small/practice amp with nice sound

[bos_mindwarp]

I wonder what amps out there are suitable to bedroom practice that have nice sound. I have a behringer thunderbird which is ok, but sounds like cardboard.

Preferable with headphone out and decent controls.

So if you know of something above the average 30W Peavey, post here plz

 

[Chef]

Old School:
SWR Baby Blue 2x8 combo. You see them on ebay sometimes still. They still make a baby blue combo, but it's 1x10 now...

 

[Juniorkimbrough]

I have an Ampeg BA112 which I really like.

 

[CaM90]

Fender Rumble 100
SWR LA15

 

[MJ5150]

Are headphones an option?

I like the headphone amp I got. The Pocket Rocket is nice. The Cafe Walter HP-1 rules them all, to me at least.

-Mike

 

[tplyons]

Sounds like a Vox T-60 is up your alley. 60W through a 12" driver, vintage vibe, great tone, Bassilator circuit to really make things rumble, headphone out and can be used with an external 4ohm speaker.

 

[Dr. PhunkyPants]

Ampeg B-50R Rocket Bass Combo--12" combo, 50w, very simple, discontinued, won BP's Combo Shootout.

SWR Workingman's 12. 12", more wattage, look for the older ones, but most are good.

Raven Labs PHA-1. Headphone amp/preamp. Amazing sound, must find used.

Peavey Microbass. Cheap, 8" speaker, 20 watts. Surprisingly nice tone...great for bedroom.

Fender Bassman 25. Lots of features, good sound, pretty cheap.

Ampeg B-100. 15" combo..a little heavier, but small-gigable.

I'd think any of these would serve you well.

 

[tombowlus]

My Phil Jones Briefcase makes for a fantastic practice amp, but at $600, it's on the pricey side to be sure (though fairly priced for what it is, IMHO).

On the more affordable end, I have an old Fender RAD Bass, and from a tonal prespective, it keeps up with some of my much more expensive rigs. It just doesn't get very loud. I believe that the Fender Bassman 25 (or something like that) is functionally the same as the RAD Bass.

Tom.

 

[Mcrelly]

yorkville 50w 10" combo

 

[Mottlefeeder]

Hartke B30 - paper coned, 30 watts into 10 inch speaker. nice tone.

 

[bass_drum]

Well I've played through to vox that tplyons is talking about, and I own and b60. Both are great, but Id say that the hartke b60 sounds better, imo.

 

[Son of Bovril]

+1 for the Fender Rumble series - very good value for money IMO

 

[dooft11]

i will vote for my Phil Jones Bass buddy, which you can use with or with out speaker..

 

[Reefer]

Old School:
SWR Baby Blue 2x8 combo. You see them on ebay sometimes still. They still make a baby blue combo, but it's 1x10 now...

I've had both the 2x8" and the newer 1x10" SWR Baby Baby Blue and I prefer the 10" version. Incredible tone! Much more portable. It sounds like a small Demeter rig.

 

[bos_mindwarp]

I checked Cafe Walker site and some of the reviews, it looks nice except for the fact that it eats batteries (2x9V) which I don't like. I don't plan on practicing on airplane or anything.

Otherwise some great suggestions in here, time to hit the stores I'd say

 

[Bongolation]

I have an Ampeg BA112 which I really like.

It is a really superb little unit. Overpriced, yes, and unfortunately overshadowed by the BA-115 which is only $100 more MSRP and a whole lot more amp. It may a heretical thing to say, but I actually prefer the BA-112's sound to that of my B-100R. Workmanship and QC are a lot better now that Ampeg has its Yellville facility separate from the SLM/Crate factory.

Here's what I had to say about the BA-112 on another forum (includes picture).

 

[HMZ]

I just picked up a GK backline 112 (1x12 100 watts at 8ohms) combo amp.I was really surprised this little amp has a lot of bang for the buck. Nice deep punchy sound small size about 50lbs. The amp will also tilt back like a monitor.

 

[notrt]

You spoke of a bedroom sized practice amp, so I expecdt you do not need a whole lot of power---got to keep the peace, right?

Find yourself a Fender BXR 25. It'll be the end of your problems, sound absolutely wonderful, not cost a fortune. They sound more than decent for 5'ers and 6'ers, too...

RC a/k/a "notrt"

 

[tombowlus]

Find yourself a Fender BXR 25. It'll be the end of your problems, sound absolutely wonderful, not cost a fortune.

That's the one I was thinking of which is the same amp, with slightly different cosmetic touches, as the RAD Bass combo. Great practice amp!

Tom.

 

[goloa]

+1 phill jones briefcase , i've seen people play outdoor koncerts with them , and the sound was amazing