Bass Amp for Small Venues.

[Bruce85]

Hello.

I would like to know what is the smallest amp wattage wise I could get away with for band practice in a small room and for small gigs. The amp would only be used as a stage monitor as I'd also be using a DI into the PA all the time. Also it would only be myself and drummer.

Recommendations of brands would be great too.

Thanks.

 

[Munjibunga]

I think the GK MB200 is perfect for this. Aux in and headphones out for practice, plus plenty of oomph for small to small-medium venues. Priced below $300, less than the cost of many stomp boxes. Of course you're going to need a cab. Spend the savings from your amp purchase on that.

 

[Basically Bob]

Not sure if you are looking for a head or a combo, so I will throw out some other options for you to consider. If you are looking for a combo, GK's MB110 would do the trick (i use one regularly for home practice and as a stage monitor, next to a drummer, in a church setting. Their MB112 bumps it up a notch.

Traynor's product line is a good choice also. It is a Canadian company with an awesome warranty that is applicable in the U.S. as well as Canada. Many of their products continue to be made in Canada. They offer a full featured 200 watt amp (SB200H) that competes directly with GK. Their Small Block combo series compete directly with GK's producy line, also.

If it were me, like Munjibunga, I would go with the 200 watt, micro head and a separate cab. Gives you lots of flexibility if needed, later on.

 

[Linnin]

Hello.

I would like to know what is the smallest amp wattage wise I could get away with for band practice in a small room and for small gigs. The amp would only be used as a stage monitor as I'd also be using a DI into the PA all the time. Also it would only be myself and drummer.

Recommendations of brands would be great too.

Thanks.

Fender Rumble 100 would be a perfect match. D-Class power into a superb Eminence 12. Lightweight at only 22 pounds. XLR out to your PA. $300 US Invalid Link Removed

 

[chris_b]

I use either my 500 watt or 800 watt amps for gigs. I use the 500 watt amp and 112 for rehearsals and playing at home.

I find the master volume comes in useful when I want to be quieter.

 

[bryan gibson]

Carvin MB series combo's. The 1x15 200w version will carry a small to mid size room (especially placed in a corner and/or a hollow stage), plus has matching/stackable extension cab capability, and a nice DI. 32 lbs, US made, and just a tick over $300.

 

[Clivus58]

I just got an Ibanez Promethean 1x10 combo. Rated at 300 watts, although it does not seem quite that powerful. I got it for the light weight and features... XLR DI... Limiter...numerous tone options. Played one gig so far with 4 string Fender with active pickups.. Outdoors using amp for stage monitor. Pretty good so far... Still dialing it in but I think it will be fine.

 

[AstroSonic]

Plenty to choose from. If you're looking at combo's, you should be thinking in terms of a 1x10 or 1x12. For light weight the Fender Rumbles and GK's are hard to beat. The Rumble's have a somewhat 'full' bass with sweet mids and treble, while the GK's have a tighter, more articulate bass, with a more neutral, somewhat mid-dominant tone. The Ampegs have perhaps the most neutral tone of the 3, but are heavier. The Eden combos have received some good comments at TB, but I have not heard them. For substantially more money, the MarkBass combos are well liked. They have a fairly neutral tone with articulate bass (except the 'student' model, which is described as having a 'full' bass). The MB's are heavier than the Rumbles and GK's, but lighter than the Ampegs. The Hartke's (with aluminum cones) are quite heavy, and have a unique mid-dominant tone.

Lots of good choices. Knowing the tone you prefer and how much weight you are willing to deal with will go a long way in helping you decide.

There are several small class D heads that are in the same price range as the combo's that will meet your needs and offer more long term flexibility. If you already have a rig for larger venues, the combos may a be less redundant and simpler solution.

 

[CrUiSeR]

So your band is you and a dummer?!
Unless your above mentioned mate only plays with brushes I would disregard all comments about 1x10s. IMO a single 15 or 2x10 would be better
Brands? An Eden D210XLT can fill a large room.

 

[bebass]

Not sure if you are looking for a head or a combo, so I will throw out some other options for you to consider. If you are looking for a combo, GK's MB110 would do the trick (i use one regularly for home practice and as a stage monitor, next to a drummer, in a church setting. Their MB112 bumps it up a notch.

Traynor's product line is a good choice also. It is a Canadian company with an awesome warranty that is applicable in the U.S. as well as Canada. Many of their products continue to be made in Canada. They offer a full featured 200 watt amp (SB200H) that competes directly with GK. Their Small Block combo series compete directly with GK's producy line, also.

If it were me, like Munjibunga, I would go with the 200 watt, micro head and a separate cab. Gives you lots of flexibility if needed, later on.

I 3rd the small 200 watt amp and separate cab idea.
My Traynor SB200H and a 12 is simply divine. 1.5 lbs for an amp? Can't get much better than that at this point in time.

 

[buldog5151bass]

My two cents - I think you are better spending a few more bucks, and getting an amp with more power. I have a Carvin BX-500 (500 watts @4 ohms). I have a cheap cab in the rehearsal room, as well as my practice room. This way, I just have to carry my head and bass. Makes life easier, and allows you to grow without having to buy a new head.

 

[theduke1]

I use my Ibanez Promethian 3110 with an Overton 110 ext cab. Love it

 

[theduke1]

Here it is

 

[Buzz E]

I think the GK MB200 is perfect for this. Aux in and headphones out for practice, plus plenty of oomph for small to small-medium venues. Priced below $300, less than the cost of many stomp boxes. Of course you're going to need a cab. Spend the savings from your amp purchase on that.

^^^This.^^^

 

[PeteBass51]

Just recently switched from an Ampeg mini fridge and SWR head to a TC250 115 combo--couldn't deal with the weight anymore. The TC weighs about 30 lbs and holds it own even outdoors. As with most small combos it needs PA support. I would have went with a component rig but didn't want to spend the $$.

 

[bassrich]

I've played small rooms with my old Basic 60 but with a di any will do as long as you can hear yourself onstage just lock with the drummer

 

[metron]

If you can afford it, the Walkabout. Its such a gem of an amp. The MB200 is no slouch either and very affordable.

 

[moody]

Hello.

I would like to know what is the smallest amp wattage wise I could get away with for band practice in a small room and for small gigs. The amp would only be used as a stage monitor as I'd also be using a DI into the PA all the time. Also it would only be myself and drummer.

Recommendations of brands would be great too.

Thanks.

For rehearsals I am using a washburn 65 watt combo without an extension speaker - therefore about 45 watts through a single 15" speaker.
It is enough, but it doesn't do clean at rehearsal levels (I'm fine with that).

I would not want to use it live without PA support.

 

[JimmyM]

You know, I've done gigs with a a full oldies rock band with horns using a 35w practice amp or a B-15, which isn't a practice amp but it's only 25w. Some of those gigs have been stage volume only, too. Other bass players I know couldn't even walk out the door knowing they had less than a 1000w rig. So the answer is "it depends."

 

[Marko 1]

Unless you have to use public transportation (or some other extenuation circumstances) I don’t see any reason to go as small/weak as possible.

200 watts and a 115 or 210 just isn’t that big or heavy-- you don’t know what you might run into later.

If you have more than one rig of course, that might be a different matter.