Best second-hand combo bass amp for a beginner?

[Eddie Jones]

I am in the same place you are. Just started playing a few months ago. I bought an Ampeg B108 second hand for $100.00 and it is hard to beat. I did get a GK Backline 115 in excellent shape about a month ago in a trade and I see them on FB marketplace from time to time for about $100.00. Both sound great. The Ampeg punches well above it's size and sounds wonderful when playing with a Jazz and Fender Flats. The GK sounds better when playing my active LTD with D'Addario rounds. You don't have to spend a lot to get good sounds. Just gotta look in the right places.

 

[lfmn16]

Fender Rumble 75 or the Peavey Max 115. You can use them for home practice if you keep the volume down and you could use them for rehearsals with bands that aren't blisteringly loud. You could probably do low volume gigs, or gigs with PA support.

 

[bassliner50]

Not sure if the Canadian made Traynor combo amps are available in Brazil but they have wonderful tone and not boxy sounding like some of the other combos out there. Selection and price in Brazil certainly are huge factors, but if you see a Traynor give one a try!

I have a Traynor SB115. Wonderfully refined tone and features. Yes to Traynor Small Block series.

 

[Duckherder]

• Fender Rumble 75 (older Rumble model)

Love my Rumble 75

I think it's due to the 12" driver

 

[Snarf]

Go with the Peavey. The Fenders sound horrible. Have not played a Fender amp I liked since the silver-face 210's from about 10-15 years ago.

 

[Lucca Rodrigues]

E amplificador de 15W para contrabaixo não serve pra rigorosamente nada, infelizmente voce jogou R$700 fora.

RIP

Se voce quer se ater a marcas importadas, acho que não fica muito melhor que isso, especialmente pelo valor:

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Ampeg é um clássico e o padrão em som de baixo; eu tenho um Ampeg BA112, mas o meu é USA (50W contra 75W) desses novos, e o som é sensacional.

Beleza, obrigado mais uma vez pela suguestão! Esses amplificadores da Ampeg parecem ser bons. Eu encontrei um BX200 da Staner à venda pertinho de onde eu moro, assim que eu estiver com tempo mais folgado vou lá testar.

 

[abarson]

Go to a music go round and try out some used amps

Not a likely solution for someone in Brazil.

 

[Ric5]

Not a likely solution for someone in Brazil.

OK

Do they have music stores that sell used equipment?

if yes then go and try out some amps.

I did a lot of research 20 years ago and from my research I picked out an amp, then I went to the store and tried it out and I found another amp that sounded a lot better.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

From a practical standpoint, 90% of what was suggested are not (easily) available in Brazil.
Do your back a favor and forget about old peavey/fender combos.

From a little research in Brazil's market - excluding garbage and/or stuff that costs an arm, leg (and kidney) - what are available that suits a beginner's needs and are affordable is basically a (used) BA112 (about US$400) and (new) Rumble 40 (about US$500).

What do you guys choose ?

 

[abarson]

The BA112 will take you further, and the kickback design is useful.
And you save $100 towards your next upgrade.

So are Staner, Meteoro and Borne considered junk brands?

 

[Bobbadfinger]

I also prefer the Ampeg, besides has a 12" speaker against a 10".
Staner is fine (but actually can't compare with US brands).
Meteoro is really c-r-a-p construction wise; and Borne is not even worth mentioning...

What I suggested at first was a Staner model that is 140W, 15" speaker, and kind of light combo, for US$400 new. Pretty decent stuff in the price range.

 

[Snarf]

BA112. No contest. The design of the Ampeg cabinets is superior to the Fender. The Fenders all sound like rattly cardboard boxes.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

BA112. No contest. The design of the Ampeg cabinets is superior to the Fender. The Fenders all sound like rattly cardboard boxes.

Do the Fender amps kind-of "rumble"?

 

[Snarf]

As much as a slightly damp fart rumbles, yes.

 

[BassGH]

I haven’t played any of these amps, but I suspect they are all underpowered for playing with drums and a band. I could be wrong about the Peavey in particular. The way you’re going, it sounds like that’s where you’ll be headed next—playing with other people. The next step might be a headphone-based solution. Or even a way to plug into your home audio speakers. That’s what I’d do. Then save up for a more powerful amp. Shuffling between amps you can only play by yourself sounds expensive in Brazil!

 

[Bobbadfinger]

Just to give you a better picture, a MicroVR+210AV is US$1500, an Ampeg 810 cab is US$2500 (not talking about the Heritage); used SVT Classic is US$3200 and so on...

But people are rich, minimum wage is US$200 (yes, month !)

 

[bgavin]

If you prefer new, the Acoustic B50C is available for 149.99. Really good amp.

I was looking at the Hartke, and opted for the Acoustic B50C.

I only need an easy carry combo for 1:1 with a guitarist at adult rehearsal levels.
The B50C gave me the 10" driver I wanted, a 60-degree kick-back cabinet, and an "on sale price" plus 3-year warranty at less than the Hartke cost.

 

[chris_b]

Any thoughts on which unit might be the best? Pros and cons for a specific model are greatly appreciated. Any other particularly interesting amps that you think might be worth tracking down? Thanks!

If you are not playing with other musicians now, you soon will be, so I'd suggest an amp (200 watts) and separate cab (112). 200 Watts played quietly will sound better than 75 watts played at higher volume.

If you get a combo make sure you have the facility to add an extension cab (another 112) at a later date.

 

[baddarryl]

If you are not playing with other musicians now, you soon will be, so I'd suggest an amp (200 watts) and separate cab (112). 200 Watts played quietly will sound better than 75 watts played at higher volume.

If you get a combo make sure you have the facility to add an extension cab (another 112) at a later date.

This ^^^^ 100%!

I am looking for a combo right now for my daughter. She has been playing a year or so and is starting to play with friends. We have a wonderful Bass shop here with tons of gear. With not much more money you can really increase the power and features of the amp. I am one of those that believes a good sound is great for home practice and makes it more fun.

I was thinking 200 watts minimum, 115 speaker, ability to add a cabinet etc. I am going to get her a Peavey Max 250, 115. Sounds killer and is fairly light. I am sure there are Peavey dealers in Brazil. There must be.

Good luck.

 

[ArdBahss]

I was taking a look at the Rumble Studio 40 and LT25 last week, seems like a pretty fun amp with all the digital tones, connectivity, built-in audio interface, etc... Honestly, those features just seemed kind of gimmicky to me, but for the same price, I could get a much more powerful Rumble 100. On the flip side though, if you're just practicing at home, I guess it makes sense to have an amp with some fun features to play around with.
Now, the Stage 800 really doesn't seem to be worth it at all, I guess a dedicated head/cab setup would make more sense at that price point.

Gimmicks aren't usually this useful. I've had some time to mess around with the amp a bit now. It has 100 presets built in with 100 more custom. The I/O is on point if you plan on recording or taking it to gigs. It sounds really good. Maybe wifi and bluetooth might sound gimmicky. Wifi is for downloading new firmware updates. The app allows you to mess with settings without needing to hover over the amp. I have not tried any bluetooth features but I assume it is for playing music like a line-in situation which would be useful. I try to stay away from gimmicky stuff too but so far this amp delivers as promised.