I'm really new at playing the bass or any instrument for that matter. Started last fall and bought a 20W beginner practice amp in case I gave up playing by the spring. That didn't happen and it's time to upgrade. I have been getting together with some friends in a basement to play every week or two so we can feel like we're 16 again. What I am looking for is opinions on a solid combo amp that can allow me to play with the guys and be loud enough to go in the backyard if we feel the need. I've kind of honed in on the Rumble100 and the Orange50, which are also both in the price range I'd like to be around. Any opinions/information on these or something else I may be bypassing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Combo Amp Opinions
- Thread starter NotSoGoodatBass
- Start date
Welcome to TB! Best if you could try them first to see if they are your "flavor". I use an R100 as my practice amp and it suits me fine for that, but some don't care for the Rumble tone. I've not tried the Orange, but kind of the same - some like it, some don't. See if you can buy used, so you can pass it along for what you gave for it if it doesn't suit you?
Cheers,
Cheers,
I use a Rumble 100 once a week, every week on Wednesdays at a jam session at a local bar and it holds its own. It won't hold its own if you go into "stupid loud" mode, but for run of the mill rock n blues...money well spent. Generally Fender Precision or Jazz basses in passive mode. Have fun!
In the back yard? Playing outdoors requires many more times the power and speaker cone area than playing indoors (typical room inside a residence) does. Costs $$$ to do it right, assuming there's no PA support for bass guitar.
Even indoors, assuming the band will have a drummer, the Orange will run out of steam pretty quickly, and, depending on how loud the guitarist and drummer are, the Rumble may be running up against its limits most of the time.
Even indoors, assuming the band will have a drummer, the Orange will run out of steam pretty quickly, and, depending on how loud the guitarist and drummer are, the Rumble may be running up against its limits most of the time.
What kind of band? Americana or Metalcore? The style----> volume you are playing at is a key component here. Honestly - with almost any style band playing outside, 100 watts doesn't open the door. Minimum of a 2x10 combo with their advertised 500 watts (which won't actually be 500 watts into the 2x10, but I digress).
Rumble 500, Ampeg RB210, or the Hartke 115 are good options. If you really want to drop some serious cash, the Gallien-Krueger combo amps are very nice. Markbass makes some very.... yellow.... combo amps. Plenty of good options. I really think you want to go bigger than 100 watts though.
Rumble 500, Ampeg RB210, or the Hartke 115 are good options. If you really want to drop some serious cash, the Gallien-Krueger combo amps are very nice. Markbass makes some very.... yellow.... combo amps. Plenty of good options. I really think you want to go bigger than 100 watts though.
I vote R100. My old stand by for years, for casual jams and even small gigs (with line out to PA.)
I'd like to be in the $300-$400 range if possible and no issues with used at all.
The minimum to play with a drummer would probably be a 2x10, 2x12, or 1x15. If you could find a used Fender Rumble in one of those configurations, it would probably work well.
The Rumble sound doesn't really do it for me, but I do like my Orange Crush Bass 50. It keeps up well in acoustic jam sessions, but I would want the 100 W/15" speaker version for anything more. Neither would carry much weight outside.
I know the Rumble series - esp the 100 - are decisive but I'm my opinion, if you can ante up for the 200 watt combo, that's a much better choice.
I just don't think the still speaker in the Rumble 100 sounds great at all stock speaker in the 200 is good enough that they include it in their 1x15 cab. I have one of those and it can sound great in my opinion.
Plus the Rumble 100 can't run an external can while the 200 can so that adds a bit of scalability, not that a 200 with a second cab could quite get you through a loud gig.
I know it's easy to spend someone else's money but if I had a friend that was considering a Rumble 100, I'd very strongly encourage them to consider the Rumble 200.
I just don't think the still speaker in the Rumble 100 sounds great at all stock speaker in the 200 is good enough that they include it in their 1x15 cab. I have one of those and it can sound great in my opinion.
Plus the Rumble 100 can't run an external can while the 200 can so that adds a bit of scalability, not that a 200 with a second cab could quite get you through a loud gig.
I know it's easy to spend someone else's money but if I had a friend that was considering a Rumble 100, I'd very strongly encourage them to consider the Rumble 200.
My wife bought a Rumble 100 for me. I had a family reunion coming up. It would probably work for you. A bigger amp could be in your future after the 100, but who knows. Now days many bands are going amp less, and you could end up using line out to some sound system.
Consider something a tad bigger, used if need be.
Consider something a tad bigger, used if need be.
I've spoken about the relative inefficiency of the combo bass amplifier format quite a bit on here. I'm 73 now, and old school.. the amps I've forgotten that I owned, and the ones I do now, and the ones I've sold off over the last 50 years- would fill the floor at a music store. If you are playing with the same players all the time, and know where the volume will likely be, and it's low to moderate... a smaller combo MIGHT work. There's nothing more unpleasant than being drowned out by the guitars and drums..and a Rumble 100 just won't prevent that. (I own a 200 and it's barely adequate) Most of the 100 watt combo amps I've played at local jams, sit-ins and rehearsal spaces, frankly, suck. Even the expensive, 'name' brand ones. You will always be stuck with THAT amplifier, and THAT speaker. Unless there is enough power for an extension speaker. Therein lies the rub. If you're going to do that- I'd just buy a used 300-400 watt head and good old heavy 4-10 speaker cabinet. I've seen full rigs like that for around your budget on my local Craigslist. If it's a combo that you prefer, Peavey 300 bass combos- loud amps but heavy- are often found on CL.
