The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #92933   Message #1782120
Posted By: Richard Bridge
12-Jul-06 - 06:21 PM
Thread Name: Any recommendations for a keyboard amp?
Subject: RE: Any recommendations for a keyboard amp?
I have PM'd you.

If budget is a major consideration, try an old small PA head - they sell second hand for peanuts these days as they are not powerful enough for modern PA requirements. I got a mate of mine an 80 watt H/H off ebay for 30 quid and he is dead happy with it. H/H PA heads are nearly bulletproof, and clean if a little clinical - but that is good for keyboard. The old Carlsboros are not bad either. Up to about 300 watt they are still cheap-ish because they are too small for rock band PA. Keyboard demands hifi response not guitar-like distortion so avoid guitar amps or speakers. You can build a cab with Eminence PA speakers pretty cheap, but again I got a mate of mine some little Laney theatre cabs off ebay for next to nothing.

If you are not going to DI into the main PA rig you are going to need much higher power. Remember some bass rigs these days are 2,000 watts. I know a bloke who plays bass in a pub rock band who uses two!

Read the reviews with care - Torque used to sell a keyboard amp advertised as having "valve-like warmth" - that meant distortion. Avoid, avoid!