Bass Amp for beginner/pratice?

tdorrian1 · #1 05-26-2011, 08:50 AM

HI to all. I am a complete beginner to bass. I am just about to purchase my first amp.
What features should I be looking for on the amp? I only want it for practice (20watt) but I may want to connect it to my PC at a later stage for recording etc.
Should I look for an amp with both an input and out put? Or Is one with just an input, CD output and headphones socket (Connect to pc throught this output?)?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Tom

tdorrian1 · #2 05-27-2011, 06:57 AM

HELP!

Sav'nBass · #3 05-27-2011, 07:21 AM

That all depends on what you want to spend. I would suggest that you go between $100-$200 initially because whatever you get your tastes will change as your p[laying improves.. Look at Musician's Friend and check out some of the amps in that range and perhaps you can try to find one used. Some of the Acoustics are pretty nice amps..

blastjv · #4 05-27-2011, 07:26 AM

Acoustic B20. I think you could use the headphone out to record, but honestly, I don't think it would sound great, but neither would most practice amps like this. I alway sjust plug directly into the line in on my PC and use software modeling for my tones.

-JV

tdorrian1 · #5 05-27-2011, 09:31 AM

Yeah i was looking at something alone the lines of Acoustic B20. Ill probably go for that. Thanks for the replies guys.

My name is Mudd · #6 05-27-2011, 10:25 AM

+1 on the B20...nice little amp.

ian_s · #7 05-27-2011, 10:37 AM

+1 again on the B20.

turbo chicken · #8 05-27-2011, 10:49 AM

-I have and love my Acoustic B20 ... if something happend and it wasn't here tomorrow i'd get another. Do your self a favor and get a used one.
-that being said... nothing beats going to a music store (with your bass)... with the intention of purchasing an amp ... and trying out several.
-use the eq settings in the manual to get started with a decent setting...
-to get a decent recording ... your going to need to get an extra piece of equipment to attach to your pc.

At the same time ... i have played a few of the smaller Roland Cube amps ... the extra's you get are a great value as well and will serve fine for practice.

Stumbo · #9 05-27-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastjv

I alway just plug directly into the line in on my PC and use software modeling for my tones.
-JV

+1

IME, you don't really need a bass amp plugged into your PC to record your bass.

masturbasser · #10 05-27-2011, 11:14 AM

An aux in headphone out are a must and come standard on most amps. As I assume you'll be playing in the bedroom I would recommend a 10" combo. Look into the Kustom DE50 or a Nemesis N8 if you can find one. I'm still waiting on the EBS classic session 60 I ordered from bassnw to use as my bedroom combo.

**Staccato** · #11 05-27-2011, 11:15 AM

B20, or the more expensive Roland Bass Cube 30.

**WackoStu** · #12 05-27-2011, 11:18 AM

+1 on the B20. Great value for the $, and before you know it you'll be wanting it's bigger brother....

blastjv · #13 05-27-2011, 11:53 AM

Well it's official. You have been ORDERED by concensus opinion to buy a B20!!!

Check Craigslist, I've seen them there for $75 usually. Honestly, it's the perfect practice amp.

-JV

My name is Mudd · #14 05-27-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

+1

IME, you don't really need a bass amp plugged into your PC to record your bass.

+1 on this also. I can plug directly into my sound card (Creative X-Fi) via Creative's front-panel breakout box, an option on Creative's mid- to- high-end cards. Kinda pricey to be honest, but if you do a lot of recording, etc on your 'puter, it's worth looking in to.

Plstrns · #15 05-27-2011, 12:23 PM

While not inexpensive, and not an amp, I like my GT-R1 and Sennheiser HD 280 pro's for practice. Practice amps do nothing for me.

It's great at 3am, it records, built in tuner, rechargeable, pitch correction, slows songs down, bootlegs for learning

, loops passages and sounds great compared to a tiny amp.

The only draw back for me, is headphones bother me after extended use. But, usually by then my ears are worn out, and I'm no longer focused anyway.

ButtUglyJeff · #16 05-27-2011, 12:42 PM

How about the Ampeg BA-108 or BA-110 combo. Nice tone, and in budget. They are also tilt-back design for easier listening. And have headphone and mp3 inputs.

For recording you will need a DAC (digital/audio converter)

**Staccato** · #17 05-27-2011, 12:52 PM

Speaking of good deals on the B20, I've seen plenty of sales at GC-when those have been discounted from $150 to $100.
And, for a new amp-that's one heck of a deal...

Reminder: Some music stores, and online sellers are having a sale this weekend!

streetknight · #18 05-27-2011, 08:59 PM

I just bought my Acoustic B20 this week. GC was having a sale on a package where you got the amp, a gig bag, strap, tuner, etc for $99...pretty sweet deal.

I had been playing thru my Ipad with headphones, but wanted an amp and this thing is awesome, especially at it's price point.

Good Luck

My name is Mudd · #19 05-27-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetknight

...strat...

Strat? Buy a bass amp and get a free Strat? That IS a good deal.

madurolover · #20 05-27-2011, 11:03 PM

A B20 is a good choice but I caution that for a bass, you can quickly grow out of it and then you are looking to trade up. Gets all the amp you can get for your budget. Get good equipment so you know you are improving and that it is not the instruments themself. The Beringer line is not bad for low cost and decent sound. If you run into a used combo Ampeg go for it. Stay away from the multi effect pedals and get good effect pedals so you don't waste your money down the road. It won't take long once you get the Tao of bass playing.