Cheap Bass Combo recommendations

Darrell · June 25th, 2008, 11:00 AM

I am looking to build out my home studio next year. I am looking for some recommendations on a TONEFUL, bass combo amp.

I do play with some friends at times, but most of that is "not rock", and more acoustic/Rockabilly/Alt music.

So the qualifications are

Toneful,
small footprint non-back breaker,
bass combo amp.

sromero · June 25th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Try a Fender BXR100. You can get them on Ebay for a couple hundred bucks. It's loud enough for practice/small gigs. It has a graphic EQ and enough tone shaping control to pretty much nail any sound you are after. THere's also an XLR output if you want to plug straight into a recording console. Not too heavy at all.

Tim Armstrong · June 25th, 2008, 11:52 AM

I'll make the Chris S. recommendation: a nice used SWR Workingman's 15.

A nice little bass amp, and can often be found fairly cheap!

Also, I owned a Genz Benz ML 200 combo that was toneful and giggable. Looks like they're discontinued, and are getting blown out via eBay...

Cheers, Tim

CatfishStudios · June 25th, 2008, 12:35 PM

For a great sounding bedroom practice amp, Id take a look at the Acoustic combo...Ive played one and was absolutely surprised at the great tones, and the volume as well... its cheap too..like real cheap..
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ier?sku=481622

Ptrallan01 · June 25th, 2008, 12:47 PM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...mbo?sku=481098

Behringer doesn't always have the best quality reputation but mine works fine. I only play bass at home now so I didn't need something great. Guitar Center sometimes carries them if you want to try before you buy.

Darrell · June 25th, 2008, 12:53 PM

That Behringer model was the first amp I considered.

Hartke makes and equivalent, at a slightly higher price.

dr. love · June 25th, 2008, 01:01 PM

I have the Line 6 Low Down 110 (75 watt/10 inch) and have been real happy with it. The presets are solid sounds and it hasn't had any problems keeping up in a lower volume band situation with both a passive 4 string and an active 6 string bass. It also has the XLR out that I have used in higher volume situations and direct in recording.

FirstBassman · June 25th, 2008, 03:10 PM

"Cheap" equals what? . . .

http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...1700&brandID=3

http://www.activemusician.com/item--...Bass+Combo+Amp

franchelB · June 25th, 2008, 04:59 PM

you can always look for a keyboard or acoustic guitar amps. IMO, Peavey's Basic 60 is a great starter bass amp! Surely, they can be found on e-bay or craigslist.

Radspin · June 25th, 2008, 05:16 PM

It's not the cheapest or smallest bass amp around, but I think the Ampeg B-100 is superb. It's got a fantastic old-school, rich, deep, classic Ampeg sound and useful, versatile tone controls--I'd say it was designed to get a B-15-type sound (although the B-100 is solid-state). 15-inch speaker, 100 watts, no piezo tweeter, old-style blue diamond covering. it has a line out, and it's loud enough to do a wide range of live gigs also. It's especially fantastic with a Precision Bass.

mudbean · June 25th, 2008, 05:40 PM

Ampeg BA-112 or BA-115

mud

Darrell · June 26th, 2008, 04:31 PM

All great suggestions. I am putting all of these down on my list.

Thanks everyone.

Glenn D. · June 26th, 2008, 05:03 PM

I've had the Workingman 15, I own a BXR 100 that someone gave to me but I mainly play through a Roland Cube 100 bass amp. Lots of tones to play with and it has a line out for the PA.

Glenn D.

telered · June 26th, 2008, 07:28 PM

+1 for the Ampeg B100R.
I've had mine for 10 years and I'd get another if it died.

FirstBassman · June 26th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudbean

Ampeg BA-112 or BA-115

Both great choices.

One cannot go wrong with any Ampeg bass amp IMHO.

Fenderon · June 26th, 2008, 09:32 PM

Ampeg B100R, great amp. You will love it.

Big Mike Simpson · June 26th, 2008, 10:36 PM

Another vote for the Ampeg B100R, I have one... bought it used for $250 or $300... I can't remember...

I know of one that has been used at a twice weekly public 4 hour blues jam for years...

strat a various · June 27th, 2008, 01:39 AM

Darrell
In the past few months, my bass playing buddies have picked up (at pawnshops, craigslist)
1. Roland Cube, (Orange, 60 watts)
2.SWR LA12 (60 watts)
3.Peavey TNT (100+ watts)
They all get the job done recording, small gigs.
Check out the hum at idle and the hum in the line out signal. Some cheap SS amps have a crappy line out, very noisy.
If that's how you're planning to go to a P.A. or recording deck, it may be an issue.

mudbean · June 27th, 2008, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudbean

Ampeg BA-112 or BA-115

mud

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

Both great choices.

One cannot go wrong with any Ampeg bass amp IMHO.

