Help me pick a small practice amp from my local shop!

[coyoten23]

Hi there!
Committed to my local shop due to a professional musician account, these are the options for a small practice amp, which out of these would be most suitable for the music that I play?
Think Tony Levin, Paul Simon, Knopfler, Bernard Edwards, Muddy waters and other chicago blues.

Basses used: Stingrays

1. Ampeg RB-108
2. Vox VA50BA
3. Mark Bass Micromark 801
4. Various small EDEN and STAG brand amps
5. Orange Bass 25*
6. Roland Cube

These are all about 250$ before my discount.
I also have various vintage Fender brown guitar amps that are upwards of 3000$, perhaps I can do a speaker swap on one of them to bass it up, or just stick to a cheap practice amp?

Anyway, would love if you can match an amp from the list to what I play

*I am leaning towards to the Orange strictly from a looks perspective, as I live in a tiny funky-colorful city 1+1 apartment and I need my living room to not look like a disgusting black-fiberboard club backstage unless I have to

Thanks !

 

[BobKay]

You posted on the double bass side of TB. Is that what you play?

 

[coyoten23]

Strictly Stingray 4 basses, in both Musicman form and Sterling form.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Mark Bass Micromark 801.
Not cheap but probably one of the best values in a small best of it’s class amp.

My advise on those vintage chocolate Fender guitar amps-save them unmolested for what they are-great guitar amps-not bass amps.

 

[SJan3]

Agree with @ TN WOODMAN on the MarkBass Micromark 801. And you'll get some color to boot!
But seriously, it's best in class of the amps you listed, IMHO.

 

[coyoten23]

Two votes for the Micromark 801!
Interesting!

 

[Brain Fog]

I'd pick the Orange amp over the others. Personally, I detest the aesthetics of Markbass amps.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Hi there!
Committed to my local shop due to a professional musician account, these are the options for a small practice amp, which out of these would be most suitable for the music that I play?
Think Tony Levin, Paul Simon, Knopfler, Bernard Edwards, Muddy waters and other chicago blues.

Basses used: Stingrays

1. Ampeg RB-108
2. Vox VA50BA
3. Mark Bass Micromark 801
4. Various small EDEN and STAG brand amps
5. Orange Bass 25*
6. Roland Cube

These are all about 250$ before my discount.
I also have various vintage Fender brown guitar amps that are upwards of 3000$, perhaps I can do a speaker swap on one of them to bass it up, or just stick to a cheap practice amp?

Anyway, would love if you can match an amp from the list to what I play

*I am leaning towards to the Orange strictly from a looks perspective, as I live in a tiny funky-colorful city 1+1 apartment and I need my living room to not look like a disgusting black-fiberboard club backstage unless I have to

Thanks !

Welcome to TalkBass.
I have a 801 combo.

 

[BlacknWhite]

The Ampeg RB108 is a great litte amp for the price. I picked one up just because it was so cheap. Great tone and surprisingly loud and nice full bass from a 8 inch speaker.

 

[coyoten23]

They just informed me they have one unit of
Markbass Marcus Miller CMD 101 Micro 60
in stock for about 450$ after my discount.

Is this something I should snag up?

 

[groovepump]

I would vote for the Ampeg. They sound good and are not expensive.
And if you're just practicing at home, you could also consider the SGT-DI.
Won't drive a speaker, but has AUX input ahd headphones, and SVT /B15 profile
with selectable speaker cabs. $400

 

[SJan3]

Depends on if you prefer lighter weight ( 11 lb difference), vs a bit more output due to the 10" speaker in the MM combo. MM combo also has more flexible EQ and a tweeter. I'd audition them side by side to make your choice.

 

[waynobass]

Why is there no poll here?

I would click on Orange just based on your last paragraph.

 

[ColdEye]

Get the markbass.

 

[BAG]

They just informed me they have one unit of
Markbass Marcus Miller CMD 101 Micro 60
in stock for about 450$ after my discount.

Is this something I should snag up?

I would!
Being a 10" instead of an 8' driver will make a difference and if you play small venues with bands that aren't loud you just might find that it's enough for gigs.
I've got an GK MB212 for bigger gigs, but it's pretty rare that I use it. My little Schertler B10 combo gets used for 90% or more of my gigs just as a monitor.

 

[WRM]

They just informed me they have one unit of
Markbass Marcus Miller CMD 101 Micro 60
in stock for about 450$ after my discount.

Is this something I should snag up?

That makes it easy, for all the reasons noted above. And don't try to modify those Guitar cabs for Bass.

Keep us posted!

 

[jimmydean]

Fender Rumble 100 ........enough said .

 

[WRM]

Fender Rumble 100 ........enough said .

Yep. That's what I use and it has my hearty recommendation, but it's not on the list?...

Cheers,

 

[bordinco90]

I would say get the Markbass. They are really nice sounding, quality combos plus they have a nice line out so you can run it through a PA.

 

[coy garcia]

I've been using the ampeg 108 for over a decade and if something happened to it I would buy another. It sounds warm similar to a tube amp.