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Double Bass What is the best amp under $500? Need some help.

T

The Bass Playa'

Mar 23, 2008
2
0
#1
So i'm restoring a Mid 50's Kay right now cause the high school school bass i use sucks. New ebony fingerboard, Fishman full circle pickups on the brand new maple bridge with Thomastik Superflexible strings.

Anyways i play in a jazz trio here in my city and plan on doing some coffee shop gigs. I'm kinda short on money and was wondering what you guys would recommend for a gig-worthy amp that would put out enough sound for a large coffee shop or slightly bigger event. Have any recommendations for an amp?
 
#3
Another option in that price range might be the Line 6 Studio 110. I am not sure how they would sound with (your) upright. Reviews in this forum are rare and mixed. But they carry them at Guitar Center, so depending on where you live, you could try before you buy.

I was impressed to learn that Will Lee and Randy Jackson both have one, presumably as their uber-convenient micro rig for slab.
 
#4
The Bass Playa' said:
...i play in a jazz trio here in my city and plan on doing some coffee shop gigs. I'm kinda short on money and was wondering what you guys would recommend for a gig-worthy amp that would put out enough sound for a large coffee shop or slightly bigger event. Have any recommendations for an amp?
Click to expand...

+1 on the GK combo amp suggestion, it's very light and easy to carry around. Not good for high-volume stuff but fine for coffee-shop-or-slightly-bigger.

Actually, for coffee shop gigs, you might wanna go unplugged. One less thing to carry around (but I don't know how loud your trio mates are)...
 
#6
+1 on Kevin's suggestion of a used GK 1 X 12 combo. I'd also suggest that you grab a used Fishman Platinum Pro EQ preamp, too. I got both a GK MB 200 and a Fishman preamp shipped for less than $500. Although you don't (absolutely)need the preamp with the GKs, I find that it helps a lot. Also, with the Fishman, you have the option to use a "house" amp, if availible and worthy, with your preamp as the (familiar) interface and leave your amp at home.

Also, if you don't love either or both of these pieces, you can sell them in no time and get much of what you paid for 'em back.
 
#7
Consider a new model Fender Bassman 100 - a small tiltback combo with a single 10" speaker and a variety of usefeul features. You can certainly find one brand new for less than $400. Mine sounds very good, only weighs 25 pounds, and can easily be positioned and angled for maximum effectiveness on a gig.

For about $100 cheaper you could try the aforementioned Line 6 Studio 110, the GK Backline 112, or the 50-watt Yorkville XM50. Each product represents different combinations of desirable features. These are all worth looking at and well within your budget. Good luck !
 
#8
I second the checking out the Fender bassman 100. When I was looking for a small (relatively) cheap amp for upright, it was the clear standout (for the money) at both guitar center and sam ash. I only use it occasionally. Sounds good with electric too, a sansamp helps. Of course this was before the markbass stuff hit the shelves. Oh yeah, it does sound better with a preamp for the impedance match with piezo pups. It is a good time to be a bass player, lots of solid gear to choose from.
 
#11
I have and use both the aforementioned amps........Gk mb112
and the lowdown 110.......they both will work.
If money is an issue ......go with the line 6 at $ 250. They work well with Electric bass also.
FYI ..You can not add a cabinet to the line 6

If you need to get loud ..........you may want to use a preamp.
I use an inexpensive behringer acoustic adi 21.
I use the amps in various situations ......soft trio to big band.
Happy Hunting...
 
#12
I'm just starting to work with a GK MB150 combo. They can be found for between $400 and $500 used. I also have an SWR WM12 combo, which can be found now for around $250...but weigh 50lbs

Between the 2, I prefer the sound of the GK...rounder tone and easier to carry.
 
#14
Here's another potential option from Crate. It has some interesting features, including DSP, 1/4" and XLR inputs, and a feedback eliminator of some type. The review was started by Monte, who I believe has big ears and high standards for tone.

I had to chuckle a little when I read Musicians Friend's blurb claiming it "delivers a thunderous 120W power ...". To their credit, Crate does not describe it as "thunderous" on their web site.
 
#15
This is really hard to answer. Having $500 to spend doesn't exactly place you in a tight bind with lean choices. As you look at all of the responses you'll see that there are plenty of options. For coffee shop playing, you won't need anything over 150W, and even 150W would be considered too large for those venues.

But for what it's worth, here's the angle I would take:

I would look for something that can give you a traditional vinage-like tone. Something with a shape switch or one that gives you a tube-like vibe. I think Crate has those modules.

Or what might work even better would be to get into a simple amplifier effects pedal product like maybe a Beheringer (there are others of course) hooked into a nice AMPEG. All I am talking about is a pedal that offers amplifier effects (Tube, Crunch, Clean, Jazz, etc..And nothing but amp effects) On the amp side of the equation, my personal feeling is that AMPEG is consistent with their products. They make some of the nicer clean solid state amps. You'll get some amp options with the effect, and going clean and simple on the amp might do the trick. I know you can get into both for under $500 and you'll probably still have a few extra bucks to spare for an amp stand, or cover, or strap, or... well, what ever you would do with spare change.

Have at it...Jazz
 
#16
Ladies & Gents,

I have to fully agree with the Low Down 110 by Line 6.

A $247 amp that sounds excellent and has excellent tonal variety.

It also has a FIRST CLASS sounding DI (xlr) output!

It sounds much fuller than the little Markbass or Phil Jones combos.

Many pro's are using it in the studio!
 
#17
Not trying to discourage anyone from sharing information, but just a clarification if I may. We are in the forum for upright bass. That's also pretty clear from all the info provided by the OP. Some amps work well for both upright and electric. Others not as well.

The Bass Playa', if you and your Kay are still out there, you may have to check the profiles of the people who posted to see if they play upright or not. For those of you that haven't filled in your profiles, you might want to take some time and fill them in. It helps a lot of us discern your background, likes and dislikes, ogle your gear list, etc.
 

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