Need advice on bass amp solution.

[apisgogo]

Hi guys,

I need an amp solution for practice with my fellow band mates (garage setup).

I have a fender jazz and Aguilar Tonehammer preamp DI box. What do i need for speakers? Combo amp or a cab? Since its only for garage practice, i need something is relatively affordable (max $200 if possible), while maintaining acceptable bass sound.

My drummer using an electric drum (roland vdrum with monitor speaker) and my guitarist using a 100watt amp.

I have very limited knowledge in bass amplification and hoping you guys can shed me a light

[rosstanium]

Go to guitar center and nab an acoustic rig or a Line6 combo. Should be right around that price range.

[GrowlerBox]

You have a good preamp in the Tone Hammer, so all you need is a power amp and a speaker cabinet. In your price range, a beat-up second hand combo might be all you can get. If you do go this way, try for something that has an effects loop so you can bypass the combo's preamp (which will almost certainly be inferior to the Tone Hammer) and just use the power section and speaker. The guitarist is really going to have to keep the brakes on, though -- 100 W in a garage? If he's going to crank it, you'll need 700-1000 W and a fridge (8 x 10) and GOOD EARPLUGS (that last is not a joke).

[apisgogo]

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

You have a good preamp in the Tone Hammer, so all you need is a power amp and a speaker cabinet. In your price range, a beat-up second hand combo might be all you can get. If you do go this way, try for something that has an effects loop so you can bypass the combo's preamp (which will almost certainly be inferior to the Tone Hammer) and just use the power section and speaker. The guitarist is really going to have to keep the brakes on, though -- 100 W in a garage? If he's going to crank it, you'll need 700-1000 W and a fridge (8 x 10) and GOOD EARPLUGS (that last is not a joke).

You sir has open up new frontier for me in bass amplification. I never knew that we can have preamp/poweramp solution (pardon my noobness). I forever thank you for this info.

Searched around this from about power amp solution. Seems brands like QSC, Peavey, Crown is top of the list. Just wondering, can we use any power amp or it must be a 'bass/instrument' specific poweramps?

Looking for compact/light power amps now, do they exist?

Thanks.

[evilt70]

Any power amp will work, as long as you have a preamp running to it. I have been using that type of rig for a few years. Pushing 1450 watts to a Mesa 2x15 Diesel cabinet. Foundation demolition anyone?

[greenboy]

Peavey's IPR series, apisgogo.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by apisgogo

You sir has open up new frontier for me in bass amplification. I never knew that we can have preamp/poweramp solution (pardon my noobness). I forever thank you for this info.

Searched around this from about power amp solution. Seems brands like QSC, Peavey, Crown is top of the list. Just wondering, can we use any power amp or it must be a 'bass/instrument' specific poweramps?

Looking for compact/light power amps now, do they exist?

Thanks.

No need for a "bass specific" power amp -- Crown has some very lightweight and pretty inexpensive power amps that get good reviews here (search under XLS Drivecore). But all those brands you mentioned are well respected and reliable.

[Downunderwonder]

How does one come to have a Tone Hammer and a Fender jazz bass and yet know nothing of amps and only have 200 bucks to spend? I call troll.

[apisgogo]

Originally Posted by evilt70

Any power amp will work, as long as you have a preamp running to it. I have been using that type of rig for a few years. Pushing 1450 watts to a Mesa 2x15 Diesel cabinet. Foundation demolition anyone?

Originally Posted by greenboy

Peavey's IPR series, apisgogo.

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

No need for a "bass specific" power amp -- Crown has some very lightweight and pretty inexpensive power amps that get good reviews here (search under XLS Drivecore). But all those brands you mentioned are well respected and reliable.

Thanks for the valuable information. Will study more on all these brands and pro/cons on preamp/poweramp setup.

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

How does one come to have a Tone Hammer and a Fender jazz bass and yet know nothing of amps and only have 200 bucks to spend? I call troll.

I just acquired a Tone Hammer DI box after watching this video:
YouTube - Aguilar Tone Hammer Overview
as I’m looking on ways to make my sound more solid and tight.

200 bucks budget is because as i mentioned, this is only for garage practice with my fellow band mates. So we don’t want any massive-high-end rig set as we just want to concentrate on practicing. But since few lovely TBers shed me some light on preamp/poweramp solution, I’m considering increase my budget and make it my permanent rig setup.

Yes my bass amplification knowledge is very limited as I rather focus on my bass playing skills and picking the note well and practice and practice... rather than trolling on what gear-cab-head to buy next.

Call me troll as u wish, but I learned massive, useful information here.

Peace