New bassist looking for a good practice amp.

Poetic Maggot · #1 03-24-2011, 05:38 PM

Hey all,

I am about to start learning how to play the bass! Was looking around for a good forum for this kind of stuff and so here I am

Anyway, I love the bass and know for certain that I will be playing it for years to come. So should I still stick with a little 15W practice amp? Or since I know I won't stop playing bass, should I just go ahead and buy 30W or higher as my first amp? Maybe a 100W? Any good recommendations on amps also?

Thanks!

dukeisdog · #2 03-24-2011, 05:42 PM

What's your budget? Do you plan on joining a band in the future. Don't get a small practice amp now if you feel that you will need to upgrade soon.

cobra314 · #3 03-24-2011, 05:45 PM

I started out with a 15w practice amp. Within 2-3 months I went and bought a Fender 100W/210. Get a larger one from the start if you can afford it.

Poetic Maggot · #4 03-24-2011, 05:51 PM

Thanks. And sorry! I totally forgot the budget. Um, about $200 or less. And I dunno if i need to upgrade soon, I don't have a band, but just to be safe I guess. is 100W expensive? Sorry, I'm dumb.

**SVE** · #5 03-24-2011, 05:59 PM

Your not dumb! Coming hear to ask a question like that is a very smart idea. I have owned only 2 practice amps so I am sort of limited with my say. I will say that my first one (Hartke broke easily and didn't sound too good) ,but my second one an orange crush bass 1x12 50 watt for ( I think 250$ new) is awesome, it sounds great for a practice amp. Keep in mind that you may have a 150-200$ budget, so you can buy a good,mint condition used practice amp. Take some suggestions from here, and some stuff you've played at gc or researched and type it in on eBay, or even the classified section here, you may find a great deal on a used amp that works fine. Good Luck.

---SVE

GladToBeBack · #6 03-24-2011, 06:02 PM

I just started a thread like this called Gigging Amp. I'm learning the importance of tone as I test different ones out. A really good thing I had when still figuring out my style is a modeling Amp. Something like a Line 6 or Peavey has settings to simulate the tones of other amps. It's a really cool feature to have when starting out.

Poetic Maggot · #7 03-24-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVE

Your not dumb! Coming hear to ask a question like that is a very smart idea. I have owned only 2 practice amps so I am sort of limited with my say. I will say that my first one (Hartke broke easily and didn't sound too good) ,but my second one an orange crush bass 1x12 50 watt for ( I think 250$ new) is awesome, it sounds great for a practice amp. Keep in mind that you may have a 150-200$ budget, so you can buy a good,mint condition used practice amp. Take some suggestions from here, and some stuff you've played at gc or researched and type it in on eBay, or even the classified section here, you may find a great deal on a used amp that works fine. Good Luck.

---SVE

Thanks!!! I'll be sure to look at used models. It's just kind of outside my comfort zone. I don't wanna sound snobby or anything, but I usually shy away from used stuff. So any recommended wattage? I know you said 50, but I dunno.

sidez81 · #8 03-24-2011, 06:13 PM

I still got my Roland Cube 30....It pumps in a small easy going jam with the band and WAY more than enough for the bedroom but big enough not to sound all boxy like the smaller low wattage amps, even at a small gig man you can always line it out to the P.A. so if you can find a cheap one of them used or new then go for it there my vote and you get heaps of tonal variations on it with a few fx.

Poetic Maggot · #9 03-24-2011, 06:14 PM

^^But isn't that a guitar amp? o.O

sidez81 · #10 03-24-2011, 06:16 PM

Roland make both bass and guitar cubes

Poetic Maggot · #11 03-24-2011, 06:17 PM

Oh okay. Sorry! and thanks

Russell L · #12 03-24-2011, 06:18 PM

Hey, get one with a headphone jack. If you don't, you'll wish you had, eventually. My little Bassman 25 has the best tone in headphones of anything I can think of lately---naw, that ain't right, that V4 with the 810s was nice last night---what I mean is, you're gonna want a practice amp anyway, even if you get a giging amp. But, no need to blow lots of dough to get started, and with a great-sounding amp for not much, really. Here's what I have:

Fender Bassman 25-- it can do a small, small gig, if needed. Easy to carry anywhere anytime. Not good for regular band practice, playing full-force rock, nope. For you, get something for gigging when the need comes, or just for fun anyway, if you have the dough, what the...

