Bass Amp for School Jazz Band- 2 inputs?

[bigmikebass]

Hey all,
The school band teacher asked me for a recommendation on a bass amp he can use with his jazz band (I’m the orchestra teacher) and I am unfamiliar with the gear he is looking for. My personal bass amps are out of his range and not what he is looking for- any suggestion?

Bass COMBO amp- price range up to $400.00
Must be new- school purchase order
-two inputs (not something I see often) so two players can play at the same time.
-portable- a 2X10, 1X15, 1X12
-castors- although he could just put it on a dolly
-loud enough for a small middle school jazz band, I’d bet 250-300 watts would be fine.
-needs to last awhile/be reliable/not too complicated as school funds are not often available and he is a clarinet player so he has limited amp experience.

Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[Redbrangus]

I know this isn't what was asked, but two different bass players into one amp/speaker system is a recipe for failure, IMHO. Especially with an inexpensive combo.

 

[G On Bass]

I agree with ^^ that having 2 people play into 1 amp simultaneously can cause problems. Perhaps it might be easier to find a proper, single input combo an put a small 2 channel mixer or A/B/Y box in front of it. There are lots of choices for not much money.

 

[Redbrangus]

This solution isn't any different than using a two-input amplifier, which is essentially just a 2-chanel 'mixer' in front of a single-channel amp. My concern is for the speaker system that has to reproduce two different -- possibly not harmonically related -- LF notes simultaneously. I get the desirability of having two students playing at the same time, and I imagine at reasonable volumes a decent bass speaker would probably survive the abuse, but it wouldn't be optimal. I suggest having the players alternate which one is plugged in and the other playing along silently. Fender Rumbles are ideal for educational situations.

 

[blizzard]

This solution isn't any different than using a two-input amplifier, which is essentially just a 2-chanel 'mixer' in front of a single-channel amp. My concern is for the speaker system that has to reproduce two different -- possibly not harmonically related -- LF notes simultaneously. I get the desirability of having two students playing at the same time, and I imagine at reasonable volumes a decent bass speaker would probably survive the abuse, but it wouldn't be optimal. I suggest having the players alternate which one is plugged in and the other playing along silently. Fender Rumbles are ideal for educational situations.

2 notes damaging the speaker isn't a real thing, as long as the xmax isn't exceeded, speakers don't care.

Op most combos with 2 inputs will have an normal and padded input so one player will be louder. Anyway, I would probably look at a Peavey Max 150.

 

[Kael]

Get a mixer, use a small PA speaker. That will cover more scenarios than just bass so it will be used more.

 

[Bob_Ross]

two different bass players into one amp/speaker system is a recipe for failure, IMHO.

For that matter, two different bass players in one high school jazz ensemble is a recipe for failure also! :::ducks:::

 

[gln1955]

This solution isn't any different than using a two-input amplifier, which is essentially just a 2-chanel 'mixer' in front of a single-channel amp. My concern is for the speaker system that has to reproduce two different -- possibly not harmonically related -- LF notes simultaneously. I get the desirability of having two students playing at the same time, and I imagine at reasonable volumes a decent bass speaker would probably survive the abuse, but it wouldn't be optimal. I suggest having the players alternate which one is plugged in and the other playing along silently. Fender Rumbles are ideal for educational situations.

PA speakers do that all the time. The issue, as stated above, is that most two input amps have one padded. They may also be set up to only allow one to work at a time.

 

[bigmikebass]

THANK YOU EVERYONE
All this is great to process. The grade school jazz band has bass players that alternate for performance, but practice together. The rumble series may be a good option. Don’t see him running a pa, but a small 2 channel mixer may work well. Any suggestions for that? What cable runs from the mixer to the amp- is it just a mono cable that you mix both signals into and send mono to the amp?

 

[nickpc]

My old Peavey TKO 65, which I donated to a middle-school band, had 2 inputs and would run both padded if there were cables plugged into both of them. Worked/works fine - they're still jamming away with it after a few years.

The older Peavey combos are bulletproof, sound good, and are LOUD for their wattage, too. They're also heavy so they aren't as popular, which keeps the prices down. Add casters and you're happy as Larry!

 

[darwin-bass]

I donated a Rumble 100 to my HS jazz band. It was plenty loud enough.

Two players through one amp should be fine. The problem is finding an amp with non-padded 2nd input. A cheap mixer would do the trick but is another piece of gear and in a school setting, prone to getting lost or broken.

 

[TheReceder]

I'd get a Fender rumble and an inexpensive AB switch.
Fender Rumble 40 1x10" 40-watt Bass Combo Amp | Sweetwater
On-Stage GSP1000 ABY Switcher Pedal | Sweetwater

 

[Jared Houseman]

I recommend a active PA speaker. I used a Electrovoice zlx 12in for years as my gigging amp.

 

[beans-on-toast]

A school can get an educational discount, worth asking about at some retailers. It would help extend the budget.

 

[J Posega]

I'd get a Fender rumble and an inexpensive AB switch.
Fender Rumble 40 1x10" 40-watt Bass Combo Amp | Sweetwater
On-Stage GSP1000 ABY Switcher Pedal | Sweetwater

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+1 to a Fender Rumble and an ABY switch. The basses get plugged in to A and B and then you run a cable from the output to the amp. Avoids the issue of plugging into a second input which is padded (i.e., quieter).

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I reckon you could buy a pair of Fender Rumble 40's for close to $400 with an educational discount. Better option than sharing an amp.

 

[MadCarrot]

ya i think two rumble 40 is better than one rumble 100
i have an orange 50, can't say its very lound. just enough for a lounge I think.

 

[walterw]

two players into one amp is miserable for both players, they'll each be struggling to hear themselves over the other player

 

[GreyBeard]

Fender Rumble 100 will do the job

 

[bigmikebass]

Thanks everyone! I feel informed enough to give him some advice/options.
Talkbass=win