35W at home ? Is it enough ?

[40Hz]

I use a 1967 Ampeg B-15N fliptop. It's not high in wattage. But it puts out a very full sound with its ported 15" cab. which is why you'll find one of these amps in most major studios. Works for practice, small gigs, and recording.

It's not so much the wattage as the design of the amp itself. Higher wattage is no guarantee of a good sounding bass amp.

The Fender Rumble series are very good smallish bass amps suitable for practice and rehearsals as long as you have a drummer and a guitarist who aren't deaf. They have an unusually good tone for something as small as they are. Premier Guitar Magazine named them their top pick in their recent roundup for the small 12" combo category. You can read the article and see the videos here.

I personally preferred the sound of the Ashdown they reviewed. But it's $200 more than the Fender Rumble. It's also more tricked out - and suitable for small gig use - so that's hardly surprising. I'd be more inclined to save up a little extra and go with something like that since I generally prefer to spend what's reasonable for some additional versatility and usefulness when buying something like an amp. But that's me. YMMV.

 

[skruch]

I use a SWR Workingman's 10 which is 80W into a 10 plus tweeter. Can rattle the windows if I want to.

 

[Lo-E]

It looks to be a Sunn 100s, it's a great amp, either 60 or 80 watts depending on whether or not it has a SS rectifier or not.

Ric

The 100s had a pair of KT-88s, which would put it at 100W easily. The only Sunn circuit I could find that doesn't run KT-88s or 6550s would be the Sonic I40. That runs a pair of EL-34s (6CA7s) at around 450V - that would put it in the 40-50W range, I would think. Only trouble is, the only photos I could find of I40s showed a much different looking amp. I wonder if that's an early version....

EDIT: I just did some poking around on the net and it seems that the earliest Sunn heads had split chassis and top controls. That would place the amp in the photo at 1966 or even 65 and his description of it being 40W would make it either an early Sonic i40 or an even earlier "Sunn Amp", which they were called before there were any actual models to choose from.

All pretty interesting, but I apologize for hijacking the thread.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I have a 5 strings but I rarely go as low as low B for home practice.



Maybe I didn't express myself properly. I meant pedal testing as in testing if they are working properly or not. But with the crappy amp I had at home I couldn't even tell. When it comes to pedal settings I do it strictly on my main rig with my band. So you were right but I was not clear.



That seems a bit overkill to me haha
I'm just looking for an amp to use in my appartment (with neighboors). My main rig is Ampeg SVT-4 pro with 8x10 heritage cab. I know I will never get close to it at home but I'd like at least to have a pleasant and defined sound.

I understand it seems like overkill but.....I don't like a lot of bass combo amps.

I know from repair guys that separates are better for the most part....these modern, too thin circuit boards can give trouble and the vibration from the speaker doesn't help.

Certainly I got a good deal on my setup.....but dude, your main setup is the holy grail!

 

[DavidEdenAria]

While we are talking small bass combos, what are some of the better proven bass combos that can be bought for under $200 used?

Ones that have been out there for years with few issues & have a decent EQ section and importantly the speaker is solid?

 

[Wesley R]

Genz Benz Intro 50 or Intro 75 clean, super well built.

 

[Lo-E]

While we are talking small bass combos, what are some of the better proven bass combos that can be bought for under $200 used?

Ones that have been out there for years with few issues & have a decent EQ section and importantly the speaker is solid?

The SWR Workingman's series is fairly bombproof and 12s and 15s usually go around $200 used. They're a bit heavy for their power, though and tend to be an awkward carry. Still, the 15 is a good amp as long as your drummer's not Godzilla.

The old Peavey TNT combos are completely indestructible, loud and normally sell for butt-cheap. Their EQ isn't all that flexible, but it doesn't really need to be - these amps sound pretty good to begin with.

G-K combos tend to run a little more expensive used, but they're good quality amps.

 

[BassAt33]

I was looking at the Ampeg BA110 but ended up with a Fender Rumble 40 today, and it is quite loud and I think it sounds great! Couldn't be happier!

 

[neckdive]

While we are talking small bass combos, what are some of the better proven bass combos that can be bought for under $200 used?

Ones that have been out there for years with few issues & have a decent EQ section and importantly the speaker is solid?

I would suggest either the now discontinued Ampeg B50R or B100R which you can find in that range. I have a 50 which is much tougher to find but the 100's seem to pop up fairly regularly on the used market. The tone is smooth and old school with no noise when not playing. The response is excellent allowing you to work out subtle details in your technique. The 50 is now my favorite amp.

