Home Practice Amp Recommendations?

BigStick · #1 10-22-2011, 02:05 PM

Hey all!

I've been playing bass for two years. My first setup was a Mexican Fender P-Bass Deluxe Special and a Fender Rumble 100 115 combo. After the first year I found myself playing a lot of Tool and Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot chili Peppers so I decided to get a Sterling SB-14 and a Sansamp BDDI to give me a more harsh tone. I'm a lot closer to the tone I want but my setup leaves a lot to be desired and I think it may be my amp that needs to be upgraded next.

First off, I barely turn the bass up on my amp because of my neighbors so I'm not looking for anything to shake the walls. What I'm looking for is a great tone. Something that will give me that Tool/RATM/RHCP kind of sound.

I have a brand that I'm leaning towards but I'd like to get some of your opinions first. I'm willing to spend a little extra if it's worth it but I don't wanna break the bank either. I just can't seem to justify paying too much for a practice amp at the time considering my level of experience. Also I'll be selling my Rumble 100 so I can put that $ towards my new amp.

Thanks in advance for your help!

RickenBoogie · #2 10-22-2011, 02:53 PM

The Rumble is on the larger side for a practice amp, but not quite big enough for a gig rig. One question- do you plan on playing outside the bedroom with others at some point? If so, I'd skip the practice combo, and look for something that can be used in a band. If not, there are literally hundreds of choices, and tone is rather subjective, so best bet is to go out and play everything you can get your hands on to gain personal experience points. Priceless.

BigStick · #3 10-23-2011, 11:35 AM

Eventually I hope to be good enough to play with a band but for now I think I want to go for just a practice combo. You're right though, my best bet would be to go test some myself.

What size is typical for a practice combo? 112, 110, 210?

RickenBoogie · #4 10-23-2011, 11:45 AM

A 1x12 with 50 watts is plenty enough to sound good. Maybe look at Ampeg BA112, it's a great little combo that still has great tone for a solidstate amp.

1954bassman · #5 10-23-2011, 11:51 AM

The best practice amp I can reccomend is a set of headphones.

oddeotek · #6 10-23-2011, 12:09 PM

I agree with the headphones for home practice. You can play as loud as you want without bothering anyone. I really like Sony 7506s. They are a studio standard for reference listening. Just watch your volume because you can get them to a deafening level!

coreyfyfe · #7 10-23-2011, 12:14 PM

+1 to an amp with a headphone out. I'd say get a decent micro head and use that for practice until you can get a cab for gigging. The ampeg pf series or micro-vr, gk mb series, or something of that sort won't do too much damage to your wallet and have headphone outs for silent practice, plus you can add cabs when you're ready to gig.

BigStick · #8 10-23-2011, 12:15 PM

RickenBoogie - Thank you for the advice. What exactly is a solidstate amp if you don't mind? I know next to nothing about amplification. I assume it is opposite from a tube amp which I know nothing about.

1954bassman - I agree and sometimes, especially at night, I play/practice with a pair of Sony MDR-V700 headphones because I don't want to disturb my neighbors. I can hear what I'm playing a lot clearer however it seems that after about 45 mins. my ears will get sore from the headphones so I don't use them all the time.

mam1862 · #9 10-23-2011, 12:19 PM

I use a set of headphones and my iPad with the GK amp application. You can even play along with music that you load into the iPad.