Upgrade My Amps

[tyohars]

So, my Laney LX10B finally at his limit, he broke off. I think it'll be waste to buy something similar and decided to upgrade. I have budget around $200 and what available here is this:

1. Orange Crush 25BX
2. Marshall MB-15
3. Fender Rumble 25 or 40
4. Ampeg 108
5. Hartke HD50

FYI, I have 2 bass, Sire V7 and Fender Precision MIJ. I need amp that can support both active and passive. And I'm only use it to practice (in my country, main transportation is motorcycle, so we use everything they give until made it). So, what your opinion for each?

 

[Raw N Low]

I think you will get similar results with anyone of these rigs. In the price range, I would give the slight edge to the rumble series.

 

[Jim C]

Save up for a Rumble 100.
I bought it as a goof for a practice amp and it is really very good.

 

[dagrev]

I've owned the Rumble 40 and Ampeg 110. The Fender had more features and EQ options, but the Ampeg just sounded way better to me (good little keyboard amp as well). The Fender started acting up and the (useless) distortion feature stopped working. I knew a kid who wanted an amp and....I kept the Ampeg. But that's just a personal preference. Do try to find some to play through if at all possible.

 

[tyohars]

I think you will get similar results with anyone of these rigs. In the price range, I would give the slight edge to the rumble series.

Thanks, I'll try both then

Save up for a Rumble 100.
I bought it as a goof for a practice amp and it is really very good.

Rumble 100 is too much for my need right now from price point. I need some saving because I'm getting married next year

I've owned the Rumble 40 and Ampeg 110. The Fender had more features and EQ options, but the Ampeg just sounded way better to me (good little keyboard amp as well). The Fender started acting up and the (useless) distortion feature stopped working. I knew a kid who wanted an amp and....I kept the Ampeg. But that's just a personal preference. Do try to find some to play through if at all possible.

Really? And the ampeg 110 cheaper here

 

[Linnin]

Fender Rumble 40 all the way! It is the best sounding of all the combos you have listed and also the lightest which is especially important for motorcycle transport. Rumbles have a well earned reputation for rugged reliability.

 

[tyohars]

Fender Rumble 40 all the way! It is the best sounding of all the combos you have listed and also the lightest which is especially important for motorcycle transport. Rumbles have a well earned reputation for rugged reliability.

I obviously will try it too. I have a friend at that music store and will try every one of them lol

 

[dagrev]

Thanks, I'll try both then

Really? And the ampeg 110 cheaper here

Good amp if you like that Ampeg sound. Terrible if you don't care for it. Same goes for the Fender. It's all personal preference. Linnin is right on about the weight. The Fender is much lighter and that may be a deciding factor for you. It's amazingly light and more EQ options, if you want/need them. The Ampeg is heavier--and just feels better built. In my case it actually was. But anyone can get a bad anything. You really need to try them out.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Also depends on what kind of music you're gonna play out of the amp. Hartley amps have a modern, bright tone to them, where the Fenders and Ampegs have a baked-in sound of their own.

I'd probably out the BA-110 v2 ($179) ahead of the 108, though the little guy is surprisingly nice sounding. Either the BA-110 v2 or the Rumble 40 v3; just let your ears do the deciding.

 

[JakobT]

I had an Ampeg BA 108, but ditched it for a Rumble 40. The Ampeg sounded OK, but the build quality was so-so, and when it cut out on me after a year, that was it. Plus it was heavy. If you go for a Rumble, go for the 40, rather than the 25. Great tone, loud, and silly light.