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Should I Upgrade?

H

Hypnotaize

Guest
Apr 10, 2014
285
56
#1
I'm currently playing on the Peavey Microbass Amp that came in the beginner set, along with my Bronco. It gets the job done. I can hear my bass just fine, and it doesn't crackle, especially since I never have the volume up too high (small, shaky house and family . . . Gotta love 'em), but I'm in the progress of saving up to upgrade my music equipment (new acoustic guitar, new bass, new electric guitar, just got a new electric amp) and I was wondering if I should bother upgrading the bass amp. It'd be really good if I could get one with a decent headphone jack (preferably so I don't have to buy an adapter. I love the MicroCube by Roland, but that's for guitar). If I should upgrade, what to? I know next to nothing about actual gear.
Some stuff you might want to know for amp recommendations:
  • GENRE: I like to play a bit of everything, but for the most part, it's punk and alt-rock.
  • BUDGET: $1,000 is my limit, but I'd really prefer it be around $700 at most.
  • SIZE: I'm not performing or anything. I just need something good to practice with, something that'll do great for band rehearsals. Nothing massive. I like the size of the Microbass. My room isn't big and I need to be able to move it around for rehearsals. I keep my Micro under my desk.
 
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#2
That is a 1x8 20 watt amp, isn't it? Fine for practicing alone but if you're going to play with other amplified instruments or a drummer, you're going to have to upgrade.

It sounds like you have the right idea--look at all your musical equipment and think about your musical priorities. Then decide on a strategy to upgrade. That makes more sense than just buying stuff without a plan. You also have a decent budget to work with.

If you're intending to play with other people, then an amp would be a top priority. Lots of choices in your price range. If it were me I'd be looking to upgrade that bass too. You could do both for under $1000.

Either way, keep the Peavey.
 
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#5
If you're just using it to practice, look at buying a head as it saves so much space. Something like the TC BH250 is tiny and has a headphone jack, and if you find you do need a speaker, just get a cab to go with it. Together they shouldn't cost more than £600 depending on brands.
 
#6
Robus said:
That is a 1x8 20 watt amp, isn't it? Fine for practicing alone but if you're going to play with other amplified instruments or a drummer, you're going to have to upgrade.

It sounds like you have the right idea--look at all your musical equipment and think about your musical priorities. Then decide on a strategy to upgrade. That makes more sense than just buying stuff without a plan. You also have a decent budget to work with.

If you're intending to play with other people, then an amp would be a top priority. Lots of choices in your price range. If it were me I'd be looking to upgrade that bass too. You could do both for under $1000.

Either way, keep the Peavey.
Click to expand...
I have been playing with other people, but our drummer hasn't had a kit (he's played on the one at school, so it's not too new to him), and he's finally getting one. Are there any cheapish amps you could recommend?

And yeah, I'm saving up for a new bass. Hoping for either a Rickenbacker 4001 or a Squire PJ.
 

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