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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2020 13:10:00 GMT
I've got it down to either a Roland AC-33 or a Roland Cube Street Ex.
The Cube Street Ex has a lot more power but it's heavier and more cumbersome to carry about plus it has a lot of features I don't need.
The AC is, obviously, a dedicated acoustic amp and while it's half the power of the Street Ex it's a lot easier to carry about and less expensive.
Does anyone have experience of one, other or both?
Alternative suggestions would also be appreciated.
Thanks
Dave
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Post by countcatula on Aug 1, 2020 17:49:52 GMT
What about the fishman loudbox charge as an alternative?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2020 18:01:27 GMT
I don't know anything about it.
I'm not fond of things that take rechargeable batteries though.
How big is it, what power does it have? How much does it cost? Can you post a link to more information?
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Post by countcatula on Aug 1, 2020 21:03:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2020 21:17:56 GMT
Funny. I had a look and then came back and you'd posted the link.
I like it but for me it has two drawbacks. It's a bit big and bulky compared with the AC-33 and weighs about twice as much. That's fine if your using it at home or in venues but I don't have a car and I'd like to take it out busking so the size difference is significant. Also I prefer removable batteries to a hardwired rechargeable. It sounds good (albeit only listened on youtube but through quality kit) but not noticeably better to my ears than the others (in a comparison video so recorded side by side using the same kit).
I think the AC-33 is the one for me at the moment.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,562
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 2, 2020 7:17:27 GMT
The AC33 has a much more refined sound than the Street cube, but the watts from the Ex will beat it hands down. Also remember that if you are running off of batteries, both tend to run at half power.
I've had two AC33s and loved them for the sound quality but unless you are busking somewhere quiet, the sound will get completely lost. I've tried all sorts of setups for busking and my current (and favourite by far) is a Bugera AC60 (which sounds remarkably like an AER Compact 60) run by a lithium golf trolley battery and inverter. The Bugera is only a little larger than the AC33 but you do have to haul around the battery and inverter. Both the Bugera and the Street Cube Ex can also be used for gigging.
As for carting stuff around - most buskers use a wheeled suitcase or trolley to haul everything and keep it safe during transport. It also makes the weight less of an issue.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2020 7:27:19 GMT
Thanks WV. The Bugera / golf trolley combo sounds a bit complicated to me. Is it? Are the batteries hard to get and is it hard to set it up? Also how much does does a battery / inverter cost and how do you charge it? (I have a charger for motorcycle batteries which might be useable)
I have to ask all these questions because I have absolutely no idea how to set it up. If it seems feasible costwise would you be able to give me an idiot's guide?
EDIT: Just saw a Bugera AC60 on ebay for about £200 inc postage - will look to see if there is anything in the UK.
EDIT: Found a Bugera for £175 inc delivery or £160 for B-stock so the price is great depending on the cost of powering it. This could work.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,562
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 2, 2020 7:48:08 GMT
The Bugera is currently £175 at Thomann : www.thomann.de/gb/bugera_ac60.htm?sid=0104b4c58fd5f42bf0c86e3edce4b1d4The battery I use is this one, it's now £169: www.topcaddy.co.uk/product/36-hole-22ah-usb-lithium-battery-package/And I use this inverter, currently £219: www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/Item/VPS600The total is a fair old whack at £563, but the setup is extremely versatile and you can use the battery to power things if you go camping, etc. It also has a handy USB port to charge your phone or run a pedal. The battery is charged by mains power, it comes with the adaptor. I had a friend who is an electrician convert the lead from the battery to the inverter because it comes with an end that is made to plug into a golf trolley. I had a 300w inverter but it kept cutting out, the 600w has taken care of the problem. Standard sine wave inverters are much, much cheaper but you really need a pure sine wave to run the amp. This is a video explaining the setup, it should start right where I'm explaining the battery: (edited - I will send you the link in a pm. I forgot that this board is public)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2020 7:53:14 GMT
Brilliant. Thank-you. I'll take a look at the video after I've done some exercise (before it gets too hot).
