Saw this in the March BP.
I was thinking of doing some busking or impromptu gigs with one this summer. Wonder if it'd be loud enough for that - just some quiet solo bass or small group acoustic stuff.
Or is it more of a beginners' practice combo?
Anybody tried it?

if you are not on a budget i'd giv it a go to the Mark Bass Micro, with optional tweeters, ( We saw one at the bass cellar)

if you are on a budget give a go to the warwick blue cab 30, tilt back option and fantastic sound.

Thanks for reminding me David.
I do like Roland's cube stuff.
I'll check these out.

I am always on a budget!

I don't think the Mark Bass Micro runs on batteries, does it? Nor the Blue Cab? Both are fine options but I need that battery option.

I just have to talk the missus into letting me spend £150.

Here are the specs on the Roland:
http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=940

Check the video on Roland's site

Well Geo Valle obviously liked it a LOT.

In the 80s I used to buck with groups. I'd position a Peavey battery powered amp in a shop doorway or similar architectural structure which might fashion a kind of bass trap. On other days I'd play in the street on tea-chest bass.
I was just walking around the Southbank in London thinking what exposure there'd be for some decent music. There was a very fine tuned percussionist out that day along with some of the tired sounding regulars and the increasing numbers of Eastern European accordion players (some of whom are stunningly good)

Seriously though, having heard his description of the amp it does sound quite good but based on his suggestions of where you might use it (backstage or on the tour bus) I'm not sure it would be loud enough for what you want?

That was my concern.

I don't need much. I can use the ABG amplified with the acoustic group (violin, vocals, darbucka, mandola, percussion) or I could play some solo loop stuff with the Wal or the Peavey piccolo. It wouldn't need to be very loud - as long as it carried 25 feet or so outdoors.

Sounds an incredible package. I like Roland products and this one sounds a winner.

Has it got a tube DI and a spring reverb?

Davo

No but it has an auto-pilot mode that plays root - five by itself on cover tunes!

Aha! It is a 4x10, but metric in centimeters :-)

Dood, Pignose amps are great for busking and they are rechargable for bass!
http://www.pignoseamps.com/index.php?disp=detail&subcat=portamps&id=255

Yes, I've heard of them before. They look seriously worth checking out.

Phil -
I use a Hog30 for exactly what you want to do and it's perfect.
I doubt the little Roland would get you the volume but they are really cool!
Ibanez also makes a 30w battery powered amp.

I must say that the Roland site is one of the very best. Not only do they have lots of information on line, but they also have set-up videos etc to help you set-up your drum kits. This really is the future. It makes a lot of other manufacturers' websites look pedestrian.

Davo

hey Phil

check this out.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C...78&src=3SOSWXXA

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We're sorry, this product has been discontinued.
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I wonder if that Roland actually sounds that good. I'm sure the amp and Geo's mic were being fed to a mixer. I owned the Pignose version and it was decent. The batteries lasted forever but didn't take too many charges and I had to replace them (There's 2 of them). Too bad the Crate is discontinued but they were pricey as I'm sure the Roland is.

Reading the specs, I doubt the Roland is powerful enough (2.5 watts!) It's definitely not expensive very low prices in fact - I don't think the Crate was expensive either. I will look for a secondhand crate. I will look out for Pignoses too, I'm not sure I've seen them over here

Hmmmm

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/hog-30--p7-300--batter/67886

What I'm sayin!
Not the lightest but it does get plenty loud and handles low B alright. I keep waiting for the driver to crap out so I can put a "real" one in but this thing keeps tickin' away.

The MicroCube guitar amp is awesome. I'm glad they came out with one for bass.

I'm leaning towards a Pignose. I tried a Roland Street mini combo out yesterday and it was surprisingly loud and very light. Over £200 though.

Good on ya Phil. You won't be disappointed. The Pignose is a great bargain.

That Roland does look slick but here in the U.S. it's still about $60 a watt. I don't care who makes it or whos amp model is in it, that's just silly.

Howdy gentlemen, hope you don't mind a little newbie noise.

Just to point out that there are more uses for this new product; my interest in the Bass RX is for steel guitar, you know, the kind that lays accross your lap and you run a steel bar over the strings..., well, my well known fellow tone freak steeler friend had a chance to test run one of these (a demo, the only one in the islands) the other day and he will be getting one ASAP. After being devoted to the original MC for ALL his guitar needs, and stating that for his tastes the rest until now have been misses, but this Bass RX is a hit again. His ears say the MC Street, MC Guitar RX, etc. are not up to the warmth and tone that the original MC has, but the Bass RX comes VERY VERY close.

The ability to handle the low notes without crapping, but instead, delivering solidly with tone and still having plenty of highs, is what steel players have been howling for in a portable.

Looks cooler (not like a battery), has plenty of power to compete with the loudies on stage, and with all the bells and whistles, is a winner.

Plus, I havn't heard a negative word about these yet.

Still haven't come across a Pignose. Anyone sees one for sale this side of the pond, let me know. I am planning on trying out some busking next week so I might just take a trip to Denmark Street and see what they have. I really fancy the Pignose 30.

The mandola player asked - why don't you just but a used double bass? If I only had the money!

OK, tried out some amps and pretty much gave up the idea, yuck!