alyctes Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 I'm considering going busking with our guitarist. He'd probably just take an acoustic with no amp, but acoustic basses can't compete in my experience. Can anyone recommend a busking rig? I guess it will have to be battery powered. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Roland bass cube rx. Good fun, and solid. Basic dum machine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 [quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1403393831' post='2482399'] Roland bass cube rx. Good fun, and solid. Basic dum machine too. [/quote] +1. They're not cheap, but the sound is totally unbelievable in both volume and tone (the amp emulations are great!) and I'm pretty sure the amp itself is completely indestructible, along with surprisingly waterproof if it starts randomly chucking it down. Here's a video of me using it on a typical day at the office, should give an idea of how well it projects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVmP7jFMoKQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Others have recommended the PJ Briefcase before...I wouldn't take mine busking though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2004gdavi Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 The PJB briefcase can run with onboard battery or connected to external battery so it's been designed to travel. Sounds great but not cheap. It's probably this cost that would make you think twice about busking with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 For a very versatile and not very expensive option, check these out: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Qtx-178-840UK-QR10PA-portable-PA/dp/B009L4KZ8I"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Qtx-178-840UK-QR10PA-portable-PA/dp/B009L4KZ8I[/url] There is a similar thread I started last year, as I was about to start busking with my band, and I got one of those. They're great. Good battery live, it can be a lot louder than is reasonable in a busking situation - even with three other guitars, a mini drumkit with brushes and a trumpet - and you can put other things through it. It's not the best bass amp in the world, but it sounds pretty good. I'd recommend using an external EQ pedal (or an active bass with active EQ) for adjusting the sound, as the built-in tone controls are pretty limited for bass. It's also smaller than it looks in the picture, and ultra portable. A year later I'm still very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 I use a Roland Micro Bass Cube (the 4 x 2.5" one). The battery life is pretty impressive and it has the interesting property of sounding louder 15 feet away than it does when you're stood right in front of it. [media]http://youtu.be/Vgjs0JLCyC0[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukie Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Another vote for the Roland Bass Cube Rx (4 x2.5) Ok I've never busked but it's a certainly a great little amp, and a fraction of the cost of a PJB, which is probably better but if you have that sort of money I'm not sure you need to go busking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 I don't need to go busking, we just thought it might be fun. And it would let us play stuff we want to play, instead of stuff the band wants to play. (Is it inappropriate somehow to go busking if you don't need to?) Thanks to all for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 [quote name='Pukie' timestamp='1403614042' post='2484469'] but if you have that sort of money I'm not sure you need to go busking. [/quote] the money was a bonus, not a primary objective, for us. we wanted more people to hear us. It led to selling a few CDs to tourists (who will hopefully start new fan clubs of our band in their home countries) and a few gig offers. And mostly, we had fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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