Combo amp recommendations..

[Zampa]

Hi Bassters..

I am hoping to treat myself to a small combo practice amp in the early new year, I have been doing my homework but to be honest I dont really know a good one from a bad one...not that Im any good either..but I dont want to waste my hard earned!...

I only have an IbenezSR300 so the amp doesnt have to match that of a high end expensive bass..I dont do slap etc..just the standard pub/covers (slow ones at the moment!!)

I am looking to spend approx £100 ish...

I would be grateful for a few pointers on whats hot..and whats not so hot..

Cheers.

[Horizontalste]

With your budget I'd look at used gear. I can recommend the little Hartke combos. I have the A35 that's ideal for home use. If you want something with more ball's then Peavey TKOs are nice.

[Marvin]

For £100 if you want to go for new then maybe a Fender Rumble 15.

For practice I've always found it invaluable to have an aux in to plug in my iPod and a headphone socket so not to annoy the wife

[Horizontalste]

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1385329653' post='2287086']
For £100 if you want to go for new then maybe a Fender Rumble 15.

For practice I've always found it invaluable to have an aux in to plug in my iPod and a headphone socket so not to annoy the wife
[/quote]

Good call, forgot about these.

[Lozz196]

Assuming the amp is for home use and not with a band, the Fender Rumble 15 or Ampeg BA108 would get my money (in fact the Ampeg did).

[nottswarwick]

I was impressed with a Rumble I played in a shop

[steve-bbb]

I have a trace boxer 65 which i use as practice amp - (would be suitable for small acoustic gigs too but not full band stuff with drummer) - has reasonable tone control and also headphone output - picked mine up on evilbay for 70 quid

[BassTractor]

Second hand indeed.

If however you want to buy new, then the Harley Benton CB-110X from Thomann might be something for you. It seems well-regarded.
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_cb110x.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...nton_cb110x.htm[/url]
I own one, but haven't heard it myself as it has been on loan from new. However, a bass player testing it for me got wildly enthusiastic and said he'd order one for himself as well.
The effects section though seems either non existent or weak or merely hard to program. Whatever the case may be, the manual does not explain this section adequately at all.

Less than 80 quid will get you a Harley Benton HBW-35:
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbw35.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...enton_hbw35.htm[/url]
I bought one of those, as I much preferred its sound above the Roland 30W Cube alternative that was demoed for me at the same time. Also, it has the inputs and outputs you need so you can play along music from another source, with headphones if needed.

Edited November 25, 2013 by BassTractor

[Norris]

I use an old 1x12 powered monitor as my practise amp. It's too scruffy to gig, but ideal as a general-purpose amp in my 'music corner'.

I did buy a small bass practise amp, but it was pretty awful for bass at anything over whisper volume. However the electric drum kit sounds great through it.

[Zampa]

Cheers all, thats great...I havnt heard of a lot of those I research them all...I think that secondhand will be the way to go, I couldnt expect much brand new for a ton really...
I have seen a Roland cube on ebay...are they any good?..its only for the spare room..I doubt if I will ever be good enough to gig...(although I would dearly love to)

Any to avoid?...a mate told me to avoid old valve amps, apparently the valves cost a fortune if they go..

[Bassic]

i practice with a orange crush 25w

Got input for iPod etc headphones jack nice and simple controls sounds great

Nice colour too

May want to look in amps section for advice on valves etc

[xgsjx]

You could do a lot worse than pick up a Vox Venue 30 bass for @ £40-50. Will even do your small gigs.

[BassTractor]

Yup, even with my preferring the Harley Benton by far, Roland Cubes still are very safe bets.

[KevB]

I've had a Marshall 25B 1x10 combo for years in the spare room for practice, still going strong. Don't know if they still make them but if not they are probably easy to find second hand.

[Zampa]

Thanks very much all...I will give these some tought and start my research...then give the wife the bad news!

[Damonjames]

I use an ashdown perfect 10 for my practice amp, it has the aux in for your iPod and also a headphone socket so you don't dive everyone mad.
I've had no issues with mine, and has survived a move from Australia.
I wouldn't say it has the greatest tone, but it certainly does the job.