Vintage Practice Amps.

IPYF · #1 03-31-2011, 04:11 PM

I need a practice amp for home as all my gear lives in the studio. I would prefer something a little quirky and oldskool if possible but more than anything it must be cheap. Does anyone have any suggestions? Im keen to have an old tube combo or something but I simply wouldn't know where to start looking. The only thing that Ive seen is a Gibson Thor which would totally be the go but it seems that they're all but unavailable anywhere.

derridiandrift · #2 03-31-2011, 04:19 PM

I don't know if vintage and cheap go together. If you're really patient, and always looking, I'm sure you'll eventually come across something real cool. In the meantime, you might consider the Ampeg B50R. They sound vintage and look classic, and they're relatively cheap to buy. Plus it should retain most of its value when it comes to sell it after you find that quirky vintage piece.

BurningSkies · #3 03-31-2011, 04:36 PM

Vintage and cheap are pretty mutually exclusive these days. If you add in the fact that most 'bass' amps of days of yore were actually guitar amps in disguise and not fit for bass, especially modern bass playing, you've got a problem.

I have a nice Kalamazoo Bass 30 (combo, 30w, 2x10" speakers) and it's an awesome amp. For guitar. Bass, not so much.

mpdd · #4 03-31-2011, 05:03 PM

maybe a silvertone ss state amp, i had a ten watt that was pretty fun to play but you couldn't turn it up too high or it would fart out

GrowlerBox · #5 03-31-2011, 05:06 PM

When it comes to bass amps, to me "quirky" means "breaks down a lot". So this should be perfect:

Jeff Scott · #6 03-31-2011, 05:22 PM

A Traynor Bass Mate would be an excellent choice for what you are seeking.

**JdoubleH** · #7 03-31-2011, 08:18 PM

Though finding a used Mini Brute cheap might require an alternate definition of the word cheap.

Tusec · #8 03-31-2011, 08:43 PM

These cool little tube Fenders can be found for $200 to $300 on eBay:

Throw a mic in front and they record pretty well too:

MP3 Player SoundClick

Winemule · #9 03-31-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

A Traynor Bass Mate would be an excellent choice for what you are seeking.

+1 Got mine on Craigslist for $35. Run it with a compressor, very nice practice amp.

Mastermold · #10 03-31-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tusec

These cool little tube Fenders can be found for $200 to $300 on eBay:

Throw a mic in front and they record pretty well too:

MP3 Player SoundClick

Yes it would be perfect. It was my first bass amp, bought it in the early 80's and still have it.

Tusec · #11 03-31-2011, 09:18 PM

The later versions use an interesting output tube -- 6QB5 or something like that. It's a 6V6 in a smaller bottle. No popular amps use them so they're really cheap. You can find US made NOS pairs for like $5.

cripula · #12 03-31-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

A Traynor Bass Mate would be an excellent choice for what you are seeking.

+2!!

Ron Now · #13 03-31-2011, 09:30 PM

I've got a Harmony 420. It's perfect, 1x15" 30 watts Volume, Bass, Treble.

Quirky, old, tube, sounds amazing (sounds just like an ampeg).

Cost me $300 off Craigslist.

I saw one for $200 at music go round and almost bought a second.

pbagley · #14 03-31-2011, 09:36 PM

I've got an old Epiphone Emperor V That was not too expensive and sounds a lot like a vintage bass amp with it's 1-15" and 1-12" speaker configuration. It is a little large for a practice amp, but not too loud. Fairly in-expensive, or at least I got a good deal on mine.

- Paul

Tusec · #15 03-31-2011, 10:00 PM

For the sake of visuals:

Traynor Bass Mate

Harmony 420

Google also popped this cool little low-power rig -- a Bass Mate head and cab

Billnc · #16 03-31-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JdoubleH

Though finding a used Mini Brute cheap might require an alternate definition of the word cheap.

I love Polytones like other guys love Fenders etc. My 2nd choice would be a B15n.

Energy · #17 04-01-2011, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPYF

I would prefer something a little quirky and oldskool if possible but more than anything it must be cheap. Does anyone have any suggestions? Im keen to have an old tube combo or something but I simply wouldn't know where to start looking.

Look for an old tube radio, like this one:

5 Watts all tube. Sounds fantastic.

JimmyM · #18 04-01-2011, 12:37 AM

i've seen beater b-15's and b-12's go for $500 and under. i bought mine for $150 10 years ago.

T-Bird · #19 04-01-2011, 01:00 AM

Hi.

Yet another would be Fender Bassman10.

If they're still as cheap as they used to that is.

Regards
Sam

Jeff Scott · #20 04-01-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tusec

For the sake of visuals:

Google also popped this cool little low-power rig -- a Bass Mate head and cab

I used to have two of those cabinets, the YS-15 (Eminence Delta Pro drivers in them), they sounded great with my Walter Woods Super and Markbass F1 amps.