Bass amps that run off 9v adaptor

[Slevage]

Certainly not without a boost converter and suitable supply current/capacity. With those things, there's no technical challenge to making a 500 watt amp this way except that the size grows accordingly.

The coulombs of the power supply is the limiting factor.
The laws of physics always win.

 

[dbase]

My Fender Elite Precision bass requires two 9 Volt batteries just for the pre-amp.

 

[Bassamatic]

I see the current being even as important as the voltage. Watts are Watts! If you want 100 W out, you need 100W plus losses in - at least 120-140W. I haven't seen many 100W outboard power supplies. Usually by the time a product needs that much power they have an internal supply. You could use a 9V supply and then upconvert it to whatever is needed, but you still need the WATTS! Lost of 'em.

And Just FYI - Watts = Amps x Voltage

 

[Bassamatic]

My Fender Elite Precision bass requires two 9 Volt batteries just for the pre-amp.

That is likely to have a balanced +/- 9V power supply. The actual output of a bass is only about 0.1-1V at miniscule current.

 

[ak56]

motor-generator

Back in the day, my dad had a motor-generator (dynamotor) setup for running a sound truck. It would plug directly into his Masco tube amp through a multi-pin connector, and would drive two 30" folded-horn loudspeakers on top of the vehicle.

Speakers were like this, only 30" diameter, and about 30" deep.

The motor portion was actually rated for 6 volts, so to run it off of a 12 volt vehicle, the metal case it was mounted in had a big resistor bolted to it in series with the power lead to drop the voltage.

 

[sawzalot]

I think we should just use typical musical instrument amplifier spec ratings to rate the amp: 2000 watts from the cigarette lighter socket of your car. That's 10 actual watts plus 1990 watts created on demand out of thin air by the Marketing Department.

 

[nambassist]

I know black star have tiny little bass amps that run on 9 volt power or 6 AA batteries. Ok for around a campfire but not really a performing rig even with the Extra cab you can slave on

 

[CryingBass]

Maybe already mentioned, but Phil Jones Bass Buddy - but for the price, I think you will pass...
( also, might be 18V, does run on batteries opptionally - about 10W IIRC )

 

[agedhorse]

I think we should just use typical musical instrument amplifier spec ratings to rate the amp: 2000 watts from the cigarette lighter socket of your car. That's 10 actual watts plus 1990 watts created on demand out of thin air by the Marketing Department.

Most MI manufacturers are reasonably good about this, but there are of course exceptions.

 

[BogeyBass]

even bridged you only get so much voltage swing from 9 volts.

to get more power you go to the 22/24 volt powered amps
and even then a basic bridge design using class D will get the most out of that voltage.
only so much you can do.
then have to go to a boost converter. or " laptop" power supply

basically similar to alot of amps using high current power adapters
similar to a high current laptop power supply. and roughly the same size / weight

battery power. same thing
the more power you want for extended periods
its gonna be a big battery or limited battery life
otherwise 1 to 10 watts for something simple

 

[PullThePlug]

Roland Bass Cube runs on a one spot. Mine does and it's great for street performances

 

[sawzalot]

Most MI manufacturers are reasonably good about this, but there are of course exceptions.

Hah, yes, perhaps that is an overgeneralization. I had in mind certain actual specs I’ve seen, like “2000 watts output power” without specifics about how it was measured. I really do appreciate when amps live up to what they say they can do.

 

[agedhorse]

Hah, yes, perhaps that is an overgeneralization. I had in mind certain actual specs I’ve seen, like “2000 watts output power” without specifics about how it was measured. I really do appreciate when amps live up to what they say they can do.

Yes, there is one glaring 2000 watt standout in this regard, I agree.

 

[Garret Graves]

Maybe already mentioned, but Phil Jones Bass Buddy - but for the price, I think you will pass...
( also, might be 18V, does run on batteries opptionally - about 10W IIRC )

A great little unit, but speaker out doesn’t work with batteries, needs to be plugged in.