Practice Amp

[davidwh2]

hey whats going on? ive been playing bass for about 4 years and for the whole time i have had this crappy Peavey practice amp, so i was wondering what would be something good to go with, i was checking out some smaller ampegs, and some backline GKs, the down side is that i live in an apartment so i need something that will still sound okay at low volume, i know i can use headphones, and i have many times but...its just another cord in the way. anyways thanks

 

[Oldtoe]

One of the new Fender Bassman 150 combos is a good choice, IMO. You can play it low and still take it as an emergency backup to a gig.

 

[adouglas]

I've heard good things about the Mesa Walkabout Scout. Spendy, but small. You can also pull the amp section out and use it as a head with a larger cabinet, AFAIK.

 

[soniq]

I like the Roland Cubes. Great practice amps.

 

[NoFrets80]

Swr

Since Fender has proceeded to run the brand into the ground, you can find an SWR Workingman's 10 pretty cheap these days. Go for a pre-Fender if possible, but any of them will suffice. Great practice amp, enough power for a smaller gig.

 

[strummer]

hey whats going on? ive been playing bass for about 4 years and for the whole time i have had this crappy Peavey practice amp, so i was wondering what would be something good to go with, i was checking out some smaller ampegs, and some backline GKs, the down side is that i live in an apartment so i need something that will still sound okay at low volume, i know i can use headphones, and i have many times but...its just another cord in the way. anyways thanks

Unless your funds are unlimited, keep the crappy Peavey!. Get yourself another bass instead!
A good practice amp is great, but onfortunately only for you, hwereas another bass is fun both for you and your band and audience.

 

[davidwh2]

i would definately like another musicman, and in time i will have one, but like this whole week when i had a little time each day i was learing Laid to Rest by Lamb of God and that peavey just sounds so terrible it makes me not wanna play anything on it.
when i practice with the band i run my ampeg through the mixer and it comes out really nice in the headphones only problem with that is, i do live in apartment so after we practice we put our equipment away so i dont really wanna set all that up to just play for a few mins sometimes.

i know im kinda sounding picky but im really not, i do appreciate everyone given me some info, and if anyone else has an idea keep them coming, thanks

 

[davidwh2]

I've heard good things about the Mesa Walkabout Scout. Spendy, but small. You can also pull the amp section out and use it as a head with a larger cabinet, AFAIK.

sounds like a good deal, ill give that a look for sure

 

[phatduckk]

sounds like a good deal, ill give that a look for sure

those cost a lot! personally when i think practice amp i think cheap too. I have 2. a 10 watt little fender thing and a 50 watt ampeg rocket bass.

the ampeg one is awesome and i think i got it new for about $300. The lil fender was $60 or so and i use that one late at night etc when the rest of the world is asleep. it does just fine

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I love my Ampeg B-100R

 

[HornetAMX]

+1 on the Ampeg B-100R. The B-50R is a bit smaller and lighter and just as good.

 

[IkaruShizzlemah]

If you can afford it, I would suggest a Phil Jones Briefcase amp. They cost $599 direct from Phil Jones. I think Bass Central had them a little cheaper. It is totally portable with its own battery for power.

Here are the stats:

100 watt RMS amplifier.
· Active/passive input.
· Compressor/limiter.
· 5-Band EQ.
· Headphone out.
· Balanced-line out.
· Pre-amp out.
· Extension-speaker out.
· Power: 12-Volt DC / 110/220-Volt AC or Internal rechargeable battery.
· 2 high-power, full-range dedicated bass instrument loudspeakers in a computer-optimized, vented enclosure.

Dimensions: 6 ½” W x 14 ½” H x 15 ¾” D
Weight: 28lbs

WOW, is that awesome, or what?

Ikaru

 

[roballanson]

I live in a terrace house so noise is an issue. So no practice amp for me...however got a Cafe Walter unit off Steve and boy is practice fun now - and the rest of the world and my wife are happy too.
Highly recommend one.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

...however got a Cafe Walter unit off Steve and boy is practice fun now

Get over how transparent it is yet??

 

[roballanson]

Get over how transparent it is yet??

God no - it is slowly changing the way I rake my strings thats for sure - found that sometimes I leave them ringing which is no good. After 20 years I discover this!!!

Great for exploring pick up settings though as it is so transparent.

cheers for the recommendation Now I just need him to make them for UK electrical circuits.

 

[draganr]

im using hartke kickback 15, 120 watts, for that matter. im really happy with it.

 

[adouglas]

Like I said, spendy, even used...but available:

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?t=20676

 

[Oldtoe]

Those Walkabouts are great sounding amps. The GC I sometimes visit has one that I play all their EBMM basses through; and it does them justice.