Practice Amps?

[iplaymetal]

So I'm going off to college here in a few months and want to continue bass. However, I don't think the few hundred watt amp would go over well in the dorms, so I must think about a combo amp that's preferably under 25 watts. I am finding myself really limited on the number of amps available at this wattage (once you eliminate the amps that rattle and pop their way to the trash).

I'm really not looking for the entry level practice amp that sports a "My first amp" sticker on it. I want something of decent quality, for low volumes but good tone . Toying with the idea of just a good pair of headphones, but at the moment I'm leaning towards a good little combo amp.

Guitar players have it easy, there's a million and a half little 5watt tube amps out there... Anyway, I love a great clean sound so my Warwick Corvette 5-er shines, suggestions?

Thanks guys!

 

[lowfunk99]

I have a GB Shuttle 3.0-8 and it rocks....

Great tone!

 

[CL400Peavey]

I would find a cheap 2 or 4 channel mixer with a tape/cd in, and head phone out. Pair that with your choice of pre amp and some decent head phones. Silent practice set up that you can play with music.

 

[pmchenry]

I would find a cheap 2 or 4 channel mixer with a tape/cd in, and head phone out. Pair that with your choice of pre amp and some decent head phones. Silent practice set up that you can play with music.

^^^ This. It's a very flexible setup because it gives you the option of plugging into headphones or a powered speaker to listen, as well as makes recording a snap if you decide you want to do that. Sansamp or actual preamp would work equally well.

 

[Wesley R]

Currently I am using a DJ mixer, and head phones. Works well in the apartment. Very inexpensive, many inputs, graphics, etc.

That is what I am stuck with until I get a new decent bass and get my room set up.

 

[macheted01]

I dont know what your budget is and this is more than 25 watts, but the Line 6 Studio 10 is pretty awsome. Pretty small amp and if you decided to, would be able to jam with others. It also has a mp3 line in and headphone out. You could score one on ebay pretty reasonable.

 

[SBassman]

If you are low are funds there are other alternatives, but if you can swing it - GK MB112. Small, light, compact - and it sounds great.

 

[Coreyasl]

I got the Roland Micro Cube.

Invalid Link Removed

Very small and compact. Can be run on batteries. Has an input for your mp3's and headphone jack for absolute quiet time. Several effects, tuner, and simple rhythm machine.

It fits in the box on the back of my motorcycle too. =

 

[pastorjamesc]

Look up the Bronco 40 by fender. It's like the cube. Can be programmed to emulate other amps and effects pedals and racks. Computer controllable/record-able, headphones, etc.

 

[tsverrir]

I dont know what your budget is and this is more than 25 watts, but the Line 6 Studio 10 is pretty awsome. Pretty small amp and if you decided to, would be able to jam with others. It also has a mp3 line in and headphone out. You could score one on ebay pretty reasonable.

+1. This is a very good sounding practice amp, and reasonably sized.
It also does well for small (like bookstore, café) gigs.

 

[macheted01]

Here ya go.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Line-6-Lowd...318?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a76ab908e
Link Removed

 

[kraigo]

I've been totally in love with my Fender RAD Bass amp for almost 20 years now. It's also been known as the BXR-25 and some "Rumble" name or another, probably a few other names over its life cycle. Fender has been making them for a LONG time and for good reason. They're awesome. Mine's done a fair number of acoustic gigs with me as well.

KO

 

[Gaius46]

I have a GB Shuttle 3.0-8 and it rocks....

Great tone!

This. I have a 3.0-8 that I use for home practice. The 3.0 head has a headphones out for when I'm practicing at zero dark thirty and don't want to wake the house.

Mated with a 1x12 or a 4x10 the head meets all my current (non PA re-inforced) gigging requirements which go up to good sized - 200 people - clubs and bars.

 

[esa372]

Fender Bassman 25:

25 Watts @ 8 Ohms
1 x 10 in., 8 Ohm Eminence driver
Active and passive inputs
EFX loop
Headphone jack
RCA inputs jacks for CD players, etc.
Aux. Level control
Line out
External speaker out (8 Ohm)
Tuner out jack
Tuner mute switch with indicator
Volume, bass (80Hz), mid (1.5kHz), treble (8kHz)
Enhance switch
Wedge cabinet design

Great little amp.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Fender Bassman 25:

25 Watts @ 8 Ohms
1 x 10 in., 8 Ohm Eminence driver
Active and passive inputs
EFX loop
Headphone jack
RCA inputs jacks for CD players, etc.
Aux. Level control
Line out
External speaker out (8 Ohm)
Tuner out jack
Tuner mute switch with indicator
Volume, bass (80Hz), mid (1.5kHz), treble (8kHz)
Enhance switch
Wedge cabinet design

Great little amp.

I have one of these and use it for practice all the time. Great tone, great price, plenty loud for practice.

 

[iplaymetal]

Thanks for the feedback guys I just started GASing for the GK and GB stuff. Those few hundred watt amps are too big for this job, and I must avert my eyes before I trade in my car for gear

 

[moten33]

I use an Ampef BA-108 at home. Good tone for an amp that size, 25 watts, and $99. It also has input jacks for an iPod and a line out which comes in handy when running to a PA if the emergency need ever arises.