Small gig bass amp: suggestions
 

Hi boys and girls,

I just joined the site, I could use some suggestions, ideas etc...
I'm looking to buy a new Bass Amp. Something that can handle a gig at a small bar (without PA).

I play a 1983 squier JV and our band (drums, guitar/singer) plays a varied range of indy rock music inspired by Eels, Velvet Underground, Calexico, Blur, Buffalo Tom, Foo Fighters, Joy Formidable and even some electronica like M83/Teddiedrum/Passion Pit/The naked and the famous.
We mainly use old instruments and amps with body and character.

So I am looking for something with a warm unique sound, but solid enough to perform well in a small bar.

What brands, how many Watts, how big (or how small) would you guys suggest. I don't have an unlimited budget, so a price range between 300-750 euro would suit me fine.

Thanks for sending me on my way :)

Bart

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Every one is going to suggest their favorite bass amp so let me be the first.

Gallien Kureger combos would be my suggestion,,,, the GK MB212 or the GK MB210,,,, both will do fine and then some for what you listed your needs are,,,, and,,,, they are super light, 41 and 35 lbs respectively,,, and very inexpensive.

Cheers
Davyo

Get an old fender musicmaster bass combo amp; basically a 12 watt tube combo w/ a 12" bass speaker... great amps... usually about $300...

300 watts
1x15 inch cab
or 2x10 cab

If you are just talking about amp heads, it's hard to beat the GK MB200. 200 watts, about the size of a hardback book, fits anywhere. Team it up with a 4 ohm cab, and you're good to go.

Ampeg Micro VR head and SVT210 cab...

^This. The 115 cab will usually be bigger with more depth of sound.

Great suggestions guys, I'll begin investigations and try outs! :)

Be sure to get an amp you can add an extra speaker to if you want to later.

MarkBass CMD 121P. It's 350 watts into a single 12" speaker, small, light, with what I would call a vintage tone (better for fingerstyle than it is for slap). I use a 1x15 MarkBass extension cab with it, and that gives me 500 watts... loud enough to play outdoor gigs. Between the two I have all of the flexibility I need.

The Markbass stuff I've heard has a pretty warm tone. Only does clean though. For some character, etc. maybe the Micro VR or pf line from Ampeg or a GK combo + VT pedal for maximum versatility.

Oh, and something with 200-300 watts and a good 210 or 115 speaker section...maybe a really good 112, though I'd prefer a pair, should handle small pub gigs as long as the rest of your band is respectful of proper volume levels for a place like that and doesn't blast everybody out the door just because they can. Peaveys better 115 combos should do a good job too.

If looking at combos, it is a must that they be able to chain another speaker to it for times you need to.

I am going to check out an Ampeg Micro VR head and SVT210 cab and an Ashdown Mag 300 stack with 2x10" and 1x15"

Thanks for your input.

An swr redhead 2x10 combo is compact and portable and you can plug in a Baby Ben when you need more. I got found a clean used one for $700.

Warwick's new combo line, specifically the BC150 and BC300, would fit your needs very well and are priced reasonably.

I have a redhead. I dunno if 95 pounds its what if really consider portable. I'm gonna vote a GK MB series combo, which weighs in about 60 pounds lighter.

I think with ur bugdet u can get a second svt210av which would make that rig more versatile. with just the one cab u will get about 100-125watts and with both cabs the full 200. plus it looks cool!!!:bassist: i know ur across the pond so the ashdown stuff maybe cheaper. maybe

The smallest I currently go is a 410 because they are usually cheaper than 2 210 cabs. Oddly 2 ampeg 210av cabs is an exception to that. But I have yet to try them. If I found out they had the same speakers as the bigger 10 loaded cabs I might bite because the 810 and the 410he both sound great to me.

Actually, it's 300w (at 8 ohms).