Markbass CMD 121H combo-- 300w, one 12" speaker. Covers the basic clubs, etc. for gigs, if it's not over loud, which fits my gigs (well, not always, it would be nice to have another cab). Anyway, it's for gigging.

At home, I leave one bass set up, headphones rigged up along the strap, with it plugged into the Bassman 25. I go in there all the time just for a little session (right next to the kitchen, too). Maybe five minutes, maybe an hour. It's not like study, but more like fun, but serious fun. And it's a place of peace for me because when I'm there, in my world of music, there is nothing wrong. Everything is good. So, about the headphones, I must have them so I can be private and not have to worrk about bothering anyone, plus it CAN be loud, heh, heh.

When it comes to gigging, I found that for me, I needed at least 200w. My Trace Elloit 7215 SM (one 15") satisfies that. But my Markbass does just as well with a lot less weight to move around.

Have you looked at the value packages you can get from Squier? Heck, you can get a bass AND an amp for $200 and have something that'll get you going, and sound pretty good, too. (I'm not sure if the amp has a phones jack or not, I think so). No need to get the most expensive equipment you can find to learn on. Just make sure there isn't any issues with the stuff. Maybe you'll wanna get the bass set up better. Squier is ok.

Have fun, pal.

Poetic Maggot · #13 03-24-2011, 06:21 PM

^^Thanks for taking the time to write all that! Helps a lot, great info

Russell L · #14 03-24-2011, 06:28 PM

Hey, I just wanted you to know it's a magical journey. It is for me.

dukeisdog · #15 03-24-2011, 06:31 PM

It's not snobby at all to not want to buy used, but with your budget, buying used may be the way to go. You will be able to get a cheaper combo, possibly with a 12" speaker, but it most likely wont cut it in a band mix (if you ever join a band).

With $200 used, you could possibly pick up a peavey 2x15 cab and head, which would be plenty loud, but theyre really big. Either way it's your call, I would suggest checking out the TB classifieds though, they have a user feedback system just like eBay, and there are a lot of great trustworthy users on the site.

Mooch · #16 03-24-2011, 06:33 PM

Welcome to the forum! My first amp I went with a 35w Ibanez combo. Has a 10" woofer and a tweeter. It has a good eq. It is more that loud enough for at home practice. Has headphone jack as well if you can't be loud as well.

Was around 200 bucks I think.

Poetic Maggot · #17 03-24-2011, 06:41 PM

Thanks again everyone for the kind words and support

Now to check out the classifieds =p

JB36 · #18 03-24-2011, 07:50 PM

I'm not affliated in any way, but I'd try and come up with a few extra bucks for this guy...FS: Roland CB-100 Cube 100

100 watt is at least enough power to jam with others when your ready and these are pretty versitale. Search you tube, there was a demo.

Another option is a Tascam Bass Trainer. Practice through head phones until you have enough cash for an amp. It slows down songs to help you learn them and comes with a metronome, tuner, and some effects.

bassguppy · #19 03-24-2011, 09:34 PM

2nd the Roland CB100.

Also would recommend an Ampeg BA115, some people aren't thrilled with it but IMO it's a decent performer at a decent price.

Solid for small gigs and rehearsals.

dannylectro · #20 03-24-2011, 09:55 PM

The Ampeg BA115 is good - I own, and gig (with an acoustic band) an Ampeg BA112. I think the 12" speaker is a little less muddy than the 15".

If you need more power to compete with drums, the bigger Fender Rumble series are a great deal. Nice tone, a fair amount of power, simple controls, good practice features, and low price.