Small bass practice amps

DartmoorHedgehog · August 2020

Not sure whether this should be in bass or amps, but here goes...

Short version: What's a good small, cheap practice amp for bass?

Longer version: I've got a new (guitar) practice amp so my old one (a Backstar ID Core 10) is now spare. My daughter plays a bit of bass and has been borrowing the Blackstar occasionally, so now I've got another small amp I'd be happy give her the Blackstar (which she obviously thinks is a good idea!). It sounds quite good for bass but obviously a lot of the features and effects are really aimed at guitar. So the thing is, would she be better off with something else if I give her the proceeds of selling the Core 10 (looks like I'd get about £50 on a good day)? Would a Fly Bass be more appropriate, or something else completely? She still lives at home so still has access to my kit if she wants - so this would only be for playing in her room.

Funkfingers · August 2020

A pre-owned small Roland Bass Cube does a lot for not much money. If you want the amp to be a keeper, consider a Fender Rumble Studio 40.

ICBM · August 2020

I would get a more traditional amp with a larger speaker, they just sound better - even just an 8". The Fender Rumble 15 is actually pretty decent for a small practice amp - it has an effective compressor so it can't be overdriven, which makes all the difference with a small amp, it means you don't have to keep it at a uselessly low volume to avoid horrible farty distortion. Also has headphone and aux in jacks.

They're £89 new so you should be able to find a second hand one for about £50-60 if you don't want to spend the extra.

As Funkfingers said, one of the slightly larger ones will do even for more serious use later.

hollywoodrox · August 2020

I used to have an ash down tourbus 10. I don’t like ashdown amps but this was ok for what it was ,

DartmoorHedgehog · August 2020

Thanks folks.

The idea is for something small to use in her (already full) room rather than anything giggable. My little Blackstar actually does the job fine at small room volume.

I was going to give her the Blackstar and just wondered if it might be worth selling/trading it for something more bass-specific, but I have no intention of throwing any more money at it at this point. She mainly plays violin and ukulele but has recently acquired a U-bass and has been getting quite into that - so it does make an acoustic sound, just sounds different through an amp.

I'll have a look at what's available secondhand around the value of the Blackstar - it really doesn't need to be at all loud, and being physically small is quite important (it's not a very big room and she's a typically messy 15-yo - there's certainly no room for a proper-sized bass amp). I had considered suggesting she gets a headphone amp like an amplug.

Rocker · August 2020

Something like the Roland Bass Cube alluded to above is to be avoided IMHO. A simple amp like the Fenders already mentioned or something small like the Blackstar Fly Bass is what is needed. The sheer number of sounds and effects on the Cube is more likely to overwhelm her rather than inspire her. No bass player was ever sacked for keeping it simple. Assuming of course said player locks into the band groove.

fretmeister · August 2020

Another vote for the Roland Cube.

I have quite an old one and it’s never let me down. Sounds very good. I still use mine even though I have a silly money main bass rig.

The older 20XL version can be found used and cheap under £100.

wrinkleygit · August 2020

Check out my SWR setup, bit more than your budget, but it’s something she could grow with. Has switchable headphone out socket for silent practice & is a compact piece of kit. https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/188078/swr-workingmans-10-bass-combo-matching-1x10-cab#latest

JezWynd · August 2020

Fender Rumble 15, 25 or 40 as space and budget will allow.

ICBM · August 2020

wrinkleygit said:

Check out my SWR setup, bit more than your budget, but it’s something she could grow with. Has switchable headphone out socket for silent practice & is a compact piece of kit. https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/188078/swr-workingmans-10-bass-combo-matching-1x10-cab#latest

That's an amazing rig for the money. I've never tried one with the cabinet, but from my only experience with the combo I would say... don't be fooled by the small size and the 80W rating.

Funkfingers · August 2020

Rocker said:

Roland Bass Cube ... to be avoided. ... The sheer number of sounds and effects on the Cube is more likely to overwhelm her rather than inspire her.

I suggested the Cube Bass series for purely budgetary reasons. Based on other Discussions where the OP has referred to his daughter's musical activities, I reckon she has sufficient good taste to know when to switch off the effect gimmicks. If pushed, I could probably rattle off a list of negative comments about Roland Cube Bass amps.

hollywoodrox said:

I used to have an ashdown tourbus 10. I don’t like ashdown amps but this was ok for what it was

Ashdown bass amplifiers are fine ... right up until the moment when they stop working properly.

ICBM said:

a more traditional amp with a larger speaker

Good thinking, Batman.

wrinkleygit said:

Check out my SWR setup

That is a very tempting home/recording rig, sir.

http://support.swramps.com/manuals/pdfs/wm10_12_15_om.PDF

DartmoorHedgehog · August 2020

Thanks again for more ideas

I think what will end up happening is we'll keep the Blackstar for her to use until she's got money and/or more idea what she wants from an amp, then sell it and let her have the proceeds towards whatever she decides to do.

axisus · August 2020

I have a Roland micro cube for practice. Very small and sounds good at home volume, I really like it.

