Help me choose new practise amp

[Awake928]

Hello all

I have been playing bass for a half a year now on a cheap johnson 60w amp, and now it is time to get something a little better because boss odb-3 sounds awful on it.

I look for something around 50w only for practice at home that could handle overdriven sound fairly good. ORANGE CRUSH PIX 50BXT and GALLIEN KRUEGER BACKLINE 110 II caught my eyes but I need opinions of more experienced bassist it that would suite my needs. I also have a chance to get used Trace Elliot 30w.

I use Ibanez SR-505 bass (5 string)

Could you recommend me some good amps to look for (new and used)? My price range is around 260-280 $.

[Awake928]

Anyone?

[RickenBoogie]

personally, I don't see the point of getting another small practice amp, when you already have one. If instead, you were looking to upgrade to a more serious bass rig, that's different, but from a 60 watt combo to a 30-50 watt combo makes no sense to me. But, if that's what you want, try them all out and choose with your ears.

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

personally, I don't see the point of getting another small practice amp, when you already have one. If instead, you were looking to upgrade to a more serious bass rig, that's different, but from a 60 watt combo to a 30-50 watt combo makes no sense to me. But, if that's what you want, try them all out and choose with your ears.

+1

Make the jump to something in the 150-200+ watt range. Used route is a good way to go if you're on a budget, lots of good choices out there.

[Awake928]

Well the point for another small amp is because is is much easier to transport it when I go to my music teacher or when I want to go somewhere to play a little for my friends (small party...). The amp I have now quality wise is not very good I can't turn it out loud - the sound becomes distorted, and if I play 5th string it is just meh. I guess I can't expect more from "entry" level amps.

I plan to buy 400w box and a head for bass later on, when I find band. If I decide to buy 100 - 200 w amp now what would you suggest?

[tdub0199]

I havce to agree with the other two post, I wouldn't waste my money on another practice amp, I would go for a light weight combo with atleast 200 watts & either a two 10" or a single 15" speaker..... Check out a Gallien Krueger MB115, MB210 or the MB212......

[bassksun]

I agree. You need another practice amp. But consider available loot and if you are going to audition you need something with a little more kick. I bought Hartke because the combos have power and are more portable than my Ashdown Stack. Hartke 115c works for me.

[jowens004]

If you want a great practice amp, get to the GUitar Center near you and get a TC Electronics BG500 combo. THey list for 999, but they are on sale for 349. Cant go wrong at that price point. Loud as hell too, it has 500 watts, sounds pretty good. Definitely better than any Fender combo under $1500. It is also very gig worthy.

[dhsierra1]

some great suggestions for small, inexpensive but powerful rigs for not a lot of $, esp if you get used or hit a sale. I'm biased towards the GK stuff, but ain't nuthin' wrong w/the other suggestions, just a matter of what sounds right to you.

[dannybuoy]

I'd look for something without a tweeter, or at least a tweeter defeat switch if you're gonna be using an ODB-3!

[Sid Fang]

I can't say enough good things about the old EBS Drome combo, which comes up on Ebay from time to time. Not the "Drome Classic", but the Drome. 150W, 1x12 (there was also a 1x15 variant), very small, very light, headphone circuit so you can play silently, effects loop, line input (to play against an MP3 or CD), very good built-in compressor, really good tone (bright, but with surprising bottom), and enough volume to play small clubs without going past "4" on the master volume. It's the closest thing to a perfect practice/rehearsal amp for bass I've ever used.

The "NeoDrome" had a Neodymium speaker and was even lighter, but lost a few of the convenience features. The "Drome Classic" was stripped down even further (and made by a subcontractor).

[Awake928]

Thanks a lot for your input guys. I will save a little more money and will get decent 100-200w amp. If you have more suggestions please let me know!

[T. Alan Smith]

For a personal practice amp, it's difficult to be inspired anymore by a rig with less than 200W pushing less than a 12" speaker. We're all different, but inspiration is key. It's what makes you play longer than you would otherwise(key to a successful practice session) and anxious to plug in again next time(also key, obviously). Also, if your taking it out of the house to do stuff elsewhere, you want proper headroom & tone...and not look like a schmuck.

[Awake928]

One more question can you recommend me a good pedal board. I will need to get that too. My pedal board will consist of the following: Tech 21 bass di, boss odb-3, boss eq, possibly boss synth and a pedal.

BTW I saw a good deal od GK backline 115 II (175w) are they worth the money?

[RickenBoogie]

The GK Backline cabs are the bottom of the bucket, (yuk), so I'd pass on that. For pedalboards, decide whether you want a powered board or unpowered with your own power supply. PedalTrain makes an awesome board that has brackets for a power supply underneath.

[TheAngryPocket]

Originally Posted by Awake928

I plan to buy 400w box and a head for bass later on, when I find band.

That can be good or bad.

[Awake928]

Originally Posted by TheAngryPocket

That can be good or bad.

And why is that?

[Awake928]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The GK Backline cabs are the bottom of the bucket, (yuk), so I'd pass on that. For pedalboards, decide whether you want a powered board or unpowered with your own power supply. PedalTrain makes an awesome board that has brackets for a power supply underneath.

OMG they look awesome, would love to have all in one solution, but I might make an exception