Harley Benton practice amps vs Ampeg, Hartke etc.

[Cannon1]

Hi all,
I am planning to start playing the bass guitar and I want to buy a good practice amp. Mostly I will be playing at bedroom volumes. My budget at the high end is around €200 but I would prefer to spend less. I have been looking at the Thomann website and the Harley Benton amps seem to be better on paper than the competition (such as Ampeg and Hartke) for the same price. They have bigger speakers, more watts, more features etc. For example My question basically is, is the tone on the 'name brand' amps better enough to justify the increased cost for the same specs?

Another issue is the speaker size. Whatever I buy will have one speaker, so the question is a 6.5" or 8" or 10" or 12". Is a bigger speaker necessary for better tone or will a 6.5" Ampeg be bassier than a 12" Harley Benton?
Thanks for all the help!

 

[basscooker]

My thoughts

You need something that makes sound. It's for practice. Save the few extra clams, buy inexpensive. Worry about tone when you go to a big rig for band rehearsal. For now worry more about technique, timing, scales, etc.

To directly respond to a query; with a few exceptions, a bass cab or combo usually has more depth of tone and low frequency extension with more surface area of moving cone. So with, say 20 watts, generally most people would prefer a 12 to a 6.5. For the same price and rated power I'd certainly vote for the larger driver.

 

[JimmyM]

Hi all,
I am planning to start playing the bass guitar and I want to buy a good practice amp. Mostly I will be playing at bedroom volumes. My budget at the high end is around €200 but I would prefer to spend less. I have been looking at the Thomann website and the Harley Benton amps seem to be better on paper than the competition (such as Ampeg and Hartke) for the same price. They have bigger speakers, more watts, more features etc. For example My question basically is, is the tone on the 'name brand' amps better enough to justify the increased cost for the same specs?

Another issue is the speaker size. Whatever I buy will have one speaker, so the question is a 6.5" or 8" or 10" or 12". Is a bigger speaker necessary for better tone or will a 6.5" Ampeg be bassier than a 12" Harley Benton?
Thanks for all the help!

The smallest combo Ampeg makes has an 8" speaker. I like mine and I do use it in certain pro level situations where small and very quiet is the order of the day, but I tend to agree with Basscooker's opinion.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I've always associated Harley Benton at the low end of products. If I had the choice I'd go Ampeg for sure. As you improve your comfort on the instrument you will soon begin to notice any shortcomings in your amplifier. The harder it is to get a good tone, especially when you're still learning how to get the tone your head is searching for, the less you'll look forward to the next practice session.

 

[BassmanPaul]

My suggestion is to get the most powerful amp you can with the largest diameter speaker.

BTW welcome to Talk Bass.

 

[High Camp]

This one might be a nice one to start with (99 euro):
Harley Benton HBW 35.
https://www.thomann.de/nl/harley_benton_hbw35.htm

It has an earphone out and you can tilt the amp

 

[High Camp]

My suggestion is to get the most powerful amp you can with the largest diameter speaker.

BTW welcome to Talk Bass.

If want the amp to be useful at rehearsals, I agree.
Then the Harley Benton HBW 150 would be more suitable.
https://www.thomann.de/nl/harley_benton_hbw150.htm

 

[6thplanet]

When your just starting out, it can be a bit tricky. You might not want to spend to much at first till you know your gonna stick with it. On the other hand if you spend a bit more on a name brand piece, if you decide not to continue it'll be easier to sell that product.

 

[Omega Monkey]

Get an actual name brand. It will be better quality and have higher resale value. If you're going to spend hours and hours practicing an instrument, you might as well have decent gear.

I would probably try to go for at least a 10" speaker and at least 50w ideally. That should meet your needs for a year or so while you're still mostly learning on your own, but also be capable of some informal jams and things like that should they arise.

Then when you get more experienced and are looking to start playing with a band, you can look into getting more professional level gear with more power.

Anyway, if you get something better quality, you'll be a lot more likely to practice. Most of those house brand types, they don't come up with a good design and then figure out a price, they figure out a price (ie 10 bucks less than the other guys charge) and then figure out how little they can get away with giving you for that price. Ampeg, Hartke, and other reputable brands actually have designers and engineers that know what they're doing and take pride in their products.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Hartke HD50 or Ampeg BA110 for sure.

You'll have them both for 10+ Years and not do anything but dust it once and awhile.

I have a Fender Rumble 15 that is over 10 years old, no troubles.

Buy something good, you will not regret it!

 

[Cannon1]

Thanks for the advise everyone!
The main concern I have with the ampeg and Hartke is this bass buzz group review. Best Bass Practice Amp (Group Shootout) In this he hates the ampeg and hartke but loves the fender rumble 40. Am I putting too much weight on this? Should I just get the fender? My issue is the that the fender is about €250 in Europe, much more than in the us. Oh the decisions!

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks for the advise everyone!
The main concern I have with the ampeg and Hartke is this bass buzz group review. Best Bass Practice Amp (Group Shootout) In this he hates the ampeg and hartke but loves the fender rumble 40. Am I putting too much weight on this? Should I just get the fender? My issue is the that the fender is about €250 in Europe, much more than in the us. Oh the decisions!

Reviews are one person's opinion only.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Fender Rumble 40, another great practice amp.
Pull the trigger and start jammin!