Fluid’s Strum Buddy Pro, a portable guitar monitor and amplifier, is now available in Australia. The suction-mounted design attaches directly to the guitar. Ideal for practice, writing, lessons and informal playing, it allows players to hear their instrument without setting up a conventional amplifier. The Strum Buddy Pro retails for RRP AUD 129 and is available in selected stores and online.
Strum Buddy Pro builds on its predecessor’s 6-watt amplifier, with a now larger 45 mm neodymium speaker, dedicated volume control and a headphone output for silent practice. Its onboard DSP provides clean, distortion, chorus and reverb settings. An FIR filter EQ curve is based on the measured response of a dual 12-inch guitar cabinet.
Ready When the Guitar Is
The Strum Buddy concept began with a simple problem. Guitarists often want to work through an idea or practice for a few minutes without moving an amplifier and running cables across the room. Strum Buddy Pro keeps setup to a minimum. Attach it with the rubber suction mount, connect the included cable and start playing.
“The idea is to remove the little obstacles that stop people from picking up the guitar,” said Kenneth Rustad, Partner and Sales & Marketing Director at Fluid Audio. “Strum Buddy Pro is ready in seconds, works quietly with headphones and is small enough to stay with the instrument. It gives players one less reason to put off practising.”
Practice, Writing and Lessons
The 45 mm speaker and 6-watt amplifier provide a fuller, louder response than the original design. Players can use a clean sound or add distortion, chorus and reverb directly from the unit. The volume control makes it easy to set a suitable level for a bedroom, classroom, hotel room or backstage practice area.
Plugging in headphones mutes the onboard speaker for private practice. The 3.5 mm input connects the guitar to Strum Buddy Pro using the included cable, while the rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 3.5 hours of use and charges through USB-C.
In classrooms and lessons, students can work individually through headphones and disconnect them when a teacher needs to hear their playing. The compact design reduces the need for multiple floor amplifiers and keeps cables away from desks and music stands.
“We wanted the Pro version to remain as immediate as the original while giving players better control over how they use it,” said Kevin Zuccaro, Founder and Chief Engineer at Fluid Audio. “The larger driver, cabinet-based FIR response and headphone output make it a more complete practice tool without adding complexity.”
Key Features
- 6-watt amplifier with 45 mm neodymium speaker
- Clean, distortion, chorus and reverb settings
- FIR filter EQ based on a measured dual 12-inch guitar cabinet
- 3.5 mm guitar input and headphone output
- Rechargeable battery with up to 3.5 hours of use
- Rubber suction mount, USB-C charging and included guitar cable
Pricing and Availability
Strum Buddy Pro is available at Brisbane Sound Group, Factory Sound, and Billy Hyde Music in Australia. The suggested retail price is AUD 129.
That sounds like exactly what I need for practicing on the go. It’s great to see more options for smaller amps.