Portable Guitar Amp for Rehearsals and Small Gigs

[Longways to Go]

Another approach is you could just buy something small when you get there.
If you buy something new with a box, you could just ship it back to yourself when the trip is over.

[coolvinny]

ZT Lunchbox Jr. for practice but not for any kind of 'real' jamming situation. For real playing I would recommend a Mambo 8 Wedge which fits in a Filson zippered tote back and is loud enough for most situations.

[Little Jay]

Boutique

Maybe something to check out.. I don't have any hands on experience, but I have seen both Pasquale Grasso and Alex Goodman using these.

Yes, that Jazz Cat Mini Ampli is definitely the smallest amp. Would it work with a drummer though?

[mr. beaumont]

Huge fan of the lunchbox, especially with a Fender voiced preamp pedal in front of it.

Heres an example of what that sounds like.

[omphalopsychos]

Huge fan of the lunchbox, especially with a Fender voiced preamp pedal in front of it.

Heres an example of what that sounds like.

Sounds great Jeff. If i'm going to do that, why not just get a fender voiced pre and power amp (Quilter reverb) and a lunchbox passive speaker? If I go used, the cost comes out pretty similar, actually. Anyway, I have a rehearsal tonight with the guy who has a Quilter + Lunchbox Cab setup, going to ask him more about it and share back since it doesn't sound like anyone else here has tried it. I remembered being very surprised that it was his setup after last week's practice. Will pay extra close attention today and will bug him for info on his experience.

[mr. beaumont]

I'd say that would be a fine solution.

Only reason I'm using what I'm using is that Quilter didn't exist back when I bought the Lunchbox, and I already had a Fender voiced pedal that I used with my Polytone.

[zcostilla]

What's the community consensus on the Bugera V5 5-watt (switchable to 1-watt)? My local Guitar Center mislabeled one at $129 so I just got it for practicing at low volume. Might make a decent travel amp by your standards. Actually on my way home from the store (wife is driving) so I'll do a tone test later tonight.

[Gitterbug]

...I'm pointing out again that my Toob cabs are hard to match in terms of weight, portability and performance. The telescopic 10T and 12T models are under 8" deep when collapsed, hence fitting in a cabin bag. They weigh 10 lbs. Add a micro-amp - Quilter, DV Mark etc. and there's new ones coming all the time - and your backline still fits in that cabin bag. With a 10" or 12", 100W Jensen Tornado they move serious amounts of air compared to 5"-8" cabs, some of which are toys and some reportedly good. Having said that, a bunch of 6.5" Baby Toob prototypes is underway for testing in the N.Y. asphalt jungle. With those, we are talking of 8"x8"x8-9" external dimensions and tipping the scales around 4 lbs, depending on the speaker and finish. And yes, a bass version is also in the works.

[omphalopsychos]

Got to play my bandmate's quilter through lunchbox cabinet. Sounded great. We were playing pretty loud (sax, 2 guitars, electric bass, drummer) and his rig kept up. I plugged in after practice and I even wanted to turn the bass down. Very nice warm sound.

Now, I had my favorite portable amp (a 5F1 with a 10") at practice. For me there is no contest between rigs for something to haul around locally. However, his rig could easily go in checked luggage. No brainer. I just got home and ordered it straight away.

In related news: If anyone is in NY and wants to get together to jam April 29 - May 2, PM me!