Street performances involve competing for attention with the street environment. This means as a busker you need a busking amp to be able to be heard loud enough and give a dominant performance. Imagine setting up a return on the street and your instruments or sound systems are barely audible.
You might not get much attention to attract even the crowd. In most instances also, you will need to set up a stage as fast as possible since you have bumped into an inspiring gathering.
You will, therefore, need very versatile and portable devices which will help you move from place to place very comfortably. It might be very tedious to carry along large devices to set at different locations for performance. Also, you can’t keep on getting different amps for various events.
You will need to get yourself an amp that you will use in most if not all circumstances. Yes, An amp that will give you good sound and quality performance.
To save you the hustle of shuffling amps in search of the best, we have analyzed the best amps for buskers. We have further compared them to make your selection easier and accurate.
Our Top Picks
6 Best Busking Amps
1. Fender Acoustasonic 15 Combo – 15 Watt Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
#1 OVERALL TOP PICK
If you are a stand-up performer, you don’t have to carry a whole set of instruments. You can imagine a set of speakers, mixtures, and amplifiers for every performance. That might be very tiresome.
Fender Acoustasonic 100 Combo is a portable amp with excellent sound. It is very light, and hence be can be carried along for impromptu performances. I would just describe it as a flexible and straightforward amp.
You can plug in your instruments conveniently as it uses the quarter jack which is standard for most devices. The output is of quality sound as it is of up to 15 watts.
In the case of practice for performance, it has an earphone output. This allows you to listen to your instruments without necessarily interrupting people around you.
Fender Acoustasonic 100 Combo is one of the best busking amps for acoustic performers. This is due to its simple setup and quality performance. As an acoustic performer, you will at times get short notices for your performance. You can’t compromise your performance due to hurry.
You will, therefore, need an amp that isn’t just fast to set up but will also give you an ideal level of performance. Fender Acoustasonic 100 Combo is the right deal. It is the only amp with an extended speaker to provide an enhanced sound.
PROS
- Lightweight hence portable
- Has clear output
- Support different types of inputs as it uses the standard quarter jack
- The amp has an extended speaker unit for enhanced sound
CONS
- Not compatible with inputs not using the quarter jack
INDEPENDENT REVIEW
2. Roland CUBE Street EX - 4-Channel 50-Watt Battery Powered Amplifier
We ranked this as the best busking amp due to its high-quality performance. When it comes to delivering compelling and clean sound, Roland cube street amp tops the list.
It has a combined 50W power which is arguably a good sound. If you are a busker, you need to have well loud sound output, and this is exactly what this amp delivers.
This amp is among those with many channels as it has four of them. All of them are independent hence supporting more inputs like the instruments and audio inputs like mics.
Other than supporting quarter jack compatible inputs, it has XLR inputs supports which diversify its usability.
Another good element of this amp is its ability to clean sound. The woofer gives the bass as the tweeters clean the noise. This combination gives out very quality output.
It can isolate stage sounds to avoid feedbacks and echoes hence a good amp for both on-stage and outdoor performances.
Unlike the traditional public address systems, which are mainly inflexible, the Roland cube amp is very portable. It is powered by eight batteries and hence can be used anywhere even without electricity connectivity.
To add to this portability is its lightweight nature. It is therefore easy to transport to different events and places for performance.
PROS
- Supports wide range of inputs
- Has more channels than most busking amps
- Very compact and flexible
- Has quality sound
- Battery powered
CONS
- Does not have MINI connectivity
INDEPENDENT REVIEW
3. Laney Amps LAN-A1+ Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
As much as we are emphasizing on the need for versatility when it comes to amps, simplicity and portability should not be overlooked. We found this amp to fit the bill on this account.
It is a two channels Amp just like most of the busker’s amps.
But unlike Vox Mini 5 Rhythm Guitar Amp Classic Finish which doesn’t support XLR jacks, this amp supports XLR inputs to give an enhanced sound.
The identical channels will allow you to plug in and use two inputs for one instrument. For example a mick and a guitar, a solo and its rhythm guitar, etc.
For any acoustic performer with heavy sound and a variety of instruments, support is of interest when looking for an amp. This amp has a frequency rate of up to 80W.
The prompts heavy bass from the woofer. The amp is designed to deliver clear sound; it is fitted with tweeters to produce clear sounds even with the mighty booming sounds.
All these features are contained in a wooden cabinet. This makes it very compact and portable. The wood is both hard and light. It is therefore very durable and portable.
You can easily mount the amp for perfect sound distribution. This is because it is fitted with a tripod for the same.
