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I Is Needing a Battery Powered Amp for BUSKINGS!

#4
LesS said:
Also, you can buy an inverter that plugs into a car cigarette lighter. Then you can plug in a 220v device to the inverter. .
Click to expand...
Only if a) you bought a 220VAC inverter and b) the device you are running needs 220VAC.

Most US devices are going to be 110VAC so a 100-120VAC inverter would do just fine.

But by the time you lug around a few car batteries to do this you may as well just have gotten a small quiet Honda generator.

I think for busking purposes the Roland micro-cube will do well enough. Something else to consider is to get an acoustic or an electro-acoustic and the micro-cube to just give you a little ummph.
 
#5
I've used the Roland Micro Cube Bass Rx in a lot of situations, indoors and out, it works quite well. It's a surprising little amp. I also own a Pignose HOG and a Crate Taxi. The Roland sounds far better and will play cleanly at higher volume than either of those.
 
#14
I have the Crate TX50B. For what it is, it is reasonably loud and sounds reasonably good.

However, I have had extensive trouble with mine. The first one had to be sent back to the factory within about 6 weeks of my owning it, after it just completely died on me. They sent me a new one (which arrived with some cosmetic shipping damage) which developed a horrible amplifier distortion in about the same time frame. I had to take this into NYC for the closest Crate authorized repair shop (I live in central NJ). It took them about 6 weeks to fix it. They said they were having trouble getting the repair parts from Crate.

I do have to commend Crate Customer Service though, every time they were extremely professional, helpful and courteous. The shipping for the first one and all the repairs were covered under warranty.

I have never pushed these at all hard in any way. Also, it wasn't cheap. I believe I paid nearly $400 for it about 6 years ago, but I could be wrong, I don't fully remember. Now, I will only use it for extremely casual things. I would never trust it on a paid gig or for anything serious.

But all in all, given the above, it does work well at the neighborhood backyard party, campground sing-a-long etc.

Cheers,
Dennis
 
#15
Can you try a Roland? I have one, and think it would be ideal for what you want. About 10 hours on batteries (I use rechargeables, and this is what I get), and very nice models. Loud enough for busking, unless you need lots of volume.
 
#16
The Phil Jones Bass Briefcase also can operate on 12v battery power. I have used one a few times on AC power, but never battery-powered. Great sound, not terribly loud but probably OK for busking purposes. Plus, it is very light weight - easily portable.

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