Crap practice amp died, looking to upgrade, 250 budget

Charlie97L · #1 09-02-2011, 02:02 PM

Hey guys-

I'm looking to upgrade my amp! i had a fender rumble 15 that had been working fine for me for almost a year, but it just went pop on me. Since it's a super cheap amp, I'd like to upgrade.
(i'm also getting a new Jazz bass, but that's neither here nor there).

So, the options I've come across are the Acoustic B20, and the Orange Pix BXT 50. My budget is about 250.

I don't gig (yet), I play at home, do some recording, so having an amp that I could run through for recording could be nice as well as "practicing".

Recommendations would be great! I play all kinds of music, right now my interest is kind of leaning towards learning some more jazz stuff, but I like everything.

Thanks!

Smokin' Toaster · #2 09-02-2011, 02:28 PM

At $200, this is a lot of bang for the buck. It would kick the ass of either of the amps you're looking at. I've got one, and I've gigged with it many times. And, you'd be helping out another TB'er.

Yorkville Bassmaster 200

Charlie97L · #3 09-02-2011, 04:04 PM

Is that a versatile amp? I haven't ever heard of that brand nor can I find any general reviews.

Thanks!

Thunder Pulse · #4 09-02-2011, 04:09 PM

You'll get A LOT more for your money if you buy used. There are plenty of reputable members here selling amps.

For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets - TalkBass Forums

**Freddels** · #5 09-02-2011, 04:20 PM

GC has a 15% off sale this weekend. If I were you, I'd go get the little Ampeg PF350 ($299 - 15%) and then run it into the speaker of your Rumble combo until you can save up for a new cab.

skychief · #6 09-02-2011, 04:27 PM

Sorry to hear your Rumble 15 gave up the ghost. You mentioned considering the Acoustic B20. I was given a B20 (my friend bought it for his son who wanted to learn bass, but then lost interest) a few months ago and i thought Id give i a qiuck critique.

It sounds murky, muddy, boomy, no definition whatsover. I played an entire song in the wrong key and my bandmates didnt even know it!! Its made in China and.. well...you know... lacking somewhat in the craftsmanship dept. -- the metal corners arent straight and look all wonky.. The white piping around the grille cloth bulges out in certain spots....Just piss-poor craftsmanship all around.

Having said all that, the thing gets suprisingly loud!! Seems like im getting the same volume out of the thing than i was with a 100-watt LANEY amp. And its very portable, of course. And it was FREE (to me) so ive been using it at rehearsals. Sure beats fussing with a head & cab & spkr cables, etc.

So i give it a thumbs.....sideways!

good luck..

Charlie97L · #7 09-02-2011, 04:53 PM

The speaker is actually what's blown on the Rumble, so running something else into it isn't an option, first thing I checked.

I will peruse the classifieds.

Thanks, that review makes me shy away from the b20. if all i had to spend was 100, i guess i'd get something like that, but I have more, so why get it?

refbassist · #8 09-02-2011, 05:03 PM

how about this
Ashdown Engineering | Bass Amplification

Ezmar · #9 09-02-2011, 05:46 PM

Go used. Really. Reliability, already a pretty negligible issue, is practically nonexistent with practice amps. since you're not gigging, Even the very small chance that it will be in extremely poor condition (Something I wouldn't expect of ANYONE on TB, you guys are the BEST) doesn't really detract from the worth of something only being used as a practice amp. It's practically like buying new. You can get around twice the value out of your money if you're lucky buying used. And for $200, It's basically not worth buying new, because there's so little available. You could even use it for small gigs if that ever happens.

Bottom line, BUY USED.

fjadams · #10 09-02-2011, 06:36 PM

The Orange Pix BXT 50 is a good amp for the money. It will do everything you are looking for.

Definitely · #11 09-02-2011, 06:54 PM

I'd sell you my behringer ultrabass bt108 for $40 but you would not want it it distorts past volume 4 and has horrible sound quality

dhsierra1 · #12 09-02-2011, 06:58 PM

I'd say in the low $ used market you can't go wrong w/any of the Peavey TNT combos (TKO, too). For anywhere between US$100 to 150 you'll get 130 or more (depending on the year) watts out of a 1-15.

