Bass amp recommendations for under $300

[liveburning274]

I'm new into the amp world of basses and would like some help in narrowing the list for a good bass amp for at home practice work and some tonal beauty if I used it between me and a PA.

I'm not a massive gear swapper so I'd like something that can last me for a bit while I develop some of my technique and sound preferences.

I've got a nice Fender J that I really love...so finding something to compliment it's smoothness but still have a good rubble would be nice.

Ok...guru's/fans/fellow bassmen...let me hear your thoughts.

[CL400Peavey]

Go used. Find a used peavey head and cab on CL. Big bang for you buck, and reliable.

[mr.black]

IMO go with one of the new fender rumble combos either the 1x15 i think it's 150 watts or the 2x10 which (with a nice sale) you could get right around $300

[liveburning274]

CL400Peavey - Why a cab and head over a decent amp? Education with the info is just as helpful to me at this point. (Though I do like the used Peavey stuff I'm finding on CR right now.)

[runmikeyrun]

Hartke 3500 head can be found cheap if somewhat beat up... they will do any sound and have great features- fx loop, XLR out, compression, graphic eq, tube pre, etc. Reliable too. Then pick up a cheap 1x15 or 2x10

[hwystar]

Try to find an old Peavey MarkIV- a true workhorse.

[B-string]

New? G-K MB115 combo is just over 300. G-K MB112 just under 300.

[darius8]

A combo? +1 for the GK MB series combos. They're basically the MB500 head married to a cabinet but better becuz you get a CD input to plug your IPOD in.

[john_martin_sai]

Originally Posted by B-string

G-K MB112 just under 300.

Gotta agree here! Headphone jack, XLR output, AUX input, Lightweight.......covers all the bases.

Gallien-Krueger MB112 200W 1x12 Ultra Light Bass Combo Amp: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Current 15% off sale brings it in at under $300.

[P Town]

Check out the Ampeg PF500. I paid less than 300, and it has some nice features, and sounds good.

[liveburning274]

Again to repeat my question...

Originally Posted by liveburning274

Why separate cab/head's over a decent single amp? Education with the info is just as helpful to me at this point.

I've tracked down a Bassman 150 for $200....what makes that a better or worse deal than tracking down separate heads and cabinets?

[darius8]

The reason I have a head/cab rig is becuz I may want an Ampeg pf500 to get some of that classic Ampeg tone or a MarkBass LMIII or whatever. Buying heads are alot cheaper than getting a whole combo and easier to store and transport. All you need is one good all-purpose cab. IMO

[MuthaFunk]

In that price range used is the best way to go. The GK stuff is well regarded and priced but for $300 you may get a more robust amp if you find a used SWR with perhaps a Peavey 15" cab. SWR pricing has been great lately because of the weight of the amps but the gear is totally pro grade. There may be better suggestions but I like to volunteer this as an option for new players. After many years of playing I still have much of my SWR equipment, and it's been trouble free.

[darius8]

The Bassman 150 is great for home practicing and small gigging. The key features you'll most likely appreciate are the
semi-parametric mid control,
compressor,
XLR output with level
RCA aux in for an mp3 player
headphone out
These are what I'm insisting that my next amp head should have.

[zon6c-f]

Listen to any recommendations and advice and more importantly, use your own ears.

Although I have other amps and amps, because of bass players back and a hernia, I chose Acoustic B200 Combo. It has plenty of power, 6 band semi parametric tone bank, can handle a B string without farting out at performance volume, as well as a line-out to PA. All for under $350 at GC.

Hindsight being clearer, a head and separate combo; although taking 2 seperate load in-outs is actually lighter SEPARATELY than combo; costs $50 more and is more versatile; can better utilize aux cabinets.

Try Acoustic at GC: Many models to suit both power and price needs.

[countbassiedad]

I love Markbass but if I could not afford it would have gone with GK Neos (and almost did). Spent hours comparing them in the stores.

[CL400Peavey]

Any of the Peavey Mark Series would be killer. I believe that all of them are 2 Ohm stable which is a plus, because you have more options with cabs. You will be able to run a combination of 4 and 8 Ohm cabs depending on how loud you need to be. Have a 4 Ohm 810? no prob. Have a 4 Ohm 410 and an 8 Ohm 210? no prob. Have two matching 4 Ohm cabs (410, 210 810, or 115? match them by the way)? No prob. The mark series heads from peavey are work horses, they are reliable and if you are willing to play with knobs and sliders you have more than enough EQ to get great sounds out of them. There is a reason why these heads are in demand at 20+ years of being released, they kick a$$.

I have a Mark VIII XP. For my solid state needs it is all the amp I will ever need. Its loud, sounds great, is reliable, and works with what ever cab set up I am using at the time.

Personally I have a 120 watt combo as well. In my mind it is nothing more than a practice amp. A single 12 inch speaker may be loud enough, but doesnt give the presence even at low volumes that a big cab does. For small gigs I tote a 115 and my tube head. Even at low volumes it lets you know that you are listening to a live bass player and not something coming out of a boom box.

[mazareth]

I would look seriously at the Acoustic B200:



It has has all the features you'll need for practice with a band or gigging. Musicians Friend is having a 15% off sale for items over $249 today. With the discount, it comes in under your budget.

I bought the head version in 2009 and have been rehearsing and gigging with it ever since.

I also second going with Peavey -- bombproof and reliable.

[countbassiedad]

I have an Acoustic B100 (backup to Markbass rig) and its really good for the $. If you are young and/or light weight is not a big issue the B100 or B200 really give you a lot of bang for the buck, esp if you find them on sale or used.

[Wrilley]

If you aren't going to be moving it around the b200 is a great amp. Really nice tone. But it weighs 75 lbs.