Which ~100W combo amp is the best fit for me?

[gcdoval]

Hi everyone, new member here!
I played bass about 25 years ago and picked it back up during the COVID lockdowns. Now, it's time to upgrade from my small practice amp, which was great for condo living. I'm looking to move up to a ~100W combo amp for rehearsals and small gigs (classic rock). I'm based in Brazil and am looking mostly at second-hand options, stuff here is crazy expensive because of our monstrous taxes and smaller market. I’ve got a list of different amps, all in the range of U$350 to U$ 450 (told ya it was expensive!). I’m honestly not sure which one to choose. Any advice from those with experience would be greatly appreciated, here's the amps and their listed prices:

Ampeg BA115 (350)
Fender BXR 100 (450)
Fender Rumble 100W (450 - first rumble series, 2008 model)
Laney RB5 120W (400)
Peavey TKO115S (450)
Peavey Max100 Transtube (450 - this one is brand new)
Peavey Max 115 (400)
Roland Cube 120XL (400)
Warwick BC80 (450 - brand new)

I've read a lot of reviews about many of those but it's hard to compare pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

 

[AK Bass Guy]

I personally don’t own one but the Fender Rumble seems to be a favorite for budget friendly combo amps around here on talkbass. My only concern is you say you need the amp to do small classic rock gigs as well which means a drum kit, and a 100 watt amp might be underpowered for that. I consider a 100 watt amp as a cafe or art show amp. 150 to 200 watts for a small venue rock gig amp.
Cheers.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I personally don’t own one but the Fender Rumble seems to be a favorite for budget friendly combo amps around here on talkbass. My only concern is you say you need the amp to do small classic rock gigs as well which means a drum kit, and a 100 watt amp might be underpowered for that. I consider a 100 watt amp as a cafe or art show amp. 150 to 200 watts for a small venue rock gig amp.
Cheers.

I'm right there with you. I use 225-watt, 400-watt, and 800-watt amps depending upon what size the venue is. I could only play small venues with my 225-watt amp, which is precisely what I bought it for.

• I use an Eden TN-226, which is a 225-watt amp, into an Eden EX-112 cab for small venues.

• I'll use a DNA-800 running at 400-watts for medium-sized venues. It's an 800-watt amp that puts 400-watts into my 8Ω DNS-210 cab (handles 700-watts rms), That same amp and power handles most large venues too because those DNS cabs are LOUD..

• If I'm playing a deep room (long room), I may pull out my Eden WT500/800 amp and bridge into my 210 at up to 800-watts (never have to run it that high). Reason for that is distance is the enemy of Sound Pressure Level (SPL), losing 6db of sound every time you double your distance from the source.

• For some smaller outdoor venues I'll use my DNA-800 amp still at 400-watts into my DNS-410 cab (handles 1400-watts)

• For large outdoor venues and for Music Festivals, I'll bridge my big Eden amp at 800-watts into my DNS-410. I get told to turn down at music festivals if I turn my master up to 10:30 with it, so I'll run it with the master at 10:15.

I could use my DNA-800 amp instead of bringing out the big Eden amp, but I would then need to put my 210 on top of my 410 for my 800-watt amp to put out all 800-watts, since both cabs are 8Ω cabs). Since the 210 cab weighs 52-lbs and my big Eden amp in its rack weighs in at 36-lbs., the big Eden amp is both lighter and easier to move around than my 210 cab. So the big Eden amp usually wins out unless I'm trying to impress with the look on stage as well as the sound. So far I only had them stacked once and ended up just running the 210 at this large venue and using my 410 as an expensive amp stand.

The Fender Rumble 500 puts out 350-watts rms into its internal speakers, which will handle small and medium venues. Then he could buy another Rumble 210 cab to add to it which will get all 500-watts out of that amp giving him a 500-watt 410 rig - enough "rig for the gig" just about anywhere. Ampeg's RB210 is a similar rig putting out 250-watts into 8Ω and 500-watts into 4Ω, at a similar price. Just depends on which sound you like best, Fender sound or Ampeg sound.

 

[Aloe]

out of those, I owned a Rumble 100 (but v3), a Roland (albeit different) and a Warwick BC80. the BC80 was the way down the best.
I also briefly played a Peavey Max 100 and didn't like it at all.

frankly I'd advice to consider a used BC150 as well, it's also nice, but louder. I liked the BC80 sounds a bit more, but mine was maxed out on rehearsals.

another crazy bang for buck may be a TC Electronic BG250, I had a 15" v2 and it was louder and lighter than my BC, and also featured a selectable pre/post EQ DI.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The Rumble 100 is probably the best and most commonly available option, should be plenty loud for small to medium size gigs anyway. It has aux in, phones jack, line out, small and reasonably light 1x12. That seems to cover everything you are likely to need.

Fender Rumble 100 1x12 100W Bass Combo Amp | Guitar Center

Shop for the Fender Rumble 100 1x12 100W Bass Combo Amp in and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.

www.guitarcenter.com

 

[GASsyFunker]

I'll respond about your original list, since I assume that's all that is available in your budget.

The Peavey Max 115 will be the loudest and most gig-worthy of the bunch, and it sounds good, although it is plain. My second choice would be the Cube, then the Peavey transtube. Definitely avoid the Warwick and the Peavey TKO, because they are too quiet without offering any sort of exceptional tone.

