Small bass amp for pub acoustic sessions suggestions

guycp

Hi all, I'm looking for a small decent quality portable bass amp that would fit under a chair or table in a local acoustic pub session to amplify a Mustang bass. Playing with Bluegrass/Oldtime instruments. Needs to be small, lightweight but with decent bottom end. I sometimes take a Double Bass, but am now thinking of going with something more portable like a small Mustang or similar bass & amp, which don't draw too much attention (supposed to be acoustic session). I have been reading about Markbass Micromark 801, and Phil Jones Double Four Plus BG-80. Also considering Boss Dual Cube Bass LX. I know these work well for home practice but would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used any of the above in a pub or quieter live situation. To be used to accompany acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle in an unamplified pub session.

Also interested in powering possibilities where there is no mains, ie battery packs etc. (may have to start separate thread for that topic). Thanks.

blobb

PJB double 4 is great. I did get one of those AC power supplies (thank Aldi) which worked brilliantly until the power supply stopped charging up and went back. The experiment worked though, I used it for exactly what you are saying, underseat at an acoustic / folk session.

guycp

blobb said:

PJB double 4 is great. I did get one of those AC power supplies (thank Aldi) which worked brilliantly until the power supply stopped charging up and went back. The experiment worked though, I used it for exactly what you are saying, underseat at an acoustic / folk session.

Thanks, yes the Double Four is at the top of my list, - just wish I could find one to try down here in the far West of Cornwall!

ICBM

If anyone else missed it in the other thread, I use a Roland Micro Cube RX for this - the older model which is 5W through four speakers - at an acoustic jam night where there can be up to about a dozen guitars, although not all playing full chord stuff all at once! The Cube is easily loud and deep enough without being overpowering, and although surprisingly heavy for something so small, is easily portable and fits under a chair. I normally use it on the power supply but it can run on six AA batteries if needed.

You wouldn’t think that little power would be usable for bass, but I think there’s some clever compression going on (even with the compressor turned off). The Cube LX only has two speakers, but double the power, so I would expect it to be at least a bit louder.

Secret_Sam

All of those are good. You could also consider an SWR Spellbinder.  160w into its onboard 4ohm 10" cone. You can hook up something bigger for bigger rooms. It is electrically quiet for small gigs, and has 4 sweepable bands of eq. 

It's the size and weight of a 1980s portable TV, and will easily fit under a table.  

There aren't many around,  but old SWR is generally very cheap for what it does. 

Talkbass is full of muppets who claim they can't get a good sound out of SWR gear. This means people with a decent pair of ears and a good grip of eq and compression can get some of the best bass amps ever made for very little money. 

Secret_Sam

guycp said:

Also interested in powering possibilities where there is no mains, ie battery packs etc. (may have to start separate thread for that topic). Thanks.

Small, hired generator in the car park and a long cable?

And a friend with a baseball bat outside to make sure nobody nicks it. 

guycp

Have ordered Markbass Micromark 801. Will update once I get it.

AntonHunter

ICBM said:

If anyone else missed it in the other thread, I use a Roland Micro Cube RX for this - the older model which is 5W through four speakers - at an acoustic jam night where there can be up to about a dozen guitars, although not all playing full chord stuff all at once! The Cube is easily loud and deep enough without being overpowering, and although surprisingly heavy for something so small, is easily portable and fits under a chair. I normally use it on the power supply but it can run on six AA batteries if needed.

You wouldn’t think that little power would be usable for bass, but I think there’s some clever compression going on (even with the compressor turned off). The Cube LX only has two speakers, but double the power, so I would expect it to be at least a bit louder.

I'm watching from the sidelines, have you ever tried it with a drummer? A mate has one and we used it on a recording session to reinforce the double bass in the room without it getting too much of the amplified tone in the mics, pretty subtle but did a job. I wonder whether it would have coped with no acoustic sound though, either with electric bass or if we'd put him in another room if that makes sense.

JezWynd

guycp said:

blobb said:

PJB double 4 is great. I did get one of those AC power supplies (thank Aldi) which worked brilliantly until the power supply stopped charging up and went back. The experiment worked though, I used it for exactly what you are saying, underseat at an acoustic / folk session.

Thanks, yes the Double Four is at the top of my list, - just wish I could find one to try down here in the far West of Cornwall!

No other amp I've tried gives you the true natural tone of any bass plugged into it like the Phil Jones - it does not colour the sound at all.

ICBM

AntonHunter said:

I'm watching from the sidelines, have you ever tried it with a drummer? A mate has one and we used it on a recording session to reinforce the double bass in the room without it getting too much of the amplified tone in the mics, pretty subtle but did a job. I wonder whether it would have coped with no acoustic sound though, either with electric bass or if we'd put him in another room if that makes sense.

No, not tried it with a drummer. I very much doubt it would cut it for either a purely electric bass or what I use it with, which is usually a 'uke bass' - acoustic but with rubber strings and effectively inaudible as soon as someone strums a guitar in the same room.

JayGee

Have we had the little EBS “Session” series yet? I’ve got a Session 30 and it’s a remarkably useful thing…

axisus

ICBM said:

If anyone else missed it in the other thread, I use a Roland Micro Cube RX for this - the older model which is 5W through four speakers - at an acoustic jam night where there can be up to about a dozen guitars, although not all playing full chord stuff all at once! The Cube is easily loud and deep enough without being overpowering, and although surprisingly heavy for something so small, is easily portable and fits under a chair. I normally use it on the power supply but it can run on six AA batteries if needed.

You wouldn’t think that little power would be usable for bass, but I think there’s some clever compression going on (even with the compressor turned off). The Cube LX only has two speakers, but double the power, so I would expect it to be at least a bit louder.

Plus one for the Roland Micro Cube RX (5w 4 speakers). I tried a bunch back in the day when I was into bass playing, and this was head and shoulders above all the rest I had a go at. 

fretmeister

I have the older 30W Roland Cube and it's very loud for it's size and advertised output.

I've used it with drummers playing with acoustic instruments including brass and reeds. They are long discontinued but appear to have excellent reliability if you can find one. People seem to keep them because they sound great.

I've had mine for over 15 years and it's been rock solid. Definitely worth a look if you can find one that has been well looked after.

guycp

Thanks everyone. I've just received a Markbass Micromark 801. So far it sounds just right - good low end, punchy and decent volume without breaking up. Also small, light & very portable. Will use it with guitar, banjo & fiddle this weekend and give it a more real world test.