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Which Is A Better First Amp?

Which Is A Better First Amp?

  • Behringer Thunderbird BX108

    Votes: 5 12.2%

  • Peavey Microbass III

    Votes: 36 87.8%
  • Total voters
    41
  • Poll closed .
TheSpook

TheSpook

BOO!
Feb 19, 2008
118
0
42
Bluefield, VA/WV
hop.to
#1
The Behringer Thunderbird BX108 or a Peavey MicroBass III?

Have been really leaning towards the T-Bird over the last few days, but have found a VERY SWEET deal on a brand new MicroBass III.

Those of you who have had experience with one or both amps...which is better, or are both really good? The only complaints I've read regarding both, especially the T-Bird, is that they tend to sound fuzzy when you really crank them up, which is expected with the small size and low wattage. But, whichever one I get, I don't think I will need to turn it up too much...as a matter of fact, I'll expect I will doing a lot of headphone practicing at first.

So anyway, if you had to choose between one or the other, which would you go with?
 
#4
I have ended up with the Microbass, after "coming down" through a series of Peavey Bass Amps. I kept looking for a smaller and smaller, good sounding unit for home and living room "pickin' circles", mostly acoustic guys. I had pretty much settled on the Peavey Minx as as small as I could go...until I tried the Microbass. It has a very good bass sound. I doubt if it would ever satisfy a Low B or a slapper, but for straight ahead four strings, it does a respectable job. The earphone out lets me use it for quiet (late night) practice and play-alongs.
...now, if only it would run off batteries, also...like my Peavey Audition 20. I've never been a big fan of their guitar amps, but Peavey makes rock solid, dependable bass amps.

Here is Harmony Central's User Reviews on it...
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/product/Peavey/Microbass/10/1
 
#5
Go with the Peavey. But...I would look for a used higher wattage Peavey combo. You can get something bigger and better for the price you would pay the MicroBass new.

Look for older used TKO's or TNT's. Solid, good sounding amps that you wont out grow in a few months.

If you are dead set to buy something small in the 15-35 watt range you should also check out the Ibanez Sound Wave amps. Look at an SW20 or SW35. Nice little practice amps with a lot of features for the money.
 
#6
First off, thank you, y'all, for the response...as someone still obviously researching the ins and outs of combo amps, to say I heavily appreciate this is an understatement.

And especially thanks for the further suggestions...to think I was a bit too close to getting that T-Bird amp!! Between here and eBay, my eyes have been really opened tonight.

That said, have found another amp with a potentially nice deal to inquire about...an Ashdown Perfect Ten. I realize that at 30 watts, that still has me in the smaller amp wattage range...but I know how highly regarded Ashdown is here. If I end up lowballing the wattage for my very first amp, should I keep my eyes on the Peavey or shift them over to the Ash?
 
#9
There are actually quite a few nice little combos available. Of the two on your poll, the Peavey is an obvious choice. Also look at Line 6 Studio 110, steps you up to 75 watts, still very small, the above mentioned Roland Bass Cube, only 5 watts but runs on batteries, even an Ampeg BA112 is a good little amp. Try as many as you can, they all sound different.
 
#11
Again, thanks a lot for the advice. :) I finally pulled the trigger...on a slightly used Ibanez Soundwave SW65. Got it for around $90...$100, if you count my needing to get two replacement knob-covers. Apart from the knob-cover thing, the amp looks to be in fantastic shape, and certainly can't beat getting a 65 watter for under $200+. :cool:
 
#12
That is a good little amp. I used to have one of those. I used it as a practice amp and as a stage monitor at church for a year. It had plenty of beans for small indor stuff. It has a 1/4 direct out for going to a mixing board if you need PA support.

$100.00 is a good deal. You can get the repalcement knobs from Ibanez.

I actually regret selling mine. It was a nice little amp.
 

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