 

[FunkHead]

I would look at highest SPL 1st and then Quality/Reputation 2nd. 100 Watts is more than enough with a very High sensitivity matching speaker.
You want the best mix of both worlds. I would look at Barefaced although I don't think they have as low as 100 watts in a combo amp or if they even make a combo amp.
All those you listed are just stepping stones to a "Real" Amp. Sorry but that's just one mans opinion and no offense intented.
Maybe you should go with a head/Cab setup.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I'd narrow it down the either of the Peaveys or the Ampeg.

 

[40Hz]

Of all the 100W combos I tried, I ended up liking Ampeg’s Rocket series of amps the best. I own a B-100R which has since been replaced by their newer RB line. But you can find used B-100Rs in good condition for around $300-$350 last time I looked.

You can find more information on the new RB series with sound clips here if you’re interested.

—————
Note: the B-100R I have sounds a lot like an Ampeg B-15N portaflex. If that type of sound is your thing, you can’t go wrong hunting down a used one.

 

[Phe]

I've gigged with Peavey Mark III Series for most of my gigging career. It's 150W to 4 Ohms, so I guess 75W-ish to 8? So I've used that. It was plenty loud for my needs. At 150W plenty loud to drive away a guitarist from a band (yeah, sorry about that, I was being a brat).
Then again 100W Hughes & Kettner wasn't loud enough. I guess it comes down to the sensitivity of my elements?
Nowadays I rock 800W Quilter in a waaaaayyyy too small rehearsal space. It's hardly at 40W and stuff on my cabinet are throwing themselves off of it.
Sorry, what was the question? I'd say Peavey or Ampeg. Or Fender. Ooh, or that Roland Cube!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I would go with the Fender Rumble.

 

[4StringDave]

My first proper amp was a Laney BC250, the ones before the RB series. My guitar player also had a GC80 guitar combo.

They were both loud, solid, and played many many gigs all over the UK, travelling in a van or trailer. The combo was loud enough on it's own without an ext cab and sounded good. I think the RB5 is a kickback amp which will help you hear yourself too?

They were quite heavy though.

 

[Nuage420]

I have a Max100 that I use in my living room. I've used it to play with a buddy on guitar and a drummer on electric kit at his house. It kept up at a reasonable band volume with a handful of party goers not watching us but in the area. I don't think it would have handled anything louder.

Also worth noting I replaced the speaker with a Celestion BN10-200x. Not that I needed to I was just curious. Sound wise it didn't change anything but it does keep the low end tighter without flapping out the speaker. I can actually crank the bass up now. The stock speaker I could maybe bump the bass if I was careful with the volume. Now I can use the full capability of the amp.

Short story long though, I should have bought the 12" or 15" model maybe even the 210 skinny stack ( only reason I didn't was the lack of built in tuner, dumb decision since I never use it ). On the bright side it's a great combo with every feature you might need.

 

[Wfrance3]

I like my Gallien K, GKMB
It's a decent and small. If you need more, they have powered cabinets that connect via microphone cable. I have never needed one, but was thinking their 12" Powered cab would be where I would go if I did. I just looked, their powered cabs are discontinued, shame. Maybe a used one might be out there...

 

[Boneless]

I'd say you can have good volume with 100W RMS (into a sensitive-enough speaker), but you might want to invest into a compressor, and probably a high pass filter, so that you can maximise the relatively modest power handling of speaker and amp. You're talking about classic rock, which means cleanish to mildly overdriven bass (keep in mind that bass can sound clean in the mix even with significant distortion) so instead of a compressor you might want to get a bass friendly "preamp/overdrive" to keep always on at a mild crunch (there are lots, even at a budget, for example the Joyo American), maybe taming it with playing dynamics or the volume pot on your bass. The Fender Rumble should have its own drive "channel" (more of an effect actually) but I find that the Fender Rumble sounds a bit "artificial" to my ears. It has a "default" tone that is quite scooped and may not be to your liking, and the drive is not particularly nice. Anyway, between new and used, you can certainly find something decent at that price, even in your market. Maybe a local brand? I don't know what Meteoro amps are like but they might be cheaper.

 

[Topkat13]

GK makes a 112 combo…MB112 I think? You could probably pick up a preowned within your budget…? I sound great and you could potentially use them for very small gigs.

 

[tom-g]

You should definitely check up on those prices. A new Rumble 100 goes for less than 450.

 

[Plucky The Bassist]

You guys get any Ashdown gear over there? Got a Studio combo (10" speaker) and it's pretty strong for such a little cab. Bigger ones would probably do even better, but not sure what they're priced at over there.

Most any of those would be a decent bet, however I'd make sure you check out both sides of opinions on the Fender Rumble combos. They aren't for everyone

 

[gcdoval]

You should definitely check up on those prices. A new Rumble 100 goes for less than 450.

Unfortunately not in Brazil. A new Rumble 100 is sold for U$900. Those amps I listed are the ones i scooped up and that are available here. Can't find a second hand Rumble on the market atm.

 

[gcdoval]

Anyway, between new and used, you can certainly find something decent at that price, even in your market. Maybe a local brand? I don't know what Meteoro amps are like but they might be cheaper.

Meteoro's are decent for guitars, not so much for bass amps tho.