TheBear Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Hi Guys, With the band i'm playing in, we have some "acoustic" session planned (in addition to "real repetition"), to work on own songs and this kind of things. Setup will be the female singer (no amplifier), Two (electro) acoustic guitars, keyboard, and bass. In the music corner built in a house. I'd therefore need a small combo (don't have acoustic bass and don't to spend 350Euros to buy one) but I'm wondering how many watts i'd need. Is a10-15W enough ? or will I need to go for 50W and more? Thanks! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 (edited) I'd go for around 50w, not for the volume necessarily, but for the headroom. The last thing you want is a mellow acoustic session with a farty, aggressive bass. Also bear in mind the size of the enclosure, a lower rated amp in a big enclosure will have more 'presence' (for want of a better word) than a higher wattage one in a small box. My Phil Jones Cub, in its shoe box size enclosure, doesn't seem as up front as you'd expect 100w to be. Edited April 3, 2013 by ezbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBear Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 This were my initial feelings thanks to confirm.. Time to hunt for cheap second hand 50W lightweight combo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 What amp and cab are you using for other gigs? Sounding good when playing quietly is the most important thing for bass. You'll sound better by using the best gear you can. I wouldn't buy anything special, cheap or small. On acoustic gigs I use my regular 600 watt amp and a 112 Bergantino cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBear Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 This ain't a gig. Just "homework". I don't have gig gear yet, always played till now @location with back line supplied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 For that type of gig, I`d look at either the Ampeg BA112 50 watt 1x12 combo [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ampeg-BA112-Combo-Bass-Amp/9HA"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ampeg-BA112-Combo-Bass-Amp/9HA[/url] or the Fender Rumble 75 watt 1x12 combo [url="http://www.guitar-galleries.co.uk/product.php/953/0"]http://www.guitar-galleries.co.uk/product.php/953/0[/url] Lower wattage combos are likely to have smaller speakers as well, so getting a 1x12 will be sufficient for projecting the sound nicely. And as others have said, you want good sound, not pushing an amp to it`s limits sound. I`d probably go for the Fender as that little bit more headroom. Plus Fender amps have an amazing rich warm tone, and I find them a little more flexible than Ampeg - unless of course Ampeg is your thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Go get an 8x10 rig with a 1000w amp. Forget the watts & go & try some combos. When I did acoustic stuff, I'd either use my Markbass 2x10 (which is @ 350 watts into 8Ω) or my Vox 1x12 combo (which is @ 30 watts into 4Ω). Depending on how much room there was. Either were more than ample when playing with a guitarist/singer & mandolinist. Either was perfectly useable when the drummer joined in too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 I've used the Fender combo in rehearsal studios down here in London and it is SO much louder than it should be and has a nice chunky tone to it, if I had to replace my set up with something cheaper I would certainly consider it, but check out this one too >> http://www.gak.co.uk/en/warwick-bc-80/53240 A mate of mine put this into the small room in his rehearsal studio near Edinburgh and says its fantastic, lovely sound, solid build quality, easily keeps up with a drummer too. Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBear Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 It seems I'll wait the first rehearsal and see (it seems that our keyboard man has a Roland Cube I could use temporarly). Once I know more about the room configuration, I'll go and chase. I passed by my local shop, and everything is over the budget I'm willing to pay for the usage. @xgsjx : i'm trying to get the 8*10", but my wife does not seem too happy, not sure why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Change the badge on the front for one that says Smeg & tell her the door's jammed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Pretty cheap copy of the Hartke kick back design (probably a good idea for your proposed usage) http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_bxl900a_ultrabass.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 If you've not got anything yet, buy this >> http://basschat.co.uk/topic/205405-fender-bassman-150-bass-combo-amp/ Absolutely amazing amps and it'd do everything and more than you need/want... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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