cookieman15061 Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Well I've been asked to join a band which I really have not committed to since mid 90s. All the members are geezers like me but pretty basic, practice once a week play out couple weekends a month. My predicament is that I'll be playing mostly bass. I know nothing about quality bass amps. I know there's a ton of knowledge here so surely one of yinz guys has a little bass expertise and or advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsinla Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 I've always been partial to the sound and concept of those little Ampeg tube amps where the head stores in the cabinet, not cheap though. Ampeg amp (ooops, this might not be one, but this is the look.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Cookie, I had an old tube Bassman, (2X12" speakers), with an extra Showman bottom, (1X12" JBL) and used it for many years. When I got out of music, I sold it but eventually got a Dual Showman (2X15") and it worked just fine, (again, tube version). But now that I'm old and don't want to haul the Showman around, I bought a solid state Fender Bassman, (1X15), and it's GREAT! Out of all three rigs.... Showman is the best for sound, but not for convenience..... the solid state Bassman is the way to go. By the way, I picked it up on eBay for $200 maybe 4 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 I've always been partial to the sound and concept of those little Ampeg tube amps..... Here's the current lineup of Ampeg combos: http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Peavey make pretty decent Bass amps.. Searcy is a bass guy.. you should ask him :) Ohh and good luck with the new band.. id love to get back to playing live and would happily play bass to do so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Hey Cookie...I'll be in Pittsburgh next week. Playin' anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Certainly something I can carry around is a major factor in my quest. So I'm thinking maybe solid state for price and durability. And Rob it may take a few weeks anyway before we are public. Still waiting for a song list of what I need to work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 I'm not a fan of tube bass amps at all. It's been a long time since I played a gig but if I had to tomorrow I would be set. I have a 200W Nemesis combo with a Boss ME50 pedal board. Any sound I could want there. If I were shopping for an amp today I would come home with a Mark Bass Little Mark 3 and a pair of their 1x12 cabs. Small, full of sounds and easy to move around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrNylon Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Markbass. this is the Mini CMD121P Combo / NY121 cab. 500 Watts, light weight, (2) 1X12's. They have a great clear tube tone, without the heavy tube heads. The cabs are solid too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 The bass player in my last band had a Peavey TNT Bass and it was a brutal combo amp,especially when he added a 1-15 cabinet to really push a lot of air. As others have mentioned Ampeg makes really great bass amps.The Fender "Rumble" bass amps are really reasonably priced and can put out serious volume when you get into the higher powered ones.Acoustic makes great solid state bass amps that put out a really clean signal.Traynor makes pretty great sounding amps too especially the new remake of their first bass amp which is a really spectacular little amp.The "Mark" bass amps that have already been mentioned are great amps too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaysEpiphone Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 These are not bad amps and not a pain in the back to tote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPWikFPwYFc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Also Trace Elliot amps are pretty good too :) http://www.traceelliot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 Thanks guys appreciate all the suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammin' Joe Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I have a Fender Bassman 150 that's a nice "beater" amp. I'm not a tone freak but for me it works and does what it's supposed to do. Not top of the line but good enough. And as another geezer, it's not too heavy to throw in the car and take to a gig. If you're looking for one cheap, there's one on PGH's Craigslist right now for $195 you might want to check out. If I had the extra cash I'd pick it up just for a spare. I paid somewhere around $450 or so for mine new.(can't remember exactly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Used is the way to go. If you don't like it, sell it and move on. I have been playing through Acoustic Control amps for a very long time, so that's what I do. The GC stuff is decent quality, but for a similar price, you can get the real thing. Only problem is that they weigh a whole, whole lot. I have an aging Chevy van and don't mind some heavy lifting, so take that into consideration when you hear what I have to say, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyT Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I like that Mark Bass stuff. Just saw this in my YouTube subs for Anderton's in the UK. They uploaded a slew of videos just a bit ago, here is one of a small bass amp that will fit in your gig bag. Ashdowm Mi Bass 2.0 - Small Enough to Put in your pocket! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.49081d75ce94077203baa1e72e58c1de.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.