Micro/Practice Amp

[DinoRock]

Looking for thoughts on a small bass amp to put in my family room next to couch and behind end table. Probably 1' × 1' or so with height of 2' or so. In a perfect world, controls on top so I have easy access, but not a deal breaker. I have gear for gigs and practice and recording. I'm just looking for something small with good tone. Price under $500USD is probably what makes sense. Thanks in advance.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Carvin MB10 or MB2/10. Both are around 12 to 13" wide and the 2/10 is about 2' tall. Controls on top, 250 watts with line out and nice eq section. They weigh less than 30 lbs so easy to move if needed and with an extension cab can do louder gigs nicely if needed. They are around 350.00 for the MB10 and 400.00 for the 2/10 plus shipping. Made in USA to boot. Nice amp.

 

[Feral Feline]

TRAYNOR SB110

Controls on top:

Made in Canada using plywood, no MDF/particle-board
14x14x14 inches,
21 lbs,
120w > 4Ohms Eminence Driver,
headphone out
2 yr warranty

Features

• Lightweight, Compact and Durable Cabinet Design
• Made of Real Plywood
• Built in Canada
• 4-band EQ (Bass/Lo Mid/Hi Mid/Treble, ±15dB)
• Low Expander Control: boosts lows and cuts mids; not particularly useful for URB
• Active and Passive Instrument Level Inputs
• XLR Balanced (Pre-EQ) Output
• 1/4" Auxiliary Line Input
• ¼ inch Headphone Output

$399 @ Gollihur

 

[rapidfirerob]

I use an acoustic bass guitar for practice. Michael Kelly is what I use, but many fine ABGs available. Another option for you.

 

[andawun]

Peavey Minx.

 

[punisher911]

Fender Rumble 40 v3.... light. Sounds great with my 6 string. Affordable.

 

[pie_man_25]

TRAYNOR SB110

Controls on top:

Made in Canada using plywood, no MDF/particle-board
14x14x14 inches,
21 lbs,
120w > 4Ohms Eminence Driver,
headphone out
2 yr warranty

Features

• Lightweight, Compact and Durable Cabinet Design
• Made of Real Plywood
• Built in Canada
• 4-band EQ (Bass/Lo Mid/Hi Mid/Treble, ±15dB)
• Low Expander Control: boosts lows and cuts mids; not particularly useful for URB
• Active and Passive Instrument Level Inputs
• XLR Balanced (Pre-EQ) Output
• 1/4" Auxiliary Line Input
• ¼ inch Headphone Output

$399 @ Gollihur

I second this choice. The Gk should be great too.

 

[DinoRock]

Anyone been to the L&M in St. Catharines? I was in the Toronto store many, many moons ago, but never the St Cath location. Depending on border traffic, it's only a 30 minute ride for me and it seems to make a lot of sense in terms of the Traynor SB110/112. Not a ton of options on-line that I am familiar with.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Edging just slightly high of your target price is the Phil Jones Bass Cub. 12 x 10.8 x 7.8 inches, top controls, 13 pounds.

 

[rujulian]

Anyone been to the L&M in St. Catharines? I was in the Toronto store many, many moons ago, but never the St Cath location. Depending on border traffic, it's only a 30 minute ride for me and it seems to make a lot of sense in terms of the Traynor SB110/112. Not a ton of options on-line that I am familiar with.

Drive another 25 mins east from st.Cathrines and you'll hit the Burlington store. They have a large selection of Traynor amps.
Worth mentioning Traynor has a new combo coming out in Febuary with an Sb200 head and and 8 inch speaker and it sounds amazing. They will be priced at $470 cdn.

 

[Relsom]

Here's my micro practice rig.....

 

[staurosjohn]

Markbass Micromark... you'll be amazed at the tone & volume you can get... AND $00.01 under budget! (actaully have an 'open-box' for $460.00ish)

8" driver... 10.5 x 10.5 x 10.5" cab... under 12lbs... controls on top...

Markbass Micromark 801 60W 1x8 Bass Combo Amp

 

[navijaz]

Fender Rumble 40 v3.... light. Sounds great with my 6 string. Affordable.

+1

 

[berklee46]

I'm really happy with the Phil Jones "Double Four" amp. Seems to fit all your requirements for size and price.

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[Linnin]

Fender Rumble 40 v3.... light. Sounds great with my 6 string. Affordable.

+1

+2 Fender Rumble 40 outperforms all other bass amps in it's class regardless of price. Spend more if you'd like, but you won't get more.

 

[Skacoredan]

Im torn between the Phil Jones Bass Buddy or Phil Jones Double Four, for practice.
What would sound better from headphones?

 

[Skacoredan]

The Fender Rumble 40 also seems great.

 

[Linnin]

The Fender Rumble 40 also seems great.

It is! Go audition one, and yes plug in a decent set of headphones and prepare to be WOW'd over and above your initial Wow.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I'm really happy with the Phil Jones "Double Four" amp. Seems to fit all your requirements for size and price.

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And the Double Four comes in under budget, as berklee46 notes.

 

[SunnBass]

Blackstar FLY3Bass - 3W 1x3" Bass Combo Amp

Only $70.00!!!
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