£563 is a significant amount of money but not a lot more than a new AC33 and about the same as a new Street EX, although I'll take another look at the Street Ex too.
I want to make sure it is easy to transport as well as providing sufficient, quality sound. I guess a trolley would solve that.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,562
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 2, 2020 7:57:45 GMT
I bought everything 2 years ago and paid less than £400, the prices have certainly risen!
I use a granny shopping trolley, you want something with some kind of cover to protect it all from the elements. A suitcase does the job very well and also has a little padding.
Are you planning on busking in London?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2020 8:02:24 GMT
Yes, to start with - although I'd quite like to go elsewhere too - Brighton, Windsor, anywhere I feel like tbh - also at some point (sooner rather than later) I'd like to move out of this wretched town - maybe to Scotland or even Ireland. I have a motorbike which is why something powered by AA batteries appeals. It's probably easier to carry on the bike than amp, power cell and inverter.
But having said that I'm still new to playing the guitar and I'm not ready to go out there quite yet. Give me a month or three and I'll be good to go. But I think it's time to start thinking seriously about amplification.
I have a Shure Beta 58A but I'm starting to think a headset mic might be better.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
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My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 2, 2020 8:24:28 GMT
I have both a headset mic and a standard mic. With the headset you don't need a stand, but you also can't back away from the mic to talk to someone, cough, etc. I prefer the standard mic.
Make sure you research busking in London before you get out there. It's the only place where there are actual laws about busking, well in two of the boroughs anyway. There is a Busk in London site that used to have opportunities to busk at farmer's markets, etc.
Busking has turned into a bit of a hard slog. There is now huge competition from idiots with big generators who blast through entire PA systems, making it impossible to set up anywhere in the vicinity, and annoying the shopkeepers in hopes of being discovered. Then there are the miming pan pipers who bring a whole selection of trinkets to sell, the karaoke singers, the full bands that set up in the prime spots for the entire day, or the people who will pretend to drop and scoop up a pile of your coins. I still do it because I need the money and usually enjoy it, but the days of knowing I would come away with at least £50 are long gone. Some days I don't even make minimum wage. The younger and prettier you are, the better you will do. Playing for 2-3 hours and coming away with £5 or less can be demoralising. On the other hand £5 will buy you 10kg of rice at Aldi, so you won't starve!
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,562
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 2, 2020 8:31:13 GMT
I would also suggest that if you haven't been busking before, go and find somewhere relatively quiet and busk acoustically. It would be a shame to spend all that money on gear to find out that you hate it.
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colins
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Post by colins on Aug 2, 2020 10:12:27 GMT
I would also suggest that if you haven't been busking before, go and find somewhere relatively quiet and busk acoustically. It would be a shame to spend all that money on gear to find out that you hate it. Sage advice from the queen of the buskers. Colin
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Post by Matt Milton on Aug 2, 2020 13:16:42 GMT
Coronavirus and lockdown has made me curious about busking as well. I have busked before, but not since about 10 years ago. I've not been into central London since pre-lockdown so I have no idea what it's like in terms of how busy it is.
I figure coronavirus could be either good or bad from a busking point of view, and maybe a little bit of both: on the one hand, lots of people keen to be doing things outdoors, and starved of anything approaching live music, so possibly a more receptive audience. On the other hand, nobody wanting to loiter or be close to anyone else, so no possibility of a lucrative crowd gathering (which you wouldn't want anyway from a social distancing point of view) and probably less inclination for anybody to stop to drop off coins. And perhaps a lot of hard-up people for whom every penny counts. I suspect busking is probably more of a wellbeing/therapeutic activity for the performer then a money-earner at the moment. But who knows.
I tried to make sense of the government guidance on live music outside - it seems needlessly complicated - and it makes a distinction between 'amateur' and 'professional' outdoor performances. It discourages any public non-professional singing: it seems to assume that 'professional' singers are less likely than 'non-professional' singers to spread coronavirus via their singing activity! I suppose if you are busking you are de facto a 'professional', so that's alright then...
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