Entry into the bass amp world

[Nic Olas]

This, yes sir. I was gonna say if he has an HX stomp or something already for guitar. Build a sick bass preset. Use a di. Done. PA w/sub. If he’s got in ears. Even better!

So I have a Hotone Ampero that I mainly use at home that has some killer bass modeling and have setup my my own IR's in it.

Again, the issue is a PA system, that even though it has a sub, seems to not play well when more than vocals and an instrument or two are pushed through it. For 90% of my gigging needs it suffices, ergo not wanting to purchase a new PA but rather purchase bass rig to handle that other 10%.

 

[Nic Olas]

Anyone have thoughts on the Invalid Link Removed? 500w class D through a 15" speaker.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

First time poster. I am a guitar player who has been playing over 40 years now and have decided to move to playing bass at least half the time simply because there are more gigs open to bass players and, quite frankly, I love grooving instead of playing leads all night.

That being said I have a PA that will handle vocals, even outside, but I am a little concerned about introducing the bass into it. So... I am looking for a bass amp that will carry my sound at mostly indoor gigs, but the occasional outside gig as well. I play mostly blues/rock stuff with some funk and fusion type jazz as well.

The caveat is that I don't want to break the bank in case I decide that playing bass half the time really isn't what I expected and go back to guitar, leaving a bass cabinet mostly sitting in the garage.

I've looked at the Hartke HD150 (played it also a t a local music shop) and on 2 it was pretty freaking loud. I have also looked online at the Rumble 100 V3 and the Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass amp.

Anyone think these would fill my need? I know they all have direct out which if I "did" have to connect to the FOH I could.

Oh, and my bass is Fender J-Bass.

Again, I really don't want to invest a TON of cash until it looks like I am gigging more playing bass and feel the need to upgrade my bass gear.

Thanks for the input!

No. Yes, it seems loud in a store, with nobody else playing. But no, it won't do what you need it to.

More power and more speakers are your friends if you do t have PA support.

 

[Jtown690]

Man, 10” subs are tough. I should have asked what kind of music you’re playing unless I missed it.
The reason I’m in your thread is recently I’ve been really taking ownership of my band’s mix and sound.
I’m nearly to the point of just going ampless.
And I’ve got some bass amps…
SVT7
810e
Milkman little stack.
fender ACB50
Ampeg RB112

we’ve got 2 nice powered Yamaha 15” mains
And an 18” sub.
Also, we’re running in ear monitors.

The future is ampless imo.

still love amps tho. But for club gigging more or less is going to be ampless.
My 2 cents are, Spend the money toward better PA stuff. And or in ear stuff.

 

[Gojira495]

I'd consider a Mark Bass combo amp. They can get a little pricey but they're usually real light and versatile. Good wattage too if you care about that.

 

[Jtown690]

Man, find a used rumble 500. They sound awesome! They’re light, loud and have great tone. The new 800 is marginally louder and maybe dudes are trying to “trade up” because 800 is a bigger number than 500

 

[Marko 1]

Anyone have thoughts on the Invalid Link Removed? 500w class D through a 15" speaker.

First, it's really 250 watts (RMS), and you can't add an extension cab to it if needed (like for outdoors).

Probably fine for indoors, tho.

 

[Nic Olas]

Another idea crossed my mind since folks are talking direct. What about running through an Alto TX315 with my Hotone Ampero? The TX315 is 700w powered speaker with a 15" 2-way speaker in it. Maybe that setup is an option?

 

[Marko 1]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Used for $600 (small shipping and tax), can add an extension cab, and only 41 pounds.

The above new... $900.
Markbass Mini CMD 151P IV 1x15 300W Bass Combo Amplifier

More in your price range here.
Used Bass Combo Amplifiers | Guitar Center

 

[Wesley R]

While maybe not super, duper ideal either of your original choices would cover your indoor needs.

Outdoors can mean anything from a pool party to Woodstock. Either way, if I was concerned about it, I would rent a bucket full of watts, and a boatload of cone area.

 

[Nic Olas]

While maybe not super, duper ideal either of your original choices would cover your indoor needs.

Outdoors can mean anything from a pool party to Woodstock. Either way, if I was concerned about it, I would rent a bucket full of watts, and a boatload of cone area.

