Newbie - looking for first bass amp

[jdjk7]

Probably 300-500 solid state is acceptable.

Another thing I think you should consider is that the marketed wattage of a solid state combo is generally whatever it's rated for at minimum ohms, and so without an extension speaker you will be getting less power available. How much less depends on the circuit, but with Class D amps it's usually about half the power going from 4ohm to 8ohm.

So, when considering your options, read the manuals/tech specs and be mindful of how much wattage you'll actually be getting. As others have said, it's a lot better to have a more powerful amp and turn down the volume knob than it is to have a less powerful amp that you're not getting enough headroom on. If you expect to be playing loud, 400W should be your minimum. As with everything, there can be exceptions. I have a 130W head/cab pair that gets loud enough that it surprises me. But I would rather be safe than end up finding out it's not enough volume. If you can, try amps out in shop. If they'll let you turn up (my local joint has a separate room for auditioning such gear), even better.

 

[Isaac_James]

The only new production, non-boutique tube combos I can think of are the Ampeg PF-20T/50T (which are in essence combos) or the new Fender Adam Clayton... which may as well be boutique given its cost.

I forgot about the Adam Clayton amp. I have the class D PF500, someday I hope to pick up a 50T as well. I normally keep the amp head mounted to the cab so I can do the flip-top thing, and yes it's closer to a combo than a head and cab at that point, but I didn't include it as I didn't think it met the definition of what OP was looking for. It's a solid amp though! I really like it.

 

[jdjk7]

I forgot about the Adam Clayton amp. I have the class D PF500, someday I hope to pick up a 50T as well. I normally keep the amp head mounted to the cab so I can do the flip-top thing, and yes it's closer to a combo than a head and cab at that point, but I didn't include it as I didn't think it met the definition of what OP was looking for. It's a solid amp though! I really like it.

The Adam Clayton is way over his budget anyway, and past that I think it's a bit overpriced for what it is (haven't gotten to play one, though). I have a 50T, and it's nice. I've split it up from the fliptop cab and might use it with a different one. Yeah, it's technically a head/cab setup, but it's close enough to being a combo that I would have to really question why it doesn't fit the criteria aside from a minimum amount of effort needed on setup/teardown.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Ampeg BA-210. You'll thank me later.

 

[Pulverizor]

I just want to chime in to say go easy on your guitar amps, particularly if they are open back design.
It doesn't take much low end volume to push those speakers beyond their limits.

 

[BassFiesta]

In what context will you use the amp? For solo practice or acoustic rehearsals a small amp should be fine. If you're playing with a loud drummer, you will need as much power as you can get. For performances where there is a good sound system, you don't need an amp at all, just a cable and a DI Box.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

For performances where there is a good sound system, you don't need an amp at all, just a cable and a DI Box.

I prefer having an amp on-stage, no matter how good the PA. I just want to hear the amp sound, and that is also the sound that I want to feed into the PA.

Check out the Boss Katana 210 bass combo amp. It gets loud and clean, but it also has a 1W reduced power mode for home practice -- and it has a lot of built-in effects, which is cool for a beginner who might not want to venture into lots of pedals right away. There is also a 110 version, which is smaller and lighter but still powerful.

I really enjoy using a Phil Jones Bass BG-400 bass combo amp too, but that is a very different thing (and much pricier). On the other hand, I am truly not a fan of Rumble combo amps. "Your mileage may vary," as they say.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Hi all,

This place was helpful choosing my bass. Still can't play it but teacher arrives Saturday and with a guitar background I think I'll hit the road running.

I don't need an amp in a hurry. I have a Spark 40 (which isn't working but who knows maybe they'll tell me how to fix it) and Blues Jr I can use for bedroom learning. Of course as a guitar gear freak I will need something better and am starting research. Here are my preferences:

Combo. I hate head/cab so it has to be a combo.

I'd prefer something I can carry easily so no 4x10s

I doubt I'll ever be a rock star so I don't need a 100 watt tube amp. Probably 300-500 solid state is acceptable. I like tubes but doesn't seem like a lot of bass amps go that route.

I want flexible. No specific style or tone I am seeking.

I would really like to stay under $1000.

I am also considering building a 5F6-A style from a kit. Not seeing one with a combo version and like I said I hate head/cab setups.

I am probably 2-3 months of deciding so this is a starting point. Mention your favorite amp in this range and I'll add it to the comparison chart.

Thanks for all the help here. Life is good.

Get a 500-watt rms into 4Ω head (or combo if you must) with an 8Ω, 210 cab. That will allow you to play gigs at most places and if you need to play a larger venue or outdoor venue, you can add a second 210 cab to make it a default 410 rig. With a head that puts out 500-watts into 4Ω amp you will get anywhere from 250-watts up to about 300-watts out of it. Make sure the 210 cab can handle 300-watts rms. If you add the second 210 8Ω cab to it, that drops the ohms load down to 4Ω and the amp can produce all 500-watts to be split equally by the cabs. So 250-watts to each cab. That 500-watt into a de facto 410 should handle almost everything for you including outdoor venues.

