Practice Amp's

Ibanez Bassist · #1 12-18-2010, 08:23 AM

Im just looking for some feed back on what people use for practice amps.. ( not to Gig ) small basement room, some controlled volume situation.. not too loud.. in there

Winnb · #2 12-18-2010, 08:31 AM

Acoustic B-10. $99 brand new at GC. Got it a few months ago. Love it. Aux in for your MP3 player/computer and a head phone jack for your bass. I plug in my MP3 player, plug in my bass, plug in my headphones and jam as long as I want while my wife, sitting beside me on the couch, never hears a note.

Ibanez Bassist · #3 12-18-2010, 09:02 AM

Is the 10 watt loud enough to jam with other people.. I know 10 watt would be fine as a stand alone amp..( like your using it ) but Im looking for something to carry to a friends house where will be other band members playing but just not as loud as if you were gigging.. and I think you loose some of that quality if every knob is turned to 10 to get the volume you need.. maybe I should go there and check them out.. thanks

rydin4lifebass · #4 12-18-2010, 09:07 AM

I use a Hartke A70, 1 12" 70watt speaker. Has input for CD/MP3 player, headphone out, 7 band eq, active/passive inputs, and PA out and effect loop in/out on back..works well in my bedroom and when I jam with a guitar/drummer in my buddy's basement

LiamPodmore · #5 12-18-2010, 09:12 AM

I use my gig amp for practice. Line 6 Lowdown LD 150. Its a 150 watt 1x12 beast. For your situation i'd look at something around 100 watt maybe?

Liam

squashedOpossum · #6 12-18-2010, 09:16 AM

I had an Acoustic B20 that just rocked! The tone was incredible and it was much louder than it's stated 20 watts. Used it on a few acoustic gigs and it was a perfect compliment to my fretless and an acoustic guitar. I traded it and another amp for a Fender Bassman 100 (http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....Amp?sku=480871) which is awesome in its own right. Great tone and practical for so many situations. Works well for solo practice, acoustic gigs, and as stage monitor for club gigs.

greenboy · #7 12-18-2010, 09:16 AM

Curtybob · #8 12-18-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

'

Nicely done.

And I · #9 12-18-2010, 12:05 PM

so this thread is about your practice amp's what exactly?
ok i just had to get in on the grammar nerd aspect of this thread...

i too have an acoustic B20. i think it's a nice little practice amp. the line in is a nice feature. but i haven't found it to be particularly loud, and when i turn it up it distorts. i'm not sure that i would want to use it in any sort of gig or rehearsal setting, other than maybe a soft-ish jazz situation.

klokker · #10 12-18-2010, 12:17 PM

Fender Bassman 250/115 is my practice amp at home.

I have a Crate 40watt keyboard amp that I have in my office. Its terrible, but after a while I don't notice.

When I goof around with a friend, I use his son's 30 watt Fender Rumble. I like it a lot. Put it back under the bed when your done.

Ibanez Bassist · #11 12-18-2010, 12:17 PM

That sounds exactly what Im looking for then, something with a few features sounds warm, not turning it up very loud, we have a volume controlled atmosphere, strictly low key practice..

BillyIVbass · #12 12-18-2010, 12:49 PM

I have a Acoustic B20 and an Ampeg BA112. I have gigged with the B20, it is just barely not loud enough for a rock gig, but I have jammed with friends or shows with a PA with it.

Ibanez Bassist · #13 12-18-2010, 12:59 PM

From all of this .. It sounds like the B20 is the way to go.. I have the B-100 and it is amazing , love the warm sound and power.. and more then what I need to play out..
I was just looking for something small to carry around and Jam a little and work out some songs.. stuff like that..

lomo · #14 12-18-2010, 01:04 PM

I enjoy good tone at low volume and usually practice with a Walkabout 12 head and cab. Sounds thick at low volume and can get loud enough for any informal jam, even with a drummer if he's reasonable. I run a Pandora PX4D before it to provide a headphone out, tuner, aux in and drum beats.

Ibanez Bassist · #15 12-18-2010, 01:17 PM

I have to keep in mind that Im going to be carrying this around from house to house or place to place.. so that 25/30 Lbs. sounds about right.. If I wanted to lug heavy stuff I would take my B-100 out..

Curtybob · #16 12-18-2010, 03:01 PM

I had a Line 6 Studio 110 that was pretty nice. 5 models (+ a hidden one) pretty much netted any tone I needed for practice, and was probably alot more capable than I had the urge to find out.

75 watts and a good sounding 10" in a small package... Might not have been capable of high volume fundamental lows, but if anyone finds a similarly sized practice amp that is, send me a link, please.

rob72 · #17 12-18-2010, 03:17 PM

B-dec. Love it!

**Staccato** · #18 12-18-2010, 03:50 PM

The Roland Cube 30 Bass (CB30) will have the neighbors peeking out of their windows before you ever reach a volume level that has unwanted distortion.
Or, play it low for your controlled volume situations. This amp has much, much onboard versatility, and you rarely see them sold 'used' because
people keep them! And, it has a headphone out jack.

Ibanez Bassist · #19 12-18-2010, 04:14 PM

That Roland 30 is really nice.. A little more then I wanted to spend for what Im doing with it.. but I have a lot of Roland stuff and I know all about Roland Quality so Im sure its top of the line.. have to think about it..

Stumbo · #20 12-18-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanez Bassist

That Roland 30 is really nice.. A little more then I wanted to spend for what Im doing with it.. but I have a lot of Roland stuff and I know all about Roland Quality so Im sure its top of the line.. have to think about it..

Maybe posting your budget in the OP would have been helpful?

What's the top amount you're willing to spend?

Buying something used maybe the way to go.