looking for a cheap, tiny amp...

[SmokinJoe992]

I may be in the minority here, and excuse me if I am offending anyone, but I get a lot of good practice in without using an amp.

 

[Linnin]

i really liked this one

Those would be a viable alternative if they were $100 and not over priced at $230. Would like to audition one.

 

[electracoyote]

I know the emphasis is on dedicated bass amps, and I respect that. I've played through several at the low volumes OP is describing. I find that a decent guitar practice amp at that level sounds virtually the same. I taught bass and guitar for decades and my students and I used small 10-watt SS "guitar" amps (8" speakers) at low volumes so we could easily talk and hear each other. At that volume an electric bass sounds pretty good to my ears, and it will last a long time if not pushed hard. Mine lasted over 20 years running both basses and guitars through them 20-30 hours a week. Bonus: $20.00 in gently used condition.

 

[LYNCHMAN]

the rumble 25 has a headphone jack, i have one and have used that jack many times late at nite....and at $99 it's hard to beat!

 

[Bassbeater]

Does anyone have experience with power attenuators for power amps?
-When I need to practice quietly and want a big sound I use good headphones.

 

[bwildt]

I would think that at very low volumes, nothing would give a full sound. I would suggest headphones.

My practice rig consists of an old Zoom amp sim pedal, plugged into my computer external sound interface. I can mix sound from my computer and bass. I can listen through my Alesis M1 monitor speakers or through headphones. The Zoom pedal really beefs up the sterile sound of plugging my bass straight into the computer interface.

I would assume that you could do pretty much the same thing with something like a Rumble 25 and a cell phone. I have messed with the Rumble 25 and it sounds pretty good for what it is, but still may be kind of thin a very low volumes. I would still recommend headphones.

 

[mobdirt]

Those would be a viable alternative if they were $100 and not over priced at $230. Would like to audition one.

i tried one at a store and i was surprised by the sound it gave for its size

 

[wintremute]

the rumble 25 has a headphone jack, i have one and have used that jack many times late at nite....and at $99 it's hard to beat!

I would think that at very low volumes, nothing would give a full sound. I would suggest headphones.

OP has specified: no headphones

 

[fingerguy]

My Blackstar FLY Bass:
View attachment 3162848

I second this. I love mine.

 

[LYNCHMAN]

the peavey microbass sounds like a guitar amp...the pignose hog 30 sounds good with bass guitar at low volume as does the rumble 25...i also have the rumble 60 but thats bigger than you're looking for...sorry you can't use headphones as that would be the perfect solution...

 

[Bassbeater]

You might be able to use very low volume through any amp if you use high levels of compression on the bass signal.
EDIT: If headphones bother your hearing, closed back isolation headphones might let you use very low volume.

 

[RichardW]

I have a Rumble 15 that I use for practicing alone and it sounds great. It also has a headphone jack if you want to go silent. Can't remember exactly, but pretty sure I paid less than $100 for it brand new.

 

[BadExample]

i hear the hotone has a lot of hiss.

You can expect some hiss from a massive amp like that. It ain't no little 3 Watter

 

[BOOG]

i'm looking for something $100ish or less, small - i was considering the rumble 25, which i like, but i'd be using this to play on the couch at 1 am when my husband and the neighbors are sound asleep, and i'd be keeping the rumble 25 turned down literally to 1.

so i found myself wondering about the blackstar fly for bass, but most of the demos have the mic right up against the amp, so proximity is going to add bass that my naked ears won't hear. i don't expect it to sound like much, but better than a $20 1 watt guitar amp would be nice. it seems to be small enough to put under the coffee table, which the rumble 25 wouldn't be.

i will never use this to play with other people, to turn up, or to play metal with a low B and tons of distortion. just quiet, middle of the night playing with a little bottom end. again, $100ish, which lets out phil jones, and small. and tone that doesn't totally suck when kept turned low. the roland micro bass cube RX would have been nice, but not ready to pay $279 for a middle of the night only amp.

thoughts?

Had the BA 108 and liked it for its purpose. Design gives the option of tilt back, also. It’s 40 watts with a nice quiet Ampeg tone, lightweight, aux and headphone ability, and can be found used mint $70-80.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

seems like when trying to get a decent bass sound with tiny gear, its all about the cab/speaker

so I wonder if you would have a wider range of options if you sought out the perfect tiny cab, rather than combo?

Of course that requires a head of some sort, as well as a speaker cable run. But if you have small form factor head lying around, you could sit that next to you on and end table. Another benefit to that is you don’t have to get up and bend over to adjust the controls, like you might with a combo.

Just thinking outside the parameters of the original request, because I’ve never actually heard a bass combo that small/inexpensive that sounds decent.

 

[bassliner50]

Find a lightly used Fender Rumble 40. (10" combo) You will not be sorry. Just as light or lighter than those feeble 8" combos that are everywhere. Sounds much more substantial than those. Has same preamp as Rumble 100, 200, 500 etc. Love mine. can carry it with one finger. Slightly larger than a shoe box. It is a real bass amp.
'

 

[PullThePlug]

Roland Bass Micro Cube RX

https://www.roland.com/us/products/micro_cube_bass_rx/

You can find these used just over $100 from time to time. I picked mine up for $65 used, and it's great for personal use. Those 4" speakers don't have a lot of low end throw, so those bass frequencies won't permeate your walls. The sound is good with or without headphones.

 

[two fingers]

Fender Bassman 25.... older version.

Tilts back.
Aux input
Headphone out
Great tone

The best little practice amp I have ever had. I have mine out on loan to a kid just starting out, but I'll get it back.

 

[secondbestcody]

What I did for my apartment is get the Fly3 bass amp and extension can and power supply and I just use the two I my living room. It’s plenty loud or quiet and if I need to play in another room I just disconnect it all and the amp alone can run on batteries. +1 for the Blackstar Fly3

 

[LesterS]

I have a vote from another 'plastic' battery powered mini amp... The Eden MicroTour (and can be had for about 3 twenty's). Fits in a desk drawer or slips under the couch when not in use too!