New Guy Question about Bass Amp Power

[somebrains]

I have literally found bass gear at my parents house I forgot 25 years ago.

If I was going to start over again I'd need a GK Plex to cover the 800rb, a Mesa Subway DI bc I think my Ps really want a D800, my Ampeg SVP-CL bc I hate lugging my SVT around, B7K for clank that I tend to use on it own amplified.

I have a GX5 I got cheap that'll more than power my T310 cab.
I'd need a switching system if I wanted to use diff voicings with diff basses.

Every pedal has a DI.

 

[bherman]

Except it has no ability to scale. Sure, ~300w into a single speaker might be a bit overkill to start depending on the cab, but if using a head and cab, or a combo with an extension out, then at least you have room to expand.

A Rumble 100, being low-powered and with no extension out (unless I'm mistaken) seems like a poor choice unless it will be solely relegated to practice and small, low-volume gigs.

That's all that I am saying - spend $200 and get something that you can use for now, it'll always be good as a practice amp. No reason to invest big $$ from the get-go if you dont know if you are even going to be gigging at all.

 

[Aidenn7]

In bass amp head room counts.. So more power more headroom.. Get a couple of 8ohm cabs.. One for small gigs two for bigger gigs. Mesa 800.. Gk 800.. Aggie tone hammer 500.. Or peavey 1000 mini. All Will do fine.. As far as cabs 2(2x12) or 2(2x10) will give you a good amount of sound.

 

[Downunderwonder]

In bass amp head room counts.. So more power more headroom.. Get a couple of 8ohm cabs.. One for small gigs two for bigger gigs. Mesa 800.. Gk 800.. Aggie tone hammer 500.. Or peavey 1000 mini. All Will do fine.. As far as cabs 2(2x12) or 2(2x10) will give you a good amount of sound.

Technically headroom is unused potential. If you get a 2000w amp you don't get 1700w of headroom because the cab caught fire at 500w already.

 

[interp]

This is just my approach, YMMV, but I would rather have lots of watts and not need them than need lots of watts and not have them.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

After 20 years of guitar, I took up bass a few months ago and love it. Currently, I'm using a Yamaha THR10C lunchbox amp with headphones to practice at home, which is fine for late night practice without disturbing the family. My instructor has a 30 watt bass amp that I also use during weekly lessons and I rarely turn it up past 5.

I also play electric guitar in a four-piece band that include two acoustic guitars (through amps), harmonica, bass, and multiple singers -- no drummer. At rehearsal, the bass player uses a passive Jazz bass and an Ampeg BA110, which sounds fine.

This past week we performed in a large room with about 75-100 people and I couldn't hear the bass at times. I realized afterward that he was using his home practice amp, a Rumble 25, not the larger practice amp.

I've been thinking about getting a dedicated bass amp. Aside from reading posts that often suggest 500 watts of class D or tube amps, and the foregoing experiences, I really have no idea how much power is "enough" or "ideal" for my applications.

I'm interested in an amp I can use for practice that will sound good without headphones, rehearsal, and potentially playing out (if I continue to improve enough to carry the bass role). Right now, I don't see us ever having a drummer, but you never know in the future.

What do you guys recommend? Is there a basic primer on bass amps that you can direct me to? All of the online store information is non-committal and I can't make heads or tails. Any sage wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Look into 15 combos. They sound good, and have enough power to play with a full band. You can't go wrong with a Fender, but I actually like Peaveys. Plus points being that they are a lot less expensive, sound great, and last forever.

That one for 300 on the left looks good.

 

[bassliner50]

If I were you, based on what you have described I'd look at the Fender Rumble 100 v3 or even Rumble 40. about $300 and $200 respectively. Both are amazingly light and portable, and versatile. I have both and could gig with either, keep in mind, we play in a very controlled environment. If you are patient you could pick up either for little more than 1/2 that retail price if you buy used privately. Highly recommended

 

[TwentyHz]

If I were you, based on what you have described I'd look at the Fender Rumble 100 v3 or even Rumble 40. about $300 and $200 respectively. Both are amazingly light and portable, and versatile. I have both and could gig with either, keep in mind, we play in a very controlled environment. If you are patient you could pick up either for little more than 1/2 that retail price if you buy used privately. Highly recommended

Welcome to the low end!

For big tasty sound, here are some metaphors:

• Electric Guitar amps are like pressure washers or air compressors - generating that focused linear stream. Bass guitar amps generate tsunamis or wind gusts.
• Guitar penetrates and lacerates. Bass bruises and crushes.
• Guitar is like drag racing, big sprinting engine (amp). Bass is like off-road endurance, big suspension (cabinets).

IMHO, if you compare bass amps online, you'll be able to pick your amp easily enough based on price, portability, features, and the brand/look you feel drawn to. Staying with name brands, you won't be disappointed. You'll likely discover that for bass, becoming a patient student of the EQ on your instrument and on your amp has a lot more to do with getting you to your own personal elusive tone than more esoteric swapping of pickups, rolling tubes, pursuing tonewoods, lowering action to microscopic, or choosing amps based on their nuanced flavors. When you the buy the amp, you're buying a whole lot of science. Just trust it.

 

[MegaSwing]

Don’t get too wrapped up in power figures. At normal volumes even a modestly powered amp (60-100 watts) can be turned up too loud for most spaces (sometimes with disastrous results). Power has as much to do with the quality of the sound as the quantity. I want a rig that feels satisfying to play. Sometimes an amp’s most useful feature is the volume knob.

IMO, there are two questions of arch importance when buying amps: 1) How much do you want to spend? and 2) How much bulk are you willing to endure? Find the variation that works for you. I assure you, it exists.

I recommend buying used—at least to start. That way if a rig is less than what you hoped, you don’t automatically take a beating unloading it. Good luck.

 

[waveman]

I have a MarkBass Nano head that is awesome and and very light. Works great for most any situation. I team it with a 1x12 Avatar cab or 2x10 Avatar cab for most situations. When I need more ooomph, I team it with a 4ohm 4x10 cab. I also have the 500W Little Mark III, and it can do it all too.

The Fender Rumble combos are hard to beat for price and performance too...lots of options.

I also love my Peavey MiniMax. It sounds great and there was no feature left out: Tuner, Headphone out and Aux In for home jaming, 1/4" / Speakon combo jacks, XLR out.

One thing to keep in mind if not buying a combo is to pay attention to the speaker output capabilities: standard 1/4" or Speakon and what options your cab can accept.

 

[Aidenn7]

Technically headroom is unused potential. If you get a 2000w amp you don't get 1700w of headroom because the cab caught fire at 500w already.

If you did that you would fry a cab.. But that's also a power amp usually.. I never suggested that. Whatever he chooses better to have more than want you need..