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Dorm Amp

#21
blizzard said:
I'll second the movement to get a Roland. I've tried a few and they are some of the best sounding combo's I've ever tried. The 30w version had an absolutely massive sound for its size.
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I used to have the GK Backline 110 and now have one of these. I actually think the GK has better tone, and I like that kickback design a LOT. The main reason I have the Roland right now is because I like the compressor and built-in effects. The Roland has tons of options with the COSM and stuff, but IMHO it's overall tone/voicing is still somewhat lacking for my prefs. Both have surprising output for their size, as well.
 
#25
SWR Baby Blue II, 2x8" drivers + 1 5" mid driver, small, light, great sound, 160 watts. Best head SWR ever built.
Big Joe has a nice one f/s in classifieds here
 
#28
Chef said:
Life's too short for bad tone.
An extra $150 is well worth it for a BBII.
YMMV of course, but I'd work an extra 40 hours for that...
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I agree, but if you literally don't have that extra $150...

I figure if someone tells me "400 max" that means what they're really hoping to find is something around 300, but could "painfully afford" 400, and pretty much ANYthing above that is literally un-doable. The original poster will have to say if my assumption is right, but in pretty much every case where folks ask my advice, this is what it means... their "max" is already pushed beyond what they really can afford comfortably.

Just gotta' keep in mind there's a lot of good hard workin' folks out there that $150 is a pretty serious amount of money, and generally speakin', college students have very little money to spend on stuff like this... VERY little.
 
#29
For 4 string, I would currently recommend an older Fender Bassman25. I was looking for a small amp with maximum tone for the least amount of money and I found it in spades with this amp. Very nice sound for such a small amp with a great host of options including external speaker, tuner out, line out, send and return jacks, CD with separate volume, all in a nice, solid, compact, tilt back cab.

I was looking for a growly, bluesy tone and having gone thru most amps mentioned here and after doing a side by side comparison with the Ampeg BA-112, I have to say this little guy kicks some major booty. It goes from a real Dub to slap tone. I had to crank the Ampeg to 10 to match the volume at 2 of the Bassman, and I couldn't match the tone without my SABDDI. Sold the Ampeg 20 minutes later on Craigs. Check out the reviews on Harmony Central. Unfortunately listed in the "pickup" section.

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass+Pickup/product/Fender/Bassman+25/10/1

Find them on ebay for 100- 140 bucks. Very underrated. I can't believe it's only 25 watts!

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#30
jbassbob said:
For 4 string, I would currently recommend an older Fender Bassman25.
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+1!!
Yeah, these are unsung heros, one of which I also had, and LOVED. I'd also say it's pretty safe to do a 5 string through one depending on how loud you'd have to get. That little Eminence in that kickback cab kicks MAJOR butt for 25 watts! Very rich tone.

In fact, I wish they'd come out with the new bassman 100 containing a compressor. The 150 (12") is just too physically large for what I'd use one of these for, but the 100 (10") is perfect, and has great a power/size/weight combo.
 
#31
ChenNuts44 said:
In the dorms, you'll be playing for the most part at extremely low volume levels. At these levels, there isn't much difference between a little Peavey combo amp and a four-figure half stack. Also consider that if you can't live with barely audible levels, you'll have to more or less EQ yourself a high-pass filter that rolls off around 200-250Hz. Even then, you'll still have to keep the levels relatively low. Your best option is to practice using headphones. If you can't live with this, check out a Peavey Microbass. Small footprint, doesn't sound bad, and has a headphone output.
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What he said. And the best closed phones for the money are Sennheiser HD201's at about $US25.
 
#33
B166ER said:
In reality I could spend a lot of money on a combo amp, a lot, but then I would be nearly broke. I've already spent enough on bass guitars so if I spent any more money on a combo amp I am looking to conserve and not go crazy. So 400 is just enough to spend on a combo and none more.
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then in that case I would go for a headphone amp setup of some sort, especially for dorm rooms.

A Bass POD of some sort, or a Pandora and headphones would work perfectly in this case, and would also give you some effects and a DI for the stage.
 
#34
I just picked up a new Peavey Max 158 for messin' around in the bedroom, or just as a lower volume 'grab-and-go' amp. Street price is about $100. 15 watts and an 8 inch speaker. I am very pleased with the quality of tone for my purposes-I was surprised for such a small, inexpensive amp. I had heard great things about the Microbass for many years, but I never tried one. This thing, I believe, is the new version. Has CD/tape input and headphone jack.

Kim
 
#35
Eden Nemesis Silver Series N8 combo amp. Simple 8" combo with 40 watts of output. Available through Link Removed for $129.00. I have not tried one out personally, but I have read some good reports on this little amp. From what I have read - it doesn't sound like a "small" amp - it actually has some bass responce to it for an amp with a 8 inch speaker.
 
#36
Vic said:
Yeah he did... "price max 400".
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My bad. I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... I will read posts properly before replying... :D
 
#38
I went to Guitar Center in Oxnard today(saturday). I ended up getting a GK backline 112. It handles the double buck really well and sounds awesome compared to the other combo amps I played through. Plus the salesman gave me $80 off the sticker and I didn't even say anything about the price in the first place. I got a really good deal overall. I could use my big amp as a table, maybe a nightstand. I guess the only reason I won't take it is lugging that thing would be a giant pain, and it would cut into the walking path in the room (my room is seriously small). I can transport all my bass stuff in one trip if I don't have to walk really far which is what I was going for. The Double Buck is so awesome.
 

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