• 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.

Small combo for audible practice / travel

ChrisB2

ChrisB2

Bass... in your fass
Supporting Member
Feb 27, 2008
2,791
3,015
TalkBass > Off Topic
#1
Hey, I'm looking to add a small combo for practicing when I'm camping or on vacation. Something easy to pack that holds its own at low volume. I have a lot of gear up to 810 heritage cab, but lacking in this dept. I like the Ampeg sound, have a lot of their gear as well as mesa, fender, gk and others. Not looking at another rumble, I have two and it's not my sound. Want to plug in my phone and play along to songs on our setlist. Usually been using a headphone amp and phones, but the wife would like to hear the music.

I'm trying to decide between the Ampeg rocket bass 108 for $200 and the 110 for $300. They both have the basic features I need but the 110 has more control over the SGT channel which might be fun. It also has XLR which I do not need, I won't be gigging it. So basically a bigger speaker, more watts (that I probably don't need), and the SGT control...

Anyway, just looking for opinions on if I should spend the extra hundred. I've read several threads comparing the two, still undecided.... thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: KevInDaBassment and DJ Bebop
#6
I’d get the 108 for maximum portability. This is based on owning a Rumble 25 and Ampeg BA 108, and demoing the RB108. I find those little 8” amps are plenty for playing alone, and put out a pretty pleasing tone imho. Heck, I’ve taken them to various jams and they’re enough for most low volume jams short of a full drum kit. (Cajon, bluegrass, low volume electric guitars, etc.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJan3 and DJ Bebop
#8
The use cases of camping or on vacation scream for headphones. No faster way to piss others off than firing up a bass amp and rocking out. Most hotels aren't suitable for amplified practice. Camping is kinda a crap shoot of if you're going to annoying your fellow campers to the point of conflict. Get another set of headphones for the wife. ;) problem solved, and no one is annoyed with you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bakageta, stefanos80, bignc and 7 others
#9
I'm generally not much of an Ampeg fan but I was really impressed with the the 8 and 10 when I demoed them in my local music shop. If your only use is travel, then the 8 should be fine. The only advantage I can see for the 10 is if you need something that might be able to handle coffee shop-size gigs, but it sounds like you're well covered with gig amps.
 
#10
Traynor SB106...6"combo @ 100 watts on it own and plnety loud for its size and your purpose..has an AUX in for your phones music...plug in an external speaker and the internal speaker is cut off and you get a 200 watt amp head..the head is basically the same as their 200 watt SB200h head..so you can add 1@ 4 ohm or 2@8ohm speakers for 200 watts...built like a tank, Made in Canada, 2 year warranty, 15lbs, 9"x9.5"x12.5" compact size.

SB106 – Traynor Amps

looks cool too

bass-sb106-front.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: InhumanResource, burgerdj and Murch
#11
ChrisB2 said:
Hey, I'm looking to add a small combo for practicing when I'm camping or on vacation. Something easy to pack that holds its own at low volume. I have a lot of gear up to 810 heritage cab, but lacking in this dept. I like the Ampeg sound, have a lot of their gear as well as mesa, fender, gk and others. Not looking at another rumble, I have two and it's not my sound. Want to plug in my phone and play along to songs on our setlist. Usually been using a headphone amp and phones, but the wife would like to hear the music.

I'm trying to decide between the Ampeg rocket bass 108 for $200 and the 110 for $300. They both have the basic features I need but the 110 has more control over the SGT channel which might be fun. It also has XLR which I do not need, I won't be gigging it. So basically a bigger speaker, more watts (that I probably don't need), and the SGT control...

Anyway, just looking for opinions on if I should spend the extra hundred. I've read several threads comparing the two, still undecided.... thanks
Click to expand...

I played through one of these last week, not expecting much, and was very surprised. It’s a little higher priced, but it also has a little more juice. Oh, it’s also 32 pounds….

Peavey MAX 208 2x8" 200-watt Bass Combo Amp
 
#12
For quiet practice and play along?
Roland bass micro cube rx for me. I have the old one with 4 speakers.
the new ones have 2 larger speakers.

They run on ac power or AA batteries, have effects for fun, drum patterns to play with, aux in, headphone out.

Mine has a microphone in setting as well as reverb so you can use it for impromptu karaoke with your phone if you find that stuff entertaining.

I wish it had Bluetooth, but other than that, it’s a terrific little practice amp. I love mine.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: pcake, murmur70, Murch and 1 other person
#13
JBL Partybox is what I use.
It works really well.
It's not a true bass amp (so its probably neutral in tone) just a Bluetooth speaker with 210s or bigger and 100 watts in the small version and up to 500(?) in the bigger one.
Plays music from your devices, and you can play bass at the same time. Has flashing disco lights too.. woohoo!! that can be turned off or adjusted to your like...
Has bass boost (2 levels of) too.
Also has microphone capabilities and is loud enough to annoy neighbouring campers...
Both guitar and mic come with their own gain controls.
 
#14
When you mention camping that pretty much rules out anything that isn't battery powered.

