JOYO Amp! How does it compare to other name brands?

[Riff Ranger]

Let's see if this works. Here's a demo of the band. All of us recorded through a Spark Amp directly into Reaper. No mixing or additional pedals. I'm also on a five string to give you some idea of how it handles the low B.

That’s incredible

 

[BassNugget]

Until I bought an SWR Workingman's 10, I used to just use a small (cost me $30) mixer which I ran into my stereo. Nothing special, I had a Sony receiver and some Cambridge SoundWorks bookshelf speakers. As this was a low volume practice setup, it worked perfectly. When my buddies came over with guitar and keys, boom, straight into the mixer and we had a dorm jam going at low volume.

You may need some adapters to do this, but I didn't as the mixer had rca preamp out. So if you already have a small stereo system that can take an aux in, this may work.

BTW, I STILL have this same kind of setup in my HiFi in my front room (much nicer equipment though).

 

[macmanlou]

I found a Vox Pathfinder 10w combo for $90. it seems to fit all my needs and have great reviews.

Make sure you get the PB10, which is the bass model.

It does not have an AUX-in.

 

[Eon Sky]

That’s incredible

Don't get me wrong, I probably would not want to subject the little speakers on this thing to that type of playing, but as a practice with headphones/recording interface device? It's a remarkable piece of kit.

 

[macmanlou]

Another one to consider is the Ampeg BA-108, recently discontinued with the addition of the Ampeg Rockbass line, but still available at places like Guitar Center.

In addition to the AUX-in, it also has a volume control for the AUX, which I find very useful.

It does weigh 28 lbs, though

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ampeg/...mplifier-1391534730535.gc?rNtt=ba-108&index=1

 

[Topkat13]

Never owned one but it made me feel joyful just reading about the brand.

 

[KJMO]

Joe Nerve posted this elsewhere:

I know you said pedals and effects weren't your thing, but for anyone else reading this thread - the best tuner I've ever owned is in the ZOOM B1 Four. I used a Pitchblack before that, which cost just as much or more, and wasn't nearly as quick, steady or accurate. I got used to the Korg thinking it was just nature of bass tuning, but i can't tell you how happy I am now with the ZOOM. Its thin, small, light, super easy to see. Oh yeah... it comes with a bunch of great effects too, and easy access EQ. I absolutely love this thing. And its only $80.

And no. I don't work for Zoom .

I trust Joe, and he speaks very highly of this thing. In a dorm, I wouldn't worry about making noise, and this is a great practice machine for under a 100. Our saxophone player uses a version of this live, and I was surprised how good it sounds. Aux in so you can send music to it from your phone, runs on batteries, tons of effects etc., drum machine, usb to connect to a computer. How can you get better for 89.00?

 

[nico485]

New they are above budget, but I'd try to find a used deal on a fender rumble 40. Those things are pretty solid. Nice and lightweight. Good sound(for most things). Can hang with acoustic or low volume jams, but has aux and headphone inputs for silent practice. Wish I wouldn't have sold mine, but I don't need another amp now. I never played the 15 or 25 so not sure how they sound compared to the 40 watt and up versions.

Just quick Google search brings up a few in the 120-150 range used.

 

[fishdreams]

As something that will fit in a dorm room without hijacking the space, works on batteries and is quite ok sounding for what it is, I'd go with the Blackstar. I def. recommend getting the extra speaker for a handful of extra bucks.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Joe Nerve posted this elsewhere:

I know you said pedals and effects weren't your thing, but for anyone else reading this thread - the best tuner I've ever owned is in the ZOOM B1 Four. I used a Pitchblack before that, which cost just as much or more, and wasn't nearly as quick, steady or accurate. I got used to the Korg thinking it was just nature of bass tuning, but i can't tell you how happy I am now with the ZOOM. Its thin, small, light, super easy to see. Oh yeah... it comes with a bunch of great effects too, and easy access EQ. I absolutely love this thing. And its only $80.

View attachment 4341683

And no. I don't work for Zoom .

I trust Joe, and he speaks very highly of this thing. In a dorm, I wouldn't worry about making noise, and this is a great practice machine for under a 100. Our saxophone player uses a version of this live, and I was surprised how good it sounds. Aux in so you can send music to it from your phone, runs on batteries, tons of effects etc., drum machine, usb to connect to a computer. How can you get better for 89.00?

