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Starter bass combo

P

porrohman

Sep 19, 2025
5
18
#1
Hi all
I am a 67 year old and have had a stroke. To help me with my recovery I have purchased a ibanez mikro which is about as much as my arm movements will allow me to hold, I am using a vox plug in headphone amp which is getting me by. I will be looking to buy an amp which will probably be my first and last I have a shortlist of what I can afford they are,
Fender rumble 25
Ampeg rocket 30
Warwick BC 40
Orange crush 25
I would appreciate some thoughts on what you think or anything else in the same price bracket
Regards to you all
 
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#2
Music is great fun and also provides superb brain stimulation. Be patient and enjoy the ride. From your choices above I would avoid the Orange (they look cool but offer nothing over the others and tend to be heavier and pricier for what you get). The Fender will be the lightest and that's where I'd go. That said, a used Rumble 40 will sound a LOT better than the 25 for similar cash.
 
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#3
Porrohman,

Sorry to hear you've had health issues and I hope your making great progress on your recovery.

+1 with lomo's recommendations for the Fender Rumble 40 with it's 10" driver. It'd be afew dollars more but a much better sounding small and lite weight combo.

The only thing I'd add, is there anyway possible for your going to a local brick and mortar music store (Guitar Center for instance) and playing through several different manufacturers small combos to hear for yourself?

Most Guitar Centers will usually have a Fender Rumble 40, a Ampeg Rocket Bass RB110 and a G.C. Acoustic B50 combos available for you to audition.

Pick the one that sounds best to your ears.
 
Last edited:
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#7
shoot-r said:
The only thing I'd add, is there anyway possible for your going to a local brick and mortar music store (Guitar Center for instance) and playing through several different manufacturers small combos to hear for yourself?
Click to expand...
OP: Bring your Mikro when you do this. As long as you flag down a clerk when you enter the store to let them know you brought it in, there should be no hassle if you try out amps with it.
 
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#8
porrohman said:
Hi all
I am a 67 year old and have had a stroke. To help me with my recovery I have purchased a ibanez mikro which is about as much as my arm movements will allow me to hold, I am using a vox plug in headphone amp which is getting me by. I will be looking to buy an amp which will probably be my first and last I have a shortlist of what I can afford they are,
Fender rumble 25
Ampeg rocket 30
Warwick BC 40
Orange crush 25
I would appreciate some thoughts on what you think or anything else in the same price bracket
Regards to you all
Click to expand...
Any of those will be fine amplifiers and serve you well. The differences will really be in how they sound, they all have different character. Maybe pull up some YouTube videos and give a listen to see if you have a favorite!
 
#12
porrohman said:
Hi all
I am a 67 year old and have had a stroke. To help me with my recovery I have purchased a ibanez mikro which is about as much as my arm movements will allow me to hold, I am using a vox plug in headphone amp which is getting me by. I will be looking to buy an amp which will probably be my first and last I have a shortlist of what I can afford they are,
Fender rumble 25
Ampeg rocket 30
Warwick BC 40
Orange crush 25
I would appreciate some thoughts on what you think or anything else in the same price bracket
Regards to you all
Click to expand...

Three weeks ago I got the 50w Ampeg RB-110 and am delighted with the sound. It's physically bigger than expected and I can't really set the volume past nine where I live, so I think I'd probably be at least as happy with that 30w RB-108 that you're considering.

I think the Orange Crush 25 also sounds good for rock, and the built-in tuner is a nice touch -- but it's weird that the amp doesn't mute when you engage the tuner.
 
#16
Well, first, I hope you are well on the way to a complete and speedy recovery.

Next question is more on topic. Are you going to be playing with other people in the future? If the answer is no, then, you don't need a practice amp. I have everything I need in a practice set up in a good pair of headphones, a Korg Pandora, and an iPad. Dead silent except for string noise, I can use effects (or not), and jam along to any tune on YT. Lot smaller of a footprint as well, lol.

If you are planning on jamming with other people, save the money you would use for a practice amp, and when you are ready, get a nice "playing out" amp set up.

Personally, and I know it's only my opinion, I'd go with a nice multieffect unit, a good set of cans, and blast happily away until you are ready to hit the stage.
 
#17
porrohman said:
Hi all
I am a 67 year old and have had a stroke. To help me with my recovery I have purchased a ibanez mikro which is about as much as my arm movements will allow me to hold, I am using a vox plug in headphone amp which is getting me by. I will be looking to buy an amp which will probably be my first and last I have a shortlist of whttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m21sf3Yq_5Qhat I can afford they are,
Fender rumble 25
Ampeg rocket 30
Warwick BC 40
Orange crush 25
I would appreciate some thoughts on what you think or anything else in the same price bracket
Regards to you all
Click to expand...
Sir, I recommend Joyo BA30 .

 
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#18
Wish you the best! I had a pretty bad stroke a few decades ago and that's the point I switched from guitar to bass and never looked back! It's been a huge help with rehabbing the nerve damage in my left hand and today it's 85% of the way back to normal.

That being said, don't sleep on the used market. You might be able to get a bit more for your money on CL or facebook marketplace. I'm partial to ampeg myself and used one of the older BA210 models. That might be a bit above your stated price range but you might find a BA110 or BA112 for a steal used!
 

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