Jamesemt Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I'm getting a bit sick of my bass running through a bass trainer and a hifi - I think I'm going to get a decent home practice amp. I've got a rack setup for rehearsals/gigs which consists of a Bass Pod XT Pro and 800 watt power amp going into 2 2x10 Eden Nemesis cabs. I can't be arsed to connect all this gear up to play at home, plus I could do with a smaller setup (not small, just smaller). What's the best sounding home practice amp this side of £400 without resorting to any effects? Size isn't really a factor and I don't play overly loud at home (got two young kids to think about). Despite what my main setup sounds like, I much prefer something warm and punchy (prefer 15s - the Edens are a compromise to save my back as they are Neo cabs). FWIW I'll be playing pop/rock - I'm just doing my homework before forming a Bon Jovi tribute... Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Gallien Krueger MB150s are very good. You could just get the head and use one of your 2x10s or go for the combo (possibly a bit over budget). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 [quote name='Stewart' post='567237' date='Aug 12 2009, 07:53 PM']Gallien Krueger MB150s are very good. You could just get the head and use one of your 2x10s or go for the combo (possibly a bit over budget).[/quote] Cheers for that - bloody hell they are expensive!! I've got a spare 2x10 Peavey Cab in the shed which I could use... Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I liked the old Warwick practice combos. Don't think they do them anymore. Small with a decent tone. Suitable only for home practice though! They were under 100 quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 the line6 110 is well within budget and i think its pretty good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatbass787 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Don't think you could go wrong with an Ashdown Electric Blue, 180 watts into a 15 inch driver and only £249... [url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Ashdown_EB_15-180_EVO_II_Combo/ASH-EB15180"]http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Ashdown_EB...mbo/ASH-EB15180[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 [quote name='phatbass787' post='567454' date='Aug 12 2009, 11:03 PM']Don't think you could go wrong with an Ashdown Electric Blue, 180 watts into a 15 inch driver and only £249... [url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Ashdown_EB_15-180_EVO_II_Combo/ASH-EB15180"]http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Ashdown_EB...mbo/ASH-EB15180[/url][/quote] Sorry, should have mentioned that after my Superfly died I no longer trust Ashdown gear. What about the Ampeg B100R? The Line 6 110 is a possibility... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowbee Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 If I'm not setting up my SA450 with one of my Aguilar GS112 cabs I tend to just plug into my Trace Elliot Boxer 15 which I picked up from Ebay for about a tenner! Sounds great, plenty of warmth and bottom end - until I go through the aforementioned rig and hear how I really should be sounding. I also used to have an SWR Workingmans 12 which was great for home practice but also good enough for a lot of small to medium sized practices and gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I always liked the sound of Hartkes little combos. I struggled to get the same sound out of their bigger rigs but the Kickbacks and A series are seriously good for the money. The A70 and A100 can be had for around £100 second hand. My housemate is selling his Kickback15 (120w, 15" aluminium speaker) for £250. It's like new as he hardly played it, it's one of the USA made ones too which were over £500. It's bigger and heavier than my little A70 though, maybe a bit overkill for quiet practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darbs Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 you can buy my carlsbro bass bomber if you want...150 squids? ? ? you'l have to pick it up or get a courrier tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I have a second hand Peavey TKO80 which gives a lovely warm sound. You can pick them up for peanuts - this was £50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8 Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Rolands are good or at the top of your budget what about a Shuttle 3.0 to use with your peavey cab? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Can't speak from experience, but I understand Phil Jones Bass Briefcases are pretty good-there's one for sale here:- [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=54638&hl=bass+briefcase"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...=bass+briefcase[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_pokkuri Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 You can't go wrong with a small combo really as its only for home practice, you don't need loads of volume. Only problem is theres loads of choice. I use a Marshall B65 1x12 that I bought about 8 or 9 years ago, sounds pretty nice and you can pick them up mega cheap of ebay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I'll second the Line6 Studio 110. Great wee amp. Not a very loud 75 watts, but what do you really expect from a 12" cube with 1 10" speaker! I gig with mine DI'd into the band PA too. I was going to suggest Ashdown as well - the original ABMs can be had in combo form quite cheaply s/h. The 1x10 200 watt (although it's really 300 watts) combo is fantastic and from the era when Ashdown were more reliable! Had mine a long time now and it's never coughed once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Played through the Line 6 in a store the other day, very impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Hartke Hydrive combo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Markbass Minimark and Micromark are worth a look along with the Phil Jones stuff for a clean sounding high quality practice rig. Since they are pretty clean and flat sounding they will be a good replacement for the power amp setup if you will still be using your POD for practice. You could even step up to the CMD121P for around £500 used which will be loud enough for gigs yet still very small and perfect for home use - ideal if your main rig blows up or you can't be arsed carting it to a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 [quote name='Bigwan' post='567786' date='Aug 13 2009, 11:22 AM']I'll second the Line6 Studio 110. Great wee amp. Not a very loud 75 watts, but what do you really expect from a 12" cube with 1 10" speaker! I gig with mine DI'd into the band PA too.[/quote] I'll third the Line6 Studio 110. It's a great little amp which you can just plug and play once you've set the amp models to your liking. I've used mine as backline DI'd into the PA a couple of times and it does surprisingly well (I'd use it as a backup). Does a great Ampeg impression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 The GKMB150s are good and second hand one would come in well under £400. They have the advantage of being very small, self contained and, consequently, very portable. For practice purposes, one of these would be more than adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 If it's just for home practice - get something cheap and put the rest of the money towards your gigging stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 [quote name='stingrayfan' post='567968' date='Aug 13 2009, 02:07 PM']If it's just for home practice - get something cheap and put the rest of the money towards your gigging stuff.[/quote] Nah mate, quite happy with my gigging gear and I'm having a custom Shuker built - as well as buying a 79 p special at the end of the month. Besides, I spend far longer playing at home than I do gigging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zabaman Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Okay, small meaty powerful excellent amp then look at the Roland DB500. It sounds amazing and its a modelling amp so you can virtually get any sound you want. Brilliant. Just look around the web for reviews of this beast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingo Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 How about this? You'd be surprised how loud it can be![url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=57932"]Check this[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Rowbee' post='567506' date='Aug 13 2009, 12:08 AM']......... I tend to just plug into my Trace Elliot Boxer 15 which I picked up from Ebay for about a tenner! Sounds great, plenty of warmth and bottom end - until I go through the aforementioned rig and hear how I really should be sounding.[/quote] I've had a Trace Boxer 15 from new (can't remember the year I got it as it was so long ago!) and it's still sounding as good as ever. Plenty loud enough for the small room which I play in. I gave it a haircut the other week as the furry covering was looking a bit tired. Much smarter now. I also have a Laney 30w amp which my wife found for me at a car boot sale. She managed to haggle the price down to £6 All it needed was a clean and it sounds pretty good as well, perfect for when anyone comes round for lessons or a jam. Edited August 18, 2009 by 7string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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