What would you recommend?

[AshDrawsify]

Hey there,so I was wondering what amp you guys would recommend. I mainly will use it to practice. Also I have been looking at a certain amp it is the Vox Pathfinder 10W,and I want to know if anyone has any experience with it. I'm really a noob when it comes to amps.
Here is the link to the amp I mentioned. [This invalid link has been removed]

 

[B-string]

You said "mainly practice"? 10W will barely make practice level. If you plan on jamming with an acoustic guitar or electric guitar or with a drummer also involved will clue us into just how much amp power and speaker area you will need.

 

[AshDrawsify]

You said "mainly practice"? 10W will barely make practice level. If you plan on jamming with an acoustic guitar or electric guitar or with a drummer also involved will clue us into just how much amp power and speaker area you will need.

Well there might be occasions when I might play with a guitarist. So yeah I'm sorry I didn't make it clear in the first post.

 

[B-string]

Figure on amp power from 40 watts at the least into a 10" speaker to 100 watts (better). That Vox would work for personal practice only, an acoustic guitar would drown you out.

Bass guitar takes power and speaker area to be heard. Guitarist don't need much of either as our ears are much more sensitive to the high sounds from them.

 

[basscooker]

^ that.
Where are you located (States, Up North, Europe, Down Under, etc...)? that will help us with suggestions, too.

 

[AshDrawsify]

Alright so what amp would you recommend. I live in Colorado.

 

[basscooker]

Well depending on your budget, and how new you are, I think most folks would agree with me that you might want to shop used. You'll get two to three times further with your money that way, and if you decide bass isn't for you (IDK HOW new you are to it) you won't get slammed with the huge loss you take selling something you paid for new and barely played.
That said, if heavy or big isn't a problem, you can pick up used peavey combo amps really inexpensively. Lately the Ampeg and GK combos get lots of love, too. The Guitar Center brand Acoustic has some decent offerings in the inexpensive range, as well as Kustom. The 1x15 combos will have the oomph to get you through playing with other musicians. The smaller ones like the microbass and minx (peavey), the ba1x10 and 1x12 (Acoustic and ampeg) and backline 1x10 and 1x12 (gk) might do you well, but hit limits with some drummers. Like B said, I would shy away from less than 40 watts and smaller than a 10" speaker. If you KNOW it's only for you, at home, and not going to be used for playing with anyone else, almost anything in an amp will do, but look for headphone output and cd/mp3 input.
It seems a bit intimidating at first, but you'll figure it out. Play stuff. Don't be tempted to crank the low end on the eq, and don't be scared of turning up the midrange. Most of all, practice, practice, practice, and HAVE FUN!

 

[AshDrawsify]

Well depending on your budget, and how new you are, I think most folks would agree with me that you might want to shop used. You'll get two to three times further with your money that way, and if you decide bass isn't for you (IDK HOW new you are to it) you won't get slammed with the huge loss you take selling something you paid for new and barely played.
That said, if heavy or big isn't a problem, you can pick up used peavey combo amps really inexpensively. Lately the Ampeg and GK combos get lots of love, too. The Guitar Center brand Acoustic has some decent offerings in the inexpensive range, as well as Kustom. The 1x15 combos will have the oomph to get you through playing with other musicians. The smaller ones like the microbass and minx (peavey), the ba1x10 and 1x12 (Acoustic and ampeg) and backline 1x10 and 1x12 (gk) might do you well, but hit limits with some drummers. Like B said, I would shy away from less than 40 watts and smaller than a 10" speaker. If you KNOW it's only for you, at home, and not going to be used for playing with anyone else, almost anything in an amp will do, but look for headphone output and cd/mp3 input.
It seems a bit intimidating at first, but you'll figure it out. Play stuff. Don't be tempted to crank the low end on the eq, and don't be scared of turning up the midrange. Most of all, practice, practice, practice, and HAVE FUN!

Thanks for helping. I have been playing bass for almost a year now and I'm certain that I will stick to this instrument for a long time.

 

[B-string]

Used is still a good idea to get best "bang for buck", but new combos have come a long way at being capable without needing a forklift to move. Personally while still learning technique stay away from the "bells and whistles" even if the unit you get has them. G-K MB112 is in the capable class, Fender Rumbles, GC's Acoustic brand (though heavier side), Ampeg's BA series, Hartke's offerings. Lots to choose from, budget is the next concideration.

 

[basscooker]

Next question, budget? What part of CO? Check local CL, and if you have available plastic (that of course you can and will pay off immediately) there's always GC used from anywhere in the country. For example, if you're near the Denver GC, there is a Fender Rumble 60 for just over 100 bucks, and for a bit under 200 a Rumble 150. Didn't see much listed at the CO Springs store, for low budget, though.

 

[B-string]

By the way, GC used has a "ship to store" option if you find something not at your local store.

 

[AshDrawsify]

Next question, budget? What part of CO? Check local CL, and if you have available plastic (that of course you can and will pay off immediately) there's always GC used from anywhere in the country. For example, if you're near the Denver GC, there is a Fender Rumble 60 for just over 100 bucks, and for a bit under 200 a Rumble 150. Didn't see much listed at the CO Springs store, for low budget, though.

I live an hour away from Denver.Most I would spend would be like $100 maybe a little more.

 

[AshDrawsify]

By the way, GC used has a "ship to store" option if you find something not at your local store.

Did not know that thanks!

 

[basscooker]

Here's something fairly cheap, and not going to cost too much to ship, being somewhat close (well, closer than the $70 SWR in New Jersey).
I have no personal opinion on this specific amp, I'm not a fender fan, but the rumble series does have its fans...

110855112 BASS AMP RUMBLE 100
Used Fender RUMBLE 100 Bass Combo Amp
Guitar Center Reno
Reno, Nevada 89511
775-853-3961
$89.99

 

[dgrizzly]

I was pretty psyched with an Ampeg BA-115 I played at a jam session a couple of months ago. A little bit over your stated budget, but you can probably find a used one for under $200 on CL since they came out with a "version 2" last year. For example, something like this guy, but with the OEM speaker [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[2.6kHz]

Go find an older peavey combo off of craigslist. I dare you to break it. Seriously. I triple dog dare you

 

[basscooker]

^^ just be careful what you try and break it with... you may get the opposite results.

 

[friendlybass]

If you're in Denver check out Music Go Round out in Littleton and Drum City Guitarland in wheat ridge. Pretty quality guys at both shops and both will be able to give you lots of help. The Guitar center on Colorado and 25 also has some good used stuff right now in bass amps

 

[nzscott]

If you have the money I would go for a Phil Jones briefcase bass amp ,if you are limited to a budget maybe a fender rumble 100 , I recommend not to buy anything under 100watts RMS when it comes to bass amplification and even then nothing under 300wattsRMS if you are gigging and if you go for a smaller amp make sure it has a DI or lineout so you have the option of plugging in to a PA if you need more power in the case of playing a gig in the future.

 

[Ewo]

+1 to the suggestions that you get as much amp power and speaker area as you can afford. I think you'll quickly outgrow anything less than 100w and a 10".