Help needed in buying an amp

verjolas · #1 05-08-2010, 12:00 PM

Hello, I bought my first bass last week and now I'm looking for an amp. I will only play the guitar in my house, I'm not going to perform or something, and I'm also new to bass guitars. Should I buy a small 20 WATT no brand amp for like 100$ or should I spend more and get a small Marshall or something? Will the difference be that significant for me? thanks!

waleross · #2 05-08-2010, 12:14 PM

This new Ibanez bass practice amp caught my "eye"

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-S...49-i1422295.gc

klokker · #3 05-08-2010, 12:18 PM

For home or bedroom use, maybe something with at least a headphone jack so you can practice when other people for some reason don't want to listen and maybe input jacks that allow you to play along with the songs you are learning.

**B-string** · #4 05-08-2010, 12:22 PM

http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/Gallie...p-p/mb-115.htm
Excellent sound for practice and when you go out to jam you won't be frustrated by not being heard. Very small practice amps are fine if you already have something to jam/play through, but for a first amp go with something that can do double duty!

WaylonMcFlailin · #5 05-08-2010, 12:33 PM

I'm a beginning bass player myself, I don't plan on playing outside the house much, just jam with my son who plays guitar. I bought an Acoustic B20:

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ier?sku=481622

I've had it for 4 months now, seems to do the job quite well, except there's no overdrive. For that, I picked up a Sansamp VT Bass, which I'll also use with my Boss MicroBR. Have fun!

RickenBoogie · #6 05-08-2010, 12:58 PM

A small, cheap practice amp is a good idea. Plenty of time to upgrade to a gigging rig later. Even then, you'll want to keep the little one for a handy practice tool. In fact, I just bought a Vox Pathfinder bass amp, (10 watts, 2x5" spkrs) today. Sounds pretty good for a $99. amp, and I have many uses for it. Sometimes a big 300 watt monster is just too much. Look into the Peavey Max, GK Backlines, or even a Vox like mine, and have fun.

**Staccato** · #7 05-08-2010, 01:57 PM

Found this Roland Bass Cube 30 (pre-owned w/o visible wear) for $99 after purchasing my first bass. I'm still liking it, especially for that price.
It's like having multiple pedals-built right in...

Alternatively, or in the meantime-you could do as many have, and find a cheapo 'used' guitar amp w/ headphone jack (cancels the speaker) and after plugging in the phones, plug in the bass, and hammer on! The bass would most likely KILL a guitar amp speaker with anything above low, low volume.

-John