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Amp choice

A

AndyMopley

Nov 30, 2024
180
189
68
Sydney AU
#1
Looking at 2 currently, a Fender Rumble 40W, the other a Roland Cube 60W - both similarly priced. Amp to be used for practice or possibly small venues (cafes). Not rock, mainly jazz.
At a much lower price there is also an Ampeg BA108, which I've read very good reviews on, in terms of how "loud" it is for the size / price.
Key is portability, and obvioulsy sound, using a Fender Jazz.

Thanks!
 
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#4
I've played though a few Roland amps during my time in Japan. I liked the 60. It is clean and loud for its size and wattage. The ones I played were coaxial speakers with a tweeter and C.O.S.M. effects built in. I have also played a lot of Jazz gigs on the Ampeg BA108. It is one of my favorite sounding combos and it's 25 watts are surprisingly loud and can handle coffee shop type gigs. I have not played the Rumble 40, but I have the 100. I like it just fine, but, I like the BA108 more. The Rumble 100 and BA108 weigh nearly the same, with the Ampeg weighing slightly more (23 vs 22 lbs). The cube 60 is 32 lbs.

You can't go wrong with any of these.
 
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#8
I’ve used my Ampeg RB 110 in practice and small gatherings, it works well. I chose it over the RB 108 due to it having a DI out connection to connect with PA’s. I’ve also played through the Rumble 40 which is an excellent lightweight amp. The Rumble and Ampeg have different sound signatures. Try both if possible to determine which is best for you and your instrument
 
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#12
Personally I’d go for the Rumble but the next size up if you want to be able to gig with.
40 watts is perfect for the bedroom but doesn’t leave you any headroom for live playing environment.
Even if that environment is just a cafe.
A small crowded venue, especially a cafe with loud espresso makers, and bad acoustics is going to have a much louder noise floor than you think. Add to that noise if you have a vocalist going through a powered speaker and a small guitar amp. Possibly drums too.

This means in a live situation you’ll most likely be running your amp at its max continuously in those situations which is not great for the amp or your tone.

A small venue amp IMO should be around 100 watts for a bass. This gives you headroom and some emergency power when needed.
 
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#13
The Boss Katana 110 would be an amp to consider.It has built in compression and effects and sounds great.Andertons does a video where they compare the Boss Katana 110 to a Fender Rumble 100 and to my ears the Boss was the better sounding amp even with the Fender being a 100 watts class d and 12 woofer vs the Boss 60 watts class ab and 10 inch woofer.Check it out.
 
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#14
Thanks all, certainly a number of options available! Latest contender is a Hartke HD25, for around $120...read excellent reviews on it.
 

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#15
I have an opinion. I play through an Ampeg Rocket at my music school and do not like it. I did not have my YYZ pedal with me one day and tried the SGT channel on the Rocket and it was horrible. So I played without the SGT. This is in a theatre, on stage, with full PA support. We practice at gig levels.

I am a fan of the Rumble and was at GC yesterday and was playing through one. The sticker said "improved gain channel" or something like that, and let me tell you it sounded awesome. And it had a low mid and high knobs which I do not recall if the older ones did.

For a budget combo amp, I would get the Rumble and not be embarrassed to play a gig (has XLR out) with it.....no doubt!!
 
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#16
Depending on what voicing you like best, quite a few good candidates have already ben named. From all I hear and read (plus personal experience which is admittedly out of date) Fender offers good engineering and a lot of quality for the money along with a great sound.

If you plan to gig, I would consider something larger than the Rumble 40, but depending on the venue size and style of music it may work fine for you. The Fender 100 and 200 might be worth a look if they're affordable and the Fender tone works for you.

I would also add that GK has some nice combos if the GK sound would work for you., although they may be a tad pricier than what has been suggested already.
 
#17
I actually have a "gig" amp, but the Peavey 400W is just too bulky and heavy these days ;-(
I was surprised by the volume I got from a Cube 20W, recently, where I was filling in a large jazz band - no problem cutting through the sound.
Leaning toward the Cube 60W, or the Rumble 40W, but for $70, I may just give the Cube 20W a try..
Decisions decisions... ;-)
 
#18
BruceG68 said:
The Boss Katana 110 would be an amp to consider.It has built in compression and effects and sounds great.Andertons does a video where they compare the Boss Katana 110 to a Fender Rumble 100 and to my ears the Boss was the better sounding amp even with the Fender being a 100 watts class d and 12 woofer vs the Boss 60 watts class ab and 10 inch woofer.Check it out.
Click to expand...
I have Katana 210. The sucker has tone to the kilts and plenty of volume. 160 watts class AB is no joke.
 

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