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Low Wattage Amp for a '51 P Bass

Ashdown has several offerings. The little stubby is one of the best. I sold my ampeg pf50 after getting the stubby. And now I have a few Ashdowns.

Consider if you want a full tube amp with an internal load so you can go to headphones or direct. The stubby requires a speaker load. Some of their newer ones don't need a load.
Eh? 30W @ 1200€ for a 170€ bass? Come on .. suggest something else for the OP 😂
 
Not low wattage but can cop a low wattage sound and tone. If I suddenly need high wattage, I have it 😊

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I use this for everything, upright, solid body. High power, low power. Tube sound, solid state sound. The works! 😃
 
I have basically (no pun intended) the same bass and recently got a killer deal on a used Ampeg BA108, their older tilt-back 25W 1x8

It's not gonna shake the foundation, but for bedroom practice, it's enough. More importantly, unlike several crappy practice amps I'd tried previously, this one makes my bass sound like it does in my head, even with the EQ flat - another TBer (accurately) described the tone to me as "Ampeggy." :laugh: If I activate the -15db, it's mellow, warm, and thumpy. Turn off that -15db and it gets aggressive in a fun way - makes me realize why the original single-coil P was tough on 1950s amp technology.

Not sure if Ampeg's newer Rocket Bass series is the same, but if I were shopping new, that's where I'd start.
 
Thanks for the recc! I've been curious whether there are many headphone/earbud dedicated amplifiers.
I've owned both Vox Amplug2 and 3. The 3rd sounds great and is a good improvement from the 2nd.
It starts to fuzz a little bit the harder you play, which I happen to like.
I haven't tried the bass versions of the amplug, but I do have the classic rock version that I use with my guitars. Honestly the pod express covers all the needs I have for a practice amp. I have a rumble 1x15 combo that I use when playing at jams, but I don't even think of using it when I'm just practicing solo. Personally, I use headphones when practicing most of the time, but I'm sure it could be paired with an FRFR speaker if you want the have the sound "in the room".
 
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The smaller Fender Rumble didn't cut it for me. You need at least a 40 watt Rumble for even bedroom practice. Have you tried those?
@OP I've seen this comment very often on Talkbass.
On the other hand, I've never liked any Rumble, of any size and power, and I'm not alone, although a lot of people love them.
It's really a matter of taste. You should try a Rumble 40, because maybe it's just the Rumble 25 that is lacking for your taste.
 
Dude, tell us your budget, please - otherwise you'll get all kinds of answers all over the map.

If you're on a budget and just want home practice, you can get a Behringer Xenyx 502S 5-channel Analog Streaming Mixer and a pair of decent headphones or earbuds; you might need an adapter cable to run an aux source in for music.

If you need something approaching gig worthy, I'd recommend an Ampeg RB112 or RB115 combo.

If you have the money: a GK Legacy 112 combo.
 
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Dude, tell us your budget, please - otherwise you'll get all kinds of answers all over the map.

If you're on a budget and just want home practice, you can get a Behringer Xenyx 502S 5-channel Analog Streaming Mixer and a pair of decent headphones or earbuds; you might need an adapter cable to run an aux source in for music.

If you need something approaching gig worthy, I'd recommend an Ampeg RB112 or RB115 combo.

If you have the money: a GK Legacy 112 combo.
... or the Ampeg RB210.
 
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6bec4c80b2kKFsJYHIFR9qT608X4Ucpyr1GTG60x.jpg

This dumb 5 watt Bugera EL-84 lunch box amp into a Peavey Headliner 2x10 has been a great practice amp for me. It gets plenty loud for sitting at home by myself, has more low end than any guitarist could ever need (a common complaint about these amps), and it really leans into the "pushed tube" thing (kind of a 60s bass amp vibe). It sounds great with most of my 2x10 cabs and is currently mated to the Peavey just cuz that cab doesn't leave the basement much anymore.

The thing is a pretty dark sounding amp and pairing it with a bass cab results in a surprisingly good bedroom bass amp. You're not going to be able to sit in with a band with it, but you also won't have to turn it up much to get a good level for home use.
 
@OP I've seen this comment very often on Talkbass.
On the other hand, I've never liked any Rumble, of any size and power, and I'm not alone, although a lot of people love them.
It's really a matter of taste. You should try a Rumble 40, because maybe it's just the Rumble 25 that is lacking for your taste.
Yup, not everyone will like the same amps. That is why I still like brick and mortar store where I can go and try before I buy. Even then it is hard to tell at some stores because of all the back round noise. Some stores have private rooms. At least you can get some idea of what you're getting even though it may sound different where you play.
 
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Yup, not everyone will like the same amps. That is why I still like brick and mortar store where I can go and try before I buy. Even then it is hard to tell at some stores because of all the back round noise. Some stores have private rooms. At least you can get some idea of what you're getting even though it may sound different where you play.
I'm lucky to live in Paris, where 80% of the music store are still open in Pigalle. But you can hardly try amps, they show them to you, or at least the few models they have, then they ask you to go and buy them on their website.
 
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I'm lucky to live in Paris, where 80% of the music store are still open in Pigalle. But you can hardly try amps, they show them to you, or at least the few models they have, then they ask you to go and buy them on their website.
When I was a kid we had a mom-and-pop music store that was very finicky about trying instruments. When you asked to try one, they would lock the front door and sit right in front of you. Let you try it for a few seconds, then ask if you were going to buy it now. If no, they would unlock the door and ask you to leave the store 😐
 
I'm using an Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M and like it. Its not very loud and I suppose I have to play a bit different.
Could you recommend a pair of headphones? The difference between a regular headset and one for bass isn't too clear.
Why would someone choose a headset with a 1/4 in jack vs a 3.5 mm aux?
Thanks,
 
I have basically (no pun intended) the same bass and recently got a killer deal on a used Ampeg BA108, their older tilt-back 25W 1x8

It's not gonna shake the foundation, but for bedroom practice, it's enough. More importantly, unlike several crappy practice amps I'd tried previously, this one makes my bass sound like it does in my head, even with the EQ flat - another TBer (accurately) described the tone to me as "Ampeggy." :laugh: If I activate the -15db, it's mellow, warm, and thumpy. Turn off that -15db and it gets aggressive in a fun way - makes me realize why the original single-coil P was tough on 1950s amp technology.

Not sure if Ampeg's newer Rocket Bass series is the same, but if I were shopping new, that's where I'd start.
Appreciate the helpful comment and instrument solidarity!
Would you argue that the 8" speaker is optimal compared with the 10", 12", and 15"?
Have you ever found yourself wanting 50 watts over the 25?
Cheers,