some small practice amps

MightyMike1988 · #1 08-05-2010, 01:24 PM

hey guys

I've been to a quite large musicstore today, to listen to a few small amps from which I can only choose one as my first practice amp. I've checked the Fender Rumble 30, Hartke A35, Eden N10 and the Marshall MB30. My personal favourite was the Marshall. I played a Squier VM precision bass over it, which I'm also planning to buy, as my first bassguitar. The Marshall had some great tone/sound options, but the thing I liked most, is that it has a real, low, fat basstone. I couldn't get that deep / low tone out of the eden, even if I put the EQ bass all the way open. The Hartke did neither so, the Fender was the best option next to the Marshall. I'm just a beginner and perhaps I want to much clumsy bass and am missing the level of detail of the eden. The Marshall was 160 euros, and the Eden 220. A low price is fun ofcourse, but it also makes me kind of awkward.

What do you think of these small amps? Do you know an amp in this category which really stands out? What would be your choice? and what would you def. avoid?

thanks in advance!

Mike

Adam Bomb · #2 08-05-2010, 03:25 PM

Hi. If you are new to the bass, and if this is a practice amp, then you definitely have to buy the amp that *you* most like the sound of (and, to a lesser extent, the features of), so that you will practice and play as much as possible.

Welcome to the dark side!

--Bomb

Reaper Man · #3 08-05-2010, 03:40 PM

^ what Adam said

With that said, I like my Acoustic B20. If you get a chance, check it out

FritoBandito · #4 08-05-2010, 04:00 PM

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a small practice amp to learn on. I have an Acoustic B20 which is a great, straight forward, no frills amp with great sound. You might also look into the Line 6 LD15 (15w). At lower volume (just before you start rattling the windows), it has good sound and the different amp models and effects make it a kick to play around with.

southernrocker · #5 08-05-2010, 04:01 PM

I second the Acoustic, mine is great!

billoetjen · #6 08-05-2010, 04:05 PM

There are a great many complaints about the reliability of the Rumble. Those amps seem to create more frustration than joy. Can't go to wrong with a Peavey. And don't overlook the Ampeg BA112.
Happy hunting!

tubster · #7 08-05-2010, 04:06 PM

I would suggest looking for a used one. Reason #1 is that when/if you upgrade, you will take far less of a financial hit. Reason #2 is that generally you can get a whole lot more amp used than new. Craigslist is a great resource. Take someone knowledgeable with you to make sure everything is up together. Good luck

MIJ-VI · #8 08-05-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMike1988

hey guys

I've been to a quite large musicstore today, to listen to a few small amps from which I can only choose one as my first practice amp. I've checked the Fender Rumble 30, Hartke A35, Eden N10 and the Marshall MB30. My personal favourite was the Marshall. I played a Squier VM precision bass over it, which I'm also planning to buy, as my first bassguitar. The Marshall had some great tone/sound options, but the thing I liked most, is that it has a real, low, fat basstone. I couldn't get that deep / low tone out of the eden, even if I put the EQ bass all the way open. The Hartke did neither so, the Fender was the best option next to the Marshall. I'm just a beginner and perhaps I want to much clumsy bass and am missing the level of detail of the eden. The Marshall was 160 euros, and the Eden 220. A low price is fun ofcourse, but it also makes me kind of awkward.

What do you think of these small amps? Do you know an amp in this category which really stands out? What would be your choice? and what would you def. avoid?

thanks in advance!

Mike

Welcome to TalkBass Mike!

It's not the first time someone on TB offered positive words re the MB30.

bassmanrocke · #9 08-05-2010, 05:51 PM

Look for a used Peavey Minx. Solid sounding small amp with a lot of bottom and can frequently be picked up used for under $75.

nicoli · #10 08-05-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

There are a great many complaints about the reliability of the Rumble. Those amps seem to create more frustration than joy.

+1, I have one and will concur. Very quiet, less than stellar tone, and has an intermittant quality level.

username1 · #11 08-05-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

There are a great many complaints about the reliability of the Rumble. Those amps seem to create more frustration than joy. Can't go to wrong with a Peavey. And don't overlook the Ampeg BA112.
Happy hunting!

+1 for the ampeg ba112. I just picked one up to use for small acoustic style jobs and the tone is amazing with good bottom for a little amp. You could probably find a used one for cheap.

aaaa_ · #12 08-05-2010, 07:15 PM

+1 for the Acoustic B20. Absolutely amazing tone from this thing, I'd say it sounds even better than my teacher's 250w half-stack. Very easy to dial in the exact fat/low tone you're looking for.

