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Help me choose practice budget amp

Hello guys,

First of all, it's my first post in the forums :)

I've been playing bass since Dec 2010 and recently sold my Stagg 40BA second hand amp. It was really old but it helped me for 4-5 till i save some money to get a decent amp. So now, i have few options that i am going to ask your opinions about. But the worst thing is that, except Marshall's MB15, i have no chance to test and hear them out. So, i am up to your recommendations. By the way, i am playing a Yamaha RBX374 RM and loving it :) Here is the list of amps (in order of cheaper to the most expensive);

  • Marshall MB15
  • Washburn Bad Dog BD30B (not in the stocks)
  • Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass
  • Behringer BX108 Thunderbird
  • Fender Rumble 15
  • Orange Crush PiX CR25BX
  • Laney RB-2
    ------------------------
  • Marshall MB30
  • Line 6 LowDown LD15
  • Ibanez SWX35 Bass Combo Amplifier
  • Hartke A 25

I tried out the Marshall MB15. It was OK. I can buy the amps before the --- line, immediately. For others i have to save some more money :) What do you recommend ? I generally play everything that suits my bass tone. I may switch to 5 string jazz bass in end of the year. So, i really want to use my new amp with various guitars.

Thanks in advance.
 
Personally I would go with the Line6 Lowdown for the effects since Its a lot of power in a little box and you'll save money on an effects pedal. The Orange Crush PiX 25W is fine also. I played both. Not too sure about the others.
 
Thanks for quicky replies. I really heard great things about Orange as a brand and i was watching a review about the 25W model, while entering first post and i had to cut writing and turn to youtube to hear it out again, since i couldn't belive how amazing the tones were. :) Peavey is slightly out of my max budget. I think i am really going for the Orange. But if i could spend some little more, will i reach better amps ? Like Hartke or Laney RB2?
 
I bought a 100w Traynor just a year ago or so and for a practise amp I've got nothing but good things to say. At $325 Canadian it was a steel for me. It has an XLR line out so you can tap into the main board if you need to. I have used her a few times at a gig and she preformed very well for me. Stage sound is a little on the quiet side but it worked for me in a tight situation.
 
I don't know about their bass amps, but one of our guitar guys has a line6 amp that has quit on him twice now. And as far as effects go, I've never used an effect for bass in my life. But then, I don't do lead bass, it's for backup rhythm work, hold down the bottom end. Whatever you get, you'll probably be wanting something else soon anyway.;)
 
I bought a 100w Traynor just a year ago or so and for a practise amp I've got nothing but good things to say. At $325 Canadian it was a steel for me. It has an XLR line out so you can tap into the main board if you need to. I have used her a few times at a gig and she preformed very well for me. Stage sound is a little on the quiet side but it worked for me in a tight situation.

I'll throw in with Traynor. The little DB50 is a great piece of kit. If you can find one, definitely consider it. It cost me under $200USD.
 
I actually just picked up the Marshall MB15 yesterday on sale at a local shop for $140. No regrets at all, love it for practicing in the basement. I tried out that Vox as well as a Peavy and the Fender Rumble. They all seemed just fine for practicing, but I couldn't pass up the Marshall at that price!
 
I have owned and sold a couple of Line6 bass amps as I always heard the amp, not my bass. Of those, I would be interested in anything with at least a 12" or 15" speaker, especially if you are contemplating a 5. From 'not on your list', it would be an Ampeg 210 or 115 combo. I play nothing but 5's and those have worked for me. FWIW, my practice rig at home is headphones with a USB mixer. Works great and can hear myself loud enough to detect flaws in technique...