Buying my first practice amp; Advice needed!

[starbelly]

Damn. I did a fair bit of research on the newest line of the Fender Rumble amps, and I think this would fir the bill quite nicely. Here's my dilemma though:

I'm torn as to whether I should go for the Rumble 100 (12" speaker) or the Rumble 200 (15" speaker + HF compressor). The 100 is cheaper than the 200 by $100, which is nice, but I feel that I should go for higher wattage...

Perhaps I could find a used Rumble 200 V3 somewhere.

 

[starbelly]

Years of guitar?

Maybe your only a bass cabinet away from a decent rig.

Tell us what if anything you already have?

I hadn't considered this, although I don't think my current rig would work (Peavey 6505 and Mesa Recto 212).

 

[starbelly]

Buy used if at all possible! Craig's List has some fantastic deals if you keep a look out for them! Also a lot of good used amps on the GC website. If you are going to buy new this would be a good weekend to do it. Lot's of Labor Day Weekend sales going on. Fender, GK, TC Electronic and Carvin all make nice combos in your price range.

You're right! I wonder if I can get a good deal somewhere.

 

[starbelly]

Out of your choices I 'd go for the peavey Best bang for buck. Think about the Ampeg BA-210, Fender Rumble 200, Or Hartke HD-100. Any of these would be great Starter combos, then you can look into Head/Cabinet choices for "Bigger" venues.

Yeah, I currently think the Fender Rumble 200 is in the lead at the moment. If I could find a good deal (Labor Day Weekend?) that would be awesome.

 

[starbelly]

I bought the Rumble 200 for my daughter great amp! I even use it for gigs where space or stairs are a issue!

Yeah, the Rumble 200 is looking mighty fine...

 

[bassrich]

Yeah, I currently think the Fender Rumble 200 is in the lead at the moment. If I could find a good deal (Labor Day Weekend?) that would be awesome.

They are pretty nice. Just make sure to play the one you are gonna buy I played a store demo rumble 150 head and loved it and they gave me new one sealed in a box took it home and it was dead out of the box.

 

[starbelly]

Does anyone have any insight as to where I might be able to snag a Labor Day deal on a Rumble 200?

 

[cchorney]

Does anyone have any insight as to where I might be able to snag a Labor Day deal on a Rumble 200?

Guitar Center just emailed me a 15% off coupon for Labor Day weekend. If you didn't get one you could go to the store and make your purchase contingent on getting that discount.

 

[cchorney]

I may have missed it but where are you located? (and after you answer, also update your profile with city and state - it helps)

 

[starbelly]

I may have missed it but where are you located? (and after you answer, also update your profile with city and state - it helps)

I'm in Eugene, Oregon. I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those Guitar Center coupons.

 

[bassrich]

As for the Rumbles the 200has a great feature the 100 does not, the ability to add an external Cabinet. This will make the difference of being able to use it at bigger places or not.

 

[cchorney]

I'm in Eugene, Oregon. I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those Guitar Center coupons.

Use [This invalid link has been removed], put in your contact info, hit the button, slappa da bass I mean print out your coupon.

Also, this looks like - if it work properly - a fun combo in your price range
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[starbelly]

As for the Rumbles the 200has a great feature the 100 does not, the ability to add an external Cabinet. This will make the difference of being able to use it at bigger places or not.

Great point. I think it will be the wiser investment.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Hi all,

I'm just starting to explore bass after playing guitar for many years. I just got my hands on a MIM Jazz and now I need to get a practice amp. I'll be mainly playing/practicing at home, but I also plan to jam with my friends. My budget is $300 (ideally less), and I have no problem with used equipment. Amps I've been considering based off reading these forms include:

-Ampeg BA112 V2
-Hartke A70
-Peavey Max 112

**EDIT**
-Fender Rumble 100 or 200

Do you have any opinions on these? Any suggestions or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I'm a GK guy. I suggest the ampeg.

 

[starbelly]

Use [This invalid link has been removed], put in your contact info, hit the button, slappa da bass I mean print out your coupon.

Also, this looks like - if it work properly - a fun combo in your price range
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Looks like that worked!

 

[Marc valero]

For new amps in the $300 range for the purposes you describe, it's pretty hard to beat one of the new Rumble 100s. It's lighter than most 15 watt practice amps, has great tone and can keep up with a drummer. If you're practicing at home and need to lug the amp to gigs as well, the Rumble 100 is pretty hard to beat.
If weight isn't an issue you can grab just about any old Peavey with a 15" speaker for $100 and pretty much play anywhere. A TKO65 etc would fit the bill.

I have a TKO 65 (I put a different speaker in it) It sounds good, but I think it is around 60 pounds. I bought it new. After using it a bit for practice at home, I am going to use it next Friday (side project) in a low volume trio. I have 4X10 for my main rig.
The point is, if he can get by with a combo now and save up for a bigger rig in the near future, he will have something for small gigs or home practice and something for band practice/jams and bigger gigs.

 

[Joebone]

At $300 and jam-worthy, I'd recommend used. Old SWR, Gallien Krueger (except for the backline series) some Ampeg, Genz Benz, Acoustic, Eden (or the Eden Nemesis with rat-fur cabinets) - lots of good old stuff out there. Re Fender, the old BXR series is interesting, but I'd stay away from Fender Rumbles except for the current models. For first-level jamming, I'd pay more attention to speaker size and cabinet efficiency than power, if you want to be heard - and have some of that addictive, big-bass feeling! - if playing with a drummer and guitarist.

 

[moody]

I hadn't considered this, although I don't think my current rig would work (Peavey 6505 and Mesa Recto 212).

Peavey 6505 for bass? | TalkBass.com

Start with an appropriate fender rumble cab only and use your 6505 for the first little while for practice. You can always get a bass specific head later. It will do the job in a pinch.

 

[starbelly]

Peavey 6505 for bass? | TalkBass.com

Start with an appropriate fender rumble cab only and use your 6505 for the first little while for practice. You can always get a bass specific head later. It will do the job in a pinch.

Haha, what I failed to mention is that it's the 20 watt mini head :/

 

[Milo's]

I have a Rumble 100 (new version) for home practice and it has been great. It has a lot of great features, has great tone and is very light. That being said, the Rumble 200 would be a great option if you wanted to add the additional cab. Depending on the venue you are playing and what you are trying to achieve, I would say it is a top notch practice amp. I had also tried the comparable TC Electronic and Peavey practice amps. The TC had a rattle that would not go away and sounded thin. The Peavey self destructed when I brought it home. It ended up working out in the end because I ended up with the Rumble which I really enjoy. Then again, there are a ton of other great options out there as the previous posters have mentioned. Good luck!