I have a Fender Rumble 15 as well that I use when practicing in my apartment. Personally I think the amp stinks, however it obviously does not have the tone controls and such of my main big rig (currently a Peavey Tour 450 amp into a Mesa PH610 cab). My main rig is at my bands practice space and I really cannot have anything bigger in the apartment. Sometimes I do wish I had the money to buy and own two of the same rig.
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Practice amp
- Thread starter tgriley62
- Start date
I'm in a bit of the same position. I put in my time as a full time keyboardist and at 52 I decided to learn bass just because I want to. My approach to choosing amps was very logical. A light head with plenty of power, lots of sound options and a headphone output should handle all my needs. Great for practice. Great for recording. Great for playing with friends. Got me a GK Neo 112 cabinet for carrying anywhere and a GB Uber Quad for being loud and clear. Got it all covered. Low volume through the 112 cabinet. Check. LOUD through the Uber Quad. Check. Home practice through the headphones. Check.
Reality check. I find myself using my Ampeg BA112 a LOT. It is dead simple. Plug in and play. No worries about molding my sound, connecting speakers and keeping up with pedals. Instead I focus on notes, timing and technique. I play along with the TV, the stereo and other musicians at practice with this amp and it does fine. I find myself practicing at home more because practicing through that little all in one amp is hassle free. I think, "I'll just plug in a play for 5 minutes" or "I think I'll go to the back porch a play a bit." These quick little sessions are always with the practice amp because I don't want to spend time connecting speakers or anything else. Those sessions also turn into 30 minutes or more of practice. IMHO, that makes my little practice amp the most important piece of equipment I have.
Reality check. I find myself using my Ampeg BA112 a LOT. It is dead simple. Plug in and play. No worries about molding my sound, connecting speakers and keeping up with pedals. Instead I focus on notes, timing and technique. I play along with the TV, the stereo and other musicians at practice with this amp and it does fine. I find myself practicing at home more because practicing through that little all in one amp is hassle free. I think, "I'll just plug in a play for 5 minutes" or "I think I'll go to the back porch a play a bit." These quick little sessions are always with the practice amp because I don't want to spend time connecting speakers or anything else. Those sessions also turn into 30 minutes or more of practice. IMHO, that makes my little practice amp the most important piece of equipment I have.
I own a Peavey circa 1986 practice amp with an 8" speaker. Amazing little amp and I found it on eBay for $75, and the seller threw in free shipping....
I agree, it's nice to have a small amp in the bedroom to keep your chops up, or if a friend comes over and the two of you want to have a quiet jam.....
Here's a little combo called the Peavey Max 158, and the Max's have gotten great reviews...
Peavey MAX 158 Bass Guitar Combo Amp (14367113181) | eBay
I agree, it's nice to have a small amp in the bedroom to keep your chops up, or if a friend comes over and the two of you want to have a quiet jam.....
Here's a little combo called the Peavey Max 158, and the Max's have gotten great reviews...
Peavey MAX 158 Bass Guitar Combo Amp (14367113181) | eBay
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
That's some pretty good advice from Steve ..but I understand where you are coming from...and sometimes .. especially when you are starting out .. you need something with a little more tonal flexibility to open up your head a bit and stifle the discouragement from not getting the sound you think you want. My first amp only had a volume and tone control. Those Hartke kickbacks are pretty nice a lot of what you can do depends on how much you want to spend. The Invalid Link Removed are pretty nice and not too pricey. That 110 might be right up your alley.
