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Practice amp suggestions

D

David De Vos

Nov 20, 2023
24
33
#1
The search for a bass amplifier to my liking continues...
It seems to me the search for the holy grail :)

That's why I want to listen to your experiences and advices with different types of amplifiers.

What I'm looking for:
- not too big or too heavy, after all it will be in the living room
- should not be able to handle gigwith loud drummers, it will not be a gigging amp
- preferably 110, 112 or 210
- combo or head/cab doesn't matter
- no boxy sounding amplifier
- if possible, with knobs in front
(I know that sound is difficult to describe.)

This week I am going to play Genz-Benz 3.0 10”, but I am allready afraid he will be too trebly…

Anyway, thanks for your advice
 
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#7
gtirard said:
Barefaced One10 and Quilter Interbass makes a great sounding practice amp.
Click to expand...
I was gonna say BarefacedOne10 and quilter bass block of your choice.

My home practice rig is often Tonex and Dynaudio monitors or headphones. Sometimes it’s my pedalboard into my computer/dynaudio monitors or headphones.
 
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#8
David De Vos said:
Most practice amps are lacking a nice good bottom end to me, and I am not only talking about low wattage amps.

Just thinking… should an EQ pedal solve this?
Click to expand...
That’s why I proposed the BF One10 + interbass - great low end, even at low volume

I also have (and love) the Phil Jones Double Four, sounds excellent but I’m not sure you would like it as much (modern, detailed, and balanced with good lows for the size, but probably too modern sounding for your taste)
 
Last edited:
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#9
IMO this is being waaaaay overthought. Almost any good quality 112 combo or cab/head rig will provide ample low volume grunt & tone at living room volume. I second the Quilter Interbass microamp pedal as being particularly toneful....with cabsim, excellent eq aux in vial FX return and plenty of juice for home practice...pair with a good 112 cab and done.
 
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#10
My absolute favorite practice amp ever:
IMG_3645.jpeg
IMG_3647.jpeg
 
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#13
To me, it takes a 12" speaker to hear bass notes at low volume.

I tried many combos and ended up with an Ampeg RB112.

It has a bit of the Ampeg house sound (vintage, mellow and not trebly), it’s feather light, versatile and affordable.

I use it every time a drummer is not involved and works perfectly with a few acoustic guitars or as a practice amp.

If you need a bit more power and resolution, a GK MB 112 would be great.

Unfortunately, all of these don’t have any knobs in front.
 
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#14
gtirard said:
That’s why I proposed the BF One10 + interbass - great low end, even at low volume

I also have (and love) the Phil Jones Double Four, sounds excellent but I’m not sure you would like it as much (modern, detailed, and balanced with good lows for the size, but probably too modern sounding for your taste)
Click to expand...
I love my phil Jones and works great with modelers so can double as a guitar amp when used with my helix
 
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#15
lomo said:
IMO this is being waaaaay overthought. Almost any good quality 112 combo or cab/head rig will provide ample low volume grunt & tone at living room volume. I second the Quilter Interbass microamp pedal as being particularly toneful....with cabsim, excellent eq aux in vial FX return and plenty of juice for home practice...pair with a good 112 cab and done.
Click to expand...
LOL, you made me buy it. Thank you by the way.
 
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#19
David De Vos said:
The search for a bass amplifier to my liking continues...
It seems to me the search for the holy grail :)

That's why I want to listen to your experiences and advices with different types of amplifiers.

What I'm looking for:
- not too big or too heavy, after all it will be in the living room
- should not be able to handle gigwith loud drummers, it will not be a gigging amp
- preferably 110, 112 or 210
- combo or head/cab doesn't matter
- no boxy sounding amplifier
- if possible, with knobs in front
(I know that sound is difficult to describe.)

This week I am going to play Genz-Benz 3.0 10”, but I am allready afraid he will be too trebly…

Anyway, thanks for your advice
Click to expand...
Personally I’d scrap the idea of a “practice amp”. Think of it as an amp for my home. There are some good combos that don’t take up a lot of space. Some, like Phill Jones almost look furniture and don’t take up a lot of space. A 4 8” cab would work nicely

As for the GenzBenz, I’m sure with the right EQ on your amp it will give you enough oomph. Larger speaker size does not mean more bass. I’ve been running 10” speakers for the last 15 years with no shortage of bass. Just keep in mind, it’s your living room, not Carnegie Hall..
 
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#20
At home I generally run into my HX Stomp and headphones. The neighbors love it!

For making wiggly air out loud I'm having good luck with a Markbass Little Mark IV and a couple of 250W @ 8 Ohm cabinets, so 250W with one cab or 500W with two. Haven't had the master volume above noon yet, even to get stage volume outdoors. Trick is a stand to get the cab up off the ground and aimed at your head-holes.
 
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