rodfunnell Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 (edited) This is a topic I've been trawling for an answer to, for weeks. I want a battery powered bass option when the rest of my band have acoustics and away from power, so I can be heard and hear myself. I'm fortunate enough to own a Warwick Alien but it can struggle to cut through when playing outside and with a couple of other guitars, acoustic percussion/drum/cohon etc, I'd much rather have a battery bass combo that has good sound quality and is controlable. So, options... 1. PJB briefcase with battery option: https://pjbworld.com/cms/index.php/product_bg-200/ Great sound quality, expensive (even more with the battery option) and difficult to find to try let alone buy. 2. PJB Double Four (Newer model) with "laptop battery input" option: https://www.pjbworld.com/cms/index.php/product_bg-75/ Great sound again, more affordable, laptop battery option not ideal and difficult to find a supplier for battery. 3. Roland Micro Bass Cube: https://www.roland.com/uk/products/micro_cube_bass_rx/ Much more affordable, more available - seems like the go to option. 4. Battery powered bass amp like these: https://pignoseamps.com/product/hog-20-recharging-portable-amp/ £150-£180ish https://blackstaramps.com/fly-bass/?product_id=843 £80ish https://www.laney.co.uk/amps/bass/mini/mini-bass-nx £80ish IMO all come up far short of what I want and almost a waste of money in a group environment 5. Other option - rig a battery solution to power an existing small amp. Relies on own knowledge of requirements and making it myself. However there is another way... https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALLPOWERS-Portable-41600mAh-Generator-Emergency/dp/B09M3S5H9M I have just got it and tested with my MicroMark and it all seem to work fine. I'll feedback more here when I've seen how long the charge lasts etc but initally seems great and is a flexible power option too rather than a laptop backup that is restrictive. Its small easy to use, quick to charge from the main and can be charged by a solar panel (not supplied). The sound and output seems IDENTICAL to mains powered and infinitely better to option 4 above, (I have not been able to check out option 2 or 3, but have tried a PJB briefcase before (mains powered) and loved it but thought it was a little expensive). So, hopefully rather than have another BassChat member regret shelling out another £80 on a Laney that claims to be a bass battery amp, I thought I'd share this option as I was far happier to spend £160 and get something that delivers a tone I am familiar and satisfied with, plus I can use it for other things when I want. Check back for an update after I've tried it for a bit longer... Edited September 1, 2022 by rodfunnell Picture type edit 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 Yes, I do hate it when I see an acoustic ensemble and the bassist is using an unamplified acoustic bass or bass Ukulele. Double bass sometimes ok Unamplified . Wish they would use a battery amp wether it’s an electric or acoustic bass instrument. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 I think the battery solution is the answer , so I’m looking forward to the update. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 There's a new Boss dual cube for Bass too but just 10 watts and 2 X 4" speakers means it's never going to be as good as your MB with the Generator. I've also seen people with big batteries (Leisure) on a trolley but they must weigh a lot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodfunnell Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 UPDATE ONE: I had a full band rehearsal and set up an ABY box to feed both the MicroMark/Battery combo and my usual rig then ran through 2 hours of playing. I experienced no issues, ran the MicroMark at 80% Volume, used 39% of the battery and after we finished played through the MicroMark on its own and there had been no output drop whatsoever. The only issue is when I had it sitting on top of the amp there was a little interference through the amp, putting the 'battery' next to it solved the issue entirely. However I do wish they had installed the sockets upside down so when the UK spec plug is connected the cable didn't lift the unit from horizontal! I'm happy the battery does its job and is reliable so I will be trying it on its own at the next opportunity. If you are thinking of going down this route - check your required output needs before commiting, the Allpower unit claims 200W/ 154WH /41600mAh capacity and that you get a unit that can charge and discharge simulananeously in case you want to use a solar panel to charge as you are using it. I'll update again when I get a reason to use it as intended but it all looks good at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Edge Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Watching this with interest. I often play outside in summer through a battery powered pa system with speakers not designed for bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I've been using battery powered rigs for some years now, and my preference is to go for a car audio booster amplifier rather than a 12v to mains invertor feeding mains powered gear. The advantages are - 1. they are almost bulletproof. 2. they are more efficient, so your battery lasts longer. (they convert from 12v to amplifier voltage in one step while the invertor goes from 12v to 230v to amplifier voltage, two sets of losses). 3. If you stop doing battery powered gigs, you can probably sell them on more easily than an invertor. David 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 5 hours ago, rodfunnell said: ...However I do wish they had installed the sockets upside down so when the UK spec plug is connected the cable didn't lift the unit from horizontal!... Can you not turn the unit itself upside down..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 5 hours ago, Dad3353 said: Can you not turn the unit itself upside down..? Do you mean 'invert it'? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodfunnell Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 6 hours ago, Dad3353 said: Can you not turn the unit itself upside down..? With any unit generating heat I would tend to preserve the airspace the feet offer, plus there is the merlin-like magic of a wireless charger on the ‘top’ and few air vents on the sides that might get restricted having it in other planes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodfunnell Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 It was one of your posts along with video featuring Phil Jones describing his laptop battery solution that got me thinking about alternatives. Such a great solution, but my incredibly long list of jobs ‘for the weekend’ would have pushed it so far down my list we’d all have portable hydrogen fuel cells before I got it made and tested! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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