Personally, I don't care much for combos because they lock you into replacing the original combo entirely if you need to upgrade either the amp or cab. Nonetheless, if you want a combo you should probably look at the Fender Rumble 500, which is a good price and sounds good too (as long as you like the Fender sound) and you can plug a second cab right into it. Another good choice is the Ampeg Rocket Combo, also at 500-watts into 4Ω with 210's in the combo. If you don't like the Ampeg sound, don't get it. If you do like the Ampeg sound, it's a good choice.

I've really only had one combo myself and everything else since 1966 when I bought my first amp has been separate head and cab. The combo was a Yamaha 115 combo that I borrowed in 1997 from my oldest son when I got back into gigging after an almost 20-yr. gap. When I needed to upgrade, I had to sell it (son did not want it back) and buy separates. Got very little for it but glad I had it at the time.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I also would recommend the Fender Rumble. They sound great and are very light.

 

[Ostie]

For practice, or for playing gigs? Makes a difference. I have a small Rumble combo for practice. It’s all I need. Gigging is a different story. For that I have a head and two 210 cabs.

 

[groovaholic]

Everyone has a different idea of how bass should sound.
(That's why we had to have a whole website to talk about it)

Do you know what kind of bass tone you want?

Words used to describe sound can be ambiguous - so if you name songs or link YouTube videos showing the bass sound you want, folks here can steer you in the right direction.

 

[fhm555]

There are several current setups that are technically combo amps in that the amp is secured into a rack built into a cabinet. This would give you the flexibility to expand in the future should you need more volume. You could take the head out of its small cab and drive larger cabs for more volume.
I’m currently using a 500W head and a couple of 12/6 cabinets but most of what I do only requires one of them. My head is 2 ohm capable so i can get a full 500W when using both cabinets.

 

[One Way]

My first bass amp was an Ampeg BA112 v2 and I still have it today. If I were buying a first amp today I would consider getting one of the new Ampeg RB series or a Fender Rumble (both are lighter than my BA series Ampeg). The day may come when you want to connect to a PA in which case an amp with a DI out may save you from buying a separate DI box.

 

[Pilgrim]

Combo. I hate head/cab so it has to be a combo.

I'd prefer something I can carry easily so no 4x10s

I doubt I'll ever be a rock star so I don't need a 100 watt tube amp. Probably 300-500 solid state is acceptable. I like tubes but doesn't seem like a lot of bass amps go that route.

I think the Fender Rumble series is ideal. I also think that you may only need 300+ watts if you plan to play in a rock band without PA support. I have a Rumble 100 and with a band that plays at moderate (conversation-friendly) volume I seldom use half its volume.

If you want to be fully capable, I'd suggest a Rumble in the 200-500W range, knowing that you can turn it down.

If you get REALLY lucky you may be able to find a used Genz-Benz Shuttle docked on a 12" Shuttle speaker. The Shuttle 6 and 9 series have all the power you will ever need, are totally portable, and can be separated from the cab for use as a stand-alone head. They aren't easy to find but they are a great choice.

Here's a 6.2 head at a decent price that you can match with a variety of cabs, including the Genzler cabs that are the successor to Genz-Benz. Note that this head weighs under 4 pounds.

USED Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 Tube Preamp Bass Amplifier Head | Reverb

 

[SkylineFiver]

For Sale - Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 Combo, 9.2 Combo, Extension Cabinet

The 9.2

 

[CallMeAl]

For “flexible” I’d vote Markbass CMD or GK MB. Some (like the 210s) are slightly over budget, but you could shop used.

For new under $1k, I’d vote Rumble or Ampeg Rocketbass. Ampeg has slightly cleaner tone, Rumble has more EQ and tone shaping filters.

what are your goals? That might help narrow down speakers and wattage and help with the decision. Using Rumble as the example, I’d say:
100 for home to light duty jamming
200* for jamming to light duty gigging
500* for louder jams to most small stages (*extension available too!)

Listen to demos, and try some out if you can. You can always ask folks at the shop to play some for you if your not comfortable demoing them yourself. have fun and good luck!

 

[mikewalker]

HARTKE KB12 gets the nod from me. Only 250WRMS but really nice performance in a very compact package

 

[wintremute]

The solid and safe answers are Ampeg or Fender Rumble. There are lots of wonderful options out there, but since you are starting out, I highly recommend you go with one of these.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I have a Rumble 500. Very distinct and unlike my beloved Shuttle 6.0 T12 but very serviceable. Blackstar rarely gets mentioned here but I've heard one that's about the same price range as my Rumble and it sounded quite nice. Curious if folks have any additional thoughts on those.

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[Sarge79]

I got the Rumble Stage 800 and that meets your criteria, except it's 800 watts; however, I like the built in effects (controllable via Bluetooth, included footswitch, or knob/buttons on top of the amp), and if you decide you want an add on cab, then the amp has plenty of power. The regular Rumble 800 is just as powerful, about $150 cheaper, but no built in effects. The Rumble 500 would be a great choice too, as it meets all your listed criteria, and still left over power for an additional cab. I have no real world experience with the Rumble 500 though. Rumble 200 is cheaper, lighter in wattage, but with a 15 inch woofer vice 2/10. Not as versatile or powerful as the others.