| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Busking amps...
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Busking amps...
Chris Drew

 

From:
Bristol, UK
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2007 2:10 am    
Reply with quote

What would you recommend as a nice little amp for busking?
It doesn't need to be super-loud, just enough to be heard amongst the "street noise".

I'd like a nice natural acoustic sound, though I guess portability / battery life and £££ are more important factors!

This is for my Weissenborn copy, running a Fishman "Sonicore" undersaddle pickup without pre-amp.

What about mixing the Fishman signal with a soundboard transducer "bug", and using a seperate pre-amp?... any ideas about this?

Thanks,
Chris.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2007 9:56 am    
Reply with quote

When making my choices, I took the amp, and the salesman, out onto the street outside of the store, for trial runs.
I found that I could not compete with a bus or a motorcycle going by, but I was OK with regular automobiles.
A friend of mine chose the Vox busking amp - the one with 3 power levels. He found 5 watts to be too much, and uses the 1.5 watt setting.
I chose the MicroCube - the original one with the single speaker. The effect is to basically turn my dobro into a stereo unit. I have the pure acoustic sound in my face, and then 6 feet or so away, I have the amp sound with effects.
I don't know what your street noise levels might be, so do what I did - insist on an outdoor trial. I carried my own batteries and cord for the trials. Make it as easy for the salesman as possible.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2007 10:26 am    
Reply with quote

This really belongs in Electronics, not Steel Without Pedals. Chris, I think there are other discussions on this same topic in the Electronics area.
Moved from Steel Without Pedals to Electronics.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Eddie Cunningham

 

From:
Massachusetts, USA
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2007 6:43 pm     Electro-Harmonix Freedom Amp ??? Powerhouse Amp ???
Reply with quote

Back in the 70s I had a batt. powered E.H.Freedom amp that was a powerhouse !! I've heard a lot of good comments on their new batt. pack "Freedom" amp.I don't have one yet but was thinking about it. Has anybody tried them out on the street ?? Any comments pro or con ??? Eddie "C" ( the old geezer who used to go busking back in the 40s )
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Rick Jolley

 

From:
Colorado Springs
Post  Posted 2 Oct 2007 4:52 pm    
Reply with quote

I have a 12-volt starter unit (self-contained battery) with battery clamps, of course, and a cigar lighter recepacle. I bought a 400-watt inverter at Harbor Freight for about 20 bux, and I can use any of my amps on the street (except my Nvl 400!) It would power a Nathville 112 nicely. And of course, you can keep the unit in the car in case...

Rick Z.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron