MN
288 posts
Nov 14, 2013
12:25 PM
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Guys, I'm looking to buy a little amp that can be used for small acoustic-type gigs. At least two inputs, vocal/harp mic, and acoustic guitar. Let me stress, I'm NOT looking for amped/electric/Chicago harp tone. Strictly acoustic SM58-on-a-stand stuff. Reverb would be nice. I aim to use it for cafe gigs -- indoor and out -- with a duo or trio. I'd like it to balance volume and projection with size/weight as I take public transportation to nearly all my gigs. I.E. it needs to be compact and carryable. Lastly, price is a concern. Please don't say Bose. Great stuff, but I simply can't afford it. I'm thinking $400 max.
So, any ideas or tips or suggestions. Dos or don'ts? Sage words or warning or inspiration?
Thanks in advance.
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HawkeyeKane
2159 posts
Nov 14, 2013
12:44 PM
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If it's just for your vocal/harp and your guitar, a Fender Acoustasonic 90 would probably work for you. My father in law has one that I've used for that very pupose before.
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Hawkeye Kane
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eharp
2133 posts
Nov 14, 2013
12:58 PM
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MN
289 posts
Nov 14, 2013
1:25 PM
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Thanks, guys. That Roland Cube Street was already on my radar. It's a little north of my price range (here in the Czech Republic), but it IS a pretty great looking piece of gear. Anyone own one?
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Martin
525 posts
Nov 14, 2013
4:45 PM
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A Roland Mobile Cube could probably do the job for you. I´m quite happy with mine -- extremely portable little thing.
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2chops
192 posts
Nov 14, 2013
4:54 PM
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I have the Micro cube myself. But have seen the Mobile cube in action. I would have to agree with Martin on this. Should do you alright.
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You Tube = goshinjk
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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Komuso
205 posts
Nov 14, 2013
6:24 PM
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+10 on the Roland Street Cube.
Plenty of volume, it's a loud little amp.
2 inputs + another input for drum machine/mp3 player (I use a Zoom Rhythm Trak RT-223) makes it very versatile.
I use a Zoom G3 for the mic channel with Strnad harp rack mic as the EQ on Ch 1 is only Bass & Treble is a bit limited, but your mileage may vary, especially if not going for blues tones.
CH 2 is fine for guitar, some great tones imo, though I also have a Zoom MS50G to use there as well.
Or use the MS50G in Ch 1 for guitar and go straight into Ch 2 with the harp (no G3) gives you 3 EQ bands + more inbuilt FX to tweak the vocal/harp sound.
That said, I found I could tweak the harp better with an outboard FX box with more EQ options (like G3 or even the MS50G - which unfortunately doesn't have the Fender Vibro model which is great for harp)
Lot's of ways to configure it.
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
Last Edited by Komuso on Nov 14, 2013 6:27 PM
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MN
290 posts
Nov 15, 2013
3:18 AM
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The Roland Mobile Cube is really intriguing, especially given the lower price. But with only one input, a duo would need two of 'em.
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FreeWilly
362 posts
Nov 15, 2013
3:50 AM
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Big con might be resale value. But I played through a Roland KC 110 once at a party. Can be battery operated. Great effects (stereo!). More inputs than you need. Very nice sound. I would urge you to check them out!
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Martin
526 posts
Nov 15, 2013
5:17 AM
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@MN: Nope -- the Mobile Cube has two inputs: one microphone, one keyboard/instrument ("stereo"). And it can be lined out through the earphones jack should that be necessary.
I´m in no way connected to Roland, bt have been planning to do a short demo .. for about a year. Procrastination.
I bought mine for roughly the same needs as you describe, tried a host of others, and settled on the Mobile. Can´t really say it was particularly cheap -- and Roland charges extra for their adapter -- but it´s relatively battery efficient.
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MN
291 posts
Nov 15, 2013
6:35 AM
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Martin: Thanks for pointing that out! Could be just the ticket, especially since -- whenever possible -- I actually ride a bike to some beer garden-type gigs in the summer months. And in time I could buy a second one. A couple of those bad boys mounted up on mic stands probably give a pretty decent sound.
With only a 1/4" mic input, what mic do you use? An SM58 with a converter on the plug end?
I've found it's really easy to scare up cafe gigs and they're actually somewhat lucrative. Likewise with outdoor things like at street fairs, farmers markets, etc. But those kinds of places rarely, if ever, have their own sound system, and playing through tube amps more suited to raucous, amplified blues doesn't always work out.
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Martin
527 posts
Nov 15, 2013
9:31 AM
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If you´re in Prague I ccongratulate you -- both for living in that wonderful city and that there appeared to be quite a number of small places with live music.
I put my Mobile in a padded bag (used to hold a laptop) and put that in a basket on my bike. It´s pretty smooth. The size is rather like one of those old transistor radios "for the beach."
The mic I´ve been using mostly so far is my old Beyerdynamic, but I tried an SM57 (or was it 58?) at one point and that worked as well. Not so succesfull with the Green Bullet but that´s a continuing story with that mic.
The clincher for me in buying the amp was that it could get clean -- that was harder with the others I tried.
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Barley Nectar
184 posts
Nov 15, 2013
10:27 AM
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Check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq30Y1VgD4c
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Frank
3290 posts
Nov 16, 2013
7:20 AM
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The Radio Shack mps-50... 50 Watt Guitar Speaker/Amplifier, is cool...its was discontinued, but you can find them on the net, now and then.
Go to the link below then scroll down to see it ...
http://for-sale.yakaz.com/amplified-speaker-radio-shack#lo=4&docid=0009be14uv90e4lg
Here is a page where you can read about and download the manual.
http://support.radioshack.com/support_audio/56801.htm
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The Centipide Saloon
Tip Your Waiter Please
Last Edited by Frank on Nov 16, 2013 7:23 AM
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KC69
338 posts
Nov 16, 2013
7:31 AM
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the 50 watt Crate Acoustic lets me plug in Keyboard, Guitar, and Harmonica. The stand has a couple positions and the EQ has options. Bought it several years back for $400.00. Seem to use it in lots of situations. Also has line out. Works as a mini PA. Also uses either XLR or 1/4 inch jack and has RCA jack. Crate Also Has 50 watt researchable with basically the same set up for $400.00
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Nov 16, 2013 7:37 AM
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Martin
529 posts
Nov 17, 2013
6:14 AM
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Are those 50 watt things comfortable when you´re on your bicycle?
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MN
293 posts
Nov 17, 2013
9:21 AM
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Great stuff, guys. Very informative. I have a line on a second-hand 15-watt Crate Taxi. Anyone familiar with that one?
EDITED TO ADD: Just thought to search the forum archives, and found a couple posts specifically about this amp.
Last Edited by MN on Nov 17, 2013 9:22 AM
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