Flatulence-free Practise Amp?

I would personally recommend something that can double as both practice amp as well as backup/gigging amp. One popular, affordable and compact model is the GK MB200, to which I would recommend a decent 110, 112 or 210 cab. Flexible amp (Aux in / headphones out) and you can run it without cabinet, if you need to bring it with you on the bus, train whatever.
If money is tight, that amp can be used with an old floor monitor, sturdy home stereo speaker or similar "backyard sale" bargain to give you something far better than the MB15.

 

If you like the features and size of this amp, just replace the driver with something more capable. Looks like you have about 0.6 cf internal volume, and the cab is ported (2" dia. ?). The Faital 8fe200, Eminence Beta 8a, and Dayton PA 200-8 come to mind as good options. Otherwise, something like a Fender Rumble 40 V3 would be a major step up in performance at a modest cost.

 

To get low sounds with any intensity, you need something bigger in a practice amp. I might recommend checking out Ampeg's BA series. I've got a couple and they all have good low end, even the little BA108. But the bigger you go, the louder and more intense about it you can be.

 

+1111 on the Fender Rumble 40 recommendation

 

I've heard good things about the Carvin MB10. It can handle an external speaker, so could be a 110 for home/practice and use with an external cab as a backup amp. 250 watts into 4 Ohms.

 

I've found that with most combos you buy, you need ample headroom. If you need to turn it up over half way, get a bigger amp.

 

... and depending on how full you want the bass, and how loud you plan on going... you may even need a 112 to get there. I'd highly recommend a combo that supports an external cabinet so you can use the amp as a backup for a gig for more volume.

 

I've jammed on these a little and they really aren't bad.
If you go this direction you should look at the BA-115 or BA-210. Both have the xlr out so you can plug into the house pa or record.

 

+1 for the BA-108 Plenty for home use but for actual band practice depending on your drummer the BA-110 could be better

 

GK MB108. Played an open B through it the day I bought it and it shook the room with no farting. It has a headphone jack and an accessory input. And it's built in the USA!!

 

Does it have to be a combo amp?

 

This was the combo I had on my short list before greed and lack of self-discipline won out and I wasted my $$ on an Ashdown TourBus 15.

 

I've found that the small amps are all about the settings (just like the big amps). When using my little Peavey 15-watt 8-incher, I have to turn my bass on the EQ all the way down and leave the mid and treble pretty much flat.

 

I'm glad to see a thread like this. Not to hijack it but speaking for myself, I need a an affordable practice amp that actually SOUNDS like a bass amp and not a toy. Don't really need it to do double duty outside the home as the only place I play already has an adequate rig. Keep any suggestions coming!

 

Anthony, I'll loan you my pre-Christmas list for amp nominees in the $99-150 range: Fender Rumble 25, Ampeg BA-108 v2, Hartke HD-25, and the GK MB108. There are obviously others available, but I thought these represented a decent value and would do well as a bedroom practice amp. Good hunting!

 

I would consider something like a Fender Rumble 40 a bare minimum for good no fart tone. If you can get the 100... plenty for practice. Light and easy to move...

 

Find yourself a good used SWR Workingman's 10. That's my home practice amp and it handles my Musicman SR5 with no trouble, and sounds great with enough volume for me.

 

RE: fartout, you can get any amp to fart out if you turn it up enough, even a 1000w amp. The reason is because beyond their RMS wattage, they have more in the tank. Some of the micros on the market don't have much to give you past their RMS rating, but every other type of amp has twice as much wattage as their RMS rating available for peaks. So when you get them to fart out, you're turning them up past the point of their RMS wattage and getting into peak power.

Unless of course they just plain suck