PROS
- Fitted with twitters for clear sound
- Has powerful bass
- Made of durable cabinet
- Its light and hence portable
- Has a tripod stand for mounting
CONS
- Doesn’t have MINI and XLR connections
INDEPENDENT REVIEW
4. VOX MINI3G2CL Battery Powered Modeling Amp, 3W, Classic
If you are looking for an amp will support the full range of instruments and give you heavy and clean sound, Vox Mini 5 Rhythm Guitar Amp Classic Finish is the real deal. It is fitted with sound qualifiers like flaggers and reverbs.
This ensures the output sound is always quality and consistent. Other than supporting numerous instruments, it has an audio jack for plugging in audio sources like music players and DVD players.
The quarter input jack port is standard for many sound inputs like the keyboard, guitars, mics etc.
The amp is battery-powered and very portable. Its considerably small size makes it both good for practicing with at home and for outdoor events.
You can comfortably carry and set it up for different events outdoor. Even at low volumes, the sound provides a clean and powerful sound. This is due to its separate sound control units for its effects.
It is, therefore, able to isolate sound and noise and delivering continuous output. Most performers will love a compact amp. A small but full set amp.
And this is the perfect definition of Vox Mini 5 Rhythm Guitar Amp Classic Finish. It is a versatile high-performance amp.
PROS
- Compact, flexible and portable
- Very versatile hence usable for different events
- Has a headphones input port for listening to oneself
- Gives powerful and clean sound
- It is covered with a durable plywood
CONS
- Does not have MIDI connection and thus not the best if you need the connection
- Only connects with inputs using ¼ Jack.
INDEPENDENT REVIEW
5. Fishman Loudbox Artist Acoustic Instrument Amplifier
This amp is the classic combination of lightweight and quality sound. With a sound of 120W, this is an amp that you’d use for all your performances.
The sound isn’t just powerful but also free from noises. It has combined mid-range, bass and treble, and echoes and vibration control system.
With two multipurpose channels, you can conveniently plug in different inputs for different performances. Serious and regular music performers will find this amp very viable as it delivers with consistency.
For any performer, clear sound is vital. This is exactly what this amp delivers. It has unnecessary feedbacks isolation and filters hence giving a clean sound. In addition to this feature, it can be described as a lightweight amp.
The plywood-covered box is both durable and light. It, therefore, makes the amp very portable. No performer would want to invest in an amp that can suit different events.
It would be tiresome to keep on getting different amps for different events. This amp, however, is very versatile.
PROS
- Is a versatile busking amp
- Very compact and flexible
- Has a durable wooden cabinet
- Has consistent quality output
CONS
- Doesn’t have the MINI connectivity
INDEPENDENT REVIEW
6. Sawtooth 10-Watt Electric Guitar Amp
If you are a stand-up performer, you don’t have to carry a whole set of instruments. You can imagine a set of speakers, mixtures, and amplifiers for every performance. That might be very tiresome.
Fender Acoustasonic 100 Combo is a portable amp with excellent sound. It is very light, and hence be can be carried along for impromptu performances. I would just describe it as a flexible and straightforward amp.
You can plug in your instruments conveniently as it uses the quarter jack which is standard for most devices. The output is of the sound is high quality as it is up to 15 watts.
In the case of practice for performance, it has an earphone output. This allows you to listen to your instruments without necessarily interrupting people around you.
Fender Acoustasonic 100 Combo is one of the best busking amps for acoustic performers. This is due to its simple setup and quality performance. As an acoustic performer, you will at times get short notices for your performance. You can’t compromise your performance due to hurry.
You will, therefore, need an amp that isn’t just fast to set up but will also give you an ideal level of performance. Fender Acoustasonic 100 Combo is the right deal. It is the only amp with an extended speaker to provide an enhanced sound.
PROS
- Lightweight hence portable
- Has clear output
- Support different types of inputs as it uses the standard quarter jack
- The amp has an extended speaker unit for enhanced sound
CONS
- Not compatible with inputs not using the quarter jack
Best Busking Amps – Buyers Guide
Want to take your guitar skills beyond playing for a hobby? This is what the best busking amplifier can do for you. You can start making real money with it.
While there are many different types of amplifiers in the market, identifying the one that will suit your current needs doesn’t have to be a big challenge. To help you in that regard here is a detailed busking amp buying guide for beginners and pro players alike. Even though it is hard to pinpoint a single model and call it the overall best, the ones reviewed in this post were all selected from among the current bestsellers.
Through these following paragraphs, we’ll go through some of the most relevant factors that need to be clarified for you to make the best busking amplifier comparison.