And that has crossed my mind as well. Like I originally stated, outdoor gigs are not that often and are mostly at clubs on the deck or patio, not, as you said, like playing Woodstock or something like that.

 

[Marko 1]

outdoor gigs are not that often and are mostly at clubs on the deck or patio,

A reasonably-potent indoor rig would probably handle that.

 

[Darrell Vachon]

Man, find a used rumble 500. They sound awesome! They’re light, loud and have great tone. The new 800 is marginally louder and maybe dudes are trying to “trade up” because 800 is a bigger number than 500

This^
I got a used 500c when the pandemic hit for 475CA. It's replaced my SVT Fridge. I later got a 210 extension cab for bigger gigs but prolly don't really need it. Just over 30lbs, sounds great and I can always get more than I paid for it if I ever sell it!

 

[Ggaa]

Man, find a used rumble 500. They sound awesome! They’re light, loud and have great tone. The new 800 is marginally louder and maybe dudes are trying to “trade up” because 800 is a bigger number than 500

And the 800 has a pre/post xlr, the other Rumbles are just post I think.

 

[micguy]

Adding a quality sub or two to your PA will up its capabilities so the bass ins't a strain on it, and if you bail on playing bass, you have a better PA. If you buy real quality subs, your bass will have better low end through the PA than it will through a bass amp - bass guitar cabinets are designed for loud and small, and they give up low frequency extension as a result. Good PA subs don't make that same tradeoff. The downside is a good PA sub won't fit in your car trunk - you'll need a bigger vehicle.

 

[Nic Olas]

The downside is a good PA sub won't fit in your car trunk - you'll need a bigger vehicle.

Exactly... I'm already cramming everything into my car. Buying a new FOH and a bigger vehicle to play bass obviously does not seem practical.

 

[micguy]

First time poster. I am a guitar player who has been playing over 40 years now and have decided to move to playing bass at least half the time simply because there are more gigs open to bass players and, quite frankly, I love grooving instead of playing leads all night.

That being said I have a PA that will handle vocals, even outside, but I am a little concerned about introducing the bass into it. So... I am looking for a bass amp that will carry my sound at mostly indoor gigs, but the occasional outside gig as well. I play mostly blues/rock stuff with some funk and fusion type jazz as well.

The caveat is that I don't want to break the bank in case I decide that playing bass half the time really isn't what I expected and go back to guitar, leaving a bass cabinet mostly sitting in the garage.

I've looked at the Hartke HD150 (played it also a t a local music shop) and on 2 it was pretty freaking loud. I have also looked online at the Rumble 100 V3 and the Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass amp.

Anyone think these would fill my need? I know they all have direct out which if I "did" have to connect to the FOH I could.

Oh, and my bass is Fender J-Bass.

Again, I really don't want to invest a TON of cash until it looks like I am gigging more playing bass and feel the need to upgrade my bass gear.

Thanks for the input!

Exactly... I'm already cramming everything into my car. Buying a new FOH and a bigger vehicle to play bass obviously does not seem practical.

The PA and a decent bass amp probably won't fit in one car either. You have a tough choice to make.

 

[CallMeAl]

Rumble 100, even through a PA, is on the verge of spread too thin (depending on the rest of the band.) speaking from experience!

Used Rumble 500 gets my vote. You might get away with the 200.

Rocketbass are great amps too, but tend to run a little pricier. So in the name of your budget, I picked Rumble.

 

[Marko 1]

Man, find a used rumble 500. They sound awesome! They’re light, loud and have great tone. The new 800 is marginally louder and maybe dudes are trying to “trade up” because 800 is a bigger number than 500

This^
I got a used 500c when the pandemic hit for 475CA. It's replaced my SVT Fridge. I later got a 210 extension cab for bigger gigs but prolly don't really need it. Just over 30lbs, sounds great and I can always get more than I paid for it if I ever sell it!

And the 800 has a pre/post xlr, the other Rumbles are just post I think.

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[dbase]

You will soon realize that you need more horsepower for playing bass which means extra bucks. Used gear would save you some money but if you have PA support you dont need a big bass rig or none at all if you have lots of subs. Either way... you will always want something bigger.. it's called GASS. We all are infected here on TB. Welcome to the club