Busking amp

[Huw Foster]

I'm currently working on getting a busking duo together - electric bass (me) and a female vocalist (obviously not me). Will possibly add a drummer if we need one (probably using a cajon), but only the vocals and bass will require amplification, so amps with 2 inputs are ideal.

I've done a little research - those Roland street amps seem good enough for guitar/vox, but I think they might be a little underpowered (not to mention tinny) for bass. So, what's the general opinion of the Crate taxi series? Could the TX15 cope, or is it too similar to the Roland? Am I going to have to fork out for a TX50DB? (Something I'm not too averse to, as it should be a decent investment... plus I could potentially split the cost with the singer.)

Yeaaah. Sorry again for asking this question for the umpteenth time, but I thought my dilemma was at least unique enough to warrant a new thread.

Cheers!

Huw

[razze06]

have you checked out those alesis transactive portable PA systems?

[url="http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=alesis+transactive+mobile&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB%3a%6ffficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=75jiTMr4G4HKhAf-zNmpDQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQrQQwAA"]link[/url]

[fatback]

[quote name='razze06' post='1025924' date='Nov 16 2010, 02:46 PM']have you checked out those alesis transactive portable PA systems?

[url="http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=alesis+transactive+mobile&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB%3a%6ffficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=75jiTMr4G4HKhAf-zNmpDQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQrQQwAA"]link[/url][/quote]

Looks neat. Would you need a preamp for that?

Edited November 16, 2010 by fatback

[yorick]

This is probably your best bet....

[url="http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productdetails.aspx?p=940&c=329"]http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productde...p=940&c=329[/url]

[razze06]

[quote name='yorick' post='1025981' date='Nov 16 2010, 03:41 PM']This is probably your best bet....

[url="http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productdetails.aspx?p=940&c=329"]http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productde...p=940&c=329[/url][/quote]

One input only i'm afraid...

[Ghost_Bass]

I would bet in this:
[url="http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=555&ParentId=33"]http://www.rolandus.com/products/productde...amp;ParentId=33[/url]

I've played with it's predecessor, the KC-300 and my bass sounded lovely through it. Voices come out clean but you can never get rid of that typical Roland hi-fi'ish colour

[razze06]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' post='1026067' date='Nov 16 2010, 04:59 PM']I would bet in this:
[url="http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=555&ParentId=33"]http://www.rolandus.com/products/productde...amp;ParentId=33[/url]

I've played with it's predecessor, the KC-300 and my bass sounded lovely through it. Voices come out clean but you can never get rid of that typical Roland hi-fi'ish colour [/quote]

You're probably right, but is it a busking amp? It still needs to be connected to the mains, and 30kgs is not exactly a feather

[Ghost_Bass]

[quote name='razze06' post='1026083' date='Nov 16 2010, 05:17 PM']You're probably right, but is it a busking amp? It still needs to be connected to the mains, and 30kgs is not exactly a feather [/quote]
Ups... forgot that! In that case... probably this?
[url="http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1057&ParentId=33"]http://www.rolandus.com/products/productde...amp;ParentId=33[/url]

Cheers

[orangepeelneil]

[size=3]Hi Huw,

I've still got this knocking around for a super cheap and compact two input solution ...just add a suitable compact and efficient speaker and your are away.


[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=78404&hl=realistic"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;hl=realistic[/url]


It's 20W and will run off a car battery (possibly run for a few hours- I can check the current consumpsion spec) or off the mains.
its a PA amp and did originally have a pair of Tannoy/horns with it, sounds fine with bass, but depends how loud you want to be 20W may not be enough.


Cheers Neil[/size]

[sk8]

i was always going to get one of [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbac30.htm?sid=0f759fc7f9a7b32c70247e8b7df024eb"]these [/url]to go busking with

Another option could be [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/tranyor_tvm50.htm?sid=0f759fc7f9a7b32c70247e8b7df024eb"]this[/url]

[Huw Foster]

Hi guys, thanks for all the suggestions!

As is typical, I made this thread and half-forgot about it. I did check back before I made a decision though, so it was somewhat informed!

I went out today and bought one. In the end I got a Roland Micro Cube Bass RX. I paid £170 for it. Only one channel, but in the end I realised that's not essential - the singer could get something similar (and probably cheaper) and it would be less battery-intensive overall.



The effects, while not amazing, are great fun and a good bonus addition. As I'm planning on solo bass and vocals (maybe with a cajon player when possible), I need to be able to turn up the 'talent' (read: delay) when required.

Thanks again for the suggestions, they were really helpful! I'll be sure to keep y'all updated with our progress if it turns into something half-decent. Or even if not.

Huw

[Huw Foster]

[quote name='yorick' post='1025981' date='Nov 16 2010, 03:41 PM']This is probably your best bet....

[url="http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productdetails.aspx?p=940&c=329"]http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productde...p=940&c=329[/url][/quote]
I knew this was mentioned somewhere in this thread. That's the one, thanks for bringing my attention to it!