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Double Bass Budget amp to do the job.

K

Kitschead

Sep 14, 2008
114
0
Sydney, Australia
#1
Young amateur here.
I'm in need of a new amplifier. The one i've got at the moment is a fender rumble 100 and its a beast. It is too heavy and doesn't produce a great sound for acoustic playing. I initially bought it as an electric bass amp to play in a rock band but considering I now play almost solely jazz I need something which has a bit more subtlety to it. I do play electric as well so ideally i would be after something which would be suitable for both electric and double. I'm just wondering if any of you have any advice on some decent amplifiers. Preferably under $700 or $800 USD
Thanks in advance!
 
#2
In that price range you have a lot of options. I would maybe keep an eye out for a used Acoustic Image Contra. You might be able to find a Markbass Mini CMD121 in that range used as well. My favorite amp is still the Gallien Krueger MB150S. You can usually find them for in and around $400 in the used market. I think they are $699 new. Some love them, some don't. They are extremely small and weigh around 24lbs. You could also try looking for a Phil Jones combo like the Super Flightcase, or Suitcase. Lots of stuff. Do a search on here and I think you will find a lot of information.
 
#4
A used shuttle combo would allow you great tones with both acoustic and electric, plus you'd get genz benz incredible CS, but these may be on the upper end of your price range. I've also heard nothing but good things about the newer light carvin combos using the BX500 head.
 
#6
Adrian Juras said:
...... My favorite amp is still the Gallien Krueger MB150S. You can usually find them for in and around $400 in the used market. I think they are $699 new. Some love them, some don't. They are extremely small and weigh around 24lbs. You could also try looking for a Phil Jones combo like the Super Flightcase, or Suitcase.......
Click to expand...



+1 I've recently seen the MBS selling new at a nice discount. I'm wondering if they are intending to gradually phase this amplifier out since they have the newer combos with MB 500 available now? They are very durable and musical amps. I loved the EQ on the 200MB series I and II, but you would be hard pressed to find that amplifier now, since it's been out of production for a long time.

Ric
 
#8
It's a bit unconventional, but I use an Ampeg BA210SP for both my electrics and uprights. I'm using it in a pit orchestra now, and it is doing the job just fine. We are using the XLR out for the house PA, and it gives a very clean signal. The tone can break up a bit when pushed, but for a typical combo setting it should be fine.

I also owned a Rumble 100 before I bought this amp, and the Ampeg gives a much better tone with a bit more volume. It is a heavy beast of an amp, but it's a bit smaller than the Fender and far easier to move, because it has higher-quality casters and both side and top handles.
 
#9
kaiser_sosea said:
A used shuttle combo would allow you great tones with both acoustic and electric, plus you'd get genz benz incredible CS, but these may be on the upper end of your price range. I've also heard nothing but good things about the newer light carvin combos using the BX500 head.
Click to expand...

I love my Carvin BX500 head. I use it for both dog house and pork chop. It sounds great with my 8ohm Eden 1x10 for upright. Combine it with FDeck's pre, and you're golden!:hyper:
 

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