Practice Amp

[name44]

Hello, new to the forum and bass guitar. Started playing/learning about a month ago and love it!
Just wondering if anyone could recommend a half decent practice amp, nothing special, enough volume to hear it in a room and a bit of decent tone, i.e. avoid the fly-in-a-can sounds and not waking up the neighbor's dog. Maybe a 1-10 combo?

 

[Yegor P.]

Hey there,

If you want nothing fancy, but good build quality and German effectiveness, then I can suggest Warwick amps. This is if you want to buy a new amp.

You can buy the Warwick BC 40 for 160 Euros new (100 / 110 euros used), and it's got a 1x10 speaker and 40 Watts. I would suggest getting it used.

For practicing in my apartment I have a Warwick Blu Cab 60 with 1x12 speaker and it does the job perfectly.

There are other good choices out there as well. I would suggest looking for a used combo amp, because you can surely save like 30-50% of the original new price. Since you are new to bass, it's always better to go the "used road" in such a situation.

The Orange Crush Pix is also a good choice and will cover your needs, especially in an apartment setting. Also, check out the Hartke A25 amp, and check out Marshals (never dealt with these, but they should be in the price range and size range that you want).

 

[JxBass]

There are a number of good choices and I'm sure you'll get enough different recommendations to confuse you as much as help.

For meeting the inexpensive and decent tone criteria I think the Peavey Max series is a decent choice for at-home practice, and it has a headphone jack as well. There are a couple of models under $100 new.

 

[PaulDouglas]

I don't think they make any other Amps besides Ampeg.....
They make a BA-110 with headphone jack. Not sure as I Type but I think there is an Audio In live (RCA Jacks) for playing along with your mp3 player music. Nice tone, not overly loud.

Peavey is not a bad option price-wise; ,I personall,y do not like the tone

 

[JxBass]

I agree that the Ampeg combos are superior, I'm especially fond of the BA112 as an at-home practice combo. I haven't tried the BA110 but I expect it to be good. They do tend to be larger, heavier, and more expensive than the Peavey Max alternatives, so it depends on needs and budget, IMHO.

 

[funkinbottom]

For meeting the inexpensive and decent tone criteria I think the Peavey Max series is a decent choice for at-home practice, and it has a headphone jack as well. There are a couple of models under $100 new.

^ Not only that, Peavey's are notorious for living forever.

 

[JxBass]

^ Not only that, Peavey's are notorious for living forever.

+1. They've always had a great reputation for reliability.

 

[Acousticdude]

I have an Ampeg BA108 practice amp. Nice tone and decent volume. I actually use it at small acoustic music gigs too. It cost around $100

 

[name44]

I bought an ampeg ba108 today. Great little amp! Especially for the price.
I was procrastinating on buying the ba108, ba110 or maybe a gk mb200 with 210 cab, I was really gassing on the mb200 and 210...

After reading a lot of threads I figured it would be best to buy something "affordable" for now and saving up for a 4 - 500w head n cab.

Then I couldn't decide on the ba108 or the ba110... 8" speaker 25w vs 10" speaker and 35w... read some more threads and came to the conclusion that the extra $80 wasn't worth it. I tried both amps and there wasn't enough difference to me, after all, it's a practice amp!

Very happy with the BA108, awesome amp for $99, it's a steal. I also put a new set of DR SS Low Rider's based on threads/posts here. My new (first lol) favorite strings!

So now I'm gassing for a GK700RBII and a 112Neo cab, but at least I have an amp to dissipate that gas

Edit: Thanks for all the info and suggestions!