Battery Powered Amps for Busking

[delroyboy]

Hey Guys,

I got a question regarding battery powered amps. My band just got into the Music Under New York program - MTA sponsored busking in the subways - and I'm now in need of a reliable/portable amp that can cut through over my horn players.

I borrowed a PJB Briefcase for the audition but the battery life wasn't so great and it's too expensive for my budget. Crate taxi/limo series looks to be the best alternative, and I used to have a Bas Bus that has now been discontinued, but I wanted to at least pose the question to all of you out there and see if you had any reviews, recommendations, etc that might be useful.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time and for any advice you could give. Be well.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

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[ShiftyShift]

Roland Bass Cube RX
Or, just buy a powerpack and play any small amp you want.

 

[Joe Louvar]

EDIT: +1. ^^^ (you beat me to it, lol)

Or with a “portable power supply” you could use any low wattage bass amp you want.

Note: built-in 600w inverter.
DURACELL® POWERPACK 600
http://stormprepare.com/Portable-Power.htm

And a portable power supply comes in handy in the car and camping or when the power goes out at home and etc.

 

[Rossman59]

This might work -

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[4-stringB]

Power inverters are very inefficient, losing a lot of power as heat in the conversion process. Also, having 115v AC in a non-grounded, non-ground fault protected environment is asking for trouble. Look at using medium size 12v batteries, like for a riding mower. PE has a couple of preamps that look good, as well as several car amps that bridged would produce in the 80-100 watt range. A very good 12" cab, like a fEarful or similar. Strap the whole rig to a wheeled dolly, and you should be all set....My .02...PS, in the confines of the subway, your bass should really resonate, however I've never seen a subway, just pix....

 

[Slowgypsy]

I've used both the Hog Pignose 30 and the Roland Micro Cube Bass RX for busking around NYC. The Micro Cube wins easily. It's lightweight, uses AA batteries, sort of loud for what it is.

I'll be doing the Make Music New York thing in June with a singer/acoustic guitarist and I'll use my Roland.

The Phil Jones briefcase is heavy, expensive, and doesn't last all that long, although the quality and volume levels are better than the Roland.

Bottom line... not a whole lot of choices for battery things.