These are sleeper amps...$75-100 if you can find one. One of my favorite amps ever. The VBA MIJ is the bass version.;
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looking for a cheap, tiny amp...
- Thread starter pcake
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Test play a Warwick BC-10 with one of your own basses. It's really nice for its small size. It weighs a bit over 14 pounds, but it's built like a tank.
i was looking into small battery powered portable PA speakers ...
another thought ,.. have you ever tried ' bone conduction ' headphones , as they do not cover your ears ... conduction works pretty well for low end ...
another thought ,.. have you ever tried ' bone conduction ' headphones , as they do not cover your ears ... conduction works pretty well for low end ...
I can't speak to the Bass version, but I also got a good deal on a Micro Cube RX. It's just about my favorite piece of gear. Through speakers with the guitar version, the bass is lacking - though totally serviceable for practice. I can tell what notes I'm playing. Enough said.
My favorite part, though, is the cheesy drum machine. It's got enough styles and variations to keep it interesting, and is dead simple to operate. No programming necessary. Tap tempo and hit start. I always struggled to break out a metronome, but now I don't need any excuses. It just makes playing alone FUN!
Battery or 9V pedal adapter power is icing on the cake. It's also got a stereo mini jack in if you play along with recordings.
Did I mention it's super rad?
My favorite part, though, is the cheesy drum machine. It's got enough styles and variations to keep it interesting, and is dead simple to operate. No programming necessary. Tap tempo and hit start. I always struggled to break out a metronome, but now I don't need any excuses. It just makes playing alone FUN!
Battery or 9V pedal adapter power is icing on the cake. It's also got a stereo mini jack in if you play along with recordings.
Did I mention it's super rad?
I was looking for a similar amp, wound up with a second-hand EBS Session 30, 30 watts, very tiny, 8", but a really nice tube-ish preamp with separate gain control, a headphone jack, and importantly, an XLR out so I can use it for near-field monitoring on musical pitband gigs. Check Reverb, got mine for $100, and its a real quality-sounding amp.
- Sep 3, 2006
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They work and battery operation is cool. I actually played a couple of gigs with mine to room size audience (ran a signal to a 100 watt battery operated pa speaker.) I sold mine once I heard what I felt was a real bass sound from a battery capable bass amp. It was worth it to me to upgrade as now I have the very small bass amp for practice and also for playing with a couple of acoustic guitars. But I may still at some point get another one of these as they do function as advertised and I wouldn’t freak if I accidentally left it outside.
My bottle opener does a pretty good job of amplifying my bass. It cost me under 50.00 used and is as loud as I will ever need it in my aptartment. Headphone jack for silent listening.
It actually has a great tone. Put a tech 21 vt bass pedal or another and it sounds a lot bigger than it is. I often have thought about recording it.
It actually has a great tone. Put a tech 21 vt bass pedal or another and it sounds a lot bigger than it is. I often have thought about recording it.
My first choice would the Roland MicroCube, if for nothing else because it runs on batteries. But factoring in price, I'll second the Microbass. Specifically the Made in USA versions. It seems to make a difference. Never paid over $40 for one and own several. Somebody above said they sounded like guitar amplifiers. I have stuff that goes loud and low. The Microbass will amplify a bass enough to blend with some acoustic instruments, but it's not loud or especially low. At least not pleasantly. However, in a pinch, it can also adequately amplify a guitar or keyboard for small get togethers. Like most Peavey, versatile and durable, used within it's design limitations.
Another vote for the Blackstar Fly 3 Bass with two boxes, which makes it 6w. I use it for hospital gigs hanging on me roaming from room to room, also for practice at home next to my computer.
I bought this GK MB-108 for my son's first amp. i am still pretty amazed at how good it sounds. i don't know if it meets your criterium for tininess, but if you could make a small exception for size, this amp would more than make up for it in pretty much every other aspect.
I picked up a used Peavey Micro Bass yesterday for $30 Canadian. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with it. It is smaller than my Fender Rumble 40, only 3 lbs heavier and has equally great tone. Obviously not quite as powerful as the Rumble but it's closer than I would have expected. I actually bought it for a friend whom I am teaching to play the bass and he needed an amp for living room practice. I'm so impressed with it I might have to find another for myself 
Better Than Good! A bottle opener on an original version 1 Fender Rumble 15
The very best low wattage bass amp that has ever lived. 
Rumble On! 
Another vote for the Blackstar with extension 'cab'.
I love mine for all the reasons mentioned so far plus a couple I didn't see (skipped thru a bit)
I keep mine in a backpack in my car and pack a Squire VM Jazz in the backseat so that I can squeeze in some practice while on my regular ferry commute. The sound is alright as I'm usually playing along with a spotify playlist on my phone thru the amp as well. Loud enuff for me to hear.
The battery powered feature was a key for me as well. I took this gear camping this summer and it was great to sit around the fire and play. The Fly also doubled as our camping speakers for use with our phones and it does a a great job there too. It certainly doesn't seem to eat up batteries either and that's a plus.
For quiet practice at home or on the go this is a decent little unit. IMHO
Cheers!
I love mine for all the reasons mentioned so far plus a couple I didn't see (skipped thru a bit)
I keep mine in a backpack in my car and pack a Squire VM Jazz in the backseat so that I can squeeze in some practice while on my regular ferry commute. The sound is alright as I'm usually playing along with a spotify playlist on my phone thru the amp as well. Loud enuff for me to hear.
The battery powered feature was a key for me as well. I took this gear camping this summer and it was great to sit around the fire and play. The Fly also doubled as our camping speakers for use with our phones and it does a a great job there too. It certainly doesn't seem to eat up batteries either and that's a plus.
For quiet practice at home or on the go this is a decent little unit. IMHO
Cheers!
My 25 is my travel amp. It and my Mustang go with me on every business trip I take by car. I play them at night in hotel rooms. Never had a complaint. Maybe mine just gets quieter than yours? I guess the cab is a bit large though for your needs.
Vox AmPlug 2 headphone amp. Has 3 different tones from clean to dirty, has drum loops.. best $40 I have spent yet, now my wife is happy too.
Check it
Check it
