think - runs on batteries, etc.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by jmain

Really? Feel better now, dood?

Wow. After giving everyone sh!t that's the best you could come back with?
On the other hand you didn't really have much goin' to begin with................doood.