Does anyone have a recommendation for a really nice sounding, low volume and compact combo that .... here's the catch ... would not p*ss off her indoors aesthetically or size-wise if permanently installed in the bedroom. Just to be clear, not for rehearsals/gigs etc, purely for home enjoyment. I already have a Tascam bass trainer but I hate wearing headphones as it feels 'artificial'.
In terms of the general gist, alanbass1 has a Fender Champion, a small valve guitar combo (5W I think) with 6" speaker that sounds lovely at low volumes and looks pretty, but I would be a bit worried about the speaker if I pushed the volume ever so slightly or inadvertently hit the low E too hard (and I have no idea where I could find a replacement bass 6" speaker or who could fit it). The new Orange Pix 25W combo looks nice as well (and Mrs Clarky loves the colour orange which is a start!) but I haven't found any reviews of it. I know MarkBass and Phil Jones do small amps but they are very pricey and I don't want to pay that much (£400+ for the MicroMark is silly IMHO).
Any other thoughts, ladies and gents? More generally, why does noone make a tiny valve-driven Fender Champion equivalent for the bass? I would have thought there would be a huge market for bass players to have a small, great tone practice amp for home use only.
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Best bedroom bass amp/combo?
Started by Clarky, Feb 21 2010 08:47 PM
60 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted 21 February 2010 - 08:47 PM
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Launch gig for our new album 'Hearts for Judas': 8 July, The Old Queens Head, Islington
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#2
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Posted 21 February 2010 - 09:05 PM
I've just been playing around on my,Kustom KBA 16 . A nice,cheap,fairly small practice combo.
Maybe you want something like that.
Maybe you want something like that.
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Posted 21 February 2010 - 09:34 PM
I'm very happy with Warwick blue cab 30,it's 30w,very simple,headphones input as well,solid build,nice tone.
#4
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 10:16 AM
The little Line 6 110 amp looks good for bedroom practice. Small, loud'ish if required as a back up amp with DI out and headphones out which is important. Some amp modelling as well if that's your thing.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 11:34 AM
Clarky, on Feb 21 2010, 08:47 PM, said:
More generally, why does noone make a tiny valve-driven Fender Champion equivalent for the bass? I would have thought there would be a huge market for bass players to have a small, great tone practice amp for home use only.
I've often wondered this too. I've got an Ampeg B50R, which sort of does the job and doesn't rattle the windows at lower volumes. It looks pretty enough to be allowed to sit in my living room. Also, if you whack it up it's a great little amp for playing with a drummer using brushes. It's like a bigger amp that's been shrunk (1x12). It's solid state, but still does nice warm old school Ampeg B series tone.
Very rare though. I've only come across mine (I bought from eBay about 5 years ago) and one other on eBay since.
Edited by bigjohn, 22 February 2010 - 11:35 AM.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 11:49 AM
I have an old Laney 30W thing which I bought in ignorance when I bought my first bass. It makes a noise. It's loud enough to practice with a drummer with the dampeners on. Therefore it does what it needs to.
If I had my time again, I'd look at a Roland Cube 30 for the built in effects giggle, or just try and find something light - that old Laney is pretty heavy for all that it does.
If I had my time again, I'd look at a Roland Cube 30 for the built in effects giggle, or just try and find something light - that old Laney is pretty heavy for all that it does.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:02 PM
Roland Cube RX bass.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:21 PM
largo, on Feb 22 2010, 10:16 AM, said:
The little Line 6 110 amp looks good for bedroom practice. Small, loud'ish if required as a back up amp with DI out and headphones out which is important. Some amp modelling as well if that's your thing.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:29 PM
I have to say i think your on the money to be honest an orange amp is the way to go they sound amaizing ive heard a few different orange amps over the years bass and guitar and they all sounded fantastic i would think that would be an excelent choice. plus as you said the missus likes orange lol.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:34 PM
I think if you are thinking JUST a bedroom combo for practice, stay as low priced as you can. Otherwise, youve got that awesome Mesa combo you can use instead!
