WHAT'S THE BEST PRACTICING COMBO ?

[bassman74]

Hi, i have a big GK rig at my practice local, but i want a nice combo for practicing at home. I'm tired of bringing a cab an the head amp everytime i need to plugged at home. I want something small like (1x12 or max 2x10) that is as true sounding as possible. Thanks for your help.
frank

 

[vindy500]

phil jones briefcase?

 

[62bass]

Hi, i have a big GK rig at my practice local, but i want a nice combo for practicing at home. I'm tired of bringing a cab an the head amp everytime i need to plugged at home. I want something small like (1x12 or max 2x10) that is as true sounding as possible. Thanks for your help.
frank

It all depends on how much you want to spend. I use the Yorkville XM50C. At $300 it beats out everything else in its price range. It's about as true sounding as you'll likely get in a low priced combo. I like the sound and it works with all my basses.

If you like the GK sound, which I do, the MB150 combos are very nice. But they are expensive. I can't justify that price for a practice/teaching amp myself, but if I could get a good deal on a used one, I'd buy it.

 

[JHow]

or a head phone amp. cheap and you can (at the expense of your hearing) crank it up to "fill the room"
I have In ear head phones that i use in conjuction with bigger head phones. The music that i'm listening to/playing with goes through the In Ear ones and the bass goes through the outside bigger ones. So far, works like a charm, and its simple to add or subtract bass and get just the right balance. although sometimes its not as fun as playing through a real 10" speaker.

 

[bassman74]

i want to pay max 800$ It vcan be a used combo.

 

[Modern Growl]

I've played through a Fender Bassman 210 combo and thought it sounded very good!
Warm, yet quick. The Horn is very edgy, which I like...

Its not a wimpy practice rig... you could gig w/ this, but its like $5-600.00 (well within your priceragne.)

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

Well, SWR has some good USED offerings in that price range, that you could Gig with as well. A used Redhead, or even a 210C can be had for <$800(Same amp literally). Carvin also can not be ignored! New 160 watt combos at <$400. I have an SB-200 from Carvin. Great for Practice. A bit lite for gigging, although I have done it...They have some 600 & 1000 watt combos that can be had for <$800 used. Red EYe, or Cyclops? Personally, I'd go SWR, Pre-Fender if possible, but Carvin has a Loyal Following that is all but Fanatical.

FYI, I just sold all my SWR Stackables, and bought an SWR 210C Combo. 260@8ohms, 400@4ohms. I kept my WM's 410T cab to get the 400 watts when needed. Money where my Mouth is, so to speak...

 

[Jackbass]

The Micromark is an incredible practice amp!! You should try!

 

[Kronde]

Recently I purchased an older SWR WM12 (the one with the "drink shelf" and front facing controls) for $250 and have been very pleased with it. Seems to reproduce the sound of my electric bass very faithfully - not much coloration. It has a headphone jack, a decent DI and you can add an extension speaker if you need to. I also use it for upright gigs once in a while. Very versitile little amp. Obviously, you have more budget than I did...some folks like the little David Eden combos and I think they would be well within your price range.

 

[JakeELee]

Have you checked out those little GK MBE150's? I like mine just fine...

 

[Aussie Mark]

Hartke Kickback 15? Not normally a Hartke fan, but the times I've heard those I've been quite impressed.

 

[whacker]

I use an SWR WM10 at home, and think it's great. I don't think you'd need anything larger than the WM12. There are lots of these used on eBay.

 

[tonequixote]

I would not hesitate to purchase a Phil Jones Bass Briefcase for your needs. Beautiful clean tone and the easiest to transport around the home and elsewhere.

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

Just a SHOUT for the Personal Practice unit, I have used a Pocket Rock-It for a couple of years now. It's a small unit, plugs into your bass, and has an Aux In, to allow input from a stereo, PC, etc...As long as you don't jump around too much, and end up pulling a cable out, it's GREAT! Even has a couple of effects, if you're into that kinda thang...I haven't tried pushing a REAL cab with it, but it Drives my PC & Stereo speakers pretty good.

So There!

 

[ursus]

I´ll say EBS Drome Classic, 18 kg and 150W, use it when I´m playing my 5-string fretless in trio settings.

 

[tdogg]

my roomate has an eden nemesis 2x10 combo that i think he got for under 500. sounds awesome and he does his small gigs with it

 

[Pickebass]

Have you checked out those little GK MBE150's? I like mine just fine...

+1. I owned one previously and purchased another recently. GREAT practice amp, minimal space and because it has pro features like the DI it's a great monitor or amp you can use for a small gig

 

[bassman74]

Thanks guys, There's even some brand that i've never heard of. I'll just to try to find all those little combo to tried them first before i buy. Actually Phil jones looks very interesting but i wonder if it as the same powerfull sound as the sswr or the nemesis or eden?
frank

 

[Zooberwerx]

Too many to list and I have not heard a truly bad one yet! FWIW, I'm using the Yorkie XM 200 (2 X 10) for practice and smaller venues. Think I paid ~$450 for it.

Riis

 

[Sammy Camden]

I fail to understand why you would want the size, power, and expense of most of the amps mentioned, for a "home" practice amp. I've been using a little Fender BXR-25 (25W) for a number of years now as my home amp. It's got great sound, doesn't take up a lot of room, and it didn't cost me a lot new. I use an Ashdown EB-130-12 for my "band" practice amp. The big stuff I save for the gigs where I need it.

It's certainly your money and your preference. But, you really ought to look at the smaller units for a home unit. You simply can't get the benefit of a lot of power in personal practice situations.

Good Luck!