Yes! I was interested in that one too. I was initially put off by the higher price, but I've read the quality is great for the money.
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Best portable practice bass combo amp?
- Thread starter bassbourne
- Start date
Yes! I was interested in that one too. I was initially put off by the higher price, but I've read the quality is great for the money.
IN my experience all the little amps from the major makers are good for the price, so you choose by tone. I would point out that the Rumble 25 is actually heavier than the 40. It's to do with the construction. I like my 15, and find it adequately bassy, but it's a prehistoric V1 and Fender are on V3 right now. And I go for twangy over majestic anyway.
Look, the Rumble 40 is fine. It has a volume knob so you can turn it down. It's not significantly less portable than the smaller amps, and so why bother? You've already got a perfectly good practice amp. Unless you are going to go for a Phil Jones or the Markbass, then, really, why not save your cash?
Look, the Rumble 40 is fine. It has a volume knob so you can turn it down. It's not significantly less portable than the smaller amps, and so why bother? You've already got a perfectly good practice amp. Unless you are going to go for a Phil Jones or the Markbass, then, really, why not save your cash?
Yeah, I wouldn't bother unless it's significantly smaller. And by the looks of things some of the 15 watt amps are quite a bit smaller. I could be wrong though. That's just based on some videos I've seen.
All I know is that the Rumble 40 (although an awesome amp) is quite a large obstacle in our small living room (especially with a 2 year old running around) so I usually keep it hidden away in the only spare corner.
You're right about the volume thing. I could turn the amp down. I just felt it unnecessary to have an amp of that size and power when I never get to utilise it.
I figured a smaller amp would solve those issues, but if that's not the case, I've got some rethinking to do...
Yeah, I wouldn't bother unless it's significantly smaller. And by the looks of things some of the 15 watt amps are quite a bit smaller. I could be wrong though. That's just based on some videos I've seen.
All I know is that the Rumble 40 (although an awesome amp) is quite a large obstacle in our small living room (especially with a 2 year old running around) so I usually keep it hidden away in the only spare corner.
You're right about the volume thing. I could turn the amp down. I just felt it unnecessary to have an amp of that size and power when I never get to utilise it.
I figured a smaller amp would solve those issues, but if that's not the case, I've got some rethinking to do...
The 15 is one and a half inches narrower and lower than the 40. It is a whole 4 inches less deep, so that is an issue. It's 2 pounds lighter. Have a look at the specs on the fender website.
Thanks. I checked the specs and some videos and the difference looked significant enough to me, but will have to see if I can find some to check out in person. The Hartke is smaller still (although not by much) and the Roland even smaller. Every inch makes a difference in our box of an apartment.
I'd consider the Ampeg BA108v2.
Usable in an acoustic setting, pleasing tone and volume and bass knobs. Thin things out for your personal practice but crank back up for live performance.
Honestly, you should be able to do that with your Rumble too.
Back off the tone controls and get it off the floor.
Usable in an acoustic setting, pleasing tone and volume and bass knobs. Thin things out for your personal practice but crank back up for live performance.
Honestly, you should be able to do that with your Rumble too.
Back off the tone controls and get it off the floor.
Yeah, you said 2 year old. I remember when ours were two I had a Carlsbro 2x12 in a small living room (I was a guitarist at the time, for some reason. Brain fever, I think). We had to put cushions on it and sit on it. But you're right, inches do matter in that situation.
The problem with low end is it requires more wattage than higher frequencies. It also has a nasty habit of being audible through walls and floors. My advice is a small head with an aux in, a headphone out, and a decent set of ear buds.
The Peavey MAX 126 is even smaller. The Roland is 296x294x207 mm and weighs 6.8 kg, the Peavey is 283x280x170 mm and weighs only 5 kg. It's small enough to place on a bedside table, so it doesn't become an obstacle for a toddler.
I listened to the video posted above (7 best portable amps) with good headphones (AKG K612 Pro) and I really don't think that the Peavey sounds worse than any of the combos they demoed. It doesn't have a built-in compressor, so you just might have to be careful with your playing style if you use lots of dynamics, but for finger-style playing, it's perfect.
There were a couple of headphone practice amps that were discontinued.
One particularly great on was the 3Leaf Audio Enabler. If you can find one used, it will drive a powered speaker. Less flexible but great for private practice was Fodera’s Private Practice Amp, but their harder to find. Traynor makes a great small amp the SB 106.
One particularly great on was the 3Leaf Audio Enabler. If you can find one used, it will drive a powered speaker. Less flexible but great for private practice was Fodera’s Private Practice Amp, but their harder to find. Traynor makes a great small amp the SB 106.
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All numbers in inches. H x W x D
Ampeg BA-108v2: 16.8 x 15 x 12
Rumble 40: 16.5 x 16.5 x 12
Rumble 25: 15.25 x 15.25 x 11
Rumble 15: 15 x 15 x 8
Hartke HD15: 15.5 x 14.5 x 11
Roland Micro Cube Bass RX: 11.6 x 11.7 x 8.4
Peavey MAX 126: 11.0 x 11.2 x 6.75
- John
Ampeg BA-108v2: 16.8 x 15 x 12
Rumble 40: 16.5 x 16.5 x 12
Rumble 25: 15.25 x 15.25 x 11
Rumble 15: 15 x 15 x 8
Hartke HD15: 15.5 x 14.5 x 11
Roland Micro Cube Bass RX: 11.6 x 11.7 x 8.4
Peavey MAX 126: 11.0 x 11.2 x 6.75
- John
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Check out the manual:
https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/max126.pdf
11.0 x 11.2 x 6.75 (inches)
Tomorrow, I'll bring mine home from my office so I can practice in the living room while we're quarantined. I can take measures if needed.
Exactly my sentiments. Used only, and seemingly pricey, but you can pull that amp head off and it will give you 175 watts into 8 ohms, and 300 into 4 ohms - fully usable with larger cabinets on small to medium-small gigs. Also great functionality with headphone out and aux in. I've traveled with it, headphones and a bass for extended hotel room use. And it sounds good! I've had mine for 12-13 years, and it will probably follow me to the grave.
Thanks for that! I'd seen most of the specs individually, but it's very handy to see them side by side.
+1 for the Ampeg BA108 V2, cheap, small enough, 20w and sounds great. Mine is sitting in a cupboards as I use my Rumble 500 for practice as I have the space but I keep meaning to get the Ampeg out again to compare them. I love it.
