Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Amps: Ampeg VS Fender
- Thread starter NKBassman
- Start date
I like the Ampeg . It sounds pretty good but the thing I like the most is the aux input has a volume control so you can mix your bass sound with whatever music device and balance the two . Works great with headphones .
It's my practice amp , works fine .
It's my practice amp , works fine .
The Hartke HD25 is really great for 129 bucks. Just bought one and quite impressed at it's sound and build quality. I can turn the bass knob up to 3:00 and the volume at 3:00 and it doesn't distort at all. Gets a good proggy sound the with bass and treble at 3:00 and the mid at 9:00 (scooped). The hybrid speaker has some zing.
I have the 12, it sounds great with every bass and I practice through it all the time
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
The Fender but personally, peavey max100 is probably the greatest puny combo amp ever made.
i like and recommend the rumble 25 but disliked the 15 - it had no bass. if you love ampeg, the ampeg is worth getting, but mine a few years didn't come with the kickback.
cheap with lots of bass, i'd also suggest the hartke HD15. or is that HD-15? its tiny speaker defies physics
cheap with lots of bass, i'd also suggest the hartke HD15. or is that HD-15? its tiny speaker defies physics
I had a situation recently, where I forgot to bring my mini head along with my cab to an outdoor band practice. There was a Rumble 25 available, so I used it grudgingly. It sounded amazing (!) up against two 40-watt tube guitar amps and a full drum set. I only had it 3/4 cranked too. The band said it did the job very well. I plan on using it again at our next outdoor practice this weekend.
Anyway, try each amp before you buy. Use your ears more than your eyes.
Anyway, try each amp before you buy. Use your ears more than your eyes.
I've got the BA 110 myself, and I love it. Great sounding amp, and they keep up fine as a practice amp. I even used it live once for a smaller gig at a bar and it kept up with the drums. The smaller one should be fine for acoustic jams
I've gotten a bunch of different used amps for under $100-US: a couple of different first gen Rumbles, one with a 12 and one with a 15 and I only spent $125 for an Ampeg BA112 in pristine condition. I've also bought a Hartke KB-1200 and an SWR LAB-12 for $100 each, but swapped them away pretty quick, along with a first-gen Ampeg BA-115 that worked well, but was in rough shape -- also $100. (I liked the sound of that one well enough, but hated the form factor for a small amp.) My point is that buying used can be advantageous -- even the one's I didn't keep were better amps for your purpose than either of your new choices, IMO. Of those two, I'd prefer the Ampeg.
Absolutely accurate regarding the Rumble bass knob. They have some great sounds on tap, but you’ve got to get your head around cutting the low end.
Looks like the Rumble 25 is only $169 CAD. I must have been looking at the 40 yesterday.
Hartke HD15 and HD25 are also available. The HD25 is $199 which is pushing the limit.
Sounds like I need to get myself down to the store and plug a few of these in. Ampeg is a little more my vibe but the Rumble 25 is on the list now.
Hartke HD15 and HD25 are also available. The HD25 is $199 which is pushing the limit.
Sounds like I need to get myself down to the store and plug a few of these in. Ampeg is a little more my vibe but the Rumble 25 is on the list now.
Last edited:
I like small practice amps that are giggable. My clear choice would be Traynor SB110 or Fender Rumble 40 (this one has the same advanced preamp as the advanced models. The Rumble 25 does not). I own the Small block as well as the Rumble 40. Both are excellent and handy as hell.
A Rumble 100 was my only gig amp for a while, it’s still my rehearsal amp. I discovered setting the 4-band to 10/2/2/10, it’s like I got a whole new amp. My 25 is just for home use, so I’m cool with the flat “bedroom tone” from that amp. Playing with the OD too, I feel like I get some Ampeggy tone from it. (25 just has an OD button, not variable.)
Now I have a Markbass for my gig rig (sweet spot in terms of clarity for me.) I’ve been back-lined GK and Genz Benz (a little too clean for my taste.)
This all may be TMI for the OP, especially since he’s leaning Ampeg or Traynor now. But my point is- in the grand scheme of things, I find the Rumbles and BAs to be more similar than different. And at low volumes, it’s an even bigger non-issue. All IMHO, of course.
I had a rumble 25. It was ok, dumped it for a Ampeg 110 v3 . Just for practice. Like ampeg better. Actually used one a couple of times at a very small gig w/o a drummer.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,445
- 4,403
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
The Rumble 25 is Fender's answer to the Ampeg BA-108 and both are very good amps. The Rumble 15 is cheaper and not much of an amp.
Of the two, I would go with an Ampeg BA-108 over the Rumble 25. If you go up to a 10" speaker, I'd pick the Rumble 40 over the BA-110, if for nothing else than the fact that it weighs half of what the Ampeg does.
Of the two, I would go with an Ampeg BA-108 over the Rumble 25. If you go up to a 10" speaker, I'd pick the Rumble 40 over the BA-110, if for nothing else than the fact that it weighs half of what the Ampeg does.
