Ampeg BA-108 vs. Hartke A25???

bassplayr313 · #1 08-06-2011, 09:48 AM

Ok everyone, I am looking for input on finding a small bass amp that will be used primarily for a monitor (only for the bass player to hear) and will be used at church. Currently we are using my Krossroads combo bass amp (tuck & roll, very nice!) but I'd like to get it back. So we are going to use a Tech 21 Sans Amp Bass Driver DI for the PA system and a combo amp on stage so the bass player can hear himself. I'm trying to keep the cost reasonable. I was looking into the Ampeg BA-108 and the Hartke A25. I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with either of these amps (or both of them). I am also going today to look at a used Fender Rumble that I can possibly pick up pretty cheap. It looks like I can get the Ampeg for about $100 & the Hartke looks like about $150. I'd like to stay in that general price range don't need any fancy "bells & whistles" in the amp.

I'd appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks brothers in bass!

JimmyM · #2 08-06-2011, 12:02 PM

I tried the Ba108 last week a couple times...I'm going to get one pretty soon. Not the loudest or deepest amp you will ever hear, but it's pretty solid and will put out a decent amount of volume for 25w.

RickenBoogie · #3 08-06-2011, 01:48 PM

For not much more, the Ampeg BA112 is a solid little amp, and would be a much better alternative, with 50 watts and a 12" spkr.

JimmyM · #4 08-06-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

For not much more, the Ampeg BA112 is a solid little amp, and would be a much better alternative, with 50 watts and a 12" spkr.

True, but it's also $280 new. I'll tell ya RB, I didn't take the BA108 seriously till I tried it. It's a hell of a little practice combo that would probably work in the OP's situation.

bassplayr313 · #5 08-06-2011, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the help guys! There's also a BA-110, 35 watts & a 10" speaker. I think retail is about $180, which will work. I watched the an Ampeg YouTube demo video, & both of them sounded nice. As I watched different videos I think I like the tone of the Ampeg over the Hartke. I prefer a natural "warmer" tone that the Ampeg seem to deliver. My theory is that because it's mainly used for personal monitoring, there's no need for a big, high wattage amp. What do you guys think?

And by the way, I picked up the Fender Rumble 100 from this kid for $40, however it's not really a good thing. There's mold growing (or grown) on the back & it sounds like it may be breaking up at higher volumes. So now what do I do? LOL I wish I wasn't so impulsive...

JimmyM · #6 08-07-2011, 02:26 AM

I'd do something about the mold for sure. Maybe some X-14 on a rag. But it's supposed to break up at higher volumes so I think you're OK there

I do agree for personal monitoring that you don't need high power. However, there is a fine line with it, and I've found it's better to err on the side of too big than too small. This is all dependent on your situation, though. I could probably get away with a BA108 as a personal monitor on some of my gigs. But some gigs I would need something bigger. And some gigs I need an SVT/810

bassplayr313 · #7 08-07-2011, 08:40 AM

Thanks JimmyM! The difficult thing is, I won't really know if it's the right size until we put it all together with the whole band. We have electric drums & the bass player stands near the drummer & his monitor. The rest of the band have monitors out in front & currently we don't put bass in those monitors because the bass can be heard pretty well on the stage.

So now I'm wondering if I should try & go with the BA112, 50 watts should be plenty for our situation. I really can't see that we would need more than that especially because it's primarily for the bass player to hear himself.

Do you know if these things can handle 5-string basses? That low B is low, & I'm wondering if a 10" or 12" speaker can do those justice.

Thanks again!!

JimmyM · #8 08-07-2011, 04:23 PM

I don't play 5 string, so I couldn't tell you.

RickenBoogie · #9 08-07-2011, 05:27 PM

I play a bass tuned D standard, so low D, and the BA112 handles it fine. I'm sure the 8" version would too. You're not going to get alot of the fundemental with those ultra low notes anyway, unless you have a rig with mega power and the speakers to handle it. The really low notes are heard more as the harmonics of the fundemental. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

slobake · #10 08-11-2011, 08:20 PM

Your Fender Rumble story reminds me of an amp I bought on Craigslist. It is an old SWR Workingman's 15, American made with the shelf in the front. I got it for $100 but it was filthy and covered with cat hair. It looked like a cat had used it for a scratching post. I cleaned it with carpet cleaner and a scrub brush and vacuumed ever place I could get access to. Cleaned the pots and now I have a nice amp covered with worn carpet and I don't even sneeze when I am around it.

bassplayr313 · #11 08-11-2011, 09:34 PM

Yeah it's a shame when gear gets trashed but I guess it makes it easy to get at a good price if you're willing to put in a little work.

I'm in a bummer situation at the moment after getting my old 70's Kustom rigs out of my parents house only to find that some animal got into the cabinets & now I've got to take them apart & see exactly what's in there. I hope it's not too bad 'cause I'm just hoping to sell the stuff. But it seems like there's not any real interest in this old Kustom gear, and the stuff I've got isn't exactly in immaculate condition...lol But what do you expect, it's like 40 years old

slobake · #12 08-11-2011, 11:23 PM

Sorry about your equipment, I hope there is nothing living in there with teeth. LOL Whenever I think about the 70's Kustom amps I always thing about the cool tuck and roll amp from the Blues Brothers movie. Was that Dennis Duck Dunn using that rig or was it Matt Murphy or Steve Cropper?

bassplayr313 · #13 08-12-2011, 12:33 PM

I think it was Duck Dunn. I seem to remember him using those Kustom amps.

slobake · #14 08-12-2011, 05:40 PM

I think you're right about Dennnis Dunn.
Did you ever get the small Ampeg amp? If so, which one did you get and how did it work out? I'm headed to G.C. tonight to check out the Ampegs. I am looking for a smaller amp to bring to practice and play in my living room without tweeking my back.
I also play in a small church and in small groups in my home.