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It's been asked before, but carry about amps?

M

massivebonanza

Guest
Nov 7, 2011
21
0
#1
I don't like to use the term practice amp. Practice doesn't have to mean sub 10 watts, trying not to upset the neighbours and afraid to be heard. I practice as much unplugged as I do through 120 watts in the studio.

But! A concession. There are times when both volume and weight do need some consideration. About once a week, our singer, our guitarist and our harp player get together in the house and work through some numbers. We run drum loops through a PA in case you're wondering. And it's times like these that I do find I need something I can lug over and not have to back the volume right down. Don't you hate running 100 watts say at 2 on the dial?

Anyway, so I saw and really like the Ampeg BA110, looks ideal for what I need. But, over here in the UK, it's a little out of my price range and to be quite honest I don't want to spend that much anyway for what isn't my gig amp. So, I looked at it's junior, the BA108. Then I saw the Laney, the RB2. And now that looks pretty much on the money.

Specs;

Ampeg BA108:

25 watts, 1 x 8" speaker
H 15.3" x W 15.3" x D 11" - 27lbs

Ampeg BA110:

35 watts, 1 x 10" speaker
H 16.3" x W 16.3" x D 12" - 32lbs

Laney RB2:

30 watts, 1 x 10" speaker
H 16.3" x W 15" x D 9.96" - 25.9lbs

There's an interesting discussion on the two Ampegs here; http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-ba108-ba110-734502/ but I can't find much on the little Laney. Any users, any thoughts? And I suppose, any alternatives!

Thanks guys, MB.
 
#2
massivebonanza said:
I don't like to use the term practice amp. Practice doesn't have to mean sub 10 watts, trying not to upset the neighbours and afraid to be heard. I practice as much unplugged as I do through 120 watts in the studio.

But! A concession. There are times when both volume and weight do need some consideration. About once a week, our singer, our guitarist and our harp player get together in the house and work through some numbers. We run drum loops through a PA in case you're wondering. And it's times like these that I do find I need something I can lug over and not have to back the volume right down. Don't you height running 100 watts say at 2 on the dial?

Anyway, so I saw and really like the Ampeg BA110, looks ideal for what I need. But, over here in the UK, it's a little our of my price range and to be quite honest I don't want to spend that much anyway for what isn't my gig amp. So, I looked at it's junior, the BA108. Then I saw, the Laney, the RB2. And now that looks pretty much on the money. Specs;

Ampeg BA108:

25 watts, 1 x 8" speaker
H 15.3" x W 15.3" x D 11" - 27lbs

Ampeg BA110:

35 watts, 1 x 10" speaker
H 16.3" x W 16.3" x D 12" - 32lbs

Laney RB2:

30 watts, 1 x 10" speaker
H 16.3" x W 15" x D 9.96" - 25.9lbs

There's an interesting discussion on the two Ampegs here; http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-ba108-ba110-734502/ but I can't find much on the little Laney. Any users, any thoughts? And I suppose, any alternatives!

Thanks guys, MB.
Click to expand...

Here's your answer!
Check out the Fender "Rumble 350"
It puts out 370 Watts thru 2 10" speakers & a horn, it almost keeps up with my Ampeg 6X10 & 1,700 Watt rig..(For Practice) and will fit in the trunk of a Honda Accord!
They run around $500, but you won't be dissapointed!
Try one first though!
:bassist:
 
#4
100 watts is sufficient to be heard over a drummer who isn't going miked up. 100 watts in a terraced house is taking the p!ss.

Most here might be running 1000 watts, and good on them, but we do occasional casual gigs in the pub or small venue to, say, 50 people? Never had a problem being heard over the PA either.

So, I'm talking in the region of 30 watts, circa 100 quid.
 
#6
Just a thought - I see where you're coming from regarding being head over the PA. I'll expand, the singer and drum loop go through the PA (a Carslbro job, can't say what it is off the top of my head) while the guitar and harmonica are running separate amps. Again, as I say, this is strictly house stuff - we're not talking wattage, we're talking keeping the neighbours off of the doorstep. We'd be in the studio otherwise

Might help if I knew what the harp players amp was, but again, can't recall without seeing him.
 
#7
I have a BA108 and it puts out a nice Ampeg tone but sounds like crap if you overdrive it which can easily happen in a group situation. I like it for personal practice but would hesitate to use it any other way for this reason. I suggest you try it out side by side with the Laney if you can. I did find these reviews: Invalid Link Removed

Looks like a nice little amp
 
#8
bassgod0dmw said:
I'm not looking to start a war here, but not in my bands. If it works for you, fantastic!
Click to expand...

Me neither, but in the right circumstances, using a Hartke HS1200 / Kickback 15* is totally adequate against the drummer. We ain't pro's!

edit - but if it ain't then I too go through the PA.... depends on the circumstances, only had to do that once.

* the 15" 120 watt version
 
#9
greggster59 said:
I have a BA108 and it puts out a nice Ampeg tone but sounds like crap if you overdrive it which can easily happen in a group situation. I like it for personal practice but would hesitate to use it any other way for this reason. I suggest you try it out side by side with the Laney if you can. I did find these reviews: Invalid Link Removed

Looks like a nice little amp
Click to expand...

