Need amp recommendations for jazz gigs

[FenderP]

This is what I use

GR Bass BF Cube-110

 

[Boneless]

I would say that Fender Rumble amps are not readily voiced for jazz (they have quite the mid scoop, which you can dial out... somewhat... but it's not that straightforward). I think you can do better for your genre.

 

[ValerieK]

I'm in a similar position playing afro-jazz and started with a Rumble 100 recently. It's... fine?

It looks classy and makes enough noise. I'm still working on getting an inspiring tone out of it. It's the only real amp I have ever owned, I run DI and IEM in other bands.

I briefly played through this little rig at an event and it sounded amazing in comparison without touching it:

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's a lightweight 1x12 cab.

 

[Jason Bonilla]

The Laney Digbeth series is very good for not much money, they have a 210 combo. for clean and articulate tones, a Genzler combo would be my choice but new might be a good amount over 700.

 

[bassbrad]

You might try your Mesa preamp into a powered speaker, I have an Alto TX310 pushed by a Zoom B3 that is perfect for my duo and trio gigs on electric and EUB. For my more electric jazz group using a TC BAM200 into a 1x15 is perfect.

 

[logdrum]

The Traynor or the Genzler amp head/combo that Golihur recommends . Or get a used AI. I am planning to sell my extras , I also had success with Fishman Loud boxes. They have mic inputs where you can plug your Mesa DI. The AIs have too - make sure switch Mesa to mic level

 

[ValerieK]

I keep wondering whether I should ditch the amp and just get a Yamaha DBR10 speaker and whichever flavor of tuner/preamp as a simpler option, since I already have several DI solutions. They're $400 and 23 lbs with supposedly tons of power/volume available.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Greetings and salutations, it's been a while, hasn't it?

As I've started playing out again, I've gravitated more towards smaller jazz venues. Think 200 people max with a piano, drums, horns, and occasional guitar. So a far cry removed from the rock and ska gigs I used to do.

I'd been ampless for a while and that worked great for the time. My Mesa DI could go FOH and it sounded awesome, so no need to worry about lugging around a half stack anymore. However, new scene and genre, and FOH no longer exists.

Having been absent from amp shopping for a while, and knowing I absolutely do not need a Mesa Subway or similar for these types of gigs, I turn to you. My basses are passive and I'm not needing to fill up a bar or play over guitars or rock drummers. I know I basically need something to play over horns, but am absolutely lost when shopping for a good jazz amp that fits the bill. Searches turned up old threads that were mostly pre-COVID so any advice/updates you could provide would be much appreciated.

ETA: I’d like to keep it under about $700 if at all possible and prefer used

Which kind of bass. Electric? Upright?

I think most combo bass amps of 100 watts or more should do the job, but more clean headroom than 100 watts never hurts, but no reason to necessarily buy something with 200 watts or more for what I envision your purposes and environments are. If you're playing with electric bass, in some eyes (not mine), you've already lost the quest for a Jazz (genre) bass sound, and whatever amp you buy isn't going to compensate for that. I like a 1x12 format for some things, or a 2x10 format for most things. I'd focus on amp with the right price, size, configuration and weight, that isn't overly bass-heavy, and which has a decent tone across the spectrum of bass.

I've used a Hartke Kickback 12 for years, and at 120 Watts for Jazz things, I never seem to need more. Also my concept about how a bass sonically fits into the music is very important- Some electric bass stuff has a lot of presence. But a lot of bass stuff isn't not necessarily in the background, but the point is if I'm emulating certain upright bass parts, I don't need my (electric bass) to have electric bass presence and volume. I'm happy to seek tones that are more muted and perhaps even quieter, and that approach makes the absolute wattage and max volume less important.

I'll bet there are used but nice Hartke Kickback 12 for a very reasonable price. Maybe $150 or so. It's a little heavy for what it is, but a durable, quality amp with good tone and DI. At least for me.

I think if you've got a fairly high end electric bass with hi-fi tone, or an upright, you may be better served by other amp options with more sonic detail (my Hartke doesn't have a tweeter) that will better transmit more of the tonal nuances of those instruments, but what I guess you're looking for, this amp should do fine.

The bottom line, is playing like a Jazz bass player will do a lot more to help you sound like a Jazz bass player than any amp purchase, and I don't think sounding more like a Jazz bass player can be bought in any one piece of gear. I think it's a mindset and stylistic approach thing.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

You don't own an amplifier at ALL? How do you practice?

You do focus on different things when not playing through an amp. I do that at times with either electric bass or electric guitar out of convenience, or necessity, or just for a change of pace.

