Best practice amp for the low B

[frankie5string]

I wasn't happy with the Ampeg 108... any of the Hartke KB combos should satisfy you. They do handle a low-B quite well at practice volume and they are usually reasonably priced.

 

[Rooster009]

I’d say this one should work just fine. Slapping on a 4 like that is harder on’em than finger or pick on a 5. That looks like a huge cabinet for a 6.5, so I would think it has pretty good low end extension.

 

[Brandon Swift]

You may want to consider an Ampeg BA-108 or a Rumble 25. The amplifiers are quite decent thanks to the availability of inexpensive, yet remarkably good chip amplifiers. However, in both cases, the stock speaker is forgettable. Replace it with a Dayton PA200-8, and line one side, the bottom and about 50% of the back with Dacron or other damping material.

I think these are the 2 that I’m going to be trying out soon. They are both at the price point I’m comfortable with, but you got me wondering something. Could I just replace the speaker in the crate with a better one? Would like make a difference or would it still miss the lows because of the amps components?

 

[AstroSonic]

I think these are the 2 that I’m going to be trying out soon. They are both at the price point I’m comfortable with, but you got me wondering something. Could I just replace the speaker in the crate with a better one? Would like make a difference or would it still miss the lows because of the amps components?

Chances are that the Crate would benefit from a driver upgrade. If you provide the approximate internal dimensions of the speaker cab and dimensions of any bass ports, some drivers can be modeled and hopefully recommended.

 

[BassNugget]

I think these are the 2 that I’m going to be trying out soon. They are both at the price point I’m comfortable with, but you got me wondering something. Could I just replace the speaker in the crate with a better one? Would like make a difference or would it still miss the lows because of the amps components?

You may not need to change anything. Try them first. I am going to guess that the Ampeg will sound deeper in the store. Buy the one that you like, that sounds how you like at your normal practice volume. To my ears, my Ampeg sounds better at low volume than my Fender. At higher volumes this does not hold so.

If after a while, you find yourself craving a different tone, then you can start fiddling with the speaker, stuffing the cabinet with insulating material (presents a "larger" cabinet to the speaker cone), and you will not be out a large amount of money. Anyway... let us know how the combo audition goes!

As for changing the speaker to the one in the quote above, nope. You still won't get the fundamental very loud. The speaker has a frequency response of: 70 to 9,000 Hz. In a 1.1 cubic foot vented enclosure, it is listed as having an output down to 48 Hz. You still need to get down to 30 Hz for that B fundamental. You also need a lot of amplifier power to begin to move the cone enough at those low frequencies. However, it may sound a whole helluvalot better than the stock speaker.... OR... it may not. There are a lot of threads on here regarding modifying Fender Rumble amps with these speakers. Check them out! Great reading with a cup of coffee. If that serious low B is what you are after, check out an Acme Low B cab.

 

[lug]

Another vote for the Phil Jones Double 4. Just remember to rob at least 2 liquor stores on the way to your purchase.

 

[bass12]

I've been pretty impressed by the GK150. I bought mine for upright but prefer it for electric. Very tight and punchy.

 

[AstroSonic]

You may want to consider an Ampeg BA-108 or a Rumble 25. The amplifiers are quite decent thanks to the availability of inexpensive, yet remarkably good chip amplifiers. However, in both cases, the stock speaker is forgettable. Replace it with a Dayton PA200-8, and line one side, the bottom and about 50% of the back with Dacron or other damping material.

The improvement in tone quality with the Dayton over the stock driver is every bit as much as is suggested by the difference in the appearance of the drivers. Almost every aspect of performance is substantially improved. Nonetheless, it remains a practice amp - but a really nice one. The sound has an overall more refined tone: deeper bass (but not boomy or muddy), much improved note definition, mids are smoother and with much better definition, highs are more extended and defined. Improved EB tone, but also much improved upright tone.