In the realm of the itty-bitty, there may not be anything smaller than the VOX AC2 RhythmVOX Bass where bass amps are concerned.
How small are we talking about? Here is a photo of it next to someone playing a bass through the amp:
Note the cable coming out of the top. That gives you a very good idea of how small this thing is.
Is there any point to owning this thing?
Yes, and only one. It does serve well as a practice amp due to the fact it has a little drum machine in it. So when you want to quickly just plug in to something, start a drum beat, play along to it and not have to wear headphones, it doesn’t get much easier than this.
Video demo
Important note: This is not in English, but you can easily understand what’s going on. You hear both the guitar and the bass version of the RhythmVOX in the first minute on the video.
Would you own this thing or use something else to practice with?
Sometimes itty-bitty is good while other times not.
Do you think VOX got it right with this little amp, or would you use something else?
If you answered, “I’d definitely use something else,” post a comment with the gear you use to practice with (such as amp w/headphone jack, or PC, etc.)
Evidentl There is a market for these little guys. I do the case work for Verellen Amplifiers and there’s been a couple like this that I’ve worked on recently. https://instagram.com/p/BXS0Rz7Az3K/
I use a Bugera 2000 watt bass head to practice with. It mates perfectly with my Hartke 8/10 bass cabinet that’s good for 2000 watts too.
I have the Blackstar Fly and it has a good headphone sound but the speaker distorts on the “E” string.
For 60 bucks, WT heck. Why not, I reckon? I have certainly spent 60 bucks on gadgets that are potentially less useful.
This mini-amp seems to suffer from the same problem that all similar mini-amps do. The speaker just isn’t up to the job of handling bass tones. Lots of overdrive due to the speaker abpout to implode!! I had the same issues with my HOTONE bass amp and found the only way to get something resembling a 1/2 decent tone was to crank the amp volume all the way up, turn down the bass tone and use the gain control to actually control the volume.
i’d use it if, it didn’t have the drum feature, it was battery optional for campfire playing. but I have a lot of amps to use for practice and really don’t need anything like that. of course I could build my own if necessary.
Phil Jones got it right. I have a double four I use as practice amp. It actually has a beautiful bass sound, plus it’s tiny. I use the amp when I’m in Brasil and play with a choro band in the park. I’ve used both my Traveler p-bass & my Eminence travel upright on d.c with a laptop battery that lasts about 2.5 hrs.Phil Jones said it was serendipitous that a Lenmar Power Point 5.3-19 v.output battery would fit in the handle at on end. I keep a spare in the case. Why bother with something that lacks bass tone?
If you travel or live in a motorhome, space is at a premium. So, too, is volume level a consideration for practice. It’s these arguments that make it work in that situation.
I use a Roland Micro-cube bass amp. It’s not a lot bigger, and more versatile. It has a beat box, tuner (B to C, if you play a 5 or 6 string) and you can plug in an iPod to play along if you want. It’s not quite this small or inexpensive, but really portable and can be heard over a couple of guitars or even a drummer with brushes or slap sticks.
I’m with Mitch, I use a Roland Microcube also. 3x the price of the VOX but probably use more than any amp I own. If it was battery powered and sounded better, I would use it. Nothing beats being able to play anywhere.
Roland Microcube Bass every time! Great thing. Slightly bigger but great sound and drums. Love it!
I hate headphones. This lil amp is perfect for me. I strap it to my hat w/ one of those old beer can novelty drinking hat things and use it as a sort of, out-of-ear monitor, using the headphone jack as a pass-thru to my wireless pack. It’s 5″ from my head at about 30% volume when the band is going full live. I look stupid. I do not care. It’s perfect.