Review: Cheap amp?

Subject: Review: Cheap amp?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 01:38 PM

Once or twice a year I sing at a benefit and I am asked to bring my own amp. I've borrowed a few, but am ready to buy a cheap one for those rare occasions. I saw one for $59. at a local music store and wonder if you catters have any comments about cheap amps.

This one sounds okayish; not great but serviceable- and it's small and light enough for me to lug by myself. (which is important to me) I'm just wondering if a cheap amp would harm the guitar (Martin ) and any recs/brand names to look for and/or avoid that you may recommend.

btw the store owner said I'd have to purchase a cord for the amp separately. Was he s******g me? I have an old cord lying around somewheres; would that do?

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 02:14 PM

If the store was asking you to purchase a power lead then I would shop elsewhere.
Can't conceive of any harm to the guitar. The small Roland Microcubes are very well made.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: treewind
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 02:14 PM

There is no way an amp can damage a guitar unless you drop the amp on the guitar, and if you do that it doesn't really matter how much the amp cost.

Try it and decide if it's loud enough and sounds OK.

Cord?
Power cord would be nice to have with the amplifier.
Jack-Jack cable for plugging guitar in - wouldn't expect that to be provided - too much choice.
Again try yours. If it works, it's fine.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 02:41 PM

Vox mini-amp. Has effects & tone settings. 1/4 inch instrument jack plus 1/4 inch mic jack. Runs on batteries or 110 volt. Small, rugged workhorse sz and weight of car battery, w/carry strap. Can handle medium sz room easily.

A good, reliable item to have in the arsenal. Amps are like instruments-- it's helpful to have several to choose from for various purposes. :~)

OK, not the best vocal choice out there but doesn't make one sound TOO ugly, either, and sometimes our really stellar Crate acoustic amp is just too heavy, or too big, or too much.   

~Susan

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 02:56 PM

Here it is: http://www.voxamps.com/da5/

~S~

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 03:09 PM

Apparently the Vox DA5 is discontinued, though that doesn't mean you can't still find one. Sweetwater Music has some alternatives to recommend: click.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: GUEST,Brian Daniels
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 03:44 PM

You really want an acoustic guitar amp. Guitar Center sells the "Acoustic" brand which I was not impressed with starting at $99 or so. It'd do for occasional use. I have a Kustom brand amp that I paid something less than $200 for, can't remember exactly. It sounds pretty good. I really like the Fishman mini loudbox. The various Roland Cubes are said to sound nice. I have no experience with them. You may find a music shop with a used acoustic guitar amp.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 05:30 PM

Take a look at the Roland Mobile Cube. I love mine.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 05:39 PM

Not really my thing but while I was on my post detox thing, until one of the staff lent me a mandolin, I had the use of one of those Roland Micro Cubes and an electric guitar. I got on quite well with them and was really impressed with the small amp.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 08:09 PM

I use the Mobile Cube for harmonica. It has a warmer tone than the Microcube. It packs quite a big punch for its size and it has lots of input possibilities (instruments, AUX and mic) and settings, including reverb, clean, overdrive, distortion, chorus, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tone knob... You can play your backing tracks into it and play your instrument at the same time for busking. It's a little cracker and you can use it on just six AA batteries if you want to (annoyingly, you pay extra for the mains adaptor, but I just haven't bothered, as battery life is pretty good, and you can always use rechargeables). It does have a headphone socket, which mutes the sound, but, slight drawback, there's no alternative line out. A bugger if you need it, but maybe, like me, you just don't.

Subject: RE: Review: Cheap amp?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 02:28 PM

Thanks for these suggestions, particularly brand names. I am going to go look at amps, if it ever stops SNOWING.I'll be looking at Vox and those intriguing sounding Mobile Cubes.