Lots of useful features including good eq. Heavy (70 lbs) but you can pop some casters on. Unbreakable. Good neutral tone (to my ears) which if you don't care for then you add a Tech 21 VT pedal and you've got an Ampeg sound. Just my 0.02

Bufalo · #13 09-02-2011, 07:09 PM

Used SWR Workingman's 15 is in your price range and is just about bulletproof.

fenderhutz · #14 09-02-2011, 07:13 PM

Just as an example. I have a Fender Bassman 100 in the classifieds with almost a full warranty for around 200 bucks. Not that I am trying to sell you this, just pointing out you can get a decent amp with features for less than 250.

You can probably get a workhorse Peavey off your local craigslist for next to nothing and they are tanks.

Charlie97L · #15 09-02-2011, 07:13 PM

Ok, so i don't gig out, and won't be for at least a few years, do i really need these bigger/heavier amps, is my question?

thank you so much for all the responses, guys. great forum!

dhsierra1 · #16 09-02-2011, 07:21 PM

any of the above choices will bring you a great deal of satisfaction. You'll find tone and features will inspire you to play more, too. The weight will be a non issue if you're just practicing at home.

Then when you're ready to play w/others you'll have enough fire power to get you through rehearsals and jamming. Play through a 100+ watt amp at any music store and you'll see, you wonder why you didn't try sooner

Good luck.

TomB · #17 09-03-2011, 05:44 AM

If you can find a Roland Bass Cube 30 for under $200 used, grab it. It's an amazing value and its sound belies the 30 watt rating (something about Forward Feed Technology ??). I actually gig mine when there's no drummer, and even sometimes with. I see they're not making them anymore, in favor of a 60 watt w/DI for $400. I think they're losing a market niche, personally.

Zapp · #18 09-03-2011, 07:38 AM

ditto. its nuts to spend your only 250 on a new anything, and take an immediate 40% haircut.
for 250 you could get a used eden nemesis, or a used GK lightweight combo, or a used swr wm15 [maybe], or an old redhead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezmar

Go used. Really. Reliability, already a pretty negligible issue, is practically nonexistent with practice amps. since you're not gigging, Even the very small chance that it will be in extremely poor condition (Something I wouldn't expect of ANYONE on TB, you guys are the BEST) doesn't really detract from the worth of something only being used as a practice amp. It's practically like buying new. You can get around twice the value out of your money if you're lucky buying used. And for $200, It's basically not worth buying new, because there's so little available. You could even use it for small gigs if that ever happens.

Bottom line, BUY USED.

Smokin' Toaster · #19 09-03-2011, 09:30 AM

You are looking at 25-50 watt bedroom amps, and if that's what you want, that's fine. The Yorkville, on the other hand, is a very giggable 200 watt amp that's built like a tank and will last you for years. I have no connection to the seller, but I do own one of these and use it on some gigs.

You should do some research if you haven't heard of Yorkville. They make fine products, they also produce Tryanor and have been around since the 60's. Go to the amps section of TB and search Yorkville and Traynor. It's good, reliable equipment, it is quite versatile, and again, it's going to give you more bang for your buck than anything you could buy with that budget new. If you're looking for a nameplate to impress your friends, maybe yorkville won't do it. If you're looking for the most you can get for your money, you can't beat this amp.

Charlie97L · #20 09-03-2011, 09:57 AM

Yeah. Oh, believe me, brands do NOT factor into decisions for me. I'm not a kid, no offense to those who are, and I'm well versed in studio equipment (recording/producing/singing is my main focus) just, obviously haven't gotten very far into the bass as it's a new instrument for me.

Yeah, i went and looked at some of these amps that have been suggested this morning and they are HUGE. way bigger than i need. I 100% understand where you guys are coming from with the suggestions of used (i buy a lot used myself, in general), and buying something that will grow with me but these are all way more than i need. just looking for something that sounds good to practice on and maybe do some recording with. i'm not planning on being in a band, i'm already in a couple musical ensembles as a singer and that's about all i can handle time-wise. if the time comes when i need to consider gigging in the future, i will look at something bigger.

I do appreciate all the input though! as i said, this is a great, responsive forum. Wonderful.