Author Topic: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice  (Read 3218 times)

FrugalSaver

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Here's an example for $89

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer/Ultratone-KT108-15w-Keyboard-Amplifier.gc

There are 4 people in the band and looking for something cost effective and loud enough for jamming together during Practice typically in a house.

Looking for good practice sound, low cost and ease of transportation

HawkeyeNFO

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2017, 07:37:12 AM »
Check out the store and see what kind of used equipment they have.  Also craigslist.

Kl285528

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2017, 07:57:54 AM »
what instrument?
if for keys, I use a powered PA speaker - I recommend Electro-Voice ZLX 12P - plenty loud, and can be used as a floor monitor, or FOH speaker if need be - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/electro-voice-zlx-12p-12-in-2-way-powered-loudspeaker?rNtt=zlx&index=4
Kinda heavy, but not unreasonable
How loud is everyone else?

GuitarStv

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2017, 08:25:27 AM »
+1 on the what instrument question.

A bass amp reproduces totally different frequencies than a guitar amp.  A guitar amp tends to suck for everything except guitar (and sometimes harmonica).  A keyboard or acoustic guitar amp will work for most instruments that aren't too bassy and use a mic or piezo pickup.  A powered PA tends to work well for vocals and most instruments that aren't too bassy.

HenryDavid

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2017, 08:53:18 AM »
Sooooo many unused guitar amps out there. Borrow one if you can find one. Place an ad asking for a free to a good home amp. Pawnshops even, you can get down to below $50.
A decent solid state amp (not tubes) will get you far. Cheaper, more reliable, less fussy.
In a few years if you're playing a ton, you can get fancy.

runbikerun

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2017, 10:26:57 AM »
If a drummer is playing, unless they're extremely controlled they'll obliterate the sound from a 15w amp.

What instrument do you plan to use with the amp, and what other instruments will you be playing alongside?

GuitarStv

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2017, 11:30:55 AM »
If a drummer is playing, unless they're extremely controlled they'll obliterate the sound from a 15w amp.

What instrument do you plan to use with the amp, and what other instruments will you be playing alongside?

Depends on the instrument, amp, sound you wnat, and the speaker efficiency to some degree.  I've played with a VOX AC15 and a 22 watt Fender Deluxe with no problems being heard despite a heavy handed drummer.  No clean headroom at all though.

It's waaaaay too little oomph for something that you want to hear cleanly (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin), or anything that's bassy (bass guitar, some key parts, maybe cello?).  Bass just eats up power.

runbikerun

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2017, 01:47:03 PM »
If a drummer is playing, unless they're extremely controlled they'll obliterate the sound from a 15w amp.

What instrument do you plan to use with the amp, and what other instruments will you be playing alongside?

Depends on the instrument, amp, sound you wnat, and the speaker efficiency to some degree.  I've played with a VOX AC15 and a 22 watt Fender Deluxe with no problems being heard despite a heavy handed drummer.  No clean headroom at all though.

It's waaaaay too little oomph for something that you want to hear cleanly (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin), or anything that's bassy (bass guitar, some key parts, maybe cello?).  Bass just eats up power.


True. I had forgotten about Vox amps in particular. It's probably revealing that I'm writing this while waiting for the Queens of the Stone Age to arrive onstage: the bands I've been in have never been of a type that would allow comfortable use of a 15-watt amp, even before I got my hands on a fabulously aggressive china cymbal.

Accidental Fire

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2017, 03:34:26 PM »
Yeah the instrument is kinda key here for good sound.  I'm a guitarist and I've found that you can get a great deal on Craigslist if you just stalk a bit and have some patience.  Also, the Guitar Center stores by me have used stuff, and sometimes they're pretty good deals.

I'd say for $80 - $90 you should be able to score a decent guitar amp for practice

Car Jack

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2017, 04:24:42 PM »
Music Go Round specializes in used instruments.  Back in the day when Daddy's was all over New England, I was in there all the time and bought my Crate 50 W tube amp from them, trading in a horribly noisy Fender somethingorother dual Reverb amp.  You'll get more volume for the dollar (by a lot) by staying solid state.  There are some nice Line 6 amps that do the job nicely.  You're going to want more than a 15 W amp, certainly.  I do have also a Line 6 spider 15W amp that I use mainly to play low volumes and have the effects still work or with headphones.  I did bring it to a practice once and it was way too low in volume capability. 

lefty

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #10 on: November 25, 2017, 03:36:40 AM »
Another vote for that Vox amp. Think its called AC-15 (tube) that has switchable voltage. Soft enough to serenade yourself at night without waking anybody up and it was loud enough for me when I played with a Jazz trio.

If you need it louder for shows, have the sound guy mic it to the PA and face the AC15 towards yourself serving as a monitor.

I think I paid like $40 for mine from some kid who had like 10 amps and couldn't make up his mind. LOL!


Nightwatchman9270

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Re: Musicians out there - looking for a mistachian amp for band practice
« Reply #11 on: November 25, 2017, 12:48:33 PM »
A keyboard amp is probably going to be your best bet.  Powered amps tend to be pricier.  Bass amps work well too.
DEFINTELY don't buy new.  Most Major Manufacturers (PEAVEY, Yamaha, etc) keyboard amps are solid state and pretty rugged.  Most people never end up gigging and keyboard amps have TERRIBLE resale value which is good for the buyer. 

If you don't see any and need one ASAP a bass amp will work ok.  Actually I used our drummers extra Simmons drum amp and it sounded great!

Don't use a guitar amp unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.  They make most sounds brassy and harsh and don't handle low frequencies well.