• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Compact Practice Combo that sounds good ...

IotaNet

IotaNet

Supporting Member
Dec 8, 2004
3,566
503
64
Minneapolis (Chicago Native)
#1
Gents -

I need a small practice amp that doesn't sound like crap. I have a Crate BX-15 that simply isn't cutting it. Although I need something small, I still want something that sounds good. I realize that "good" is a relative term -- especially in this price range -- but I would like my bass to sound like Bass, not flatulence. :rollno:

I also have a Yorkville XM200 that's great for my gigging needs (primarily Church playing) but it is heavy and bulky to schlepp around to lessons and around the house. (Sometimes I practice in my home office, sometimes in my living room, sometimes downstairs in the garage.)

I need something that is:

* Smaller (w/maybe a 10 or a 12)
* Relatively light (less than 30 lbs)
* Equipped with a headphone jack (A line-in for CD/IPod would be a cool bonus).
* Under $250

... AND that sounds good at low/medium volumes.

I'm taking a close look at the SWR LA10 and the Roland Cube 30. Anyone have other suggestions? :help:

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
I have a Carvin PB-100 I bought new about 5 years ago. It's 100 watts at 8 ohms into a a single 15" speaker. Weighs about 39 pounds. These go on sale on eBay for usually around $150. Very portable and plenty loud for rehearsal. I love the sound of the built in compressor too. Also, has the CD inputs and headphone features you're looking for. Sounds even better if I hook my Avatar 112 Neo to it. There's also a PB-200 which is slightly bigger and 160 watts with a compress horn. Carvin doesn't sell these new anymore, so you'd have to go used. I'm sure there's better sounding stuff out there from the higher end manufacturers. But for the price, these are pretty powerful and tough.
 
#3
I have the Yorkville XM50 combo. It beats out the others for sound and is light (30 lbs), tough, and easy to carry. For the price it's pretty hard to beat. I had the 200 also and while it had a very good sound and plenty of power, it was way to heavy to carry.

The 50 watt suits me fine.

I should add--I A/Bd the Yorkville against the Roland Cube 30. It's better and louder. It really does sound like a bass amp. It's also better than the old Peavey Minx I still own and I was quite happy with that one. I also tried the LA models in the store. I didn't like them. They crap out at very moderate volumes. The Yorkville has an effects loop, headphone output and a CD input if that's of any use to you.

I use a Mesa Walkabout Scout for live gigs.
 
#5
If you can find a used Peavey Minx locally in good shape , you should give it a try. They usually go for around $80-120 used and weigh around 27 pounds. As with any small amp, if you turn the bass way up and crank it, it will probably fart out but one in good shape should be able to give you quite a bit of clear volume as long as you don't over do the low end.

I assume you are talking about personal practice or low volume jams because none of the amps you have mentioned will stand up to a drummer and guitar(s) unless they are playing really softly.

Peace,
S
 
#6
Actually, the Carvin PB-100 fares pretty well with drums and two guitar players if they are rehearsing at a reasonable level. I used mine this way for 3 years straight. It's driving a full 100 watts at 8 ohms into an 8 ohm 15. A lot of the amp manufacturers mess with the power ratings.
 
#7
TheSuzie said:
If you can find a used Peavey Minx locally in good shape , you should give it a try. They usually go for around $80-120 used and weigh around 27 pounds. As with any small amp, if you turn the bass way up and crank it, it will probably fart out but one in good shape should be able to give you quite a bit of clear volume as long as you don't over do the low end.

I assume you are talking about personal practice or low volume jams because none of the amps you have mentioned will stand up to a drummer and guitar(s) unless they are playing really softly.

Peace,
S
Click to expand...

I agree. If you're buying used, the Mink is a good deal. Mine is about 20 years old and the only thing wrong is an intermittent input jack--and this is something you should watch out for. It seems to be weak link in this amp and is tough to fix because of the jack being enclosed and mounted directly to the circuit board. I've "fixed" mine twice now. I still think the Yorkville sounds a bit better but it's a close call. The Yorkville has a thicker front panel and I think the input jack will stand up to abuse longer.
 
#8
I'm very pleased with a used Ampeg BA-112 I picked up for about $200.00. The tilt back feature is great. It has a number of built in sound styles to select from. The tone is very rich and detailed. And I discovered that if you add an inexpensive preamp pedal like the Ibanez PD-7, it can get very loud, with no farting. It also has inputs for cd, works great with an ipod, and has headphone and line out jacks. Weighs about 39 lbs though.
 
#12
I just replaced my sWR la-10 with a workingman's 10. I used a NE-1 with both of them and it gave them a really nice sense of warmness at low volumes. You can pick them up for about 40 to 50 bucks.

I also used the LA-10 when i would play with 3 acoustical guitars. Really sounded great in that mix
 
#13
Gallien-Krueger 200MB impossible to aquire nowadays...don't like G-K's new look at all..this old combo was the coolest looking sounding amp period for its compact size.../ SWR working Man's 10-12-15 combos..any Polytone Mini Brute-Yorkville BM 50 or 100 combo.
 
#14
I've been very happy with mine for the last 5 years or so. IMO these types of small combos can't carry even a small room with much authority, but they're great for practice, and especially in the apt (with a gramma pad) with or without the CD feature in.

I tested them against the LA series and the small fender bassman series and the Ampegs never distorted (which is a big problem with these small amps) so I got it.

I wanted something with more power, but the CD feature is essential to me, and I didn't want to flip the amp in order to spend $400 more for more powerful separates and a practice tool like a Pandora. 2 cents.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back