Need to buy my first practice amp

[deathoftheparty]

I recently picked up an Ibanez GSRM20 that I love. I traded in an old guitar amp I had for it at my local GC, so now I have nothing to play my bass or any of my guitars out of. I am not a gigging musician, and I am still learning the basics of both bass and guitar. With that in mind, I have no need for anything other than a practice amp at this time.

I am looking to spend maximum $200, and will buy the amp through Amazon as I have some store credit for them.

I am looking for something that can double as a guitar amp as well, provided I run an EQ pedal if necessary. I will probably end up playing more classic rock, surf, early punk, and modern metal style tones.

Can anyone point me in the direction of something versatile enough to handle multiple styles of music? I have been considering the Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass as I've read guitars sound pretty decent through them, but this amp is not set in stone. I played the bass before I bought it through an Ampeg BA-108, as well as an Acoustic B15. I really enjoyed the Ampeg sound, but wasn't a huge fan of the Acoustic, but I didn't really play with the settings much either.

I've considered the Peavey Vypr series of amps because I'm aware they have a bass setting in addition to their multiple guitar settings, but have not been able to hear a bass played through them before.

Thanks for the responses and opinions.

 

[BazzTard]

you can play your guitar thru any bass amp, just not the other way around.

The Pathfinder is only 10 watts, probably not loud enough for bass.

Try and find something around 40watts.

 

[deathoftheparty]

I always figured that bass tone was gained more from speaker size than wattage. Am I wrong here?

 

[Baird6869]

This for sure.....

Amazon.com: Roland Micro Cube Bass RX Battery-Powered Bass Combo Amp: Musical Instruments

I use mine every day. Works and sounds great. Tuner, effects, amp models, headphone jack, etc.

Not sure why it is so expensive at Amazon as I bought mine a few months ago at Best Buy Canada for about $160US.

Again... HOME PRACTICE only as this amp is 5w. If you want to play with a guitarist and drummer, you are going to need 100w+ in most cases. I personally won't gig with under 500W solid state or 200w tube. YMMV

 

[B-string]

I always figured that bass tone was gained more from speaker size than wattage. Am I wrong here?

Speaker size not really, speaker capability regardless of size yes. Bass requires MUCH more amp power to be heard effectively that guitar. The power needs decrease as frequency goes up.

The BA108 or 110 would do nicely but I have never tried a skinny string through one.

 

[Linnin]

I am looking to spend maximum $200, and will buy the amp through Amazon as I have some store credit for them.

Amazon.com: Fender Rumble 40 v3 Bass Combo Amplifier: Musical Instruments

 

[basscooker]

For the dual purpose, whatever you choose should definitely have modeling capability, aux in (preferably with its own volume adjustments) and be 25+ watts. I would suggest minimum 10" speaker, but that's just me. With the modeling capability, you won't necessarily need to add other gear like pedals or eq's, since the software will have that stuff built in. You'll be able to find some overdrives and delays for when you want the rock and metal guitar tones, and also have clean and mildly dirty stuff for surf, as well as bass. Even better would be something a bit larger with the option of disconnecting its included speaker and using a different cab for when you play bass. Some guitar combos just have the speaker plugged into the back of the amp, not internally hard-wired. There are a few very inexpensive smaller bass cabs around, but you'd have to shop used. Eden has a 1x10 that usually shows up for at or under 100 bucks on guitar center's used listings. The key here is that any amp will work, but the speakers aren't necessarily interchangeable; guitar speakers (especially small ones) really don't get along with bass.

 

[deathoftheparty]

I went and played a Peavey Vypr at my local music shop and it actually sounded pretty decent for a modelling amplifier. Had a bunch of crazy wah effects that I'd never use, but overall, a pretty decent sound considering it was a guitar amplifier at heart.

I'm trying to find somewhere local carrying the Fender Rumble as I'm only reading great things about them.

 

[Linnin]

I went and played a Peavey Vypr at my local music shop and it actually sounded pretty decent for a modelling amplifier. Had a bunch of crazy wah effects that I'd never use, but overall, a pretty decent sound considering it was a guitar amplifier at heart.

I'm trying to find somewhere local carrying the Fender Rumble as I'm only reading great things about them.

If you find yourself gravitating more towards bass guitar than guitar the Rumble 40 makes sense over the Peavey. However if guitar is your main thing than the Peavey will be the better choice.