HEY!! Stop agreeing with me! I'm trying to be mad at you!

mud

June 25th, 2008, 11:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,444	Cheap Bass Combo recommendations I am looking to build out my home studio next year. I am looking for some recommendations on a TONEFUL, bass combo amp. I do play with some friends at times, but most of that is "not rock", and more acoustic/Rockabilly/Alt music. So the qualifications are Toneful, small footprint non-back breaker, bass combo amp. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

June 25th, 2008, 11:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,090	I'll make the Chris S. recommendation: a nice used SWR Workingman's 15. A nice little bass amp, and can often be found fairly cheap! Also, I owned a Genz Benz ML 200 combo that was toneful and giggable. Looks like they're discontinued, and are getting blown out via eBay... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

June 25th, 2008, 12:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ptrallan01 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 520 3 Photos	Another suggestion http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...mbo?sku=481098 Behringer doesn't always have the best quality reputation but mine works fine. I only play bass at home now so I didn't need something great. Guitar Center sometimes carries them if you want to try before you buy. __________________ Ooh, I want my guitar to sound like Jimmie Smith's organ!!!

June 25th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,444	Actually That Behringer model was the first amp I considered. Hartke makes and equivalent, at a slightly higher price. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

June 25th, 2008, 04:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,825	Worse comes to worse... you can always look for a keyboard or acoustic guitar amps. IMO, Peavey's Basic 60 is a great starter bass amp! Surely, they can be found on e-bay or craigslist. __________________ Feel free to visit my homepage! http://www.myspace.com/francisbalagtas

June 25th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
sromero TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: lafayette,la Posts: 71	Try a Fender BXR100. You can get them on Ebay for a couple hundred bucks. It's loud enough for practice/small gigs. It has a graphic EQ and enough tone shaping control to pretty much nail any sound you are after. THere's also an XLR output if you want to plug straight into a recording console. Not too heavy at all.

June 25th, 2008, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 32 Posts: 727	For a great sounding bedroom practice amp, Id take a look at the Acoustic combo...Ive played one and was absolutely surprised at the great tones, and the volume as well... its cheap too..like real cheap.. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ier?sku=481622

June 25th, 2008, 01:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
dr. love TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Smyer, TX Age: 33 Posts: 17	I have the Line 6 Low Down 110 (75 watt/10 inch) and have been real happy with it. The presets are solid sounds and it hasn't had any problems keeping up in a lower volume band situation with both a passive 4 string and an active 6 string bass. It also has the XLR out that I have used in higher volume situations and direct in recording.

June 25th, 2008, 03:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 945	"Cheap" equals what? . . . http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...1700&brandID=3 http://www.activemusician.com/item--...Bass+Combo+Amp

June 25th, 2008, 05:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Radspin Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: East Northport, NY Age: 53 Posts: 177	It's not the cheapest or smallest bass amp around, but I think the Ampeg B-100 is superb. It's got a fantastic old-school, rich, deep, classic Ampeg sound and useful, versatile tone controls--I'd say it was designed to get a B-15-type sound (although the B-100 is solid-state). 15-inch speaker, 100 watts, no piezo tweeter, old-style blue diamond covering. it has a line out, and it's loud enough to do a wide range of live gigs also. It's especially fantastic with a Precision Bass.

June 25th, 2008, 05:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
mudbean Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Semi-Desert Semi-Paradise Age: 49 Posts: 1,019	Ampeg BA-112 or BA-115 mud __________________ www.mudbean.com *Fanatics of all stripes are idiots at best, dangerous at worst.* -- Teleblooz

June 26th, 2008, 04:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,444	All great suggestions. I am putting all of these down on my list. Thanks everyone. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

June 26th, 2008, 05:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Glenn D. Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 46 Posts: 149	I've had the Workingman 15, I own a BXR 100 that someone gave to me but I mainly play through a Roland Cube 100 bass amp. Lots of tones to play with and it has a line out for the PA. Glenn D.

June 26th, 2008, 07:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
telered TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CT Age: 51 Posts: 26	+1 for the Ampeg B100R. I've had mine for 10 years and I'd get another if it died.

June 26th, 2008, 09:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
Fenderon TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Oregon Age: 51 Posts: 54	Ampeg B100R, great amp. You will love it. __________________ I may be alot of things......but I'm no guitar player.....

June 26th, 2008, 10:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
Big Mike Simpson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ (PHX) Posts: 1,341 54 Photos	Another vote for the Ampeg B100R, I have one... bought it used for $250 or $300... I can't remember... I know of one that has been used at a twice weekly public 4 hour blues jam for years... __________________ Big Mike http://www.myspace.com/bigmikesimpson

June 27th, 2008, 01:39 AM	#18 (permalink)
strat a various Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dana Point Ca Age: 50 Posts: 135	Darrell In the past few months, my bass playing buddies have picked up (at pawnshops, craigslist) 1. Roland Cube, (Orange, 60 watts) 2.SWR LA12 (60 watts) 3.Peavey TNT (100+ watts) They all get the job done recording, small gigs. Check out the hum at idle and the hum in the line out signal. Some cheap SS amps have a crappy line out, very noisy. If that's how you're planning to go to a P.A. or recording deck, it may be an issue.