Combo Amp Recommendation

[gera799]

Hi guys,

I want to upgrade my ultra-cheap bass amp to something better.
I will use it for home practice only (with a friend who plays guitar).
My bass is a Squier CV 60's Precision. I love Ampeg + P-Bass tone but I play every style so Ampeg is not an obvious choice. I am from South America, so there isn't a wide variety of amps, and the prices are higher.
The options in my price range are:

-Ampeg BA-110/112 (maybe 115)
-Gallien-Krueger MB-112
-Fender Rumble 60/75/100 (maybe 210)
-Swr La15
-Roland Cube 30
-Peavey Max 115
-Hartke A70 (maybe A100)
-Behringer Ultrabass Bx1800
-Laney Rb4
-Marshall Mb60
-Orange Cr50ctx
-Orange Bxt 100 (maybe)

I could try some of these, but I need recommendations to make my list shorter.

Thanks

 

[tdub0199]

I would go with the GK MB combo, I have a MB115 for my solo practice amp and love it.....

 

[gera799]

I would go with the GK MB combo, I have a MB115 for my solo practice amp and love it.....

I could buy MB112, but MB115 is too expensive for me (250-300u$s more than MB112). Thanks for your opinion.

 

[Marko 1]

I think at least one of those doesn’t offer the ability to add another cab, which is something I’d be aware of in case you think it might matter in the future.

In any case, if you think things might get loudish (they tend to), I wouldn’t start out with any 210 or smaller.

 

[MrLenny1]

Don't know what the used market is in your area but there are a lot of
good deals to be had.
LOL

 

[dalkowski]

Look for used.

Love my Hartke A100, although I wish it weighed 10 pounds less. Excellent tone controls, direct out, headphone out, kickback cabinet. I use it for practice and gigs.

 

[Joe Louvar]

I would go with the GK MB combo, I have a MB115 for my solo practice amp and love it.....

+1

gera799
I’m also a happy GK MB115 user and the MB112 is nice too - but you really should audition the bass amps for yourself so you know witch amp YOU like best.

 

[gera799]

Yes, I will go with my bass and try for myself, but I want to eliminate some options first (I don't want to spend the whole day looking for and testing 15 amps)

 

[Marko 1]

Yes, I will go with my bass and try for myself, but I want to eliminate some options first (I don't want to spend the whole day looking for and testing 15 amps)

Try the ones that are most readily available and have the best support where you live. If one seems pleasing enough, there probably isn’t all-that much difference between it and the rest in your situation.

 

[timber22]

If you are sure you are going to use it for a practice amp only, I can tell you that I love my Ampeg BA112 for that purpose. Small and light but the tone is great. I use it for home practice all the time and have used it for lower volume jams with an electric guitarist, mic'd harmonica player and bongo player, and even a few times with a full drum kit. I wouldn't recommend it for gigging or full volume practice with a rock band without PA support.

 

[soulman969]

I could buy MB112, but MB115 is too expensive for me (250-300u$s more than MB112). Thanks for your opinion.

Curious about the price differential you list between the GK MB112 and the MB115. The difference in the sales price at MF is only $60. $339 = MB112, $399 = MB115.

I have the MB112 and I love it but you may find the added features of the MB115 worth the extra $$$.

Roland Cubes are also very nice amps. Those would be my choices.

 

[pudgychef]

Curious about the price differential you list between the GK MB112 and the MB115. The difference in the sales price at MF is only $60. $339 = MB112, $399 = MB115.

I have the MB112 and I love it but you may find the added features of the MB115 worth the extra $$$.

Roland Cubes are also very nice amps. Those would be my choices.

may be a difference (or higher points for each) in South America?

I would say take a good look at the Fender Rumble 75. Heavy for what it is but it is (imho and ime) a good sounding, warm combo - easily handles a couple guitarists or even an acoustic and drummer with brushes. Cheap too (at least up here)

I know the Rumble designation causes knee jerk reaction from folks - but the newer generation are really just reinterpreted, Chinese made versions of the late 90s to early 2000s Bassman amps they use to make in Indonesia and market as mid level. I find the Rumble 350 combo to be similar to the Bassman 250/210 for the most part - just retails for considerably less and has the crappiest 'tolex' I have ever come across - sounds just as good (to my ears) and the casters aren't flawed....

also like that MB112 and the Traynor DB50

 

[Alex1984]

GK MB combo or an Ampeg PF series head + cab would get my vote.

