i'm not a bass player and don't play one on tv...

[new2bassguitar]

hi guys. hey i don't know anything about basses or guitars or amps or anything... and i actually had to google the bass strings to get the info to get into this forum, but we bought junior (11) a used fender p-bass for xmas and now probably need to get him an amp of some sort...

yeah i know its a wide open question, and i can probably only spend like a $150 to $200 on it (unless you guys tell me otherwise), but what would you recommend?

right now we are playing his bass at low volume thru his cheap guitar amp, but now i think he is fired up about playing bass (at least a little) and may even double the 5 minutes he practices it a week :-) (now to be fair he does 2 hours at school per week).

here is a vid hooked up to the school's amp with his band's "breakthrough" performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP10gfetVhs


thanks for any responses. i know this is question u guys have been asked a million times already. i looked at a few posts and couldn't figure out the terminology, etc.

[tdub0199]

Check on Ebay or Craigslist for a used combo, will he be practicing alone or with other band members?

[caeman]

There are a vast number of $200 and less combo amps available to the young lad. The are mostly lower power (25 watts or less). Depending on what you can find used on Craigslist, that $200 may even net you a really nice, higher power amp.

[Absentia]

First of all the Fuzzy Ice Cubes is a badass name.

Second the "drummer played way too loud" comment made my day.

Third i'd make a day of it and take the son and the bass to a bunch of used music shops or pawn shops and try things out.

[russellmania]

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

[Roy Vogt]

+1 to Craigslist or Ebay
What you're probably looking for is a single 12" or 15" speaker with between 50 and 100 watts if he's playing in a band with his friends. If he's practicing at home something like this is fine:
http://kustom.com/product_detail.asp...ctID=223&Tab=1
Or even this:
http://kustom.com/product_detail.asp...ctID=222&Tab=1
There are also good entry level bass amps by Eden/Nemesis, SWR, Fender and Peavey among others. If you buy on the high side and he decides he doesn't want to play it will have better resale value. Ditto if he falls in love with playing and wants to upgrade.
Used will save you $-try to have your son's music teacher have a look at the prospective amp before you buy, if possible.

[new2bassguitar]

hey there are a couple of hartke amp related things on the local craigslist:

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/msg/2192665145.html

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/msg/2158740384.html

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/msg/2199032273.html

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/msg/2199025512.html

any winners? we aren't in a super hurry either, a nice to have but we are getting by

[caeman]

The Fuzzy Ice Cubes. That is a great name!

[new2bassguitar]

so a combo is the electronic amplifier combined with the speaker and cabinet. and some things out there are one or the other, got it.

[joshwilkesbooth]

Originally Posted by new2bassguitar

here is a vid hooked up to the school's amp with his band's "breakthrough" performance.

Who is the micro-managing douche walking around?

[Calaverasgrande]

Honestly don't spend a lot on his first amp. If he gives it up later you will be kicking yourself, and resale is not very good on that kind of gear.
I'd look for a used peavey or Gallien Kruger bass combo. Peavey isn't great, but they are durable and affordable. Oddly enough a lot of peavy bass gear wont say "bass" anyhwere on it. Look for older TNT and TKO models without the "hyper vents" or whatever they call them.
I would certainly check out some music stores to get an idea of what is out there. But beware! I have seen many a sales clerk salivate over the father-son "first amp" thing. They will love to charge you full retail price for a used amp. After all who is going to keep music stores open? Us regular musicians are a bunch of deadbeats living off our girlfriends. Tell your son that you are just looking, and tell the sales clerk likewise. Plan on returning later to buy the amp by your self so you can haggle without your son being there. This will give you more room as you dont have someone pulling your pants leg saying "daddy I want the blue one!".

I thought I should point out that while a cabinet-amplifier may seem like a good solution its also opening up a lot more possibility of mis-connecting and damage. Combos are really the best option for folks at this level. Also dont be blown away by "600 watt bass cabinets" and the like. That only describes the power handling capacity, not how loud it is.

I'd check out the Ampeg BA112 and the Acoustic B100 if I was in your shoes.


PS I used to work in sales.

[Klopp18]

Originally Posted by russellmania

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

beat me to it! once i saw the $100- $200 price range. i instantly thought of the b20. GREAT little amp.

[guitarhuckster1]

Originally Posted by new2bassguitar

hey there are a couple of hartke amp related things on the local craigslist:

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/msg/2192665145.html

This would be perfect for a beginner. Powerful enough for playing with a band which is what you want to do as soon as possible as a bass player.

[panama]

+1 on the Acoustic B20

And Dad, don't worry "acoustic" doesn't mean it is for acoustic basses and guitars. it's just a brand name.

[Stingray5]

Originally Posted by new2bassguitar

hey there are a couple of hartke amp related things on the local craigslist:

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/msg/2192665145.html

any winners? we aren't in a super hurry either, a nice to have but we are getting by

Originally Posted by guitarhuckster1

This would be perfect for a beginner. Powerful enough for playing with a band which is what you want to do as soon as possible as a bass player.

I second this - should be a good, solid, loud enough amp for his current needs, and it's near your price range. It's a combo so all set to go, as opposed to your other finds which are separate amps / speakers.

[rpsands]

GK MB115.

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by panama

+1 on the Acoustic B20

And Dad, don't worry "acoustic" doesn't mean it is for acoustic basses and guitars. it's just a brand name.

+1..

I got my Acoustic B200, USED for $199.Good Deal.

[BassmanPaul]

That performance was so bad! I loved every moment of it!!!! one thing I will say is that picking comes from the wrist. Using your whole arm like you were strumming a guitar will become exhausting.

Typical guitar player - didn't have a strap!

I'll agree with what has been posted. Just about any combo with a 12 or 15 will do what you need at the moment. May I wish your son well with his musical endeavours.

[dancedad5678]

+1 on the combo, 12" or 15" speaker, but if he's going to be moving it by himself make sure he can pick it up and put it in the car if need be, otherwise he'll be looking to you or your wife to do it. So make sure it's some that either one of you can move as well.

Having been raised/taught in a Catholic schools for 12 years and my mom was a teacher - I say it needs to be LOUDER!!!

Loved that vid

[bobby1781]

I would steer clear of any new amp in the $150-$200 range for a begginner.

Why spend $150 on a 25-50watt new amp when you could easily get a used combo with 100-200watts and at better quality.

I paid $120 for my first amp, it was a used Peavey TNT150 combo

It was old, it was used and it sounded...pretty damn good.

150watts and a 15" speaker and plenty loud to play with any drummer.

I would vote for used Peavey gear as it can be found relatively cheap and is actually quite a good value. I hate to comment on something I haven't personally owned, but I have seen several negative comments on the cheaper fender combo's. Including failure and noise, but this is just me chiming in with others experiences so that's sort of worthless.