Needed a cheap, portable amp

[R.B. Huckleberry]

Can't lug the Dr. Z/cab/attentuator out every time I get the urge to play. Because of kids (potential clumsiness) & cats (potential clawliness), I have to keep the cab covered and the amp in it's case. Gone (for now) are the days I can set up and leave it ready. Far off are the days where I will have a dedicated music room that I can shut off from gear mangling critters of the 2 legged & 4 legged variety.


Picked up a Fender Champion 600 at GC today. Got it home, cranked it, and loved it's tone. Unfortunately, it sizzled and crackled like a bastard. Probably the tubes, but I really wasn't in the mood to fool with it. Went right back.


Surfing the 'net, I happened upon some cool stuff like these:

http://www.cactustubeamps.com/homepage.htm


But really: 102 decibels? And that beer can amp may be a sturdy beer can, but it's still a beer can. Maybe next time. I just want something 5 watts or so that crunches. And I want it cheap. And I need something that has a proven track record for at least being consistent.

Bingo! I ordered a Pignose 7-100 portable amp. You know the little one that you can open and close the case to make a wah noise? LOL. Keef & Joe Walsh have used them, and rumor has it Jimmy Page recorded "Since I've Been Loving You" with one. Oughta be fun...

[Blaze]

Frank Zappa use to play a lot with the pignose ,even recorded with it on some albums.. Should be a cool amph

[piebaldpython***]

Let us know how that Pignose works out for you. Congrats.
Is that tube or SS?

Since you already have your new amp....I'll just mention that if anyone needs a small, portable inexpensive 5W amp.....there's the Vox DA5 (SS), Roland MicroCube (SS) and the Peavey Royal 8 (tube).

[sumitomo]

My friend what you need is a Micro Cube! Sumi

[R.B. Huckleberry]

Let us know how that Pignose works out for you. Congrats.
Is that tube or SS?

Since you already have your new amp....I'll just mention that if anyone needs a small, portable inexpensive 5W amp.....there's the Vox DA5 (SS), Roland MicroCube (SS) and the Peavey Royal 8 (tube).

The Pignose 7-100 is SS.


My daughter has the Microcube. It's fun, for sure, but I'm looking for something simple this time around.

[Soulstress]

In checking out that pignose it looks pretty cool. I like the portability of it, seeing that I will be traveling often. However, I dont see any reverb on it. Did I miss something? I like that microcube a lot too. Which would u say is better?

[R.B. Huckleberry]

In checking out that pignose it looks pretty cool. I like the portability of it, seeing that I will be traveling often. However, I dont see any reverb on it. Did I miss something? I like that microcube a lot too. Which would u say is better?

No reverb on the Pignose. "Dry & Ratty" is how I would describe it.


The Microcube has great effects built in.

[wingsdad]

... pignose ... microcube... Which would u say is better?

If you ascribe to the KISS formula, then it's the pignose. As basic as it gets. You have to work your guitar's volume & tone controls to modify tone and to an extent, how clean or raunchy at a given volume the 'nose will play.

OTH, for another 40-50 bucks, the MicroCube offers more versatilty of amps sounds, good (although not very adjsutable) effects, a tuning fork tuner, headphone jack, and you can attach a guitar strap instead of the handle-strap it comes with to it & sling it.

The MicroCube comes with an AC adapter, extra option with the pignose.

I'd had a pignose when they first came out, because it was pretty much the first of its kind. Had it for about 20 years, then it got riped off. I've had a MicroCube for a couple of years now. I'd had a Cube30; the Boss/Roland amps are excellent value packages.

Which is better? For a beginner like you, looking to learn the blues? I'd say the MicroCube because it will give you excellent clean or edgy tones withouth having to futz around with interfacing your guitar's controls with the amp's too much, and you'll have a healthy sampling of different types of amps & effects to experiment with without having to commit bucks to pedals and things.

[MichaelE]

If you just want a basic no-frills portable amp the Pignose is the way to go.

Battery operated, you can take it anywhere you can take a guitar.

30 years ago while in high school, a guy I used to jam with used to bring his LP to school with a Pignose slung over his shoulder and play between classes.

[Soulstress]

Thanks Wingsdad

[Commodore 64***]

Kirk Hammet in a hotel room with a pignose.

[R.B. Huckleberry]

BTW, this is one of only 3 forums I posted this on that didn't result in a barrage of "You should get...", "Buy (an obscure cheese whistle amp) and (perform mods)".

You guys kept to the topic, and seem pleased for me. Thanks!



Oh, and it should be here on Monday.

[R.B. Huckleberry]

"Out for Delivery"!

Woo-hoo!

[Commodore 64***]

Nice. I love when I see that on the tracking page too!

[piebaldpython***]

"Out for Delivery"!

Woo-hoo!

A great thing to see, provided it gets DELIVERED to your house. I've had stuff wind up on the next block from me....and I was in a panic because the website said DELIVERED......unfortunately, not delivered to me!! I finally got it but not without some worry.

[R.B. Huckleberry]

A great thing to see, provided it gets DELIVERED to your house. I've had stuff wind up on the next block from me....and I was in a panic because the website said DELIVERED......unfortunately, not delivered to me!! I finally got it but not without some worry.

I stepped out to buy some strings, and it was here waiting for me.

It's great! I prefer to have the "cab" open, though. Too boxy otherwise!


Using my American Series Telecaster, I had no problem getting a credible "Funk # 49" tone (I have heard rumors that Joe Walsh used a Pignose for that song. I think that's pretty believable now).


Measured the db output cranked, and freaked out! 90 to 95 db, and one chord rang at nearly 100! I wasn't expecting that. You can zap your hearing playing too long at those volumes! Total playing time was under 20 minutes, though, and most of that was at far lower volumes.

Anyway, the Pignose sounds great, and it's a little monster. Seems like it was made for Telecasters!