Beginner amp advice

[bobby_fudge]

Hi all.
I have been looking around TB for some time and now and have found it extremely useful, however, I haven't been able to answer my dilema, at least not from a post within the past 2 years.

I picked up an Ibanez ATK300 bass for £200 in perfect condition, which I think was a bargain. I started playing bass about 3 months ago and have really taken to it, however, my only amp is a VOX headphone amp.

I keep looking around on-line for practice amps, and have been quite torn between:
Orange Crush pix BTX50
Ashdown Five Fifteen mini stack
Ampeg Micro VR

But then as I'm looking I keep going on to look at bigger more 'gigable' amps, such as:
Orange Terror
Ampeg PF500
MarkBass LMiii
Ashdown ABM EVO 500

And then I get all confused as to whether to look at Combo's or heads and Cabs - finding myself a million miles away from the practice amps I originally started looking at.

My question is, as a beginner - who would love to be gigging, but at the moment bedroom playing - should I stick to getting a small practice amp or get gig ready from the outset and use the 'gigable' rig to practice with? either way the amp will need a headphone out otherwise her downstairs will never let it get turned on (the amp too).

My concern is paying out for a practice amp to then need to go out and get a more powerful rig in the near future. But if I get a more powerful rig am I ever going to be able to play it until I'm gigging (if ever - I might be ****).

I have about £1000 to spend (with a little extra if needed but I'd rather stick to that).

Either way can you let me know what your reccomendation would be - practice or gigable - and which amp to look at within said recommendation.

Sorry about the length but I've been trying to do as much research as possible before going out and buying, the music shops around here don't stock much in way of bass amps so are pretty useless, on-line is my only way forward.

Thanks
Bobby

[klokker]

I would get a cheap Fender Rumble 10 watter or something. Light, you can take it easily anywhere to practice around the house. I use mine all the time, even though I have a couple of gig amps. So you're out a hundred bucks, big whoop.

Then, if you get to the point where you want a gig amp, open your wallet and get a decent amp/cab with a little MORE than you need. It will give you time to do your research and get what you want.

[will33]

I don't know what the used market is like where you live. Around here you can get little 10-15 watt practice amps all day long for dirt cheap. It would be something convenient to have around the house and it is nice to play through something other than headphones. I'd grab a used one on the cheap. Wouldn't eat into your real gig rig budget enough to even notice. Practice with that while you take your time shopping gig rigs. If you don't find many for sale now, you will in January - March. Many people get starter packs for their kids at Christmas. Kid loses interest, stuff ends up for sale.

[basscooker]

i agree that those 10-15 watters are easily available and can definately be had for really cheap, it's sound advice to get one for now. i think tho a little more reasonable compromise would be to shop over 50 watts and at least a single 10. these can still be really low when you need, but unlike the former, they can prove at least rehearsal/jam session/small performance ready. i didn't see you mention the type of music you'd be playing, this also can help tb'ers help you.

[bobby_fudge]

great advice thanks.

I've just been looking at a Trace Elliott AH600-7, again leagues above what I need lol.

I play all kinds of music, especially as I'm just starting out, but my favourite styles range from classic rock to Foo Fighters-esque rock. So I guess I want something capable of a nice clean tone but able to dial in some 'grunt'.

Like I said before, I was looking at a 50w Orange practice amp and I'm still working my through the ampeg PF500/350 thread - the reports of loud fan noise is putting me off slightly though.