Ive never tried an Orange combo, but they look pretty!
Ive never tried an Orange combo, but they look pretty!
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:36 PM
largo, on Feb 22 2010, 10:16 AM, said:
The little Line 6 110 amp looks good for bedroom practice. Small, loud'ish if required as a back up amp with DI out and headphones out which is important. Some amp modelling as well if that's your thing.
+1
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:38 PM
largo, on Feb 22 2010, 10:16 AM, said:
The little Line 6 110 amp looks good for bedroom practice. Small, loud'ish if required as a back up amp with DI out and headphones out which is important. Some amp modelling as well if that's your thing.
+1 here too. Love mine. Great wee amp.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 12:44 PM
If it's just for practising by yourself I wouldn't personally worry about tone too much. I mean I've spent years finding the tone I like in my gig rig but I'm happy practising through a rubbish 20w Axl amp thats probably worth about £20 
I mean, why spend money finding your tone when all you're in your room and just need to hear yourself? Of course if you want to record through it that's a different matter. Guess the Tascam might help with that though?
I mean, why spend money finding your tone when all you're in your room and just need to hear yourself? Of course if you want to record through it that's a different matter. Guess the Tascam might help with that though?
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 02:19 PM
Bigwan, on Feb 22 2010, 12:38 PM, said:
+1 here too. Love mine. Great wee amp.
+1 me too - Good amp, effects as well.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 04:32 PM
Look at www.ampmaker.com
I got a little FenderFrontman its got a 8" speakerabout 10w in good nick £25 if your interested.
I got a little FenderFrontman its got a 8" speakerabout 10w in good nick £25 if your interested.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 04:43 PM
I never cease to be amazed at the quality of the tone I get from my Roland basscube RX - it really is a lovely sounding practice amp with effects for fun - I always think if you could get a 750watt version of this to gig with it would be a total winner
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 04:44 PM
Cracking for around £250.
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 04:46 PM
If it's new you want, like a few of the others have suggested, I'd go for the Line 6. Had a go on one when I bought my Ibby, it was a cracking little amp. I just couldn't quite stretch my budget to get one though.
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#20
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Posted 22 February 2010 - 06:39 PM
Thanks all for advice, it seemed to come down to Line 6 vs Roland Cube, with votes evenly split.
So in true contrarian style I have ordered one of the new Orange Pix 25W combos (£110 from Sounds Live). At least someone will then be able to review it for BassChat! And Mrs C will so like the colour ....
[attachment=43329:Orange.jpg]
So in true contrarian style I have ordered one of the new Orange Pix 25W combos (£110 from Sounds Live). At least someone will then be able to review it for BassChat! And Mrs C will so like the colour ....
[attachment=43329:Orange.jpg]
Fenders: '63P, '75J, '71P fretless, AE fretless
Double basses: Kolstein Busetto, 1880s German flatback
Rig: AI Clarus, EA Micro; Epi UL112, Arnopol Crazy 8 & BigE 4x5
Band: All The Queens Ravens http://allthequeensravens.co.uk/
Feedback: http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1954983
Next gig: 31 May, The Effra Social, Brixton
Launch gig for our new album 'Hearts for Judas': 8 July, The Old Queens Head, Islington
Taster from album: http://soundcloud.com/all-the-queens-ravens/las-vegas-parano
Double basses: Kolstein Busetto, 1880s German flatback
Rig: AI Clarus, EA Micro; Epi UL112, Arnopol Crazy 8 & BigE 4x5
Band: All The Queens Ravens http://allthequeensravens.co.uk/
Feedback: http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1954983
Next gig: 31 May, The Effra Social, Brixton
Launch gig for our new album 'Hearts for Judas': 8 July, The Old Queens Head, Islington
Taster from album: http://soundcloud.com/all-the-queens-ravens/las-vegas-parano
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