Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)

Subject: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,erik
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:12 AM

I want to amplify a violin for outdoor performance. The amp must be battery powered. Any recommendations for a low-medium priced amp?

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Will Fly
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:20 AM

The Roland Mobile Cube is small, powerful and clean - well worth a try.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Will Fly
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:22 AM

Sorry - forgot the link:

Roland Mobile Cube

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:26 AM

I use a Roland Mobile Cube (six AA batteries, rechargeables are good) for my harmonica and I can get a good, clean, full sound. Reverb if I want it, a good selection of settings, very portable. There are other options. Whatever you do, take the mic/pickup that you will use into the shop with you, and you'll also need a friend with musical ears. Never buy from a shop that won't leave you alone for a while to try out the setup, and don't take the salesman's word for how you sound!

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:27 AM

Great minds, Will, great minds...

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:37 AM

I'd be inclined to investigate http://voxamps.com/mini.

imho the latest generation of Vox digital emulation / solid state amps
have excellent 'authentic' tone,
and are very good value for money products.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Will Fly
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:52 AM

Great minds, Will, great minds...

Indeed, Steve!

The only slightly cautionary experience I've had with it is that, if you use it regularly without the power lead, then it's a must to carry spare batteries.

Otherwise, it's a great little amp.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:59 AM

I've got the Vox Mini 3 G2 that pfr links to and it's got surprisingly good modeling effects and sounds okay amplifying an acoustic guitar with a magnetic pickup with a good amount of volume outdoors. I use it mostly for sitting on the couch and playing electric guitar. Comparing various amps in a music store might be the way to go, if possible. But then, Roland products I've encountered have all been excellent.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 12:27 PM

.. all I'll say is I am very objectively open minded and more than a little OCD regarding music gear,
consulting as many reviews & youtube videos as I can find...

[sadly no decent music shops to try gear out
left open anywhere near the town I live..]

..and I now own far more Vox / Korg products than any other brand...




Mind you, those brand new Roland Blues Cube amps
https://www.roland.co.uk/categories/amplifiers/guitar_bass_amplifiers/

look tempting, but much too expensive...

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 12:32 PM

Will, I never venture out without spare batteries! However, I find the Mobile Cube to be pretty frugal when it comes to battery use. Mine didn't come with a mains adapter and I didn't bother buying one. I think that good-quality rechargeables (which means not Tesco own-brands) are the way to go in the long run.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 01:23 PM

pfr, don't think I was dissing the Vox Mini, I love mine.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 01:41 PM

gillymor - no problem.. didn't even cross my mind...

..just felt for a moment I ought to qualify my constant 'fanboy' urge to suggest Vox gear
every time someone starts a thread requesting recommendations...


.. just 5 mins ago picked up a Vox V8 Valve Distortion Pedal
from my Local Amazon delivery collection shop..

I absolutely know the V8 is great because I already own one..

..nice to have a spare for les than 50 quid...😎

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 01:51 PM

It really depends how loud you want to go.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 02:25 PM

I got the Fender Mustang Mini. The attraction to me at the time of purchase over the Roland Microcube was the Fuse software (or as I'm a Linux user, Plug). I still haven't got round to playing with the software much though.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 02:41 PM

Apart from Will Fly's Roland Cube I couldn't find any prices !!

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,erik
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 02:53 PM

Many thanks - I'm going to try the Cube - cheers Will et al

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 03:27 PM

It's the Roland Mobile Cube we were talking about. Names are important...

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,erik
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 04:53 PM

Ooo er! Sorreeeeeee!!!!!!!!! A******e.....

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 06:48 PM

There is more than one Roland amp with "cube" in the name. I was simply trying to clarify. Please feel free to ignore every single word I've typed. Life's too short to keep on responding to the likes of you, frankly.

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 02:55 AM

If you want loud, you might try a Phil Jones Briefcase.

http://www.shubb.com/briefcase/man_briefcase.pdf

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 03:09 AM

You might also try a Pignose Hog-30

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,erik
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 08:31 AM

Great suggestions - very helpful - thanks again

Subject: RE: Tech: Battery amp for violin (UK)
From: GUEST,erik
Date: 03 May 15 - 08:40 AM

The Roland Mobile Cube is just what I need and I bought one yesterday. Many thanks to Will et al.