Fender Passport: Anyone use one? Other Suggestions?

[Charmed Life Picks]

Hi. My wife plays an electric keyboard at an old folk's home, and needs a small, light amp with two inputs (one mic, one instrument) to amplify her sound. She currently has a very heavy Roland amp that is too heavy to lug around.

I'm trying to find something between $100-200, new. I recently found the Fender Passport line, but don't know if the entry level model would be big enough:

http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Passpor...ender+passport

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[robroy]

I used to have a Passport 150 that had nice sound, especially for vocals. I later upgraded to a 500 that I used for a few years, but thought the smaller one had nicer sound. The 150 was surprisingly loud as well and could fill up a larger venue than you might think. You can probably pick them up used for a pretty reasonable price.... I think it was about $400 new. hope that helps!

[wkbryan]

The Roland Cube Monitor is worth looking at. We have one and have found it very versatile and dependable. It'd fit in you're price range and can be mic stand mounted.

[guitararmy]

MusiciansFriend has a Roland Cube guitar amp with reverb that would work for guitar or mic, but you would need two of them at $69 each. Might make a nice stereo setup for the keyboard too.

[MODELL]

I know this is a little more than you requested as far as size, but the total weight is under 25 lbs and its easy to carry together as a package. I've heard one of these before and they sound nice and full for vocals and guitar. To me this is a great "bang for you buck" purchase at $199.00:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...did^8946014385

[guitararmy]

Or one or two of these.....MusiciansFriend deal of the hour.

Gemini ES-08P Active 8" Class-AB Loudspeaker
Today's Price
$59.95
List: $179.95
Regular Price: $96.00
(interim markdowns may have applied

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by robroy

I used to have a Passport 150 that had nice sound, especially for vocals. I later upgraded to a 500 that I used for a few years, but thought the smaller one had nicer sound. The 150 was surprisingly loud as well and could fill up a larger venue than you might think. You can probably pick them up used for a pretty reasonable price.... I think it was about $400 new. hope that helps!

Hi, thanks. This one is too big.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by wkbryan

The Roland Cube Monitor is worth looking at. We have one and have found it very versatile and dependable. It'd fit in you're price range and can be mic stand mounted.

Sounds good. Could I ask which model? They make a lot of different models. I need something on the small side with two inputs. Lighter is better.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by MODELL

I know this is a little more than you requested as far as size, but the total weight is under 25 lbs and its easy to carry together as a package. I've heard one of these before and they sound nice and full for vocals and guitar. To me this is a great "bang for you buck" purchase at $199.00:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...did^8946014385

This looks good. It's a bit heavier than I like, although it might work, and I already have a small Kustom amp that I've had for years and think it's a great product.

I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by guitararmy

Or one or two of these.....MusiciansFriend deal of the hour.

Gemini ES-08P Active 8" Class-AB Loudspeaker
Today's Price
$59.95
List: $179.95
Regular Price: $96.00
(interim markdowns may have applied

Army, looks great, but too large and heavy for my wife. We need something ten pounds or less. Great price!

[Marty C]

Maybe this would be an option for you . I have the version without effects and it is clear and loud. http://www.amazon.com/PowerWerks-PW1.../dp/B005JSGPNO

[wkbryan]

Originally Posted by charmedlife417

Sounds good. Could I ask which model? They make a lot of different models. I need something on the small side with two inputs. Lighter is better.

This is the one we have. It has 3 channels plus an aux in. If you add a second one in the future you can link them together.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...0-cube-monitor

We added one of these and it really did make life easier.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...onnect&index=4

[CaffeinatedOne]

I think the Passport you picked out is probably ideal.

I've had a Passport PD250 for a number of years that I've used in different situations; I bought it for use as side fill monitors for a rockabilly band and then we used it as a PA when a small group of the band would do acoustic gigs at small restaurants. I've found it to be a rugged, reliable, competent little rig. The reverb is cheesy, but so what - I almost never use "point and shoot" effects. When I needed to do anything fancy, the Passport was always fed a line level signal from a large mixer where all the fancy stuff went on.

So even though I've not heard the little Fender, I have some confidence that vocals would sound recognizable through it. For a nursing home performance, the usual issue is having the PA too loud. 7 watts is probably perfect for a room like this.

[kaos]

Originally Posted by Marty C

Maybe this would be an option for you . I have the version without effects and it is clear and loud. http://www.amazon.com/PowerWerks-PW1.../dp/B005JSGPNO

Beat me to it. I have this one (23 lbs.)
http://www.amazon.com/PowerWerks-PW1...werwerks+pw100

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by CaffeinatedOne

I think the Passport you picked out is probably ideal.

I've had a Passport PD250 for a number of years that I've used in different situations; I bought it for use as side fill monitors for a rockabilly band and then we used it as a PA when a small group of the band would do acoustic gigs at small restaurants. I've found it to be a rugged, reliable, competent little rig. The reverb is cheesy, but so what - I almost never use "point and shoot" effects. When I needed to do anything fancy, the Passport was always fed a line level signal from a large mixer where all the fancy stuff went on.

So even though I've not heard the little Fender, I have some confidence that vocals would sound recognizable through it. For a nursing home performance, the usual issue is having the PA too loud. 7 watts is probably perfect for a room like this.

Caf, thanks.