Looking for a relatively quiet, higher quality amp

[Valveman]

Quilter Interbass with a good quality 110 cab.

Or a quality 1x12 and 1x15. You'd be surprised how loud 45w can get. The volume is past 1.

 

[scowboy]

Another one for PJB. I've had a PJB Briefcase for a number of years now. It fits perfectly next to my desk and is more than enough for what you describe. I also have a PJB BigHead, though I use an audio interface for any headphone practice these days.

 

[micahwc]

What are your tone goals? Music genre?
rehearsing with drummer and guitars? Any constraint with loud noise to neighbours?

As for genre; I play contemporary worship music at a large church and then mostly play metal and punk if I'm not practicing for the worship music. Rehearsal is just me at home by myself. No drummer or guitar. The noise constraint is from the neighbor who shares my bedroom; she works from home a lot and is easily annoyed.

Currently I do all my playing by listening to IEMs, I'd like something to have where I can have some volume and decent tone but isn't too loud for our house. My previous amp was a rumble 500 head and even with only one speaker plugged in, it was so loud that the volume was never higher than 1.

Based on the suggestions in this thread I'm currently thinking of one of the PJB offerings, one of the smaller aguilar amps, and I've thought about the 200 watt Darkglass Alpha Omega; but I'm not sure what cab I would pair that with.

 

[micahwc]

Why not an FRFR speaker like a Headrush and pair it with the Helix?

I'm open to this as well. I was thinking about a pair of these

ADAM Audio A7V 7-inch Powered Studio Monitor

They aren't going to be super loud but I think they will give me good bass response and replicate my helix stuff pretty well so it translates well when I play live through a sound system.

 

[39-Bassist]

The TC Electronics are worth a look.

 

[superheavyfunk]

It’s already been recommended but I’ll throw in and also recommended the Phil Jones amps. I have the bass cub pro and it’s fantastic for both practicing and for small dinner gigs/corporate events and relatively quiet jamming with friends. It also has an auxiliary-in with its own volume knob which is very handy! I bought a tiny little rechargeable Bluetooth receiver which I plug into the aux so I can play along to songs I’m learning.

Replying to myself to also mention that the bass cub pro also has a DI, as well as speakon out for an extension cab. I’ve used mine with a 4x10. It looked absolutely hilarious but it worked!

 

[BOOG]

 

[Zatenm]

I'm looking for an amp that is lower wattage and volume, but is higher quality than the typical low watt beginner offerings from most companies. I'm thinking around 150 watts or less. I specifically don't need or want loud stage volume. Basically something I can use for indoor rehearsal (by myself, sans drummer or guitar player) but higher quality than the typical 50 watt amp sold for beginning bassists.

A DI is a plus.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I had your exact same requirements: a low wattage amp exclusively for home practice that is as good as it can get + I wanted tubes. I had an Ampeg SVT210av cab that I liked, so I only needed a head.

After considering all my options I went with the Ampeg PF-20T (20 watt, all tube) then splurged on an additional Ashdown Little Bastard 2.n (30 watt, all tube + onboard cab simulator).
Extremely happy with either for my intended purpose with a slight preference for the PF-20T.
I don't think I could have made a better choice and I'd highly recommend either one to you.

 

[wiscoaster]

Hah!! Pretty funny title to this thread. First time I ever heard of a bass player wanting a "quieter amp". Yet, I think I know what you mean. You might want to look into the 100-watt combo amps. I have an Acoustic B100C that I think fits the bill of what you want. Ampeg makes a similar combo amp, I think it's in their "Rocket" series, if I'm not mistaken. Good, solid bass sound with enough overhead left at low volumes so you're not driving the amp to where it starts getting dirty.

 

[klattman]

For Sale - Ashdown Little Bastard Tube Head SOUND CLIP

 

[3rdcurve]

Gonna say you will be hard pressed to beat a Genzler MG350 with 10-2 Cab. Incredible quality and tone in a super light an small package. Gig worthy and scaleable by adding matching cabs. But just the head/cab combo will tick all the boxes you mentioned.

 

[micahwc]

A Mesa walkabout scout combo (12” speaker I think) showed up on my local Craigslist for $500. Thoughts?

 

[BOOG]

Buy it.

 

[Coot]

Traynor YBA 100 .. tube, silent even at volume, great sound , built like a tank. I got one , and love it.