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Practice amp suggestions-your experience

willyrep

willyrep

Mar 4, 2008
551
5
New Orleans
www.facebook.com
#1
So i'm looking to buy a small practice amp for woodshedding and small rehearsals. I've come to the conclusion that i want one 8" to 12" speaker and 25-50 watts power....I'm a pseudo-gear snob, meaning my main rig is EA and Avatar stuff-portable yet a little too big for home rehearsals and learning new material etc etc...

I've searched the threads here some, many pointed to Peavey Microbass and Ampeg b50r(both of which are unavailable new now), so I've narrowed some choices down to the Nemesis N8, Orange crush 35 or 50(?) , and Acoustic brand practice amps.
If any of y'all have experience with these or something better-let me know! thanks alot in advance!
p.s. I'm looking to spend no more than 300 bux
 
#2
I'd suggest a Roland CB-100, around 37 lbs. 100 watts, a single twelve, modeling , fx, xlr out, phone out,will also drive an extension speaker if ya want,...a killer little rig. I just found one used for $300, they're a bit hard to find, but worth the effort. :D
 
#4

I have the Acoustic B20 and think its absolutely terrific. Great tone; handles lows well, 12" / 20 watts. Plenty of volume for practice but I'm not sure how well it would work in a rehearsal setting.

You could always get the B100, which is 15" / 100 watts.

The latter sells for about $250 and the former is available typically for $150.

You might also want to take a look at the Marshall MB30, 10" / 30 watts. When I was shopping for a practice amp I couldn't find one locally to try out but since then I've had the opportunity. It is nice as well, though I still prefer the Acoustic. Usually sells for about $200.

Lastly, if you want something with more power than 20W/30W but smaller than the B100, you may want to take a look at the Warwick Blue Cab 60, 12" / 60 watts. It weighs in at 41lbs, which is about 12lbs lighter than the B100. Pricing: $240.

Back to the first suggestion: If you think the B20 might do, I'd be sure to check it out. It has really surprised and impressed me.

Best wishes.


 
#6
Thanks for all the input so far. I'm kind of leaning towards the Orange right now because it might be a handy amp in the studio. I have 2 albums from different artists that are going to be completed within the next 2 months i think it might be the way to go for recording-plus they look pretty righteous. Sidenote-does anyone know the process in getting a TB discount from the Perfect Bass in Baton Rouge, LA and if so how much is it?
 
#7
willyrep said:
....I'm a pseudo-gear snob, meaning my main rig is EA and Avatar ....
Click to expand...

Here's some info on the Ampeg BA112 - $279.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ampeg-BA112-50W-Single-12-Combo?sku=481776&src=3LAMWXX1

It also has links to the following that you might want to check out:

Ampeg BA115 Bass Combo - $349.99
Fender Rumble 60 Bass Combo Amp - $249.99
Gallien-Krueger Backline 110 Combo - $225.00
SWR LA12 Bass Combo Amplifier - $249.99
Marshall MB30 Bass Combo Amp - $199.99
 
#8
Orangeclawhamme said:
I have a Line 6 Lowdown Studio 110. It has a 10" driver and 75 watts. You can have fun switching between the different amp modes.. It has a DI output, if you need one.
Click to expand...

More details on the Studio 110 from: Link Removed $249.99 at MF.


LowDown™ Studio 110 delivers four carefully crafted amp models that can take you from vintage punch to modern grind with ultimate portability. You also get a full-time opto compressor modeled after* the studio-standard LA-2A® Compressor.

Once you create your own custom sound, you can save it and instantly recall it anytime.

FEATURES:

* 4 Incredible Bass Amp Models: Clean, R&B, Rock, and Grind
* Synth Bass
* Full-time Opto Compressor
* XLR Direct Out With Line 6’s exclusive A.I.R.™ processing
* Pre Amp Out
* 4 Programmable Model Memories
* Headphone Out
* Jam Along CD/MP3 1/8” Input
* 10” Speaker
* 75 Watts
* Dimensions: 24lbs, 12"L x 12"W x 12"H

AMP MODELS:

Clean
Inspired by* the Eden Traveler, this model is all about clean, funk and fusion bass tone. It’ll give you all the warm lows and punchy highs you need

R&B
Inspired by* a 1968 B-15 Flip Top, this model is a tribute to those late 60’s and early 70’s clean fat bass tones. It is the kind of tone you hear on most Motown recordings, as played by a pioneering young James Jamerson.