I run the previous version, B1xon, into a JBL Flip bluetooth speaker for backyard, beach fun

 

[deepestend]

At home, I just play through a small behringer mixer through my powered speakers. You can use the headphone out on the mixer and it's pretty good and clean. Something like this: Behringer Xenyx Q802USB 8-Input Mixer with USB | Kevin's Guitar Shop | Reverb

 

[jwoiton]

I bought a Joyo amp. It fits on my work table easily and I use it when testing out the electronics on guitars that I am working on. I don't use it as a practice amp.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I have always wanted to be in a band but I a) couldn't put one together or b) was not confident enough in my skills.

My budget is around $100, I'd like to buy something nice just to practice with. I don't plan on being in a band or have a partner to play with

I'm sure your daughter appreciates her set up, it sounds awesome and very convenient!

Does the wattage have a direct correlation to the volume and how heavy it is?

For $100, maybe one of those Ampeg BA108s (used) and save up for a headphone amp with an aux in, or an older effects unit like some of the Zooms that have an aux in. You will be able to get a BA108 loud enough to annoy neighbours without being enough to gig with above a very small coffee-house affair with an acoustic guitar and voice.

If you want it just for dorm-based practising at very low volumes but no gigging/jams then a used Bluetooth speaker if it has a line in and the headphone amp might make sense as the speaker can serve as a general listening speaker. Don't be tempted, if something turns up, to try to gig with a music listening speaker as you'll probably end up killing it. However, solo you'll hear it complain before you kill it and that will still be sufficiently quiet, most likely, as to annoy dorm neighbours less.

 

[wintremute]

I found a Vox Pathfinder 10w combo for $90. it seems to fit all my needs and have great reviews.

THat is a solid choice for your situation.

 

[MattZilla]

I have the little white plastic Joyo. It’s good for one thing only: playing along with a fist-sized Bluetooth speaker in a small room when you don’t want to wear headphones and you want to minimize risk of annoying any sensitive neighbors (especially if you’re going to be learning songs and repeating small two to four bar sections over and over to nail them).

It’s a shame you sold the Hartke & 210 as those would’ve been perfect for jamming & small gigs and would probably have fit in your closet.

I imagine you’ve been recommended 100w combos from Fender, Ampeg, Gallien-Krueger (GK), and Roland.

I’m an Ampeg fan and find that they and GK can do both old school sounds and 80s-90s HiFi sounds really well while the Fenders are surprisingly stuck in a 60s-70s sound.

I haven’t tried or heard a Roland in a long time and haven’t gotten to try or hear a Trace Elliot Elf yet, but they both have fans.

Good luck!

 

[DblG]

I run the previous version, B1xon, into a JBL Flip bluetooth speaker for backyard, beach fun

Yes, that's the one I have as well, the Xon. Mostly use it for playing through headphones and can plug phone into it. The ability to send it to a regular powered speaker is awesome too.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yes, that's the one I have as well, the Xon. Mostly use it for playing through headphones and can plug phone into it. The ability to send it to a regular powered speaker is awesome too.

I was going to upgrade to the B1 Four but in between I upgraded my amp to a Mesa WD 800. Then thought it was really going to show up my pedal but the magical goo in the WD made the B1xon sound better! So I'm still rocking it for now

 

[KJMO]

I hated to recommend something different from what was asked for, but unless things have changed radically, I really wouldn't have wanted to drag an actual amp along with me to school. Obviously mileage varies, but I just can't imagine it.

 

[flojob]

Just get one of these. Super compact, and has an aux in, some drum patterns, and will get you through until you get to school and see what your options for equipment and room are.
Vox amPlug 2 Bass Headphone Guitar Amp

I just sold my 250 watt amp and cab and am looking for something smaller. I am going to college and would like to purchase something easily portable and good quality rather than bold & loud. I want to prevent everyone in my dorm from hating me

I came across the JOYO brand and have no idea if it is something I should consider. Is it a popular brand because I haven't heard of it? Is there something else you'd suggest for a college student?

 

[larrygs]

@Pippy I can highly recommend the Fender Rumble 40 and up, super lightweight amps, great sound and can handle a 5 string bass good, it does have headphones out so you can play without disturbing anyone. Rumbles are not HD sounding as Hartke, but they will give you what you need and cut really good on band mix.
The Rumble 40 v3 will give you what you need, the Rumble 100 v3 will get you covered even for the future. I own the 100 (sold my 800w setup since I will not be playing live) and is perfect for home, practice snd even rehearsal.