100W through 2x10 or a 15” might be able to hang with a small jam band. I will tell you though, outdoors, bass travels. My band played an outdoor party once where I just played through a 2x10. The cops showed up. They had gotten multiple complaints, from over a mile away in multiple directions.
Another option is to look for a used Peavey TNT with a 15”. The old ones were super heavy but also super loud. I used a Peavey Basic 112 for a bit in a P&W band, but my bandmates couldn’t hear me. I upgraded to a 200W head through a 410 cab and problem solved.
Another option is to look for a used Peavey TNT with a 15”. The old ones were super heavy but also super loud. I used a Peavey Basic 112 for a bit in a P&W band, but my bandmates couldn’t hear me. I upgraded to a 200W head through a 410 cab and problem solved.
I had a Rumble 100 and loved it ... at first. But the baked in sound eventually wore thin on me. I did ^this comparison and ended up with the Ampeg. A bit more money but much better sound.
I never used the Ampeg anywhere but at home though so I cannot comment on using it with a band.
I played a Rumble for practice at home for a while, and without really realizing it, more or less stopped seeing a reason to play my different basses.. Then I switched to a more transparent amp, and suddenly I realized how different my basses sounded. That baked in character really does overwhelm the overall sound and makes everything sound way too similar for my tastes.
For 500 dollars you're probably better off getting something used and building a cab setup or getting the rumble 500 or 800.
Outside you need a good PA system your band/jam mates may all want to fund, for inside bars, inside small venues 200 probably can work with a FOH probably without one since it's a small place.
I'm one of those who say... why not be safe. I would get a 500 I think they cost 650. 150 dollars above your limit, I also would build a cab setup but a lot I mean A LOT of great combos exist and with PA systems these day you can use something small in my opinion but since it sounds like you are just jamming I would get a rumble 500 or 800. Even then once you hit a bigger itch I would even go as far as looking into a cab build.
I like Orange saw a punk bassist rocking two 1x12 from them but I feel like there is better IMO... at the same time Rumble 500 is a great fits all IMO. Good luck just FYI without the extension cab the 500 is only 350 watts but it still goes loud. You can always add more or upgrade later on. I would go low though with a 100 or 50 at least stretch for the 200 imo. Good luck. YMMV
I'm a giant fan of small rigs of doom or compact rigs but most of them outside of combos are cab setups. I disagree 1x12 can go loud but it depends on the brand, amp, model etc and I hate to say outside of Phil Jones, Markbass, GK, Mesa, most small combos aren't the best. Small combos do exist but I don't wanna recommend Phil Jones or Bareface yet since I feel like a Rumble 500 as I said or any 500 watt series of an amp like that would fit you way better. I even was thinking the Markbass 1x12 CMD may work but then again I think you're better off with the 500 honestly...
Outside you need a good PA system your band/jam mates may all want to fund, for inside bars, inside small venues 200 probably can work with a FOH probably without one since it's a small place.
I'm one of those who say... why not be safe. I would get a 500 I think they cost 650. 150 dollars above your limit, I also would build a cab setup but a lot I mean A LOT of great combos exist and with PA systems these day you can use something small in my opinion but since it sounds like you are just jamming I would get a rumble 500 or 800. Even then once you hit a bigger itch I would even go as far as looking into a cab build.
I like Orange saw a punk bassist rocking two 1x12 from them but I feel like there is better IMO... at the same time Rumble 500 is a great fits all IMO. Good luck just FYI without the extension cab the 500 is only 350 watts but it still goes loud. You can always add more or upgrade later on. I would go low though with a 100 or 50 at least stretch for the 200 imo. Good luck. YMMV
I'm a giant fan of small rigs of doom or compact rigs but most of them outside of combos are cab setups. I disagree 1x12 can go loud but it depends on the brand, amp, model etc and I hate to say outside of Phil Jones, Markbass, GK, Mesa, most small combos aren't the best. Small combos do exist but I don't wanna recommend Phil Jones or Bareface yet since I feel like a Rumble 500 as I said or any 500 watt series of an amp like that would fit you way better. I even was thinking the Markbass 1x12 CMD may work but then again I think you're better off with the 500 honestly...
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O.P.,
Don't know where your located, but if you're in the states odds are there's a Guitar Center hopefully/relatively close to your location.
But even if it involves a road trip to a GC, it'll be time and money well spent for you to go and hear as many different combos as possible using your own personal bass, any effects pedals you may use, and especially "your" ears.
Most GC's usually have bass combos from Ampeg, Fender, GC Acoustic and Markbass on the floor for you to hear.
Play each one multiple times, don't consider brand, cosmetics, driver size, ect., go only by what YOUR ears tell you is the one.
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