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  #1  
Old 01-19-2019, 10:40 PM
Bluesdale Bluesdale is offline
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Default Mini-amp suggestions

I'm in the market for a tiny amp to plug in an acoustic while traveling. Sometimes natural volume isn't enough if playing for people, especially at a surfy beach or something. I'd like it to be like half the size of a loaf of bread or smaller to go in my suitcase. Any suggestion on ones with good tone?
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  #2  
Old 01-19-2019, 11:07 PM
Shredmaster007 Shredmaster007 is offline
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Zt lunch box or yamaha thr.
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  #3  
Old 01-20-2019, 06:59 AM
ceciltguitar ceciltguitar is offline
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Bose S1would probably work.
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Old 01-20-2019, 07:24 AM
DownUpDave DownUpDave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ceciltguitar View Post
Bose S1would probably work.
Only if he had a really big suitcase, or very few clothes

OP.....you stated a Mini sized amp, how small can you go, I am assuming battery power is neccassary. What is your budget.

I have a Blackstar Fly and a Yamaha THR5 A, both have battery power and A.C. adapters. The Blackstar is about have the size but so is the sound quality compared to the Yamaha. The Blackfly is not an acoustic amp, adjusting the gain and EQ make for just passable sound quality

Last edited by DownUpDave; 01-20-2019 at 07:30 AM.
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  #5  
Old 01-20-2019, 07:41 AM
jonfields45 jonfields45 is offline
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The $100 Katana Mini sounds great with an acoustic guitar if you set it for clean and put the master volume full clockwise. The delay actually does a decent ambience. I am using a Volto to power it. We play an art gallery opening every other month with no amplification. The room is only maybe 25 x 15 feet. I've got one parlor with 12s which handles that fine, but I usually play the one with 10s and the Katana only weighs a pound and can get really loud (and lets me cover a classic rock lead solo, keep up with his D-28, and get above the conversation).

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Old 01-20-2019, 08:11 AM
DownUpDave DownUpDave is offline
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Hey Jonesfields45, thanks for sharing. I was just looking at the very same one, this thread got me researching mini amps. I'll be interested in what is talked about here
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Old 01-20-2019, 02:07 PM
Bluesdale Bluesdale is offline
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Thanks for these suggestions. I was hoping to stay under $100 and 8" or less in largest dimension. That Katana might work although slightly larger than hoped.

Anyone ever try a HoneyTone? Might be too chincy sounding.
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Old 01-20-2019, 02:16 PM
jonfields45 jonfields45 is offline
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Some of the Bluetooth speakers have a low latency aux input and sound OK. Generally the line level input has not got as much gain as you want and the ones using DSP equalization (latest Bose products) can have too much latency. BUT, lots of size choices and they can be bought nearby, auditioned, and returned. A cable that uses both left and right inputs, such as a Hosa CMP-110, will give you a bit more volume (3 dB which is on the edge of noticeable). The JBL Flip worked OK a few years (and product generations) ago when I tried it.

I think the Katana, since it is not trying to be a full range speaker and is trying to deal with the uncompressed dynamic range of a real guitar, is better than any Bluetooth speaker I tried with the exception of IK Media iLoud (which might have been designed with real guitars in-mind and also sounds great as a music player).
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Last edited by jonfields45; 01-21-2019 at 02:17 PM.
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  #9  
Old 01-20-2019, 09:20 PM
Captain Jim Captain Jim is offline
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A Pignose amp would fit the size requirement. I haven't tried one with an acoustic, but it sounds decent with an electric guitar. It will distort as you turn it up louder, but from the situation you're describing, I doubt you'd have to go that loud.

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  #10  
Old 01-21-2019, 01:03 PM
maxed maxed is offline
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A little more than you want to spend, but check out the Roland Mobile AC (NOT the Roland Mobile Cube which is geared towards electric guitars. Three separate channels, a chorus-wide effect and reverb. Good reviews on Amzon

https://www.amazon.com/Roland-Batter...5NL&ref=plSrch

I use mine for small room, low volume practice. I set it slightly louder than my natural acoustic volume. And the effects just sweetens it up that much more. Sounds great for my needs. Its fun to use and handy to have around. It can get decently loud indoors. But you'd be pushing it hard for street-busking levels.
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  #11  
Old 01-21-2019, 01:12 PM
jonfields45 jonfields45 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maxed View Post
A little more than you want to spend, but check out the Roland Mobile AC (NOT the Roland Mobile Cube which is geared towards electric guitars. Three separate channels, a chorus-wide effect and reverb. Good reviews on Amzon

https://www.amazon.com/Roland-Batter...5NL&ref=plSrch

I use mine for small room, low volume practice. I set it slightly louder than my natural acoustic volume. And the effects just sweetens it up that much more. Sounds great for my needs. Its fun to use and handy to have around. It can get decently loud indoors. But you'd be pushing it hard for street-busking levels.
There are a whole lot of Roland models using one or two 2.5 watt power amps. When I listen to an open G chord on any of them, I hear some kind of bad interaction between the low G and B notes. I'm not sure why but it was more than one model. It is subtle but once I heard it I could not get used to it.

The Yamaha THR5A is another good choice but it is more expensive and heavier than the Katana Mini.
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Last edited by jonfields45; 01-21-2019 at 02:16 PM.
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  #12  
Old 01-21-2019, 01:29 PM
Cuki79 Cuki79 is offline
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I did not see it had to be battery powered...
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Last edited by Cuki79; 01-21-2019 at 04:20 PM.
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  #13  
Old 01-21-2019, 03:04 PM
RedJoker RedJoker is offline
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Fender passport mini, maybe? I've never owned one but have played with them at the store and they're pretty cool.
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  #14  
Old 01-21-2019, 03:30 PM
nickv6 nickv6 is offline
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If you don't mind used, Trace Elliott made an amazing amp that was half the size of a loaf. A really good amp called the cube, I think.
Nick
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  #15  
Old 01-21-2019, 03:45 PM
wkbryan wkbryan is offline
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https://www.guitarcenter.com/Acousti...t-Combo-Amp.gc

I tried one of these shortly before Christmas, and for well under a hundred buck was pretty impressed. Very serviceable sound, small, light, and not so expensive you have to worry about it getting dinged up while traveling.
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