stepay Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Here's my deal. I've got this big honkin' Alesis Sumo amp that I just don't need anymore. It's taking up a lot of room and really is just an eyesore. It's LOUD and so it served its purpose, but I never was in love with the tone. I'd rather have a smaller amp (wish I still had my Roland KC150) for just playing at home. So, the local Music Go Round has a ton of smaller amps (in my price range), but hardly any keyboard amps. I've played though guitar amps before, and it wasn't too bad unless I really cranked up the volume. For a relatively cheap option (under $150), what would you do for an at-home amp? Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Almost enough to get a Behringer B208D which really isn't bad if you don't need to push it too hard and don't need tons of bass. Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Use headphones. Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 For home use? Headphones and a $99 Yamaha mixer, if you need to mixer mulitple boards or a external audio track. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Yeah, at that price point I would go headphones too. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Like the others, I'd pick headphones and a small mixer for multiple keys. If you don't want the headphone option, I would think that even a bottom end, Harbinger, Alto or Behringer powered PA speaker (which is in the ball park, if you buy used, clearance or demo) would be a better choice than any crap amp for $150. Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Maybe a used powered studio monitor would be an option? Might stretch your budget but I would think at least you'd get good quality sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgatron Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 this is the "non-keyboard" amp I use for organ, clavinet, and Rhodes, but I don't think I'd recommend it for your situation. http://i.imgur.com/b6Voh.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I was thinking of picking up a used/old Roland JC-120. Anyone with experience using those? There's a nice video on YouTube of a CP-70 through one. Could be a Rhodes video too if I'm not mistaken. My favourite musician Spencer Krug uses what looks like some sort of Vox/Orange mix. ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT156 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Steve: $150 bucks, really? I thought that job you have paid you the BIG BUCKS? Buy a good set of headphones, that way you can play anytime of day or night. Cheers! Mike T. Yamaha Motif ES8, Alesis Ion, Prophet 5 Rev 3.2, 1979 Rhodes Mark 1 Suitcase 73 Piano, Arp Odyssey Md III, Roland R-70 Drum Machine, Digitech Vocalist Live Pro. Roland Boss Chorus Ensemble CE-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewImprov Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I just acquired a Peavey powered speaker, I believe the model is the PR10, used, for $120. It's not as powerful and doesn't sound as good as my EV SA360, but it sounds pretty damn good for the money, and it has a built-in mixer, which my EV does not. So the Peavey is perfect for rehearsals and small gigs. Turn up the speaker Hop, flop, squawk It's a keeper -Captain Beefheart, Ice Cream for Crow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Maybe a used powered studio monitor would be an option? Might stretch your budget but I would think at least you'd get good quality sound. +1 or a pair of computer speakers (or the headphone option with lots of mentions already). I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Bose lifestyle powered speakers. A great deal for under $100; and you can often find them go for $50. I have two pairs; I use them as computer speakers and keyboard monitors. I'm not a Bose fanboy. A lot of their stuff is overpriced, and these probably were too, when they were new. It's a good cheap bit of kit. Lound enough to play with a friend or two when they come over, but only if they're playing at reasonable levels. Won't compete with a drum kit. Stereo music sound good through them too, which I can't say for the Behringer powered speaker menioned above (which is louder, though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaj58 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 played my fender rhodes/D6 combo thru a roland JC120 back in the day. it sounded great. i miss that sound, but not carrying it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 played my fender rhodes/D6 combo thru a roland JC120 back in the day. it sounded great. i miss that sound, but not carrying it... Thanks for letting me know! I could manage the schlepping, but I'm wondering how much I can realistically fit in my Accent. ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 The University I went to college at had JC120. I played guitar though one in the basketball pep band. I liked it for guitar. