Need SMALL portable bass amp.

[ThreadJack]

I'm looking for a small portable bass amp. Emphasis on small, like pick up and carry with one hand small. I just need it to practice with around the house, and so I can get the end table sized Crate I have out of my bedroom, cause floor space is at a premium, and it's simply using up way too much. Since I won't be playing it in a band or anything like that, tone isn't a big deal, as long as I can dial in something that doesn't make my ears bleed, it'll do. Overall volume isn't an issue, in fact it's probably better that it doesn't go super loud so my family can't complain too much about my crappy playing. Not too worried about price, but maybe $150 and below. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[two fingers]

Old style wedge shaped Fender Bass man 25. Sounds great. Has aux input for running an MP3 player (or CD or compter) along with your bass. Headphone jack. And actually gets pretty loud.

 

[JakobT]

You might look at the Phil Jones Double Four. It's one of the smallest combos out there, and very light to boot. Not the cheapest, by any means, but if space is at a premium, it might be the way to go.

 

[JxBass]

Old style wedge shaped Fender Bass man 25. Sounds great. Has aux input for running an MP3 player (or CD or compter) along with your bass. Headphone jack. And actually gets pretty loud.

I agree, the old Fender Bassman 25's are great for practicing at home, though they can be somewhat hard to find.

 

[rodl2005]

The new Fender Rumble V3 series amps sound great and are light as a rather heavy feather. The 25w would fit your needs I'd imagine

 

[mam1862]

Hartke makes some decent 15 to 25 watt practice amps that you could get for $150 or less.

 

[two fingers]

I agree, the old Fender Bassman 25's are great for practicing at home, though they can be somewhat hard to find.

Yeah I'm not one of those people who piles on Fender for ruining everything they touch. But, man, that was just a well-designed little cheap amp with a lot of features and (for its price point) sounds great.

 

[Linnin]

18 pounds light; 40 watts 1x10 combo, $200
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[JxBass]

Yeah I'm not one of those people who piles on Fender for ruining everything they touch. But, man, that was just a well-designed little cheap amp with a lot of features and (for its price point) sounds great.

Their RAD combos weren't too shabby either

 

[mpdd]

i use a pignose hog 30 rechargeable amp with a dark driving pedal in front of it

 

[Linnin]

The new Fender Rumble V3 series amps sound great and are light as a rather heavy feather. The 25w would fit your needs I'd imagine

22 pounds due to MDF construction, but only $100. I have one and like it. The Rumble 25 1x8 and 40 1x10 are within an inch of each other on all dimensions and are essentially the same physical size.

 

[ThreadJack]

Thanks for the replies guys! JakobT, those are very nice, and exactly the type of thing I'm looking for. Sadly, way to far beyond my budget.

I found a couple of those Fenders Bassman 25's on eBay, and they look to be what I'm after. Right at my budget too, which is good.(I don't mind saving a little, but I'd like to get it ASAP, as I'd like to play, but have no room for my amp which makes that difficult)

Would a cheap guitar amp be okay? I know that's generally not a good idea, but just for practice I don't play at a high volume(just loud enough for me to hear what I'm playing clearly), so would I be putting that much stress on the speaker?

 

[Linnin]

Would a cheap guitar amp be okay?

NO

 

[Photobassist]

Try a Warwick BC10...
Warwick 10W Bass Combo Amp Black | Musician's Friend

 

[AstroSonic]

22 pounds due to MDF construction, but only $100. I have one and like it. The Rumble 25 1x8 and 40 1x10 are within an inch of each other on all dimensions and are essentially the same physical size.

The Rumble 40 weighs 4 lbs less than the 25, is slightly larger, and all plywood construction. It's an easy one hand carry. It's loud enough that you can play along with music at sub-live (rock) levels in a medium sized room. Amazing performance for so small and light a package.

 

[Linnin]

Amazing performance for so small and light a package.

+1

 

[Sav'nBass]

The Rumble 40 is hard to beat.. Either that or a Peavey Max 158. I think the Rumble will be a bit more versatile though.. I never buy gear.. any gear.. that is exactly what I need.. I have found that often if you spend an extra $20-$40 you can get something a bit more versatile and better than you would if you made price your only determining factor. Both of those are very light.. 18lbs.. but the Rumnler has a 10" speaker ... and it has an XLR out.. so if you wanted to and you had PA support you could even gig with it and use it simply as a monitor..

The Rumble 40 weighs 4 lbs less than the 25, is slightly larger, and all plywood construction. It's an easy one hand carry. It's loud enough that you can play along with music at sub-live (rock) levels in a medium sized room. Amazing performance for so small and light a package.

 

[ThreadJack]

NO

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought. I'll have to make a trip to GC tomorrow, and look at some of them. Like I said, the overall size of the amp is my main concern, I feel like I really should look at some in person.

 

[ThreadJack]

The Rumble 40 is hard to beat.. Either that or a Peavey Max 158. I think the Rumble will be a bit more versatile though.. I never buy gear.. any gear.. that is exactly what I need.. I have found that often if you spend an extra $20-$40 you can get something a bit more versatile and better than you would if you made price your only determining factor.



... and it has an XLR out.. so if you wanted to and you had PA support you could even gig with it and use it simply as a monitor..

I already have an amp. The issue is, I need to free up some floor space by getting a smaller sized one. I don't need it to ever leave my room, as I have my Crate for those situations.

 

[Linnin]

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought. I'll have to make a trip to GC tomorrow, and look at some of them. Like I said, the overall size of the amp is my main concern, I feel like I really should look at some in person.

Take your Crate "end table" with you and trade it in just to get rid of it quick and easy. Bring home your new Fender Rumble and join us at the Fender Rumble Club!