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Recommended bass amps
- Thread starter Michael Kennedy
- Start date
seriously what kind of venues do you play?
There can be only one!
Seriously, give us a little hint - how much power do you need? Is weight a factor? Can't really help with such a vague open-ended question.
Seriously, give us a little hint - how much power do you need? Is weight a factor? Can't really help with such a vague open-ended question.
Ok, I'd normally suggest something like the Trace Elliot ELF 2x8, but it's only 200w.
300 watts for home practice. That's quite the home.
I would like to option to take it out and gig.
Budget limit?
www.grbass.com
This is 800W (with external cab) and weights 9 Kg - 19.8 lbs, but it's pricey
AT Cube 350/500/800 – GRBass
www.grbass.com
This is 800W (with external cab) and weights 9 Kg - 19.8 lbs, but it's pricey
The good ole Fender Rumble 500. Without an external cab, it's more like 250-300 Watts, aux in, headphone out, affordable, light, and sounds decent.
I don't want to send more than 1500Budget limit?
AT Cube 350/500/800 – GRBass
This is 800W (with external cab) and weights 9 Kg - 19.8 lbs, but it's pricey
View attachment 6974088
If you want to play out, bite the bullet and get a Mesa D800 with at least a 1x12 Subway cab, or 2x12 (or 2 1x12's, so you can size the rig to the gig) and you can play pretyy much anywhere. if that doesn't cover it, you'd need PA support anyway. The fact that it's overpowered for home use is irrelevant, that's why it has a volumne knob.
Am watching this thread with interest as I am seeking a similarly-speced combo amp. (hatchback-sized, reasonable weight, 300-ishW, suitably DI ready for gigs)
Presently getting by nicely with 2 combos: a 200W Carvin MB-210 and a 1992 150W Ampeg B-1.
Interested to hear what's newly recommended.
Presently getting by nicely with 2 combos: a 200W Carvin MB-210 and a 1992 150W Ampeg B-1.
Interested to hear what's newly recommended.
What country are you in? What currency are you using?
What kind of music do you play?
What kind of venues do you expect to gig in? A cafe where you accompany a piano playing quietly? A nightclub where the whole audience has to hear your amp over drums and guitar? A theater where you'll be supported by a decent PA?
Without knowing these answers, any suggestion is as good as pure randomness.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
This is the most realistic answer I’ve seen so far. A simple, straightforward workhorse amp that can handle small/medium sized gigs and doesn’t cost a lot.
OP: There’s always the used market, too. You can get a lot more for your money buying used as long as you get it from a reliable source that will offer you a return.
As far as recommending a specific amp goes, there are so many choices and personal preferences play into it so much all I can say is that the above suggestion of a Rumble is as good a suggestion as any. It’s a decent amp that can work in a lot of situations so it’s safe.
I think I remember reading Pliny the Elder say, "Amateurs buy an SVT or a B-15. Pros know they need the Choad Hammer"There can be only one!
Seriously, give us a little hint - how much power do you need? Is weight a factor? Can't really help with such a vague open-ended question.
Actually the Fender Rumble 500 combo is a solid 350 watts continuous alone. It becomes 500 watts with an 8 ohm extension cab.
It should be less than half your budget and weighs just 36.5 lb.s (16.5 kg). Mine's 10 years old now and been a great workhorse the whole time.
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