just bought my first bass, need an amp

willc132 · #1 10-09-2011, 05:39 PM

So on friday I bought my first bass. Its a Ibanez GARTb20TR. I'm getting an amp soon but I don't know what brand I should buy. I'm trying to get something cheap and I heard that fender isn't good for cheap, any suggestions?

Bass_Pounder · #2 10-09-2011, 05:41 PM

No offense, but your question is like saying..............

So, I just got my drivers license - what kind of car should I buy ?

**B-string** · #3 10-09-2011, 05:44 PM

Starting out? GC's Acoustics are reasonable and decent sounding. Not Expensive so you can get some value for your money (new stuff). Used market the sky is the limit, good stuff out there and lousy stuff.

**B-string** · #4 10-09-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

No offense, but your question is like saying..............

So, I just got my drivers license - what kind of car should I buy ?

VERY true.

willc132 · #5 10-09-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

No offense, but your question is like saying..............

So, I just got my drivers license - what kind of car should I buy ?

yeah, I guess it is. I don't know much about basses or amps so thats why I'm asking

RTomsett · #6 10-09-2011, 05:47 PM

Brand isn't so important, sound and price are. How cheap is cheap? How will you be using the amp mostly, practice at home?

willc132 · #7 10-09-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

Starting out? GC's Acoustics are reasonable and decent sounding. Not Expensive so you can get some value for your money (new stuff). Used market the sky is the limit, good stuff out there and lousy stuff.

Ok, thanks. How much do you think they are? I'm looking for an amp around $100-$150

James Judson · #8 10-09-2011, 05:48 PM

My experience??? The one with the most WATTS sounds the best. 300 watts minimum to keep up with a band but 1000 watts sounds better. Just my 50 years experience. One good thing to do is go to a large store (like Guitar Center) and try everything they will let you plug into. I did that once thinking I need something small and ended up with the biggest they had cuz.......err........ uhmm....... well........ it just sounded the best. Good luck on the cheap part (used maybe?).

willc132 · #9 10-09-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTomsett

Brand isn't so important, sound and price are. How cheap is cheap? How will you be using the amp mostly, practice at home?

Cheap like $100-$150. And I would be playing at home and jamming with my friend who plays drums

spaz21387 · #10 10-09-2011, 05:51 PM

check out the hartke lh 500... 500 watts tube pre built in compressor. and 300$ shipped off amazon or it was when I got mine in april.

Bass_Pounder · #11 10-09-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willc132

Cheap like $100-$150. And I would be playing at home and jamming with my friend who plays drums

With that kind of budget, you are really looking at only practice amps - nothing that will keep up with a drummer.

Your going to want to look at used gear.

A good starting point would be something like a Peavey TNT

**B-string** · #12 10-09-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willc132

Ok, thanks. How much do you think they are? I'm looking for an amp around $100-$150

In that price range....go to a few Pawn shops with your bass and play through what you find. With a little haggle you might find something to fill your needs. Listen to them with your ears not your eyes, brand doesn't matter so much. You may find a Yamaha or Peavey combo for that price that could do nicely.

New in that price range will not make it with a drummer unless he plays with brushes 100% of the time.

willc132 · #13 10-09-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

With that kind of budget, you are really looking at only practice amps - nothing that will keep up with a drummer.

Your going to want to look at used gear.

A good starting point would be something like a Peavey TNT

Thanks man, i'll check that out

**B-string** · #14 10-09-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaz21387

check out the hartke lh 500... 500 watts tube pre built in compressor. and 300$ shipped off amazon or it was when I got mine in april.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willc132

Cheap like $100-$150. And I would be playing at home and jamming with my friend who plays drums

Just incase you missed it

RTomsett · #15 10-09-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willc132

Cheap like $100-$150. And I would be playing at home and jamming with my friend who plays drums

I'd recommend looking second hand - if you're going to be playing a bit with a drummer you'll want decent volume and you probably aren't going to get that much in the way of volume for that price new. Worth going to a shop to try a few out and get a feel for what different types of amp offer though, to see how loud you want.

RTomsett · #16 10-09-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

In that price range....go to a few Pawn shops with your bass and play through what you find. With a little haggle you might find something to fill your needs. Listen to them with your ears not your eyes, brand doesn't matter so much. You may find a Yamaha or Peavey combo for that price that could do nicely.

New in that price range will not make it with a drummer unless he plays with brushes 100% of the time.

Oh, missed this one before posting

+1

Alex1984 · #17 10-09-2011, 06:25 PM

I'd look for Peavey or SWR combos.

willc132 · #18 10-09-2011, 07:17 PM

So my friend who plays bass is selling his Crate BX25 DLX for $100. what do you guys think of it?

grass132456 · #19 10-09-2011, 07:36 PM

Question + potential answer:

It's a Fender Rumble 30. Is that a decent amp? You can probably crank it up though.

**peledog** · #20 10-09-2011, 09:01 PM

If you want volume/loudness, don't go with a practice amp.

With your budget, buy something used. Peavey TNT 115 is a good way to go. They are solid amps, with power. Behringer are good for the money. BX1200

In Store Used USED BEHRINGER BX1200 and more Bass Amplifiers at GuitarCenter.com.