Nice one cheers, for some reason I'd only focused my search on posts here, hadn't considered reviews outside of talkbass.
 
#10
I looked at the BA line and found a 112 blemished online at a great price. Never did find the blemish. It's never been past 3 on the dial in my house but I love the sound. For what you are wanting to do, take your time and grab the first one on your list that pops up on the used market.
 
#11
RABJ said:
I looked at the BA line and found a 112 blemished online at a great price. Never did find the blemish. It's never been past 3 on the dial in my house but I love the sound. For what you are wanting to do, take your time and grab the first one on your list that pops up on the used market.
Click to expand...

The 112? Why haven't I looked at that.. Thank you I'll see whether there are any display models locally, or good used, as a new one might be too much of a stretch financially in the UK with our ridiculous pricing.
 
#12
I have a prejudice against bass amps with tiny speakers. They just don't cut it, IMO. The smallish combos made by MarkBass and PhilJones are the exception, because they have lots of power to overcome the inefficient small cab, and robust drivers that can handle the wattage. They are also quite expensive, so they're not really practice amps.

For your situation, I'd try to get a 1x12 combo with at least 60 watts. An alternative would be to run a SansAmp (or the Behringer knockoff) into your band's PA system.
 
#13
I don't know how available they are in Europe, but the SWR Workingman's 12 is a really good all-rounder for small, low-volume stuff. They are cheap, they're reliable and they sound pretty good. I wouldn't put one up against a loud drummer, but for small gigs in small spaces they do very well.
They also pop up used pretty often (at least here in the States, they do).
 
#14
Crater said:
I have a prejudice against bass amps with tiny speakers. They just don't cut it, IMO.
Click to expand...

I absolutely entirely agree... almost. In any other circumstance I wouldn't want to go near that low output, but ... I also don't like running an amp with some decent heft with the dial right down. It really is only to go against other 'practice' level living room (sitting room in US? Not sure) level volume... hence limiting myself to something 'small'.
 
#15
Lo-E said:
I don't know how available they are in Europe, but the SWR Workingman's 12 is a really good all-rounder for small, low-volume stuff. They are cheap, they're reliable and they sound pretty good. I wouldn't put one up against a loud drummer, but for small gigs in small spaces they do very well.
They also pop up used pretty often (at least here in the States, they do).
Click to expand...

Yes! This is exactly what I'm talking about..! And yes, I've read good stuff about these here at talkbass, and no! They are not exactly readily available here so much which is a real disappointment.
 
#16
I like my Peavey TKO 75 for practice and rehearsal. It's old, but man it sure is pretty in the sound department. Never had any issues with getting stepped on or being heard over the drums. I've used it many times in gigs too, usually patched in, and it never fails to please. Probably could find one quite cheap too.
 
#17
My "practice" setup is a MarkBass Little Mark II and a Genz GB12T (1x12 with tweeter). I'm not sure if you're going for inexpensive, because this small setup isn't terribly cheap, but it does sound excellent and the head has more than enough power for almost all settings from practice to gigs. As an added bonus, it's highly portable. The 1x12 is maybe 30-40 lbs, LMII head is about 8-10lbs and has a backpack case (very handy, and highly recommended). I don't think they sell the Genz cab any more, but someone has a nice Avatar 1x12 with tweeter in the FS AMPS section of classifieds right now that might fit the bill. LMII heads come up often for around $375-$400. Try to look for one with the carrying case.

One band (southern/hard rock/funk) I'm in has two very loud guitarists, a drummer who hits hard, and we have "roving" rehearsal space. So, being mobile is good with this group. I do have an extra 1x12 cab that I add for gigs with this group. Still highly mobile, pretty light, and plenty loud for my applications.

With my other group (R&B/pop), we always practice at the same place, so I leave a 4x10 at my singers house. Then, just sling the Little Mark "backpack" on, grab my bass, and I'm ready to go.

It sure beats lugging around what I used to.
 
#18
...just went back and read the whole thread. I still think my suggestion is good for gigging/portability. But, if you want a combo, I have played the BA115, and it sounded pretty good. So, I'd imagine if you need *less* power, the BA112 would be the way to go. Just be careful not to under-power your setup. **

Also, if you're just "starting out" and your band isn't too loud, the Fender fuzzy amps are pretty good. I still have my first amp--a Fender "R.A.D.", which I believe is 100 watts into one 10" speaker. It actually has a pretty nice, round sound and was able to keep up with a gospel choir and a few pit orchestras for musicals, as well as band that didn't practice terribly loud.

I guess it all depends on the other musicians in your band. If your guitarist is bringing a Marshall 100 watt tube head and two 4x12 cabs, 100 watts of anything isn't going to cut it. If he/she plays through a 10 watt Gorilla (not that there's anything wrong with that), any 100 watt bass combo on up should work for you. However, judge wisely--I have an 18watt Marshall clone tube amp for guitar, and that thing is LOUD through a 1x12 cab. Bassists need a pretty decent setup to keep up with that amp when I run it wide open.

** - In my opinion, it's always better to have MORE power than you need if you can afford it. It's better to have to turn down than it is to be maxed out and need more sound, or push your gear to the point where it distorts (in a bad way).
 

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