 

[jeff7bass]

These are nice. Kustom has upped their game in the bass amp dept. Check out the others models too.

http://www.amazon.com/Kustom-Deep-De50-Combo-Amplifier/dp/B003JFK986

 

[gera799]

Curious about the price differential you list between the GK MB112 and the MB115. The difference in the sales price at MF is only $60. $339 = MB112, $399 = MB115.

I have the MB112 and I love it but you may find the added features of the MB115 worth the extra $$$.

Roland Cubes are also very nice amps. Those would be my choices.

Here:
1 dollar = 4 pesos
And:
GK MB112 = around 2600 pesos, GKMB115 = around 3700 pesos

And the price is usually the double here. For example, you can buy a Fender AV for u$s1500. Here, for u$s3000 :/

These are nice. Kustom has upped their game in the bass amp dept. Check out the others models too.

Amazon.com: Kustom Deep End De50 50 Watt Combo Bass Amplifier: Musical Instruments

Thanks, but the only Kustom I could find is Kb100

 

[Joe Louvar]

If you are counting - from the comments posted so far the GK MB112 is on top of the list. I’d like to know which amp you buy - please post witch one you buy.

 

[fingerbun]

Hi, some comments on some of your choices:

First I am surprised at the list because they would cover a wide range of prices here in Australia.

Second, power / volume matters a bit. If all else is equal go for amps with a higher power rating. Also amps with more speaker area (either two speakers or bigger).

Fender Rumble 60/75/100 : A friend who teaches music in schools tells me these are very reliable, and the ones I have used sound ok.

Roland Cube 30 : I use a 100W cube. It has plenty of power for small gigs, is very well made, and I like the amp emulation (which includes a couple of Ampeg models). I have been very happy with it. Of the ones on your list, this would be my pick IF it has enough power. Or stretch to one of its big brothers.

Peavey Max 115 : I own Peavey gear and have a lot of time for it. Not everyone does. In my experience you can expect it to be reliable. The good Peavey gear can develop great tone (in my view, some would dispute this) but the preamps on the entry level models are far more basic. Looking at the Max on Peavey's website it seems to sit somewhere in the middle. 60W with a 15" speaker is small but usable for a first band, and the parametric EQ is a really good feature. So I would definitely try this one out. A used TNT combo might also be a good choice if you can find one. Also, note that Peavey gear tends to be heavy, so don't be afraid to buy some castors from your local hardware store if you go this option.

Hartke A70 (maybe A100) : I don't know those specific models. Hartke is a well respected brand, but their combos tend to sound a bit thin to me. It may be the aluminium speakers. I have a Hartke 210XL box as part of my rig and I like it paired with a 1X15 but on its own it is a bit thin.

Behringer Ultrabass Bx1800 : Behringer gets a bad wrap from a lot of people. I own a Behringer practice amp that has been reliable, and has a good feature set for a practice amp, but the sound is fairly ordinary to my ear.

Laney Rb4 : I owned a Laney combo for a while and it was very badly made and not at all reliable. Shame because it had a nice old-school kind of sound. I ended up giving it away because I couldn't rely on it to work onstage.

Good luck with the choice. Finally, if you haven't already seen this site, bookmark it:

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User reviews of lots of gear. Just bear in mind the reviewers might not know much, and also a lot of the reviews get written by people who have just bought something and love it, or have just had a problem and are angry But still useful info.

 

[peledog]

I think the best value for the money would be to find one used.

If you have to get a new amp, think about portability, clarity and power. The GK 112MB is a good choice for the money.

Peaveys are great, but a bit heavy - and not as reliable, IMO. I have no experience with Orange, so can't comment on those.

 

[soulman969]

Here:
1 dollar = 4 pesos
And:
GK MB112 = around 2600 pesos, GKMB115 = around 3700 pesos

And the price is usually the double here. For example, you can buy a Fender AV for u$s1500. Here, for u$s3000 :/



Thanks, but the only Kustom I could find is Kb100

I see. Sorry I didn't check you loacation before I asked that question. You're in South America then? What brands are sold and serviced well around you. That would play into my choice.

One thing I will say about that GK MB112 is that if the amp ever needs to be shipped for servicing the original carton is sturdy and would serve the purpose. Even though I'm in a major city with access to repair shops and MF stores I'll still keep that carton just in case.

The MB112 lists for about $549 US but by your exchange rate it costs you $650 US. It's too bad you have to pay list plus for an amp like that when discount houses here sell for far less. Is it impossible to have foreign purchases shipped in to you?

I wish you the best of luck with your search.

 

[pudgychef]

played the Rumble 30 at an open mic behind some singer songwriter types on acoustics and it sounded pretty decent as well....would rather it was the 75 but still was totally fine...