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Nahenahekihoalu
Aloha
USA
19 Posts |
 Posted - 04/18/2012 : 09:09:52 AM
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I'm looking for a good battery operated acoustic amp to mate up with my Taylor k-20 with a highlander pickup. The choices are mesmerizing. I'll use it for ki ho'alu at coffee shops, weddings, beach. I don't have the availability to try many different brands. Any advice is appreciated.
Mahalo nui loa
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2012 : 8:46:41 PM
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Aloha e Nahenahekihoalu.
There are many battery powered amps available, but only a few are voiced clean for acoustic instruments. There are 4 that I know of:
Vox Mini3
Roland AC-33
Roland BA-330
Carvin S4100D
The Roland Microcube, Microcube RX and Cube Street have an acoustic simulator to make an electric guitar sound acoustic.
I own and use all the above plus many more battery powered amps:
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?5333-Battery-powered-ukulele-amplification
There's some questions that would aid in getting you on the right one:
1. What is your budget (in US Dollars) for the amp?
2. Will you be playing for standing audiences, seated audiences or both?
3. What will be your largest audience size (number of people)?
4. How much weight (in pounds) can you comfortably lift over your head?
5. Will you be using a microphone for a. singing, b. announcing/emcee'ing or c. no microphone at all?
Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2012 : 02:54:16 AM
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Ric posed the right questions. He probably has more experience testing battery powered amps than anyone I know.
I have the Roland AC-33, and like it a lot. Has usable reverb, is very light, and sounds good. It can plug in or run on AA batteries (can swap for fresh batteries between songs, if needed.) I also have a Crate TX-15. It is louder and heavier than the AC-33 but harsher sounding, with no effects. You need to plug in and charge the battery, so once you use up the battery, you are out of juice for a while.
By reputation, I think the AER Compact mobile is worth considering on the high end. It is expensive. I have the non-battery powered version (AER Compact 60), and it is a fantastic amp - best sounding amp that I own. |
Andy |
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Nahenahekihoalu
Aloha
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2012 : 07:09:35 AM
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Thanks for your advice guys. Not many music stores near where I live (Cambria CA); but the owner of the closest music shop in Morro Bay is a Roland dealer. He did not have an AC-33 in stock to try out, but did order one for me. And he took my ancient electric guitar amp (Yamaha G112/50) in trade. It was no good for acoustic use, and it made me cringe every time I tried to make it sound right (although being a better musician would surely help alot I imagine). It needed 110 volts and was no fun to drag up stairs. There's no substitute for experience. Thank's for yours.
Curt |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
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Nahenahekihoalu
Aloha
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2012 : 06:45:40 AM
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Thanks Ric.
You saved me a lot of shopping and expensive mistake buying. It'll be great to have the whole set-up !!! I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas now.
Curt |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2012 : 12:42:24 AM
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| If you can afford it, try not to pass up the Baggs Para acoustic DI. "Acoustic" amps are a step in the right direction but the LR Baggs DI is one item I consider essential. It may even be more important than finding the best amp. |
Bob |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2012 : 07:07:23 AM
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Ditto, Bob.
The L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. tames all types of sound systems, to include acoustic purpose amps, to get a more natural sound from acoustic instruments. I use L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. through my Roland AC-33 and a Sennheizer E-838 microphone on many stages. I plug the line out (mono or stereo) from the AC-33 into the main P.A. system. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Nahenahekihoalu
Aloha
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2012 : 09:27:46 AM
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Thanks again Guys, for all the advice. I received my Roland AC-33 and LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI on Thursday, and put it use on Saturday with my first gig with it. I think it made me sound much better than I am. Played at a sculptor's symposium. When I was through, several people (musicians in attendance) wanted to know all about the amp. I guess that speaks for itself; and besides that, I was able to load all my sound equipment into a backpack with wheels....what a luxury. Nice, nice, nice. Well worth the investment.
Aloha
Curt |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 6:12:04 PM
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Sounds like a successful gig, Curt.
The Roland AC-33 turns the heads of acoustic musicians. Especially when they find out that it performs like that on battery power. Never leave home without the L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. either. I'm sure you understand the importance of that by now. With battery power, setup and breakdown are a cinch. On breaks, I play Pandora from my Galaxy S II Epic 4G Android phone through the 1/8" stereo jack on the back of the AC-33. The AC-33 has a seperate volume control on the back for auxilliary inputs. Elevating the AC-33 just a little bit, by sitting it on a chair with the kickstand extended, greatly improves the sound dispersion for greater coverage. You might want to try out some headphone microphones with the AC-33. This will save you the hassle of toting around a microphone stand. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
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Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2012 : 10:14:14 PM
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"You might want to try out some headphone microphones with the AC-33. This will save you the hassle of toting around a microphone stand. Ric"
I used one once, but people kept mistaking me for Madonna. |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 06:23:11 AM
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| Congrats on the successful gig and purchase! Glad that it worked out. |
Andy |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 07:18:52 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Trev
"You might want to try out some headphone microphones with the AC-33. This will save you the hassle of toting around a microphone stand. Ric"
I used one once, but people kept mistaking me for Madonna.
I know how you feel. I keep getting mistaken for Ted Nugent! Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 12:31:39 AM
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| Well when I say 'Madonna', that's perhaps an exaggeration. I look more like a wizard in a call centre. |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 11:38:28 AM
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Here's Admin Andy's setup:
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Topic |
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SUGGESTED ACOUSTIC bATTERY POWERED AMP???
