• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best bass amp brand?

#81
I like pre-1977 Hiwatt amps for either guitar or bass...impeccable build quality, great transformers (Partridge) with huge broadband, touch sensitive to string dynamics and guitar volume knob, pedal friendly, very durable, and best tone to my ears. I've played many, many amps over the years, but I keep sticking with the old Hiwatts: 100 watt DR103 for guitar and 400 watt DR405 for bass.
 
#85
skisagooner said:
An amp to practice, and also to have a small gig with. The gig will be in a really, really small room (think about the smallest space you need for a desktop PC, a standard drum kit, a keyboard, a bass and 1 or 2 guitars, that's it), so I don't need huge wattage.

I'm thinking 15, 30 or 60 watts, and I'm looking at the Laney RB-1, RB-2, RB-3. Definitely not looking at the 'best' amp, that's just for my curiousity.
Click to expand...

With that criteria in mind just get something like the Fender Rumble 30 combo, I have one sitting beside my actually. Cute little amp, gets the practice job done, and the little thing has some punch to it, nothing massive but way more than necessary for by yourself practicing.

Edit: Holy thread necro batman! How the heck did I even get to this thread?
 
#86
interstatejoe said:
Just curious about what makes you say Marshall the best guitar amp?
Click to expand...


Maybe its a popularity thing.
I remember as a kid hearing everyone saying Marshall was the "best"...and everybody wanted one.(Even though lots of amps sounded as good...or better)




That said..
Based on popularity, (And what ya hear on the streets ;))
I'd say Ampeg is the "Marshall" of the Bass world.


(Somebody may have said that already..I didn't have time to read the whole thread.)
JMO..YMMV...?
 
#88
I think you can use any brand for anything. What you CAN'T do is use other people's preferences and marketing puff as a substitute for your own good sense.

All amps have volume and tone controls. Once you have enough power (assuming of course that that is a valid concept in your world) nearly any amp will do, as long as it flicks on when connected to a power source.

I personally don't want anything that weighs a ton and is too big for my car. This has ZERO to do with tone (that I carry in my head). There are at least a dozen very worthy brands that make products that totally meet these criteria. I'll have ANY of them, depending on the deal I get. It's important to be open-minded. It's just stuff.

The best bass amp is the one that isn't a pain in the arse to own, however you define that.
 
#89
Bassdirty said:
Based on popularity, (And what ya hear on the streets ;)) I'd say Ampeg is the "Marshall" of the Bass world.
Click to expand...

This was once the truth, but not so much anymore.

If anything, Marshall was the Ampeg of the guitar world. In the modern world, both companies trade more on nostalgia than a dominant, identifiable sound. And NEITHER company is a standard bearer anymore.

Hey, it works for them...somewhat.
 
#90
skisagooner said:
An amp to practice, and also to have a small gig with. The gig will be in a really, really small room (think about the smallest space you need for a desktop PC, a standard drum kit, a keyboard, a bass and 1 or 2 guitars, that's it), so I don't need huge wattage.

I'm thinking 15, 30 or 60 watts, and I'm looking at the Laney RB-1, RB-2, RB-3. Definitely not looking at the 'best' amp, that's just for my curiousity.
Click to expand...

ok now this is helpful info. I would suggest that since a standard drum kit is pretty loud and can't really be significantly "turned down" without changing the feel of the drumming, the band is going to have to play at that level. My old SWR Workingman's 15 pushed 160 watts and kept of with the drummer, I'm not sure if a newer amp with a newer speaker could cut thru with less wattage. But its something to keep in mind.
 
#95
To be honest I was not very happy with my Peavey Pro Bass 500 for the longest time. I desperately wanted an ampeg svt. Alot of lo al musicians would hate on my peavey and tell me to go ampeg. Now I know after woirming and working and working.... you get the point,I was finnaly able to figure out the crazy eq and hone in on the sound I was looking for. Long story short, peavey is up there on my list.
 
#97
Edward G. said:
This was once the truth, but not so much anymore.

If anything, Marshall was the Ampeg of the guitar world. In the modern world, both companies trade more on nostalgia than a dominant, identifiable sound. And NEITHER company is a standard bearer anymore.

Hey, it works for them...somewhat.
Click to expand...
LIES! HERETIC!!

:D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back