Micro amps...Best bang for the buck?

motowncoop

Ok, here's the situation: I am about to go on a cross country train trip and I am wondering which micro sized amp is best all around for traveling. Battery powered is prefered, since I also jam with friends out at the lake. It does not have to be super loud. More importantly is tone. I would like to have some options with different tones.

I have briefly checked out a few. Some of the ones that interest me are the Roland micro cube, and the Vox DA5.

Anyone who has one of these, or something along these lines, your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

thehootman

I wouldnt think that a micro amp would be capable of fantastic tone...
I would pack one of my behringer monitors - very loud and transparent tone at all volume levels.

motowncoop

I understand this. That's why I am asking advice for more \"bang for the buck\" in something small and very portable. I am taking one guitar, and one amp. I cannot take my GNX4, my studio monitors, and all the like.

shredd

I've never done this traveling and still playing thing, but here's how I feel about it - and about those teeny amps: they SUCK. I've listened to a bunch, and they all sound like that AM radio you used to dangle from the handlebars of your Stingray bike.
My $0.02: get one of the \"headphone\" amps...if possible, a really good one that has decent distortion and chorus, at the very least. I played this one and really liked it:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C-Tech-Pocket-RockIt-Pro-Headphone-Amp?sku=151703
Or you can just search MF for \"headphone amp\" and look at the categories under $100 (to screen out the studio gear).
But of course it's your ears...best thing would be to stop by a GC or something and try a few out, either with your own ax or one of theirs that's just like it...good luck!

Peter of Sweden

I'm satisfied with my Roland microcube. As a home practice amp or backstage amp it'll fill my needs

motowncoop

\shredd\ wrote:

I've never done this traveling and still playing thing, but here's how I feel about it - and about those teeny amps: they SUCK. I've listened to a bunch, and they all sound like that AM radio you used to dangle from the handlebars of your Stingray bike.
My $0.02: get one of the \"headphone\" amps...if possible, a really good one that has decent distortion and chorus, at the very least. I played this one and really liked it:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C-Tech-Pocket-RockIt-Pro-Headphone-Amp?sku=151703
Or you can just search MF for \"headphone amp\" and look at the categories under $100 (to screen out the studio gear).
But of course it's your ears...best thing would be to stop by a GC or something and try a few out, either with your own ax or one of theirs that's just like it...good luck!

Thanks for the advice, but a headphone amp wont do since I am not traveling alone. Also Headphone amps are not good for little get together jamming sessions out at the lake.

shredd

\motowncoop\ wrote:

Thanks for the advice, but a headphone amp wont do since I am not traveling alone. Also Headphone amps are not good for little get together jamming sessions out at the lake.

Oops. Wasn't clued into that. In that case, something like that little Roland might haveta do...at least it's got some decent effects and such. I just think those teeny amps all sound like junque... :?

motowncoop

thanks anyway, Shredd. I think I will probably go with the Roland. It will get me through my trip.

But you know, If I was traveling alone, I probably would go for the headphone amp.

Manitou

What I use is my little Peavey Backstage Plus.
It's 35w with an 8 ohm 10\" speaker.
Nice spring reverb and has a headphone output.

I bought this for $20.00...and it weighs under 30#.

shredd

\Manitou\ wrote:

What I use is my little Peavey Backstage Plus.
It's 35w with an 8 ohm 10\" speaker.
Nice spring reverb and has a headphone output.
I bought this for $20.00...and it weighs under 30#.

Cheez Louise!!!. I paid almost $250 for my Peavey Special 130. About ten years ago. :shock:
'Course, it's got 130W, a great parametric, two channels, a Scorpion 12\", and KILLER reverb. Then again, it weighs about 50 lbs!!!

thehootman

Yeah!
I mean, if your amp has wheels, like my two quads... well, you can tow them behind you ......