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practice amp

Michiellll

Guest
May 26, 2011
32
1
I've read a few topics about this already. :hiding:

I'm looking for something for practice at home which I can also occasionally use as amp for practice with a band.

I've been looking at:
Invalid Link Removed
Ampeg BA112

I couldn't find any Invalid Link Removed practice amps tho, are there any? (and are they any good)

Im hoping to keep it at about 200euro (maybe 250)

Opinions? :hyper:

PS. I noticed not one practice amp having a tweeter. It can't possible be good on both high and low end with only one speaker. So do you guys have any idea how much I'm missing?
 
Hi,
I've read very good opinions about the Orange Crush PiX. My two-list was this and the BA112, and finally chosen the Orange.
I can't tell you about it, I haven't received it yet. The Ampeg BA112 received very good reviews. Fender ones weren't so good overall.

Can you try them both (or the three of them) ?







Please excuse my English.
 
I tried both the Fender and the Ampeg. The Fender sounds less articulated, the lows are less punchy and the sound is less defined. The Ampeg, suprisingly enough at that price point, sounds, well, like an Ampeg. I'm a long time SVT user and the BA112 did have some of that specific Ampeg tone to it. Really cool amp. Have you took a look at the Line 6 Lowdown Studio 110? It's another combo in that price range that delivers cool stuff. It's a modeling amp and the settings are quite good. That amp is also equipped with an XLR out that simulates the sound of a miked amp, which means that if you bring it to a band practice, you could plug into a PA in addition to the amp and have the same sound.
 
For practice anything will do it, even your home stereo...

To play with a drummer you need something robust and loud, like a Roland CB100. The BA112 won't cut through, unless it's a jazz setting and your drummer plays with brushes...
 
allexcosta then I guess the BA112 is out of the question
I don't know any jazz drummers :p

bobsax that roland cube seems really awesome, but I doubt it'll hold up when I practice with others. By the way, stupid question, on that youtube video at 5:05-5:35 what is that he's playing. I don't recall ever knowing the name?

I looked for some second hand stuff, this is what I found:
WARWICK TAKE 12 BAS-COMBO 250€
Line6 Lowdown LD150 225€
fender rumble 100 watt bascombo 175€
Ashdown FIVE FIFTEEN bascombo 100w 200€

any of these good (enough)?
 
Acoustic B200 fits your price range of less than $365 US. The 200 watts will help you be heard.

The Micro Cube is not a good fit for occasional band use-unless it's a jam at reasonable sound levels, or the band does not compete with each other by raising volume levels.
 
bobsax that roland cube seems really awesome, but I doubt it'll hold up when I practice with others. By the way, stupid question, on that youtube video at 5:05-5:35 what is that he's playing. I don't recall ever knowing the name?

(enough)?

That blues riff sounds very familiar. It's funny you mentioned it because I watched that part over and over again to get his fingerings.
I'm just learning bass and I found it interesting that he starts on the first finger and goes to the pinky(instead of the ring finger) on the octave jump.
 
The Micro Cube is not a good fit for occasional band use-unless it's a jam at reasonable sound levels, or the band does not compete with each other by raising volume levels.

I'm thinking it'll work great for my acoustic BG.
This guy took it out on a hike.
YouTube - ‪ROLAND MICRO CUBE BASS RX‬‏
I wonder if it would work with a bass fiddle in a bluegrass setting?
sorry for the hijack.
btw I have no connection with music sales of any kind:bassist:
 
I think you're talking about 2 different category's of amp. Something small for home practice and something big enough to handle playing with a band. To have one that does both you get the big one and just turn it down when playing alone. The other option would be to get a 112 combo with some decent power in it and the ability to add an extension cab when you need to get louder.
 
+1 to play with a rock band, what you need is as much wattage as you can afford, but at least 300 or so, and the real key is speakers. A 4x10 is about the minimum, I would forget ANY single spkr combo amp- unless it's capable of adding an ext spkr.
 
I have a SWR LA-15 that I use as a practice and small gig amp. It does the job well although it is only 100 watts with a 3 band EQ. It does have an unbalanced line out for PA. Here's a review:

SWR LA 15 Bass Amplifier hands-on review at Musician's Friend | Musician's Friend


Another good choice might be a used Workingman's 15 which is 160 watts internal or 200 watts with an extension cab. They can be found for a pretty reasonable price.
 
The Rumble is a good practice amp, but I'd go bigger if you are wanting to use it regularly to play with a full band. I have a Rumble 100 2-10" that I use as my practice amp. I used to use it on top of an ancient Peavey TNT 100(1-15") to gig with before I got my G-K rig, but it really wasn't enough without PA support either. Actually you might wanna consider getting a Sansamp DI and look around for a used Rumble 75 or 100 to practice with, that way you could run thru the Sansamp direct to the PA live.
 
Why would I want controls on a DI?
Going from the amps line out to any active DI should be good, right?

Should I assume that the second hand stuff I listed isn't good?

SWR is awesome, but expensive so I'd have to save up a month or 2.
Hartke seems to be a fan of aluminum, does this change the sound? good/bad?
 
Why would I want controls on a DI?
Going from the amps line out to any active DI should be good, right?

Should I assume that the second hand stuff I listed isn't good?

SWR is awesome, but expensive so I'd have to save up a month or 2.
Hartke seems to be a fan of aluminum, does this change the sound? good/bad?

i love the sound of aluminum cones you get deep lows and crispy highs, the amp is loud i used it in small gigs and never failed me once!