Looking for a practice amp that is capable of handling low B on the 5 string jazz I recently acquired. Have been looking at the rumble30, like that it has dual inputs so my wife can plug in her keyboard too. Don't want anything larger or more powerful, just something to practice on that can handle the lower notes without sounding bad like my rumble15.
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small amp for low B
- Thread starter unclebass
- Start date
That single 10er might do ok for you at low volume, but the minute you add that keyboard it is prob gonna be a mess. Make her use the 15 
You want something that has an F3 around 60 Hz or lower.
This will give you good 1st harmonic (62 Hz) of the low B, but not much of the fundamental at 31 Hz.
If you are looking for a combo, I don't think you will find this.
Due to size (read: marketing concerns) the typical combo won't have much bottom end.
The Fender Rumbles are typical of this.
We use a Rumble 100 for an edrum machine, and it is completely gutless below 100 Hz.
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A practice amp can provide very deep and rich response yet remain practical, because it does not have to make a lot of noise.
If you feel like rolling your own, an Eminence Legend BP102-8 combined with an Alpha 6a, and passive 500 Hz crossover will give you a nicely matched 2-way.
This is suitable for both bass and keys.
The 10" box is 3.97 cubic feet, F3=32 Hz, so it is a bit on the large side.
About 32" x 20" x 13" or equivalent.
If you will accept slightly less bass extension, reduce the box to 2.7 cubic feet, to get an F3 around 36 Hz.
Either will give you very generous bass extension.
This will give you good 1st harmonic (62 Hz) of the low B, but not much of the fundamental at 31 Hz.
If you are looking for a combo, I don't think you will find this.
Due to size (read: marketing concerns) the typical combo won't have much bottom end.
The Fender Rumbles are typical of this.
We use a Rumble 100 for an edrum machine, and it is completely gutless below 100 Hz.
Link Removed
A practice amp can provide very deep and rich response yet remain practical, because it does not have to make a lot of noise.
If you feel like rolling your own, an Eminence Legend BP102-8 combined with an Alpha 6a, and passive 500 Hz crossover will give you a nicely matched 2-way.
This is suitable for both bass and keys.
The 10" box is 3.97 cubic feet, F3=32 Hz, so it is a bit on the large side.
About 32" x 20" x 13" or equivalent.
If you will accept slightly less bass extension, reduce the box to 2.7 cubic feet, to get an F3 around 36 Hz.
Either will give you very generous bass extension.
You will need to decide what constitutes 'handling' low B. Most practice amps will not reproduce low E. Some will reproduce the second harmonic, allowing the brain to fill in the fundamental. Not sure if that is 'handling' the low B or not. If it is then response to about 60Hz at practice levels is required. With keyboard accompaniment those practices will likely be fairly loud. A 15w (8-inch) amp is way short of handling low B and a 30w (10-inch) is not much better. You could replace the driver in the Rumble 30 with an Eminence Beta 10a and retune the cab for optimum performance. For a plug-n-play solution consider a GK MB112 or Ampeg BA112. The GK actually weighs less than the Rumble 30 and has a decent 12 inch driver and 200w amp. Cheaper amps will make some kind of sound in response to a low B, ranging from an outright fart to a sound that is at least somewhat musical. Best to try a few out, but I think you will find that the BA-112 and MB112 will meet your needs at relatively low cost. While you are trying amps out consider trying a big rig to hear what (2nd harmonic) low B should sound like - it will not likely bear much resemblance to the sound from the Rumble 15 or 30 (or most other entry level practice amps). Note that very few cabs are capable of reproducing low B with audible fundamental.
- Sep 9, 2007
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There ARE some small rehearsal amp options out there (I'd suggest the Phil Jones Bass Cub for your needs), but like many said, as soon as you throw a keyboard in there as well, you're really going to be pushing the capabilities of many amps of the wattage you're looking for.
If you live in the USA buy an American amp like the GK MB.
Or maybe a Carvin micro bass 110 or 210.
Or maybe a Carvin micro bass 110 or 210.
I'm not sure about the keyboard part of the equation but a Markbass Minimark sounds pretty amazing with my 5 string basses.
One that won't handle it. The Berringer 45 watt with a 10" speaker. I nearly blew the speaker when I plucked the B on my active Warwick. Vol was about 1/2 and I had the EQ flat.
confronted with the same problem, i tried a lot of amps before settling with the SWR LA 12.
The Low B just didn't sound satisfactory with anything smaller than a 12" speaker.
Plus, i quite like the design. The Amp is very clear and brings out the best (or worst) of your bass and your technique. When practising at home i often find flaws in my play that i don't hear when playing on the big rig. Never regretted buying it!
The Low B just didn't sound satisfactory with anything smaller than a 12" speaker.
Plus, i quite like the design. The Amp is very clear and brings out the best (or worst) of your bass and your technique. When practising at home i often find flaws in my play that i don't hear when playing on the big rig. Never regretted buying it!
I always thought a great gag photo would be four T48 bass horns + Tops, stacked in a V-Plate arrangement similar to Link Removed
...and driven by my Link Removed
This is a rig that EVERY sound man could hate, without reservation.
The Minx requires an 8 ohm load, so the problem is coming up with a 100 Hz passive crossover with a steep curve for the Tops.
The component price is beyond Max Stupidity, so all the above remains a pipe dream...
Depending on your budget, I would recommend the Acme Low B-1 plus the micro-head of your choice (Eden, Markbass, GK, etc). The Acme cabs handle the low B as well as anything I've heard, and their response extends well into the upper frequencies as well, so they work well with keyboards.
when you say, "Practice" do you mean just playing along with your wife, or in a band rehearsal setting?
Stick_Player
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- Nov 13, 2009
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+1
Acmes are very full range, as well as going accurately lower than just about anything else out there.
Acme B1 or B2.
Small can do low. They most likely will not be able to do it loud.
Look up Hoffman's Iron Law. Adapted by Theile Small there is not a single design that proves it wrong.
You want "small" and "low", you'll have to give up loudness.
Look up Hoffman's Iron Law. Adapted by Theile Small there is not a single design that proves it wrong.
You want "small" and "low", you'll have to give up loudness.
This is true, but there is a good balance.
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fEArful 12/6/1, fEARless F112, Bassic 12.
These are three very good, loud, low, and small cabs. All will handle a B string well.
