Best Combo Amp Under $100?

[tastybasslines]

I need a small amp, I'm going to jam after hours at the office with a guitarist and a drummer here is bringing in an electronic kit so we can play at controlled volumes. I don't want to spend alot, hence the title of the thread.

Here is what I am looking at so far.

Ampeg BA-108 25W 1x8 Bass Combo Amp - Find the largest selection and guaranteed lowest prices at Musician's Friend.

Don't like the RCA aux in on this, but looks like good sound.

Ibanez SWX20 20W 1x8 Bass Combo Amp - Find the largest selection and guaranteed lowest prices at Musician's Friend.

Seems good, but maybe lacking resale value, unlike the Ampeg?

Acoustic B10 10W 1X10 Bass Combo Amp - Find the largest selection and guaranteed lowest prices at Musician's Friend.

Any recommendations? Anyone played any of these?

 

[Hobobob]

The fender rumble is also a pretty decent sounding 15 watter, that's what we use where I work.

 

[JimmyM]

any time i have a choice between ampeg and anything else, i pick ampeg

 

[bassist4dalord]

+1 to the Ampeg. Best features for the money.

 

[jumbosilverette]

Go up a little and get the Acoustic B20.

 

[tastybasslines]

Go up a little and get the Acoustic B20.

It's for an office. Smaller the better...I don't need volume, I need tone, I'm leaning toward the ampeg.

 

[JimmyM]

It's for an office. Smaller the better...I don't need volume, I need tone, I'm leaning toward the ampeg.

a bigger cab will be more toneful than a smaller cab. tiny little practice combos can sound really good, but it's true that there are sacrifices to be made tonally when you use a much smaller cab. but i have played 108 cabs that did have an awful lot of tone for the size. so as always, let your ears decide.

 

[RickenBoogie]

+1, and I'd be looking at 12" combo's exactly for that reason, tone. The 8"ers will never sound as good, and you can always turn the volume down on a bigger amp.

 

[squashedOpossum]

Go up a little and get the Acoustic B20.

a bigger cab will be more toneful than a smaller cab. tiny little practice combos can sound really good, but it's true that there are sacrifices to be made tonally when you use a much smaller cab. but i have played 108 cabs that did have an awful lot of tone for the size. so as always, let your ears decide.

+1 to both of these. I agree with Jimmy that not all 108s are thin, but finding one with good thick tone is like finding a needle in a cliche'. The cabinet of the Acoustic B20 is so solid and the tone is so rich. Plus it's right at home when you move beyond the office and do acoustic gigs. It's so much more than a practice amp.

 

[tjh]

FWIW, I wouldn't even consider anything with less than a 10" speaker, and for under $100, you will not do better than a used Fender Bassman 25 .. they sound huge for what they are (tone), and can be found used at or very near your price ...

 

[Marton]

I like my 90s Peavey Microbass as a small combo practice amp. One sold for $20 on eBay recently.

 

[BillyIVbass]

I have owned both the Acoustic B20 and the Ampeg BA112. Both are a little more than your budget, but they both sound like real bass amps at lower volumes. I also liked the Fender Rumble 15 for solo practicing, but I don't know if it could hang.

 

[electracoyote]

Right here. Drive CD200B. No kidding. I have used it at low-volume rehearsals with two guitars and a drummer, it keeps up.

 

[Rob Martinez]

I have an Ampeg BA108 on order, and if it is anything like the BA112, it will be a great amp. Now, the Peavey MAX158 is also a great little practice amp. But it is 15 watts, while the Ampeg BA108 is 25 watts. Get the Ampeg!

 

[slapfunk987]

You need to stop being cheap... Bump yourself up to that Ampeg BA115 for $300. Then you wont come back here asking more questions...

 

[waleross]

I have a pignose Hog-30, battery powered with a charger
($180) sounds great (8") speaker. Great as a warm-up back stage amp. In any case get the Ampeg and soon you'll want an SvT-CL with a Fridge.......................

 

[Bass FreeLee]

FWIW, I wouldn't even consider anything with less than a 10" speaker QUOTE]

I agree-- nothing less than a 10" for a combo.. but i also bought a Sub speaker (8") that was for a surround sound system for 10 bucks at the Goodwill store and use my GK head with it and it blows any combo out the water!

Sounds Great and if for some reason i blow it ( But it gets LOUD!) Then all well-- it was only ten bucks

 

[spufman]

A single 10" small combo can sound great - I have an old 100W Tubeworks that I absolutely love (which I got used for $125). I've never heard a single 8" combo that I was happy with, at least for my needs. A 10" amp isn't much larger than an 8" amp, except in tone.

 

[kenstee]

Here is an AMAZING deal on an Acoustic B20. $119 shipped with a bunch of accessories to boot! Link Removed Great amp at a fantastic price. Perfect for what you need it for. You won't be sorry.......

 

[Slackerprince]

I have a Warwick Blue Cab 30 that sounds awesome. Maybe you could get one used.
Personally, I'd go for a 10" speaker if you're going to be with a drummer and guitar.
Peavey Max sounded pretty good when I played them at GC.
Rumbles would probably work.
Go used.

S