I've used a Roland Cube Street for quite a few years and it does OK. Enough volume to jam with a couple of guitars, vocals and cajon and doubles as a very decent speaker for playing music via an Aux cord.
Is it great as a bass amp????
Not really.
Is it good enough to be able to jam in the great outdoors with some acoustic instruments and vocalists?
You betcha!

The Cube Street EX has a bit more grunt and is physically bigger which might be a negative or positive depending on whether size is a factor.
The new Dual Cube Bass LX is probably the best for bass.
I'm sure there are other battery powered options out there which I have no experience of.

If I'm flying somewhere and want to take my travel bass I'll take my Blackstar Fly 3. It's good enough for solo practice and will be just enough....maybe.... jamming with a quieter acoustic guitar.

gstaats said:
The use cases of camping or on vacation scream for headphones. No faster way to piss others off than firing up a bass amp and rocking out. Most hotels aren't suitable for amplified practice. Camping is kinda a crap shoot of if you're going to annoying your fellow campers to the point of conflict. Get another set of headphones for the wife. ;) problem solved, and no one is annoyed with you.
Click to expand...

I've never had an issue playing through my Cube Street when camping or in a hotel room.
At campsites, a jam with guitars and vocalists has always resulted in other campers (if any) enjoying some live music. In hotel rooms it can be kept at a volume that is no more annoying than a TV.

In saying that, if you don't have much common sense and/or common courtesy and haven't worked out that a volume knob goes both ways you're probably the kind of person who is able to piss people off without even owning a bass and battery powered amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bakageta and Murch
#15
Usually if I have to turn down to the loudness of an average TV, I might as well practice with a good set of cans or IEMs. Just my opinion. I think folks often forget how well bass travels through a structure, especially once a good resonant frequency is hit. I tried a roland cube out at guitar center....... and am glad I have my cans.

As far as camping, I personally find it annoying to not be surrounded by the sounds of nature (I only do primitive camping). Music, instruments and loud cell phones are annoying. If I wanted to listen to live music, I'd go to an open mic or a music venue that night. If I wanted to make music, I'd go to an open mic or practice on my own/play with the band. Or to do both, go to a music festival with camping... :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Murch and Guitalia
#16
edencab said:
Traynor SB106...6"combo @ 100 watts on it own and plnety loud for its size and your purpose..has an AUX in for your phones music...plug in an external speaker and the internal speaker is cut off and you get a 200 watt amp head..the head is basically the same as their 200 watt SB200h head..so you can add 1@ 4 ohm or 2@8ohm speakers for 200 watts...built like a tank, Made in Canada, 2 year warranty, 15lbs, 9"x9.5"x12.5" compact size.

SB106 – Traynor Amps

looks cool too

View attachment 5134950
Click to expand...
Bang for buck no compact 100w combo touches the Traynor SB106. I think it sounds good with the electric bass as is but if you feel you need it to be more Ampeg-like throw something like a Broughton SV-Pre or Barber Linden in front of it.

I like and use a Phil Jones PB200 head/C2 cab which fits the bill size-wise but isn't what I'd describe as the "Ampeg sound". I use it mostly as a clean double bass amp and it's great for that purpose. It's also my home practice amp often with a Basswitch Sonic Spark in front of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: edencab
#17
ChrisB2 said:
Hey, I'm looking to add a small combo for practicing when I'm camping or on vacation. Something easy to pack that holds its own at low volume. I have a lot of gear up to 810 heritage cab, but lacking in this dept. I like the Ampeg sound, have a lot of their gear as well as mesa, fender, gk and others. Not looking at another rumble, I have two and it's not my sound. Want to plug in my phone and play along to songs on our setlist. Usually been using a headphone amp and phones, but the wife would like to hear the music.

I'm trying to decide between the Ampeg rocket bass 108 for $200 and the 110 for $300. They both have the basic features I need but the 110 has more control over the SGT channel which might be fun. It also has XLR which I do not need, I won't be gigging it. So basically a bigger speaker, more watts (that I probably don't need), and the SGT control...

Anyway, just looking for opinions on if I should spend the extra hundred. I've read several threads comparing the two, still undecided.... thanks
Click to expand...
What does it need to hold its own against. What does the sound matter, if it's only for practising?
 
  • Like
Reactions: StatesideRambler, Mvf, friskinator and 1 other person
#19
I use my Vox Amplug (headphone amp) for these types of situations. Sounds great on headphones and since it’s battery powered you can use it anywhere. But a trick is you can also plug it into a Bluetooth speaker (using 1/8 aux cable instead of headphones). Because it’s an amp simulator it sounds surprising good through just about any Bluetooth speaker I’ve tried.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bakageta, Fretless55, CalBuzz51 and 1 other person
#20
I had the Phil Jones Double Four and was not happy with its lack of character. I sold it and tried the Fender Rumble 40, Rumble Stage 40 and the Ampeg RB 108. For low volume playing at home, I liked neither of them and returned them all. They were too big as well for my use case.

Then I got the Markbass Micromark 801, totally love the sound and minimal controls. In my opinion, it is the best small combo out there.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: brandau, Marko 1, BassFiesta and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back