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff7b9 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I used a Bose L1 tower for a while. No complaints, always heard my sound crystal clear and it had a remote with 2 ch and eq. People always asked me if it was a basketball hoop Toys: Hammond SK1, Yamaha Motif ES6, Voce V5+, Virus ti 61, Mason & Hamlin upright, Everett upright, Hammond M3, Korg CX3 analog, Motion Sound Pro145, QSC K10, H&K Rotosphere.. etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Steve: $150 bucks, really? I thought that job you have paid you the BIG BUCKS? Buy a good set of headphones, that way you can play anytime of day or night. Cheers! Mike T. I'm frugal. I have a nice set of headphones. I just want to play it out loud once in a while. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 When I first got my Rhodes, my college roommate had a JC120 I played it through. Sounded great! I wouldn't want it for piano, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowMan Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I've used Jc-120's in rehearsal studios for years. Finally bought one used a few months back and it's great. Loud, clean and manageable weight. Go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I used a Bose L1 tower for a while. Interested in knowing why you stopped - also what style of music / line-up? I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord_Nord Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I'd recommend a Roland Cube amp. I particularly like the Roland Cube Street for its dual channels stereo inputs which can be used for instruments or mics. It packs a surprising punch for such a portable piece. Oh and it's also runs on batteries too. See if you can get one used on craigs list or something. A.J. Blues Manager and Keyboardist The Tash Brothers Band www.myspace.com/TheTashBrothersBand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humannoyed Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I've been curious of an all tube route like a good quality tube pre into something like the Carvin TS100. I am sure it would be great for organ, rhodes, and clav, but not sure about AP. I am thinking it will add some body and thickness to digital instruments even with a clean tone setting - good to have in some band situations. "It is a danger to create something and risk rejection. It is a greater danger to create nothing and allow mediocrity to rule." "You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at." W.H. Auden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 The Traynor K4 gives you one channel of tube signal path. I've played an SV-1 through a K2--rock solid sound. I can only imagine that through a K4, it would sound even better! ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 The Carvin TS100 is a sweet amp its extremely heavy though. I have one in my studio. Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveaudio Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I'd recommend a Roland Cube amp. I have a Roland "Cube-60" from the 1980's (altho I thought it was sold as a keyboard amp?). It's a bit noisy, at least from close up, but probably a very good buy for the $80 or so they go for now. In the '70's, I used a Fender Twin with my Rhodes, Wurlitzer, etc. Wish I still had it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Weiser Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 +1 for getting a used JC120. Used to use if for my synth rig and it was loud and clean. Would never use it for guitar though... https://www.theboywhowantedtorock.com http://www.weisersound.com https://www.facebook.com/weisersound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I haven't looked at KB amps the same since I started using PA speakers over a decade ago. My recommendation would be an active PA speaker. There are a few that cost less than $200 which means squeezing another $50 out of that tight fist. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 +1 for getting a used JC120. Used to use if for my synth rig and it was loud and clean. Would never use it for guitar though... RE: What learjeff said, though, would it sound good with an Acoustic Piano sound? I was considering the Traynor but it's pricey, and I'm really happy with how my synths sound through my Hartke KM60 (really wonderful amp), so I'm thinking of trading up to a KM200. I figure maybe I'd use a JC-120 as a nice stereo amp for my piano/EP/organ type sounds, and the KM60 for all the synth stuff. Or am I crazy to want two amps on stage? ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 The JC120 is my most hated amp of all time. I was young and naive and got talked into it by my instructor (for jazz guitar at the time, but also for keys on my own). It almost gives me an upset stomach to even think about that plastic-sounding amp. I did for many years use an Ashley line mixer feeding into a mono-summed line level signal that went to a Stewart World power amplifier followed by an Aguilar GS112 full-range bass cabinet, for stage monitoring, and was very happy with that setup. But I wasn't using a quality Digital Piano on stage; just synth sounds, bad ROMpler pianos, and e-pianos plus organ. YMMV. Eugenio Upright, 60th Ann P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico Bari, Dano Bari Select Strat/Tele, Am Pro Jazzmaster, LP 57 Gold, G5422DC-12, T486, T64, PM2, EXL1, XK4, Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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