Loudest/best budget bass amp?

[Luciano]

Our band has a bass amp, but it's a tiny 30w combo that came in a Silvertone starter pack. We intend to all pitch in to buy a new bass combo, preferably over 100w and under $350, for gigging/rehearsing. Anyone have suggestions for the best/loudest options?

 

[SolidSteak]

Do you want "best" or do you want "loudest"?

New: Fender's latest Rumble V3 has a 1x12 100 watt combo for like $300 new I think.

Used:
Acoustic makes some budget stuff... a used B100 combo should be less than $200.

You could look around for a Peavey TKO or something by Peavey.

Actually there are too many used bass combo options for me to list! You can probably get some decent loud stuff for $350. Do you have a store near you that sells used gear? You might even find a louder bass head and a cheap 1x15 that nobody wants to move...

 

[SolidSteak]

TC Electronics makes a pretty good 250 watt 2x10 combo too IIRC. Here's one in St. Paul for $250:
http://www.musicgoround.com/p/791661/used-tc-electronic-bg250-bass-amp-200-watts

 

[Bob M]

I got a floor model Ampeg 115 v2. $302 with shipping. It is awesome. Bone rattling. I played with a guy who had the aforementioned Rumble. It was nice, but the Ampeg can get that organ pedal like feel that puts a pit in your stomach. 50lbs. That's important to me.

 

[SolidSteak]

Ampeg BA115, 100 watts, $240 - http://www.musicgoround.com/p/756558/used-ampeg-ba-115-bass-amp-100-watts

 

[RyCo1983]

The Ampeg BA115 units are nice...there are a few different models. They can be had pretty affordably.

I have a Peavey TKO 115. 100 dollar Craigslist score. It is far too heavy to want to use for gigs, but it makes a fine gear table and rehearsal/jam amp!

 

[Cadfael]

+1 TC Electronics ...

versatile and loud ...

 

[Fiesta Red]

Used Rumbles are cheap and great.

I got a 2nd generation 150W Rumble for my daughter, and it rattles the house...$175 or so

 

[Dismalhead]

Generally speaking, you'll need more than a hundred watts to get loud enough to play a mid-sized place. Options:

Look for a used Fender Rumble 200 or 500. It'll have plenty of power. I've got a new model Rumble 40 and it's loud enough for practices, probably not enough for a gig though.

Cheapest option is probably a used Peavey. Just make sure the wattage is there. I had a TKO115 for a long time and it was only 75 watts. Great, deep tone, but again probably not loud enough for a mid-sized place. No matter what Peavey you are looking at, expect it to weigh a ton.

 

[Luciano]

I don't have a store near me that really sells used gear, and I'm not really one for buying used online sight-unseen. I was looking at the peavy max 115, if anyone has any experience with that.

 

[Grux]

Eden sells pretty nice stuff, my bass player just bought a 180w EC210 combo for about $400.00. I know thats a bit over budget but it sounds good and isn't too heavy.

 

[Preacher]

Fender Rumble with the line out lets you tap into the PA as well.

PeavyTNT with the black widow speaker is great as well.

I have a 300watt Kustom mark bass head and a peavy 2x12 cabinet that is my go to. The Fender 100 watt is my haul around

 

[jimash]

I was going to just get a Fender Rumble, but I ran into a Line 6 Lowdown 110, and I couldn;t resist at $100.
75 watts, 4-5 digital voices, compesssor and distortion, 1/10", in a 1 foot cube.
I suspect that these weren;t very reliable, but it sounds very nice and gets pretty loud.

 

[vrdyer]

Acoustic 115 100 watt combo. I bought this amp for my church. I am not associated with Acoustic.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/acoustic-b100mkii-100w-bass-combo-amp

 

[JCW308]

The Peaveys are extremely heavy and don't sound all that great.

 

[SolidSteak]

I don't have a store near me that really sells used gear, and I'm not really one for buying used online sight-unseen. I was looking at the peavy max 115, if anyone has any experience with that.

I haven't tried the combo, but I did try a Peavey MiniMax 500 head plugged into a 2x10 in a store and it sounded pretty good. The only thing I didn't like about it was the knobs... they just didn't seem sturdy enough for me, like they might be easy to break off. The combo seems like a pretty good deal; 300 watts for $350.

I dunno... if it was between a new Peavey max 115 ($350) and a new Ampeg BA115V2 ($400) I'd probably go for the Ampeg even though it's only 100 watts and the Peavey is 300. They both have XLR outs for a PA system too which is nice. Looks like the Acoustic 115 combo has an XLR out too. I think any of those 3 are great options.

 

[brookdalebill]

I'd suggest a used Roland Bass Cube 120.
Lots of great features, light weight and plenty of power.
You should be able to find one on CL for $200-300.

 

[zook]

I have a Carvin MB15. 200 Watts, 30 pounds, plenty loud. Add a second 15 and you move more air and gain another 50 watts. New, on sale at the present.

https://carvinaudio.com/collections/mb-series-bass-combos/products/mb15-micro-bass-amp-15-inch

 

[Jonzilla]

Thought about buying used? You into half priced gear? I picked up a used Ampeg BA210 that my band has used the past few months. $250 I think is what I paid. 450 Watts. Sounds good to us especially for the price. Check your local Craigslist. Test it before you buy, of course.

 

[Sparky2]

Crate makes really good bass amps.
Rock solid, well made, and featuring awesome tones, thump, and volume.

Check out THIS beastie:

https://reverb.com/item/87867-crate-bt220-bass-amp-new