SactoBass · #13 08-05-2010, 07:21 PM

OP, you might also wanna check out the Acoustic 260 mini stack. The head is 100 watts and only weighs 8 pounds. The cab is also relatively light at only 36 pounds. Total stack height is only 29 inches. Cost is $299 new. Many TB'ers have commented on that rig's good tone.

levis76 · #14 08-05-2010, 09:26 PM

If you like the Marshall, go with it. Nevermind the bonus that it's cheaper than the Eden. Don't get sucked into the name game or more expensive equals better tone. Stick with what you know you like.

If you really want something that has GREAT tone and HUGE bottom, you can't go wrong with a Mesa Walkabout combo. They come in 12" and 15" sizes to match your needs and they sound a lot bigger than they are thanks to the tube preamp and parametric eq. They are quite pricey new, but they pop up on TB now and again.

MightyMike1988 · #15 08-06-2010, 05:28 AM

thanks you guys for your help. responds:

I live in the Netherlands and I've never came across Acoustic before. Google'ing it only results in acoustic bassguitar amplifiers. No shops that sell the B20 or others though. I hope I will find one because I read a lot of good things about it.

I saw the Line 6 LD15 before but didn't bother it since it was only 15 watt. Not that smart I guess.

A local shopkeeper also advised Peavey (MAX115), his arguments were that it has a great quality level and a 15" speaker. This would match the fender precision sound. Other strongly disadvised me to go for a 15" practice amp, which should be to overwhelming. Perhaps the MAX112 is a better buy?
Problem is that this shopkeeper only could talk about Peavey, so I thought he was quite subjective.

I was looking for a amp around 250 euros, the Ampeg BA112 was around 300. If this one really stands out to the rest, I won't nag about 50 bucks.

I'll scrap the fender from my list, don't want an amp which cannot be trusted.

The Mesa 12" costs around 800 euros here, so it's way over my budget. Will keep my eyes on the second hand section though.

I really like the Marshall and I'm glad it doesn't turn out to be a Unreliable thing. because i have no experience i was ranking the amps at price, a 200 euro amp should be better than a 160 euro one. Guess that's not true and I when I test a couple of amps, I should choose my favourite and only then check the price. Will keep my eye open for Acoustic, the Ampeg 12", Peavey and Line6. The store at which I tested the amps, also sells peavey, however they didn't had them in store and they we're only to order, so there is no testing them

The Ampeg and the Line6 were, so perhaps I should spent another saturday there tomorrow.

Thanks to you all. More tips are always welcome.

Mike

MightyMike1988 · #16 08-06-2010, 05:47 AM

The Mesa was 1800, the cab without amp costs 800.

Spino · #17 08-06-2010, 06:22 AM

What about the EBS Classic 60 session for under 300€

MightyMike1988 · #18 08-06-2010, 06:44 AM

came across that one too.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ebs_classic...n_60_combo.htm

Frequency Response: 60 Hz - 18.000 Hz

The eden (as an example) has a frequency response of 48 Hz - 13.000 Hz. Is 60 hz low enough?

msgoodrich · #19 08-06-2010, 06:45 AM

+1 on the Peavey Minx suggestion. I just picked one up on craigslist with a Squire P-Bass for $80 (so maybe $40 for the Minx).

I had a Peavey MicroBass for 20 yrs as a practice amp, and I can attest that it is bullet proof. The Minx is much louder and fuller, but still very small and light weight. So, save yourself some dough, get a used Peavey, and save up the money for your stage rig!

T. Alan Smith · #20 08-06-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Bomb

Hi. If you are new to the bass, and if this is a practice amp, then you definitely have to buy the amp that *you* most like the sound of (and, to a lesser extent, the features of), so that you will practice and play as much as possible.

Welcome to the dark side!

--Bomb

I agree strongly with the above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubster

I would suggest looking for a used one. Reason #1 is that when/if you upgrade, you will take far less of a financial hit. Reason #2 is that generally you can get a whole lot more amp used than new. Craigslist is a great resource. Take someone knowledgeable with you to make sure everything is up together. Good luck

I say, get the right personal practice amp the 1st time around as you'll always need one around, whereby you'll never want to sell it.