I needed a portable BASS amp - it HAD to be battery powered as I play a few folk sessions in pubs, play along with our local Morris Men (yes, I know...;(...) The choice is limited, I took a the plunge and got this (very cheap from BEM, a mistake I think at £119?) Well, it JUST about copes with an electro-acoustic bass, but, it really does work. I can be heard in pubs, and, importantly, outside as well, competing with melodeans, whistles and all manner of fiddly things. Yep, it aint got the clout of my 4X10/1X15 Ashdown rig, but it's a tad easier to cart around! For guitar it would be perfect - plenty of volume, and the ipod dock works a treat. It's surprisingly well built - very solid. BUT, the battery lasts FOREVER! It just goes on and on - I am playing bass through this, so it's having to struggle at virtualy full capacity, but I have had hours of use between charges, perfect! Frankly, there appears to be b*gger all choice out there for portable bass amps - OK, the Roland thingy, but 2.5 watts stereo??? and no rechargeable battery (runs off 6Xaa's!) c'mon! and that esoteric suitcase amp that costs £500, and the battery only lasts 1 hour (mind you, it does kick out 100 watts hmmm...) Ultimately, I rekoned that if the Alesis didn't work, at the price I paid, I'd just flog it on eBay, but, no way now - it's the nuts! AND, it'll put a smile on your face - just plug in your ipod, extend the carry handle, and tow the thing behind you on your way to the boozer on a Sunday morning - the ultimate boom box! Again, for bass, just about copes but won't move mountains, everything else, fine. Blimey, you even get a half decent mike' and an XLR lead into the bargain!
Tommo