Bass Amp suggestions

Daddylouc

Daddylouc

Nov 20, 2020
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#1
Just looking for some bass amp suggestions. I'm new to this and meeting with a new group every week to practice. I'm looking for something that has enough power to be heard - there is a drummer, 3 guitar players, and vocals that I am competing with. The amp also needs to be light - something less than 35 pounds would be ideal because I'm older. Looking somewhere in the $500-$800 range. I was thinking the Hartke kickback 15", but then I saw complaints about a noisy fan.

Appreciate any experience and suggestions!
 
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#4
Basslice said:
Welcome to TB. There are so many choices. What kind of music will you be playing?
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Thanks for the welcome!
We're playing quite a variety of tunes: Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Seger, Grand Funk Railroad, Beatles, Santana, and others. Some rock from the 70s, 80's, 90s. We also just do some Blues jamming where we take turns playing a lead progression.
 
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#5
Daddylouc said:
Thanks for the welcome!
We're playing quite a variety of tunes: Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Seger, Grand Funk Railroad, Beatles, Santana, and others. Some rock from the 70s, 80's, 90s. We also just do some Blues jamming where we take turns playing a lead progression.
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I doubt you'll hear any fan noise while playing. If you like the Hartke, you should get it.
I don't know how loud you plan on getting but if it's more than a moderate level, you'll need at least 1x15" or 2x10"s.
 
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#7
Nice. Sounds like many of the bands I've been in. There are so many choices these days. The Fender Rumble 500 is very popular these days. The Ampeg BA-210 looks nice and I have been playing Ampeg equipment a long time, although they switch ownership a lot. I think they are under Yamaha now (which is probably good). People also seem to like Ashdown, although I have never played through one.

Those are combos. You could also look at head/cab setups. Best to try and see what you like. I would guess you would not actually be unsatisfied with any of the above for your endeavors.

More power than anything I have ever owned. Sonically, you will be loud enough.
 
#8
eriky4003 said:
Cool choices of music. With a drummer in the mix, I'd be concerned that you wouldn't have enough firepower with only a 1x15. I live in Canada so our prices for gear is through the roof, maybe a used Gallien Krueger MB 212 except it's rated at 41 lbs. One things for sure - you would be heard.
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I hear what you are saying, but I've played with stupid-loud drummers and the most I have ever used was a SWR Redhead (220W, 2x10) on top of a 4x10. I have used an Ampeg V4B on top of a 15" many times.

90% of my gigs and practices were with the Redhead alone (no 4x10) and I have been asked to turn down.
 
#10
If I were going to buy a combo amp today it'd be a GK. Relatively versatile, reliable, and loud. If you want more warmth or different grind, there's always pedals and EQ.

The Hartkes are indeed good but they definitely have a characteristic tone. The Rumbles are great if you like vintage tone. When you're tired of vintage tone, you're tired of the Fender Rumble. :)
 
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#13
tekhedd said:
If I were going to buy a combo amp today it'd be a GK. Relatively versatile, reliable, and loud. If you want more warmth or different grind, there's always pedals and EQ.

The Hartkes are indeed good but they definitely have a characteristic tone. The Rumbles are great if you like vintage tone. When you're tired of vintage tone, you're tired of the Fender Rumble. :)
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Thanks! I need to check GK out. This guy agrees with you:
 
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#15
Basslice said:
Nice. Sounds like many of the bands I've been in. There are so many choices these days. The Fender Rumble 500 is very popular these days. The Ampeg BA-210 looks nice and I have been playing Ampeg equipment a long time, although they switch ownership a lot. I think they are under Yamaha now (which is probably good). People also seem to like Ashdown, although I have never played through one.

Those are combos. You could also look at head/cab setups. Best to try and see what you like. I would guess you would not actually be unsatisfied with any of the above for your endeavors.

More power than anything I have ever owned. Sonically, you will be loud enough.
Click to expand...

Thanks! The Ampeg is a bit too heavy (50) for me to lug into and out of the practice area. I was hoping I could one-trip it into our practice sessions. The Ashdown is a consideration though. I found one video on it. Just wondering if anyone here might have experience with it?

 
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#19
Welcome to the jungle (aka TalkBass) :smug:

I’m not a Markbass ‘fanboi’... but could be accused of such things... :roflmao: I do, however, love their equip (been using since 2009)! If you catch a sale (actually going on right now) might I recommend a CMD151P. I had one, for quite awhile, but have settled in on the 121P (w/ext. cab)- plenty enough (for me) for band settings!

Here is the CMD151P- over a NY 151P (left)... CMD121P- under an 801 combo... for comparison purposes :thumbsup:

5E684C51-A663-419C-866B-99590D788CA6.jpeg
 
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#20
I recently spent a whole fortnight looking and testing combo amps. All were brand new and had extension speaker capabilities. 1st choice was the Ampeg 210 combo. This combo stood out as it was in your price range, very easy to load and unload. Nice tones and good volume level. It had a compressor too with a good eq section. Some stores rate this combo at 450watts but that's only achievable with an extension cab... so it remains just over 200 watts. I see you have already mentioned it's to heavy for your needs. Bummer...
I could have walked out with it for $650 AUS. Even cheaper second hand.

Markbass 210 combo wedge (Ninja?) was my other choice but this was thrice the price of the Ampeg and blew it away with volume.
It should do because it was rated at 350-400 watts and it delivered too. So a second hand item may be the best solution in this case.
It was very tight and punchy, crisp and articulate. Although it performed better than the Ampeg, I found I was always fiddling with the dials to get close to a sound I liked... this has always been my experience with MB amps... and may not be something you experience. Still getting up there in weight though.

Fender Rumble Combos never really did it for me. Like the MB, I was never able to find a tone I liked or found usable without fighting the eq section.

The new David Eden range are quite inexpensive too. They sounded nice although there's a difference in build quality and styling too from years gone by. I did not have to struggle finding tones with the 210 and 12" combos. Very easy to move and very capable little combos.

Next to the David Eden section was the Ibanez Prometheus which really stunned me with it's performance. It was a 210 vertical cab. With extension cab abilities. About the same price as the Ampeg too.

Perhaps my tone was hampered by my finger technique and YMMV.

In summary, I still lean towards the Ampeg 102 combo as value for $$, lightweight, portability, user friendly and I think Yamaha has been an improvement for them.

Hope this helps.
 
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