 

[Lo-E]

I would suggest either the now discontinued Ampeg B50R or B100R which you can find in that range. I have a 50 which is much tougher to find but the 100's seem to pop up fairly regularly on the used market. The tone is smooth and old school with no noise when not playing. The response is excellent allowing you to work out subtle details in your technique. The 50 is now my favorite amp.

I'll second the vote for the B100R. They get a lot of love here on TB. I used one for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. It was the house backline at a small club and wasn't in the best shape, but even in its well-used state it sounded really nice. It cops the B-15 vibe pretty well.

 

[neckdive]

I found the 50 at a nearby GC not long ago and had to jump on it quickly due to it's rarity. This particular one was a USA model in pristine condition for about $240 which is a bit on the high side for a 50 watt SS amp but once I got it home, I had no regrets. I use it at a small bar and have to crank it to 9 but it sits perfectly in the mix. My big rig would be overkill in this place.

I have never tried a B100R but suspect they sound just as great, only louder.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

The SWR Workingman's series is fairly bombproof and 12s and 15s usually go around $200 used. They're a bit heavy for their power, though and tend to be an awkward carry. Still, the 15 is a good amp as long as your drummer's not Godzilla.

The old Peavey TNT combos are completely indestructible, loud and normally sell for butt-cheap. Their EQ isn't all that flexible, but it doesn't really need to be - these amps sound pretty good to begin with.

G-K combos tend to run a little more expensive used, but they're good quality amps.

Yeah, I have a Peavey TKO 115...it has a Scorpion speaker which is really solid & 7 band EQ w headphone jack....heavier than the dickens though...I finally installed heavy casters!

Too big and bulky for me as a carry around practice amp....I will probably send it out to my nephews...great if you have only 1 amp for a novice.

 

[edbass]

The 100s had a pair of KT-88s, which would put it at 100W easily. The only Sunn circuit I could find that doesn't run KT-88s or 6550s would be the Sonic I40. That runs a pair of EL-34s (6CA7s) at around 450V - that would put it in the 40-50W range, I would think. Only trouble is, the only photos I could find of I40s showed a much different looking amp. I wonder if that's an early version....

EDIT: I just did some poking around on the net and it seems that the earliest Sunn heads had split chassis and top controls. That would place the amp in the photo at 1966 or even 65 and his description of it being 40W would make it either an early Sonic i40 or an even earlier "Sunn Amp", which they were called before there were any actual models to choose from.

All pretty interesting, but I apologize for hijacking the thread.

It's a '66 model 40-A-40, pair of EL34's.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I'll second the vote for the B100R. They get a lot of love here on TB. I used one for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. It was the house backline at a small club and wasn't in the best shape, but even in its well-used state it sounded really nice. It cops the B-15 vibe pretty well.

Yeah I should have asked, which cops the B15 vibe the best?

 

[David Jayne]

This guy seems to get a good sound from this little Ampeg thingy. Might be a bit darker-sounding than some would want, but I like it. Sounds fat. Not bad at all.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I have a Peavey Microbass that has a great tone and takes up very little space. Has volume, low, mid, and highs. Headphone out. Its has a great rock and roll tone, but the speaker needs to be upgraded. I'm adding an Eminence 8" 125 watt speaker and it should put out pretty good bottom end. You can get them from eBay or Reverb for $75 or so...

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

I use this little guy. Vox Pathfinder 10B, completely awesome piece of gear with amazing tone.

I carry this around from room to room looking for that sweet spot away from sleeping children. My wife thinks it's a handbag too.

 

[zontar]

I have a Traynor TBM 10--10 watts--handy & convenient bass amp to use at home--if I need more power I can use my Garnet Stencil bass amp--a huge thing--and more than loud enough.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I use this little guy. Vox Pathfinder 10B, completely awesome piece of gear with amazing tone.

I carry this around from room to room looking for that sweet spot away from sleeping children. My wife thinks it's a handbag too.
View attachment 759622

 

[Up the dose]

My home practice rig is an old Peavy backstage 30 that I've had since around 1985...solid-state, 30 watts into 10"... It's not even marketed as a " bass" rig, but at low volumes, just playing along with records or whatever, it has remarkably good tone...I kinda like clean and bright but with a 3 band eq...you can dial in just about any tone you want. I mean, we're talking practice at-home here....right?

My home practice amp is a Peavey KBA 15 that has two channels that allows me to put a drum machine in one and bass in the other and also has a headphone input to play quietly when I need to. Does the job just fine. I also still have a TNT 130 in my guitarists basement for band rehearsing that I have been playing since 1986 and it has never let me down. Always sounds good. That amp will still be around after I'm long gone! They are indestructible!