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Cheap Rehearsal Amp

H

Hypnotaize

Guest
Apr 10, 2014
285
56
#1
Okay, so I'm going with the guess that my Peavey Microbass Amp won't be heard over two guitarists and a drummer, even if it's just rehearsal. I don't need anything high-end, but I need something that can be heard and get a clear sound. I'm keeping my Peavey at my house, and I'll probably leave this one at the keyboardist's house (a very good friend of mine and where we'll be having rehearsals). Somebody on this site said I should get a Gallien-Krueger MB200 head and a 1 x 12 cab. Opinions?

My budget is about $200.

I'm not expecting to perform with this. We're a bunch of high schoolers that just want to jam, and I need to be heard over the others.
 
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#2
A 112 might work, but I might go with a 210 or 115 just because in that price range they're usually bigger and better sounding. Honestly, with your budget, you have a fairly decent amount of options, even more if you're willing to buy used. But if you were to go new, me being a good Ampeg pimp ;) I might suggest a look at a PF350 head ($300) and PF210he or PF115he ($400). Great little head for the money and can put out some decent volume into a 210 or 115. Also allows you the option of adding a second PF cab down the road. Used to have a PF350 with two PF115he's and it could get quite loud if I needed it. Even with only one cab it could still get a very good head of steam. If you want to save some money, a BA115 v2 is a very good combo for the money that does 150w into a 115, and I think in your situation it's got enough juice that it could work out for you, and the older 100w version of the BA115 could likely work out for you as well. The PF rig gives you more insurance, though.

There are some others out there that might work out for you, but I don't endorse them so you can find them yourself ;) But I'd totally suggest finding a day or two to hit music stores in your area and play some amps in your price range.
 
#3
FWIW, I don't consider $6-700 a 'cheap' practice amp ... That's gigging amp $$ range for a lot of us ... The cheap practice rig I leave at rehearsal spaces is a Peavey Basic 112 .. $100 and plenty loud enough for any 'in house' practice session for guys with minimal hearing left ... ;)

... Learning how to EQ to be heard without cranking to killer volumes in small spaces, and a little maturity along with common sense will have everybody in the room hearing longer as well as benefitting from being able to hear the little nuances that each other is doing around them .... JMHO (from an old coot who didn't heed this advice as a youngster)
 
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#4
TC Electronic BH 250. 2x10 or 1x15 combo. No more than $500 really nice, really loud. Do a search here to see what others are saying. Great combo for any style.
Or Ampeg PF series and a nice cab. You would spend a bit more on those, though.
 
#5
tjh said:
FWIW, I don't consider $6-700 a 'cheap' practice amp ... That's gigging amp $$ range for a lot of us ... The cheap practice rig I leave at rehearsal spaces is a Peavey Basic 112 .. $100 and plenty loud enough for any 'in house' practice session for guys with minimal hearing left ... ;)

... Learning how to EQ to be heard without cranking to killer volumes in small spaces, and a little maturity along with common sense will have everybody in the room hearing longer as well as benefitting from being able to hear the little nuances that each other is doing around them .... JMHO (from an old coot who didn't heed this advice as a youngster)
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Really? I thought they'd be the same price range for a bass, where $700 is expensive, but I've seen more.

Since I'm saving to upgrade my bass as well (fingers crossed for a Fender J!), $100 is great. I was a little worried I'd have to dig deep to find money for a decent amp, but I guess not! Editing my budget in the OP now :)
 
#7
JimmyM said:
Wow, that little edit makes all the previous replies useless now! Gone from $700 to $200, eh? OK, get the cheapest used 100-200w combo you can find.
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$300 works just as well. Really, my goal is to go as cheap as possible before I sacrifice too much quality. If I could get a semi-clear sound that can be heard for $100, I'd pick that over the super-fancy model for $600
 
#8
A suggestion: Check if any music stores nearby rent bass amps. Rent for a month to play through so you know it will work for you. Then see if you can buy it at a used price or look around for a used one.
 
#10
Yeah, look for something used.

Also don't get in too much of a hurry buying something before you get a feel for what you'll really need or want.

I get by just fine at rehearsals with a 25 watt Ampeg ba108 with a drummer, guitarist, keys, and vocals. But yeah, we're older guys who play Blues and Jazz so context is everything of course.

Good luck.
 
#12
Time to hit the local CL, and/or pawn shops. I found a Yorkville combo in a pawn shop about two years ago, for $99. It's the one with the 400 watt head, with the graphic EQ, and a single 15. Lovely blue carpet. I don't care. Loud enough for most situations, almost zero invested. Similar finds are out there
 

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