Best Portable amp for under $300

[dalimus-thaden]

I am getting an Eminence EUB and I am also wanting to purchase a small battery powered amp to play through for bluegrass jam sessions. I know that the PJ Briefcase is the best portable available but I don't want to spend $600 for it. I am considering the Pignose Hog 30($160), Fender Amp Can($175), and a Crate TX30BE ($250). Which would you recommend for sound quality and battery life.

Links to each:

http://www.music123.com/Pignose-Hog-...p-i90639.music

http://www.music123.com/Fender-Amp-Can-i63262.music

http://www.music123.com/Crate-TX30BE-i56530.music

Thanks.

[dalimus-thaden]

Oh, and the Crate TX50DBE is another option, its a little more than I want to spend but it looks pretty good.

http://www.music123.com/Crate-TX50DB...d-i33916.music

[Tbeers]

Seems like the TX50DBE might be a bad choice. There are reviews that say bass notes tend to make the unit buzz due to a production flaw in the case.

From looking at them, the Crate TX30BE looks nicest. Not surprisingly, given the price....

[dfp]

your price range may keep you from finding anything you really will enjoy using (or which people will enjoy hearing). good sound is a club, and it costs to join. my humble 2 cents, of course.

good luck!

[Aaron Saunders]

Originally Posted by Dave Peeples

your price range may keep you from finding anything you really will enjoy using (or which people will enjoy hearing). good sound is a club, and it costs to join. my humble 2 cents, of course.

good luck!

+1

I'm saving up enough to drop some cash on an AI Contra. I could "settle" on something, but you know what? I don't have rent to pay yet, so there's no use getting something "mediocre" and saving up for it later, when I'll be scraping every penny I can get. I thought the Briefcase was significantly more expensive, though. Anyone care to make a comparison between it and the AI combos?

[LarryR]

Dear Thalmus,

I agree with Mr Peeples. My suggestion is the GK MB (Micro bass) line. You can find a used GK MB200 (older model) for around $ 300.00ish.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/...2_Combo-1.html


Oops. Did you say battery powered? Hmm.....
Get the 200MB and one of these:

http://www.sears.com/sr/automotive/d...&vertical=AUTO


All's you gotta do is figure out the voltage thing so's you don't blow up.

[dalimus-thaden]

See, I already have a mesa walkabout scout as my main amp, but I want I battery powered amp for those acoustic jam sessions where no power is available.

I have also read a couple good reviews about the Carvin Stagemate used for a portable bass rig. It costs $400, but it has a battery life of over 10 hrs. when 2 batteries are used.
http://www.carvin.com/products/singl...temNumber=s400

The battery life of the PJ Briefcase combined w/ the price is why I don't want to purchase one.

[Aaron Saunders]

The battery life of the PJ Briefcase

Well, if you don't crank it and you buy a decent battery, it should have a decent life. When was the last time you actually played a gig with no power, or anything more than an hour for that matter?

[Tbeers]

That Carvin actually looks pretty nice....

[dalimus-thaden]

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

When was the last time you actually played a gig with no power, or anything more than an hour for that matter?

This past Sunday.

I play in a bluegrass band, we practice and have jam sessions acoustically outside all the time, not to mention the bluegrass festivals I go to where a battery powered amp that would last for a few hours would be great to have.