• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Practice amp?

V

Vile

Apr 28, 2009
23
0
#1
Hey there, I'm a student (15 only!!) and just picked up bass for about 4 months now. I've been liking it and since I use a SX starter package, I've been using its amp and I find it a little soft. So I was considering to upgrade that practice amp to an Ibanez SW35?
I'm buying it for $150 ( SGD ) is it a good deal?
And is there anything bad/good about it?

Thanks a lot! :)

*Btw as a student, I don't really have a lot of money, and must save and save and save! So I need some advice if the money is worth spending haha* ^^V
 
#2
Vile said:
Hey there, I'm a student (15 only!!) and just picked up bass for about 4 months now. I've been liking it and since I use a SX starter package, I've been using its amp and I find it a little soft. So I was considering to upgrade that practice amp to an Ibanez SW35?
I'm buying it for $150 ( SGD ) is it a good deal?
And is there anything bad/good about it?

Thanks a lot! :)

*Btw as a student, I don't really have a lot of money, and must save and save and save! So I need some advice if the money is worth spending haha* ^^V
Click to expand...

The Ibanez is a good amp. But probably at 35 watts not much of an improvement over what you have now. You still won't be able to gig with it. Look at something 100 watts and over. I know, it costs money. But you just have to get lots of extra work and save to support an expensive hobby like playing bass.

There is a lot of good used equipment on the market these days. You just have to try it out first before you buy. Don't buy anything that you can't play through first.

There are so many fairly low priced new combos on the market that you really have to get out and try as much as you can.
 
#4
I remember starting off and being anxious to get more capable equipment. My advice is to save up a bit more and go with something you know will last you a bit longer than the ibanez amp.

I thought this was kind of interesting for $300
Invalid Link Removed

I've never played this brand before, so I don't know if it's worthwhile or not, but there are lots of options out there to consider. Used equipment is something to look into. Check with your local music shop, if they don't have used bass amps in stock, give 'em your number and tell them to let you know when they get stuff in.
 
#5
My practice amp is an old Fender RAD Bass. It's 25 watts and a 10" speaker. It's enough for a combo of acoustic piano, acoustic guitars and hand percussion, or fine to play with the stereo.

I'm not saying you should find that, but both in terms of tone and volume it's a nice practice amp and there's a reasonable chance that you can find something similar, such as your Ibanez.

I wouldn't get the Behringer - I've heard too many horror stories. Acoustic practice amps are probably not too bad.

None of this will do the job when you want to play with a drum set. You'll want closer to 100 (or more) watts into a single 15" or two 10"'s for that. 300 watts and a 4x10 is what it seems most people around here seem to think is a comfortable size. Most of us will take a little more power than that if they can get it.

KO
 
#10
I see, thanks everyone for you advice! :)
So I shall use this amp for practice until i can afford a 100watts amp?

Means i have to save up like 400 more just to afford one D:

If 100watts, kinda interested in the hartke A100. hahas.
 
#12
Vile said:
I see, thanks everyone for you advice! :)
So I shall use this amp for practice until i can afford a 100watts amp?

Means i have to save up like 400 more just to afford one D:

If 100watts, kinda interested in the hartke A100. hahas.
Click to expand...


Yes, keep saving and look at used gear. There are some great deals in the $400 to $500 range for used gear out there.
Oh ya, one more thing... no such thing as "too much wattage" for a bass player. That's why they come with a volume knob at no extra cost :D have fun with it.
 
#13
Vile said:
I see, thanks everyone for you advice! :)
So I shall use this amp for practice until i can afford a 100watts amp?

Means i have to save up like 400 more just to afford one D:

If 100watts, kinda interested in the hartke A100. hahas.
Click to expand...

The Acoustic B100 is a simple, solid 100w 1x15" combo that costs only like $250. Keep it in mind when you're ready to take that step.
 
#14
Vile said:
I see, thanks everyone for you advice! :)
So I shall use this amp for practice until i can afford a 100watts amp?

Means i have to save up like 400 more just to afford one D:

If 100watts, kinda interested in the hartke A100. hahas.
Click to expand...

A bigger amp (>100 watts) is another world for bass from a tiny practice amp. Bring your bass into a music store and plug into a big amp. Your sound gets much bigger!

The differences between a 15 watt 10-inch speaker practice amp and bigger rig are pretty amazing.

The used market about the cheapest way to enter that new world. Used Peavey gear is a pretty good bet.
 
#17
save up more than you need for a 100 watt combo, trust me. the used market can get you into a 200-400 head and a cab or two that will last you for years and that you'll be able to gig with consistently.
 
#18
Haha, okay. Thanks for the advice, I have to ask you all one more thing.

If I save up, should I save up for a head and a cabinet?

Or should I save up for a 100watts combo amp? ( Keen on the acoustic B100 now, since it's cheap :) )

Also if I save up for a head and cabinet, it'll be a long time before I "upgrade" my bass?

Cause it's still a starter bass after all. =x
 
#19
Vile said:
Haha, okay. Thanks for the advice, I have to ask you all one more thing.

If I save up, should I save up for a head and a cabinet?

Or should I save up for a 100watts combo amp? ( Keen on the acoustic B100 now, since it's cheap :) )

Also if I save up for a head and cabinet, it'll be a long time before I "upgrade" my bass?

Cause it's still a starter bass after all. =x
Click to expand...

Acoustic B100 is still starter-ish but big enough to play smalll gigs....which you wanna do for learning.:bassist:
 
#20
NortyFiner said:
The Acoustic B100 is a simple, solid 100w 1x15" combo that costs only like $250. Keep it in mind when you're ready to take that step.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this. I heard a guy at GuitarCenter today playing a Jaco Relic -- Invalid Link Removed -- through one of these and the tone was AMAZING. He was actually playing bits and pieces of Jaco's repertoire and the tone was spot on. I was blown away, both by his playing and his tone.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back