Popculture Chameleon
46 posts
Mar 20, 2015
6:31 PM
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Im not very fond of danoelectric but I was wondering if anyone could give me a recommendation for a good mini amp. I have seen stuff like the fender mini amp and the orange micro 3 watt amp. Just not sure which one to go with or if there is another I have never heard of that is good for harmonica. I thought about about the Roland Micro Cube but I want an amp that can fit into a small case I am designing that will fit with the rest of the harmonica gear I have.
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2chops
364 posts
Mar 20, 2015
7:35 PM
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As far as mini amps go, you can't hardly go wrong with the Roland Micro Cube. I posted a demo video here back in January I think it was. For only a 2.5 watt amp it packs a nice punch. Good for busking. When I play with my band, I run a line out from it into the mixing board so I can controll my effects and amp models. I don't go for a big crunchy sound. So it works for me. My two cents.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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MindTheGap
585 posts
Mar 21, 2015
12:39 AM
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I have a fender mini amp and still use it sometimes for quiet amped practice. Key thing is it has a separate gain and master which is a good feature in a tiny, tiny amp. A line-out to a bigger amp isn't good as it just sounds like a fuzzbox, but on it's own the little transistor-radio speakers act as a telephone-like filter and distort in a pleasing raspy way. If you like raspy. For fun, I tried swapping the silicon clipping diodes for LEDs and germanium diodes like the guitarists do when they mod their stompboxes, but it's the little speakers that are the thing.
How about the Pignose 7-100? If it fits and it's a very much louder. And it's a lovely thing in itself, and with a history. I've used one, and can hear why people like them so much. Too loud for me for quiet practice though, and only goes so loud for playing with others. Good on battery, but apparently hard to cut out the mains hum when on a PSU, that's what I found and what I read.
It won't fit in your case, but the Nux Mighty 8 is a similar size to the Roland Micro Cube and IMO has a better range of amp models for harp, and I've tried both. In particular a Champ setting (but it's not called that of course) which when recorded is hard to distinguish from a real little tube amp - nowhere near as loud of course. I've done the tests. Key thing is that it has Lo,Mid,Hi EQ whereas the Micro Cube just has a single tone control. It's the mid pot that gives you the sounds with harmonica.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Mar 21, 2015 12:42 AM
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Danny Starwars
72 posts
Mar 21, 2015
12:46 AM
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I have an ivory (!) VOX 5w battery powered modelling amp. I really dig it, it does everything it should, and it's got an eye catching look.
Two inputs, a line in and line out, and tons of effects, a drum machine, etc.
It cost about $300 here (NZ); not sure what you can pick it up for elsewhere.
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My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
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rogonzab
671 posts
Mar 21, 2015
6:31 AM
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Vox mini3 !!!!!
The best tone in a SS amp that I know (the next best tone would be the biggers Cubes)
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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grahamonica
141 posts
Mar 21, 2015
7:00 AM
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I would recommend the Roland Micro cube Rx model.
Loads of effects,a line out plus 4X4 inch speakers and great battery life when not using mains power.Size is 11 x 11 x 8 inches. I posted an audio file a few days ago,and thats what i,m using.
I,ve tried the orange crush micro and wasn,t impressed.....much smaller though.
Whatever you choose,i,d like to see your case when its finished.
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ted burke
140 posts
Mar 21, 2015
7:15 AM
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I use a roland micro cube myself and i'm happy with it. it pumps out volume, cuts through nicely and blends in with other instruments in live settings with relative ease. it lacks, i think, that brackish edge another amp can give, like fender twin reverb, but it compresses wonderfully. it gives me a nice, bullet like tone.
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Ted Burke
__________________
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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2chops
365 posts
Mar 21, 2015
8:28 AM
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@MTG...the lone tone knob is my only real beef with the micro cube. But for what it is, it is a nice little amp. Roland came out with the 10GSX last year. 10Watts & an 8" speaker. Seperate knobs for low, mid & highs.
Back to the OP, the Pignose is a good choice too for a cool raw sound. It was the other one I was looking at when I was looking for a portable "jack of all trades" amp. But its one dimentionality is what gave the final nod to the cube.
Edited for typos band stupid auto correct "corrections".
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
Last Edited by 2chops on Mar 21, 2015 8:31 AM
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MindTheGap
587 posts
Mar 21, 2015
8:41 AM
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2chops, yes I agree the micro cube is a great little amp. I see loads of buskers with them. I saw your demo, very nice, and yes of course it features in Ted's videos. If I remember rightly, tookatooka uses one on the Rectifier setting which is an interesting sound too.
I agree with you about the Pignose, but it might fit in the case.
If it's really small you are after, I tried a Blackstar Fly Mini 3 the other day, which is a tiny modelling amp. That might fit in your case. It's got a very big sound for it's size - much fuller than the Fender Mini for example, which is like a radio. But it's a very smooth sound for harmonica - no 'brackish edge' as Ted put it. Nice phrase! (if I understand that correctly, a rough sound?).
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Mar 21, 2015 8:43 AM
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Destin
115 posts
Mar 22, 2015
9:38 AM
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If u get the micro cube, try a harp break with it from lone wolf. You might have something really cool there.
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