 

[Nebadon2000]

This would be my recommendation [along with Traynor SB 112]; just a little above budget [can pay 4 interest free payments]

also would recommend buying two 1 to 3" round ISO pads and put under front of speaker to give slight angle up [on any combo]

If you get talked into Rumble get the 200; Can also use Blackstar Unity 1x15 Powered Cab to use with Mesa

Markbass Minimark 802 N 300W 2x8 Bass Combo Amp

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[mikecd1]

My fave combo for some time has been the Traynor Small Block 12 - they also have one with a 10 or a 15 so take your pick - used for a better price. Great features and rich tone at a reasonable weight.
Amazon.com: Traynor Small Block 12 Inch 120 Watt Bass Combo Amplifier : Everything Else

 

[Gervais Cote]

I just remember that when I was in New Orleans, a jazz trio was using a small Aguilar cab and amp for both a double bass and a Fender jazz bass alternatively and it was really great.

 

[NorthTexasBass]

If you're digging the ampless setup, just go with a powered PA speaker. I've used several of the QSC and Yamaha offerings and they work great for this. A dedicated amp is nice, but if you like the sound from your Mesa DI this is an easy way to play live.

 

[NorthTexasBass]

I keep wondering whether I should ditch the amp and just get a Yamaha DBR10 speaker and whichever flavor of tuner/preamp as a simpler option, since I already have several DI solutions. They're $400 and 23 lbs with supposedly tons of power/volume available.

I use a DBR12 and it works great. My rig is - Strobostomp tuner > Two Notes ReVolt > DBR12. Super easy and sounds great.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

As I've started playing out again, I've gravitated more towards smaller jazz venues. Think 200 people max with a piano, drums, horns, and occasional guitar. So a far cry removed from the rock and ska gigs I used to do.

So Anyway, 200 people at a Jazz Gig.
You know the rule...pictures or it didn't happen.

No advice on an amp, but Good Luck to you!

 

[turf3]

You do focus on different things when not playing through an amp. I do that at times with either electric bass or electric guitar out of convenience, or necessity, or just for a change of pace.

I can understand practicing without an amp, some of the time, but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around not even owning an amplifier and playing electric bass. It's half of the instrument.

 

[prndltech]

I can understand practicing without an amp, some of the time, but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around not even owning an amplifier and playing electric bass. It's half of the instrument.

Plenty of people play through a pedal with headphones or studio monitors for practice and DI to FOH with IEMS or wedges for playing live… it’s actually very, very common nowadays with all the modelers available. I know several electric guitar players that don’t own amps…

I have 2 amps that I don’t even need. They’re in great shape but not worth much now, so I keep them just in case.


OP, if I needed an amp and had to go buy one, I’d probably go with a fender rumble in whatever size you want… 100-500w

 

[SJan3]

Are you in an urban area where there is decent turnover and product on the used market? At your price point, I'm not sure you'll find a new unit that will satisfy you in the long run. That said... I'm not a fan of the MarkBass speakers, but that 112P combo is a very useful unit - I had one for a while, and see and hear them sounding good in the hands of others. I've had some Rumble 200 experience, and find them boxy - they are voiced well for elementary play, but if you're going jazz and nuance, frustration may ensue. Gallien-Kreuger has made some interesting combos since the Class D era, that could work well. My combo of choice is Genz Benz. Across three locations, I have small practice combos in two locations that could do a coffeehouse jazz thing with one or two horns just fine. For gigging, I have larger combo with their 6.2 amp that's scalable to a 2x12" cabs, a Contour 1-15 combo, and 9.2 series amps running fearless cabinets in my main location. They are only available used, but mine (almost all purchased used) have been bullet-proof, going back to getting my first small combo around 2006, and former Genz Benz principal Andy Field (now with Mesa and findable on TB as Aged Horse) maintains a fantastic repair program that is tantamount to factory service. Let us know what you finally decide to do!

Why do you think it's necessary to protect your "image" by saying you're not a fan of MarkBass like other chirpers on talkbass?
There are Countless MarkBass amps, speakers, combos being played by some of the greatest jazz players.
So spare me and other users of the product. If you have nothing constructive to say, say nothing.
That said, I agree that Genzler is an intelligent choice for a combo amp although, if you read the OP's initial post, Genzler is way above his budget.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I like the sound of my GK MB500 for jazz gig, although it is probably overkill. An MB 200 with a decent 112 would fit the bill.

 

[ValerieK]

I can understand practicing without an amp, some of the time, but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around not even owning an amplifier and playing electric bass. It's half of the instrument.

It's just more stuff to me. I also play electric and acoustic guitar and attempt to sing and play keys and e-drums. My life is easier when I run everything through PA, studio monitors, or IEMs.

Amps look cool, that's about it as a positive from a practical standpoint.