Just as the product models and brands in this market differ from one another, the peculiar needs of every potential buy us different as well. This is something you have to keep in mind as you are reading through the best amp reviews and the buyer guide.
Amplifier Application
If you are among the people that started their search with something like ‘best cheap amplifier for busking’ it is obvious you know what you want. But that doesn’t stop there. Fortunately, a lot of the products in this market were built and proven to work well for busking activities.
One seeming obvious fact is that a great percentage of these amps can also be used in other contexts like live vocals and home recording. But the question is which one?
That’s where the challenge lies. You have to identify the ones that can be used in other contexts besides busking. Among the important things, you should be checking is the support for other instruments such as electric guitars, bass and keyboard. More may want to take into account the number of intended users when deciding on the one to buy.
Battery Power
Most of the amps meant for busking are battery-powered. This is the way you give power to the gear when you are ready to get in your game. However, as you are reading through the amplifier reviews or each product sales page, you’ll notice two things.
First, the number of AA batteries includes in the pack is never the same across the board. Secondly, battery power often varies in terms of the hours you can use it without needing to recharge.
While some offer seven hours, others have been proven to deliver up to 15 hours of functional service without interruption. Now, what would you rather go for?
Wattage
Wattage is about the loudness of the amp and power output. This is another area where one busking amp differs from others. On the product sales pages, you’ll see that some have 60 watts while others are made for 15 watts only. Interestingly, some people come to the market specifically looking for a 30-watt busking amp. With that level of precision, it becomes easier to narrow down your options and to pick the best one of your intended use cases.
Memory Function
With digital effects and other settings, some amplifiers are built with the memory capacity to retain the settings after going off for some time. This is one of the most interesting features you’ll find in the high-end model within this niche market. While it may seem like a trivial feature, many people find it useful.
Portability
Especially for busking purposes, portability is another interesting factor that influences many people’s buying decisions. Since you’ll be traveling a lot with this instrument, you wouldn’t want a heavy machine that will be weighing you down after being exhausted from your live performances. In this case, the shape is just about design aesthetics. What matters most is the weight which is usually measured in pounds. Please confirm and compare the weight before you buy any of these products.
Bluetooth Compatibility
As you are thinking through the best busting amp comparison, please bear in mind that not all of these products will come with Bluetooth compatibility. The essence of Bluetooth is to connect your favorite headphone so that the music will be flowing directly into your head and ears. If you search for the best amp for busking with Bluetooth, you’ll find a lot of affordable options. Perhaps, starting with the reviews above will help you to discover some of them that are within your current budget.
Cable Inclusion
Think about the need to connect some instruments like piano, guitar, microphone or keyboard. If you don’t have the required cables, it won’t be possible. For this reason, you have to check for the inclusion of the required cable. Sometimes, a good number of these amps will not come with all the required cables. This is something you have to ask the seller of each product that interests you as well as the Amazon community. Assuming you want to get additional cables at the point of purchase or other times, do not forget to check the compatibility of the connection ports with your existing instruments.
Busking Amp Price
If you start your research by check the price of best amps for busking, you may end up with affordable products that may not match your intended use cases or the most important features. This is why I have included price towards the end of this buying guide. Just as the features vary from one brand to the other, the price is never the same.
To make it easier and faster, you have to narrow down your options based on the most important features you want. This will then give you the basis for doing the amp price comparison.
Based on my findings, the best models in this market are usually sold between $100 – $500. One thing you should keep in mind always is that being expensive is not the same as having high quality. You just have to find a balance in between.
Best Amplifier Brands
Besides some devout brand loyalists that had been in the music scene for a while, a lot of potential buyers do not have a specific brand in mind. Here is the reason why some of these people start their search with terms like ‘best amplifier brands’ and top-rated amplifier brands. Where you belong in the spectrum, what you have in this post is a representation of the bestselling brands in the market today. From age to sales records and positive reviews, we have researched so you don’t have to spend some time doing it. Some of these brands include Roland, Cube, Fishman, Blackstar, Yamaha and Rockjam. Starting from the amplifier reviews and links above, you can find all of them on Amazon.
Warranty
Buying a physical product online, especially the pricey ones can be tricky. Whether this is your first time or not, it is important to note that millions of people like you do not safely daily. The most important thing is to start with a reputable brand like Amazon and others. If you have been buying online for some time, this won’t be an issue for you.
Whatever the case, most of the sellers represented in our reviews above offer a 1 – 5-year warranty. However, it may not be visible on other pages. Please confirm this before placing your order. Consider asking each seller of the product directly where it is not clearly stated.
This will help you to avoid some return, replacement, or refund headaches. Most importantly, test everything completely after it arrives at your home.