Beginner looking for an amp

[basslifter]

I have a BA108 as a practice and coffee shop bookstore amp and it's fine for that. I have a GK MB212 for other stuff. There are tons of used loud old school amps available used for little money. I sold my old Peavey TNT for $150 to a kid who was happy to have a big loud amp and he has buddies to help him carry it.

 

[Michael Sayers]

The BA108 is pretty good. It also has a seperate input jack and volume knob for a MP3. For $100.00 new, its hard to beat

 

[strictlybass_ic]

If you just want to jam in the bedroom solo, most any combo will do. If you want to get in with some friends and jam might as well look into separates (it'll be cheaper in the long run).

And buy used if at all possible.

 

[Big Hoss]

If you aren't going to be moving it a bunch, there's a mess of older 100+ watt 1x15 combos out there on the used market dirt cheap... I REALLY liked my Crate BX-100 other than it was hernia inducing and I have a bad back...

I am a BIG fan of the Fender Rumbles, but I would not recommend the models under 40w. My bass instructor, and several instructional video instructors told me, buy as much amp as you can. Watts isn't so much for volume, as it is for clarity and tone. I have found that advice to be true....

The Rumble 40 is a great sounding little amp, and I am considering one of those for knock around jamming amp...

 

[eric_B]

OK, I've decided to let the FX gizmos go for now, better concentrate on playing first.
Still not settled on the woofer size/wattage.
About the post trying before buying: very true, but not so easy where I live.
I'll blow dozens of $/€ on gas for driving alone.

About used: I have been checking the Dutch e-bay like pages but didn't notice anything worth while.

Some options in the € 250 to € 290 price range (I guess that would equal to $250-$290):
- Fender Rumble 40, 10" 40W
- Orange CR50BXT, 12" 50W
- Hartke HD75, 12" 75W

Hard to judge from specs or YT vids, I have to admit.
At least a 60 day refund policy where I'll probably buy so no harm in trying and returning.

 

[dgrizzly]

Some options in the € 250 to € 290 price range (I guess that would equal to $250-$290):
- Fender Rumble 40, 10" 40W
- Orange CR50BXT, 12" 50W
- Hartke HD75, 12" 75W

You probably can't go wrong with any of those

About the post trying before buying: very true, but not so easy where I live.
I'll blow dozens of $/€ on gas for driving alone.

At least a 60 day refund policy where I'll probably buy so no harm in trying and returning.

If this is the case, I would just check out some YouTube videos (listening with quality headphones) to get an idea of which you think could be the best fit for you. Buy it, and if you're not satisfied, just go to the next on the list! Good luck!

 

[Big Hoss]

Definitely check YouTube videos of those amps. The Rumble 40 is a good little anp...

Not a Harte fan or hater either. Not my favorite. Seen too many Orange amps coming in for repair every time I am at the guitar shops...

 

[scottfeldstein]

I think I actually have one of those little Fender rumble 40w. Don't care for it. Mostly because I am willing to sacrifice volume in a practice amp, but not overall tone. It's a struggle to get enough lows out of it. Ideally I'd want a practice amp that sounded like a regular amp only quieter.

 

[eric_B]

Ideally I'd want a practice amp that sounded like a regular amp only quieter.

Yes, but isn't that a problem with all smaller amps?

 

[Taha-b]

why not make it simple and go for those 12s? i would like to try that hartke. if you're digging rumbles why not a 100w 12"?

 

[kwaping]

Rumble 100 combo. Great sound, 12" speaker, useful tone shaping, and a headphone out for really quiet practicing. Oh, and did I mention, 22 lbs?

Invalid Link Removed

 

[ubernator]

Rumble 200, just in case you start playing with a drummer you won't have to upgrade. Also the rumble 100 does not allow an extension cabinet but the 200 does. Not sure if they ship to Europe, but another option on the cheap is the acoustic b100mkII on musicians friend for only $159 shipped (at least in USA). Like the rumble 100 it cannot add an extension cabinet, but it is a 15 instead of a 12, half the price, but also twice the weight.

Since you said price was no issue, the rumble 200 is $399, 140w as is into a 15", and 200w with an 8 ohm speaker cab added, which can cover just about anything shy of super drop tuned metal band with dual 100w tube guitar stacks. Then you'd want the 500 with a 4x10 underneath.

Personally I use my 200 with either a 1x10 or 2x10. Note that the rumble combo weighs about as much as the relatively high end swr 1x10, and a little less than the less beefy built ampeg 210 from the micro CL stack (also another option if you like the cool factor and small footprint of the vertical 210 mini svt stack, but less power and tonal control)

The 200 is 30something pounds, definitely under 40. Super light.

What is more important is the range of tones and settings available, same as rumble 40 and 100 but with a bigger speaker, more power, and a speaker jack for expansion later if you need it. Still small enough to not be obnoxious in the corner of the studio.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Yes, but isn't that a problem with all smaller amps?

Not if you've at least got a 12 and enough watts to put the spurs to it.

 

[eric_B]

Thanks for the feedback. I actually got to hear the Rumble 40 today, sounded pretty good to me.
And much lighter in weight than I expected.

Considering price: the Rumble 25 costs € 192 over here, the 40 € 248 and the 100 € 275.
So the 100 seems to be pretty good value for money, considering wattage and features.
The step up to a 200 is bigger at € 485 and the 500 is close to that at € 569.
I guess those would be very cool but maybe a bit overkill for my purpose.

I see they advertise the Rumble 100 with a 12" Eminence speaker.
That doesn't mean much to me but I would guess that's considered a better than average speaker?

 

[scottfeldstein]

I think I actually have one of those little Fender rumble 40w. Don't care for it. Mostly because I am willing to sacrifice volume in a practice amp, but not overall tone. It's a struggle to get enough lows out of it. Ideally I'd want a practice amp that sounded like a regular amp only quieter.

Update: I have the rumble 15, quite a bit smaller than the 40

 

[eric_B]

Update: I have the rumble 15, quite a bit smaller than the 40

OK, that's clears it up, as said I found the Rumble 40 pretty good.
But I guess I'll go for the Rumble 100 considering the price.
Maybe a bit too much for just practicing but I'd prefer to have a bit more power than I need in case I would jam with some others.
And I can always return it within 60 days if I don't like it.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

[Jim Carr]

OK, that's clears it up, as said I found the Rumble 40 pretty good.
But I guess I'll go for the Rumble 100 considering the price.
Maybe a bit too much for just practicing but I'd prefer to have a bit more power than I need in case I would jam with some others.
And I can always return it within 60 days if I don't like it.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Just be aware that most small combos do not permit you to add an extension speaker. That goes for the Rumble 100, too.

 

[eric_B]

Just be aware that most small combos do not permit you to add an extension speaker. That goes for the Rumble 100, too.

Thanks, yes, I got that and also that the 200 does allow an extension speaker.
But going from € 248 for the 40 to € 275 for the 100 is a small step.
Going to € 485 for the 200 is a bigger one and I wonder if that's not a bit too much for a beginner for home practice without knowing if I'll join a band shortly (or ever).

 

[Linnin]

Thanks, yes, I got that and also that the 200 does allow an extension speaker.
But going from € 248 for the 40 to € 275 for the 100 is a small step.
Going to € 485 for the 200 is a bigger one and I wonder if that's not a bit too much for a beginner for home practice without knowing if I'll join a band shortly (or ever).

If 275 Euros is a comfortable price for you, the Rumble 100 combo would be a superb choice.

 

[Jim Carr]

Resale value on small combos is, well, small. Try finding a used combo in the Netherlands. There are a lot of bass players there!