The one thing on it that's rubbish is the tap tempo button for the little drum machine. It's impossible to use intelligently, they should have stuck a knob on.

fretmeister · August 2020

Rocker said:

Something like the Roland Bass Cube alluded to above is to be avoided IMHO. A simple amp like the Fenders already mentioned or something small like the Blackstar Fly Bass is what is needed. The sheer number of sounds and effects on the Cube is more likely to overwhelm her rather than inspire her. No bass player was ever sacked for keeping it simple. Assuming of course said player locks into the band groove.

Just because you can't name a bass player that was sacked because the playing was too simple, doesn't mean others can't.

Ron McGovney. Sacked by Metallica to be replaced by the far busier player Cliff Burton. And it's well documented that Burton was pursued because he was a busier player and actual bass soloist.

Pursued to the point that Metallica actually moved cities because Burton wouldn't move to where Metallica were based.

So you can retire your favourite comment now.

sev112 · August 2020

I bought a fly bass a year or so ago just to play the occasional bedroom stuff. Really pleased with it, that I added the Extra speaker and I play guitar through it too

mbe · September 2020

I kept it simple when I started out playing bass in my first band, but they sacked me

spooner248 · September 2020

Warwick BC10
Very small and light but sounds like BASS.
Cheap too.

fretmeister · September 2020

mbe said:

I kept it simple when I started out playing bass in my first band, but they sacked me

Don't worry. Rocker would have sacked Nate Watts from Stevie Wonder's band.

Can you imagine "Sir Duke" with just root notes? Urgh!

pintspiller · September 2020

I used a HT1 during practise for a few bands. Sounded great through a 212 PA cab I had.

Testing gear in shops I particularly liked the Bass Cube. I probably would have bought one if I had need for one. A rehearsal room I used with a different band had a Laney Rickter, so a practise-sized one might be good also.

I haven't liked the Blackstar bass amps I've played through in shops, although the on-board chorus was nice and used found myself playing Dancing in the Moonlight which might please @Rocker .

Not sure if Harley Benton has anything, but could be another option.

Fretwired · September 2020

I have an old Laney practice bass amp - about 20 watts. Sounds great, has a few effects, and a compressor and line out for recording. They go cheap on eBay these days but had rave reviews when released.

Magnum · November 2020

Roland Microcube is phenomenal VFM. I also have a Phil Jones Bass 70w...........either of them ideal

DartmoorHedgehog · November 2020

Thanks for the new comments. I think we're probably going in the "really small" direction with this - possibly something like a Nux Mighty Plug and make a lead to go into the aux in of her bluetooth speaker if she wants to play without headphones. Space is really at a premium in her room, and she can use my kit for anything else.

Blueingreen · November 2020

When I went through a spell of playing bass only I used to use Peavey Microbasses. They do the job very well. If you can find one used they go for next to nothing. I gave one away and failed to sell another advertised at £25.

EricTheWeary · November 2020

My son has the Rumble 40 ( I think) which was maybe £100 SH. It has done ( not particularly loud) gigs, incredibly light, sounds good and even makes an okay clean guitar amp if you fiddle with the EQ.

Kebabkid · November 2020

I found the Rumble 40 to better than the 25 and more 'grown up'. I actually use a Roland Bass Cube 120XL and love it and there's some good and varied models in it and it has aux input for playing along with your MP3, phone etc and so my recommendation would be their 30 version.
If it's good enough for Joe Dart from Vulfpeck
https://equipboard.com/pros/joe-dart/roland-cube-30-bass

If you like Blackstar, their bass version was in the Black Friday sale
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/180122321394008--blackstar-unity-bass-120-combo

SaulPanzer · November 2020

I'll just throw in my vote for the Fender Rumble 15, I picked that up yesterday as a replacement for my Rockjam GA-20 (not a bass amp and not great regardless).

I've spent a few hours playing around on it now, very nice little amp if you want something super light and basic.
Only 4 dials on it so no fancy tricks, just a well built good sounding cheap little amp. Probably not up to anything beyond practicing around the house but for that it's ideal.

Mudcrutch · December 2020

This is my favourite and sits next to my sofa permanently on a Roland stand.
Can be bought for around £68 new and can still annoy the neighbours if needed.

Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass

Snap · January 2021

I've had a Blackstar Fly Bass, stereo set up, for a couple of years. It's not bad, and certainly punches above it's size, but there is no getting away from the fact that you have 3 inch speakers in there, and they do buzz and fizz once you crank it up. Good enough, but I am considering getting something with a proper sized speaker in it so I can get some effective bottom end rumble.

guitargeek62 · January 2021

Mudcrutch said:

This is my favourite and sits next to my sofa permanently on a Roland stand.
Can be bought for around £68 new and can still annoy the neighbours if needed.
Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass

I’d get that just to have on display! Is it any good then?

Mudcrutch · January 2021

The VOX is a brilliant amp and it takes effects pedals well.
Ive had mine for almost a year and love it.
I bought the guitar version last week because I had a tip off the prices were going up.
Ive been meaning to get one for a while to add to my collection.

vasselmeyer · January 2021

Thomann are knocking the Markbass Micromark 810 out for £249 at the moment:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/markbass_micromark_801.htm

It's less than 30cm in all dimensions and less than 5kg.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Small bass practice amps

Comments

Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass

Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass