Peavey 'Solo' PA?

[Tom Karol]

I'm working with another guitarist on a duo for performances at senior living residences - 2 guitars and 2 vocals.
We already have usable amplification. He has a Roland Street Cube (and also an old GK ML250) for his guitar, I can play my guitar through my DVM Little Jazz, and we can both use my Bud 6 for mic'd vocals. But that's still more than I'd like to carry. Has anyone one here had experience with this?
Solo(R) Battery Powered Portable PA
It doesn't need to be all that powerful, as these performances are normally done in large living rooms, and we don't care if the bluetooth doesn't work well or that it doesn't have a line out. We don't even need battery power, but I guess that's nice to have. It's inexpensive, lightweight, and has all the inputs and features we need. But is it any good? Thanks!

[garybaldy]

I find those portable PAs ok for piezo guitars but not those with magnetic pickups.

[Tom Karol]

I hear what you're saying, but Peavey says, "Peavey’s exclusive Guitar Input selector changes the input type and EQ on the guitar channels (3 & 4) to optimize them for the instrument." That's why I thought it might be feasible.

[AllanAllen]

Check with forum user rpjazzguitar. He's always testing these powered PAs out.

[rpjazzguitar]

I took a look at the manual. It has two inputs for mics and two more that can be converted to Hi Z by pushing a button. So, that looks good. You can adjust volume and reverb. It's not a lot of watts but the SPL max looks pretty loud. And, I gather that this is living room level stuff, so it's probably loud enough.

The one concern I came away with is the EQ. It's one knob. So, all you get is whatever that knob does. Apparently, it emphasizes highs and lows when turned clockwise. If that's all the EQ you need, that's great. If not, how are you going to adjust it?

My experience with the JBL Eon One Compact, used for voice and guitar, is that I often need to roll off bass without affecting other frequencies. The JBL has 6 band EQ on each channel and 8 band on the Master. But, it only has one hiZ input. So, one of the guitars could go right in and the other would need a DI box or other interface.

A mixer with two hi Z inputs would work, but could strain the budget. More to carry. More to set up.

All that said, I once attended a party where the host hired two musicians. Guitar, bass and harmony vocals. Living room sized atrium. They had a four channel mixer and what looked like a guitar amp - for everything. (I don't recall the model). Sounded awesome. They had a full PA in their van for a bigger gig later that day. They were experienced enough to know they didn't need it.

[pingu]

All that said, I once attended a party where the host hired two musicians. Guitar, bass and harmony vocals. Living room sized atrium. They had a four channel mixer and what looked like a guitar amp - for everything. (I don't recall the model). Sounded awesome. They had a full PA in their van for a bigger gig later that day. They were experienced enough to know they didn't need it.

yes I’d suggest that solution as a lightweight rig …..
a mini mixer into your Bud or Little Jazz

[garybaldy]

yes I’d suggest that solution as a lightweight rig …..
a mini mixer into your Bud or Little Jazz

Do you run that off a battery?

[Tom Karol]

Thanks for the replies.
I guess we'll have to go to GC and try one to see how the guitars sound with it.
I have an Eastman AR-403ce, and he has a Godin Multiac Nylon String.
The JBL, at more than twice the price, is not an attractive option to me.
Again, we do already have 2 small guitar amps and the Bud 6 to use as a mini PA for the vocals.

[AllanAllen]

Please report back!

[rpjazzguitar]

I brought up the JBL mostly to make a point about EQ. Since it only has one high Z input, by itself it isn't a solution.

If it were me, I'd bring the three small amps.

If I had to pare it down, I'd be thinking mixer and small amp -- Bud (if it sounds good enough, and since you already have it) or powered speaker.

Another aside: The JBL unit has a full featured built in mixer, albeit with only a few channels. But, I often use a Yamaha mixer anyway. It's easier to use -- real, physical knobs -- not nested, on-screen menus. And, my singer doesn't have to use my phone to adjust her channel. The mixer turns out to be a useful thing to have around.

[Tom Karol]

By the way, I also have this:
Warwick Gnome Pocket Bass Amplifier | zZounds
And this:
Warwick Gnome CAB 10/8 Bass Cabinet (1x10", 150 Watts) | zZounds
to use with a mixer if we were to acquire one!

[garybaldy]

Now this is travelling light!!

[Mick-7]

The JBL, at more than twice the price, is not an attractive option to me.

There is a cheaper JBL portable PA, but I don't know how it compares to the Peavey:
JBL IRX108BT Powered 8-inch Portable Speaker

This one has good reviews too:
Alto Professional Portable 200-watt Battery-powered PA Speaker

[Alter]

The JBL above is great, has the inputs, light weight and a lot more volume than you'd ever need. A friend of mine has played hundreds of gigs with it, violin, vocals and backing tracks, sometimes it's the whole PA for a trio, and i've never seen her carry a stand, just puts it on the floor. Guitar sounds great through it. I would definitely consider it.

[rpjazzguitar]

The JBL above is great, has the inputs, light weight and a lot more volume than you'd ever need. A friend of mine has played hundreds of gigs with it, violin, vocals and backing tracks, sometimes it's the whole PA for a trio, and i've never seen her carry a stand, just puts it on the floor. Guitar sounds great through it. I would definitely consider it.

I'm not sure which JBL this refers to. Two were mentioned. The Eon One Compact is more expensive. The extra cost buys 6 band parametric EQ on each channel and another 8 bands on the master. Also a hi Z input. Sounds great to me. I haven't used the other one.