Brian_Cook Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I've only been playing for 6 months but I need an amp. The Marshall I've been using isn't a Bass Amp, and I want to move up a gear. SO, what's next? It's for home use and at a local Open Mike night, so thinking 60-100W will do me fine. My bass is a Ibanez SR1400T, so I want some quality to the sound. Any advice/recommendations are welcome. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 What's your budget? Are you likely to start gigging anytime soon? What sort of sound do you like? Really, the best start is to get down to the guitar shop, with your bass and try some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I'm sure you'll be swamped with suggestions... unless money is no object I'd recommend going for something expandable so that you have the option of taking a small rig to open mics and something bigger when needed. So either a little combo that can take an extension cab or a separate head and cab to which a matching second cab can be added... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Cook Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 Budget? Probably less than £500. I can't ever see me going to something much bigger than an Open Mike - I'm 65 (that's going to invite a few comments!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I've been playing for years and am very happy with my Fender Rumble 100 combo. Cost me £239 new from a shop, online I think they're slightly more. 100w, 12" speaker, no tweeter. Handy parametric EQ shape buttons, overdrive and effects loop. Also has aux-in (for your iPhone or laptop) and 1/8" headphone socket so you can practice along to your favourite tunes in silence (or loud for that matter). Weighs nothing at all and is a small box so doesn't take up too much room. I use this at pub gigs with no PA support. It is loud enough for rehearsals, jam nights etc. It will eventually run out of steam if faced with two guitarists, keys and a loud drummer. Alternatively, someone's selling a Trace Elliott SMX300 combo on this forum for £180. It's a bargain and a great combo if a little heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'd be looking at a secondhand Markbass combo, they pop up in the classifieds fairly frequently and you should be able to pick one up well within your budget, I think they will all power an extension cabinet if needed and they are fairly compact and not too heavy, and if you decide to move it on at some point you should have very little trouble selling it for about what you paid for it. I think that they're all 250 or 500 watts but it's better to have a bit more power and not use it than to run out of volume. you'd be surprised how much power you need to keep up with even a small guitar amp! Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I use one of those redsub 100watt combo 10" speaker for smaller gigs. I use it as stage monitor and lineout the amp to the PA for bigger sound. It's a pretty cool little combo to use and sounds good as well. I would suggest having a look at the use market for one of those SWR Workingman 10 combo. Quite hard to find one but they are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colgraff Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I bought a TC Electronics bc250 210 (here http://www.tcelectronic.com/bg250-family/ ) which cost £350. It has stacks of volume, a lovely sound, a built in tuner, aux in and headphone out, and downloadable / programmable Toneprint wizardry which serves as effect pedals. I honestly think that you couldn't do better as a newish bassist. I only wish such combos were around when I started playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 [quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1444297426' post='2881928'] I bought a TC Electronics bc250 210 (here [url="http://www.tcelectronic.com/bg250-family/"]http://www.tcelectro...m/bg250-family/[/url] ) which cost £350. It has stacks of volume, a lovely sound, a built in tuner, aux in and headphone out, and downloadable / programmable Toneprint wizardry which serves as effect pedals. I honestly think that you couldn't do better as a newish bassist. I only wish such combos were around when I started playing. [/quote] TC combo is good and light weight. It would be perfect for your situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 The Fender Rumble combos (version 3 with silver cloth) are cracking amps for the £££ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 (edited) Anderton's have the Eden EC28 reduced from £439 to £199. I bought one in March and I've been using it for rehearsals and small pub gigs. It's a sweet sounding amp and loud enough while keeping the same tone at higher volume. The combos mentioned above are all good but the E28 is now a bargain and as useable (for what you seem to need) as all the others. Frank Edited October 8, 2015 by machinehead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Cook Posted October 8, 2015 Author Share Posted October 8, 2015 Many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to give me some very welcome advice. I appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 [quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1444299986' post='2881981'] The Fender Rumble combos (version 3 with silver cloth) are cracking amps for the £££ [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Yep, from what I`ve heard on online reviews the Fender Rumbles would be a good place to look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 These days, with your budget, there are loads of great options - basically comes down to choice - can't go wrong with Genz Benz, TC, Tonehammer, Gallien Kruger, Trace Elliott (but as Truckstop says they are heavy)...in the good old days you would have been limited to Marshall or Fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 And yes, the new Fender Rumbles are excellent. The Eden combos are the best value at the moment though. The 2x8, 2x10 and 1x15 have been on sale at the same £199.00 recently too. They are bloody loud little beasts! Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 My only advice is; if you buy something like a Line6 or Behringer, buy second hand and very cheap because resale value is zero. If you go for something more expensive go for a decent make like Fender, Markbass, Tecamp. You can lose can more money on working your way up to what you really want than it would cost to buy the thing in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexDelores Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Not sure if youve seen this... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/270173-buy-an-amp-get-bass-guitar-free/page__pid__2884456#entry2884456 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ampeg-BA-210-V2-Combo-and-Free-Sterling-by-Music-Man-Sub-Ray-4-Black/1DOX?utm_source=benchmark&utm_medium=email-marketing&utm_campaign=email-250915#full-des get that Ampeg combo with the free Sterling. Bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1444602071' post='2884506'] [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ampeg-BA-210-V2-Combo-and-Free-Sterling-by-Music-Man-Sub-Ray-4-Black/1DOX?utm_source=benchmark&utm_medium=email-marketing&utm_campaign=email-250915#full-des"]http://www.gear4musi...250915#full-des[/url] get that Ampeg combo with the free Sterling. Bargain! [/quote] Only a bargain if you want another Bass too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricksterphil Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Rumbles are good - I've got a Genz Benz 500 which is brilliant but a bit heavy - should have gone for a TC electronics still it beats lugging 2 4x12 marshall cabs and a Matamp 100 amp around which is what I did as a youth in the 70's (wish i hadn't sold the ampo tho - lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Cook Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Having just spent nearly £1000 on a new Ibanez, I don't need another bass, but thanks for the suggestions. I'm coming down on the side of a Fender Rumble 100 V3, I like the fact it only weighs 10kg (22lbs) a little over half some of the others, and seems to get great reviews. And only £230. Now to talk to my partner about Xmas presents . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.