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Cheap Amp Thats Aren't Completely Awful

#23
You're definitely going to want anything with at least a 15" speaker. You can get Peavey 1x15 combos for very cheap second hand (should fit your budget perfectly). Most will sound excellent for the money but, as with all second hand goods, test one out before buying. Check for any unwanted distortion from damaged speakers, scratchy pots/knobs or any other defects that may affect your sound such as loose input jacks. I'd also look into a Fender Rumble for quality combos.
 
#26
Bassquest said:
I don't know what version of Rumble 15 you have but the latest versions (V3) of Rumbles have really improved. The Rumble 25 V3 is in your price range and pumps out decent low end as well as overdrive.

Here's a review:
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Agree with Bassquest. I ordered a V3 Rumble 25 and it is far better than I had thought it would be. Well worth $99.99 :thumbsup: Also if you can find a good used Rumble 150 (V2) 1x15 combo for about $150 or so, snag it! Those are crazy good. Very robust & reliable with great tone, and plenty loud enough to jam in a band or play a small gig.
 
#30
acoustic b15 or b20. they are tough little amps, you cant give em away. They work, have reasonable tone and good features. If you save up a little bit, you can probably find a b200 used on fleabay for 150 bucks or so. They are a single 15 with a 200 watt amp and are usually in good shape. I personally hate the tone of them, but they are tough little rigs. If not, check pawn shops and craigslist. I always see little combos in there.
 
#32
ashtray said:
+2

Try to get the highest wattage amp you can afford. Unlike guitar amps, bass amps need some power behind them to even play at home if you want to hear the bass.

Basic 112 is a fantastic amp for home as well as small gigs. Yes, its got enough to do coffee shop gigs no problem. They were made 90's-recent, so you don't have to settle for an amp thats 40 years old and misding half the knobs. That said, those older Peaveys are tanks as well.

Skip the 15 watt amps - they only make those so people will upgrade a month later to a bigger amp, IMO.
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Sorry, make that +3
 
#34
I would advise you to save up a little more because at $250, you could find a used amp that you could use along a drummer. Something with a couple hundred watts but I also remember playing a 100 watt fender 15 combo that was fine in a medium level three piece. So let's say a hundred watts on up with either a fifteen or two tens and I'd stick with a used Fender at your price point. One brand I would avoid rhymes with Scmeringer.
 
#36
davy4575 said:
acoustic b15 or b20. they are tough little amps, you cant give em away. They work, have reasonable tone and good features. If you save up a little bit, you can probably find a b200 used on fleabay for 150 bucks or so. They are a single 15 with a 200 watt amp and are usually in good shape. I personally hate the tone of them, but they are tough little rigs. If not, check pawn shops and craigslist. I always see little combos in there.
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I got an Acoustic B100 for $120 last year after going through everything at the store and liked it best. It has a nice clean sound and having a 15" speaker in a practice amp is great.
 
#37
NightCat said:
We both know this is the obvious answer. Go to every shop that has used gear in your area and plug into every amp in your price range. Buy the one you like the best. There are piles of good used amps on the market.
The Ashdown TourBus 15 for $100 was a pretty good sounding practice amp but you will get twice (or more) the amp for $100 buying an older used amp.
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Yup. I picked up a solid Ampeg combo for practice purposes for like $100 at GC a few months ago. My stack doesn't fit in my car. Oops.
 
#38
I'd say don't be in such a hurry. It's a buyers market right now take your time and save your money. A better amp isn't going to make you a better player anyway! Look used in your area and play through it first you'll find something you like. And yes that little Vox headphone amp will get you through in the meantime. What I think sounds great you might think sucks and vice versa. Trust your ear and just keep practicing!!
 
#39
The Ampeg BA combos series is great for practice and jamming. I love mine and you can get them used cheap.

But with $120 you can USUALLY get some sort of head/cab combo on guitarcenter.com used that will be much, much, louder if yu are considering playing out. There doesn't seem to be a head under $99 right now but if you watch you can pick up something for $39.99 at times. Same with a cab. Shipping can raise that a lot but if it's local then you score some solid equipment dirt cheap.
 

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