Rock
This model is inspired by* the ’74 Ampeg® SVT®. This workhorse has appeared on innumerable recordings and arena stages worldwide. And now all the tone of the 300-pound behemoth 8X10 and head is available in your combo!

Grind
As the name would suggest, this is for modern rock lovers, Alice in Chains to Mudvayne and Rage Against The Machine. Based on* a distorted SansAmp PSA-1 into an SVT® in addition to a direct clean bass signal mixed in, this model gives you that angry, clear and punchy aggression that takes your sound to DEFCON 1.

Amazing Tone On Stage and In The Studio!
The XLR Direct Output was designed for recording or sending your sound to a house sound system when you’re playing live. This output utilizes our exclusive A.I.R.™ processing which has made Line 6 products like POD® the undisputed standard for direct recording. Whether you’re playing a gig in a club or rushing off to a recording session, this POD based direct out will give you huge, mic’d amp tone everywhere you go!

Note: I have no affiliation with any musical instrument or electronics reseller. :bassist::
 
#9
If you use a small combo for rehearsal, I suggest it be placed at ear level so it will be better heard by one and all.

Setting it on the floor at an angle makes it okay for you but getting it up 5 feet off the ground will do wonders.
 
#11
willyrep said:
Muchas gracias, Stumbo. Ampeg is nice but too heavy and pricey. I'm thinking 200 bux maximum for something uber lite..
Click to expand...

Your OP said $300....so I took it from there....:help:

The Line 6 sounds interesting, especially the modeling and xlnt DI for recording.
Might be something you can take advantage of in the studio.
 
#12
From Perfect Bass:

Fender Rumble 25 Combo Amp
231-5400-010
List Price: $317.00
Player Price: $189.00

Availability: IN STOCK!

Email Us or call TOLL FREE 866.751.3220 for more info, or order online!

With features usually found on more expensive amplifiers, Rumble Series combo amps feature carpet covering, oversized plastic corners, metal grilles and the new Fender Bass Amplification logo. Also, their exclusive red “stage light” pulsates with your playing to inspire you to get better faster! With professional tones and features, Rumble Series combos are available in four models affordable for beginning bassists.

The ported Rumble 25 Combo has 25 watts of power (at 8 ohms) and a Fender Special Design 10” speaker. Its three-band EQ, passive and active inputs, compression circuitry and effects loop let you zero in on your perfect tone, and there's also a headphone jack and auxilliary input for playing along with a CD player or drum machine.

Features Include:

* 25 Watts at 8 Ohms
* 1-10" Fender® Special Design 8 ohm, 50 watt Speaker
* 1 Channel
* Features
o 3-Band EQ
o Passive and Active Instrument Inputs
o Effects Loop
o Delta Comp Adaptive Compression Circuitry
o Auxilliary Input for CD, Tape or Drum Machine
o Headphone Jack
o Ported Cabinet
o Black Carpet Covering
o Rugged Black Metal Grille
o Oversized Plastic Corners
* Controls
o Passive and Active Instrument Inputs,
o Volume, Low, Mid, High, CD Input
* Effects Loop
o Preamp Out,
o Power Amp In
* Headphone Jack
* Black Carpet with Black Metal Grille
* Dimensions: 18"H 14.75"W 10"D
* Weighs 37 lbs
 
#14

I did not like the Line 6 either. Too many bells and whistles, not enough substance.

I also was disappointed in the GK Backline 110. Although, if you're playing rock only you may like it because it has a nasty growl for a little amp.

IMO YMMV


 
#18
My Fender Bassman25 is a keeper. I just love this thing. I compared it to the Ampeg BA-112 and SWR Workingman's 10. Great tone and much louder than it's 25 watts and compact size would suggest. 10", tilts back, has send and return, external speaker, headphone and cd connections. You can pick them for about $150.


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