Help for Getting a Bass Amp

metalhead384 · Post by **metalhead384** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:59 pm

I just got a free Squier bass from a Friend of Mine and other than modding the bass and starting to play. So thatll mean ill need a bass amp. I want something small but not to small like 15 to 30w at the most. I already have some ideas and i would really not like to spend more than $150 but i could go to 200 if its cheaper on ebay. It would help if it also sounded good with guitar just incase my guitar amp dies

My first thought is the Ampeg BA 108 25w witch is good and only $100. Ive also heard Ampeg make quite good Bass Amps and buy one one ebay since itll take another week to come and 3 days to ship when i could get it in less time on ebay. or Maybe I'll get the BA110 if its cheaper on ebay

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/amp ... -combo-amp

Next is Acoustic B20 20w, $150, another cool part is theres 2 inputs, and a 4 bands EQ, The only down part i can think of is my friend who is a bass player does till me acoustic is not very good.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/aco ... -amplifier

Finally Orange Crush CR25BX Does have the Gain knob some i could get like some overdriven tones and I Love ORANGE They're my fav amp company for many reasons, however it is a bit pricy, $180, maybe i could get it cheaper on Ebay.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ora ... -combo-amp

Well thank you and if you have any helpful suggestions please let me know im open to anything you have to offer or let me know thanks

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:07 pm

I own the Orange Crush 25 and I love it! It sounds awesome for bass and also for guitar! It's great for playing bass at a low volume at my apartment, but I brought it up to my girlfriend's parent's house to play along with her brother who plays drums, and one of my friends brought out his 40 watt Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, and I could still hear myself over both that amp and the drums. I don't even think I was turned up all the way. I seriously love the Orange, and the gain control feature which neither the ampeg nor the acoustic offer, really helps you dial in a good tone. It's very simple and very awesome! I love it.

The acoustic is a decent amp. I had a student with one of those and it sounded pretty good, and seemed to be pretty durable. I've heard bad things about the newer ampeg BA series' reliability.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:09 pm

I used to own the 35 watt version of the crush but I don't think they're available in New Zealand so you might struggle to find one.

damienblair17 · Post by **damienblair17** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:40 pm

I say go with the Acoustic or the Orange. A little bit more, but you get way better value for the cash. Especially that Orange.

The Peavey Max series is also a decent choice, but I'd probably still go with an Orange if I needed a smaller bass amp.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:43 am

at least 200w

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:03 am

Or more speaker surface area, any good amp into a 15" or two 10"s wil go a long way.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:17 am

Eh...I don't understand the purpose of a 20watt solid state bass amp for nearly $200. I managed to find my GK Backline 112 100 Watt 1x12 combo for $175 new. It was floor model clearance but still, it wasn't the only option I had in that price range either.

If you're just looking for something to practice with at bedroom levels and without drums then get whatever you like the look, features, and sound of the best, I'm sure any of those amps you linked to would fit the bill. Just keep in mind, the pro level quality and tone that all these brands are associated with are never really reflected in the budget practice amp market. Just because Ampeg SVTs may be the shit, their 20 watt practice amp is going to be more/less the same as any other 20 watt practice amp, if anything the price might be inflated a bit more due to the name than a lesser known brand.

My advice-spend the same amount of money on a used Peavey from Craigslist-it'll outlive the amps you're looking at and be loud enough to jam with a band if you decide to play bass in a band.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:54 am

^agree'd

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:20 am

I was assuming that since he was saying he wanted a 20-25 watt practice amp that he didn't have intentions of playing in a band, and needed something for playing in his home/apartment. My 25 watt orange is awesome for playing at the apartment because it sounds great at a low volume. I wouldn't be able to get any 100 + watt bass amp to sound good at a low enough volume for an apartment building with thin walls.

If you want something that will be loud enough for playing in a band, there are definitely good options out there as nick said in the same-ish price range, so I would listen to his advice if that is your intention. If you just want something that will sound good and be versatile at a low practice volume for the home/apartment then my recommendation is the orange you posted. I seriously love mine.

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:47 pm

I'm fond of the Fender Rumbles, but really, just go to any used or pawn shop and find the oldest and ugliest Peavey you can find. It will probably be about $120 and sound amazing and weigh about 70 pounds.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:01 pm

honeyiscool wrote:I'm fond of the Fender Rumbles, but really, just go to any used or pawn shop and find the oldest and ugliest Peavey you can find. It will probably be about $120 and sound amazing and weigh about 70 pounds.

This