arabassist Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Haven't played bass in a long time due to work and haven't bought an amp in years. I popped into a music store today to test out some basses and I was plugged into a 15W (I'm not sure the gentleman said 15 or 50 to be honest) that was far more powerful and better sounding than my dull and wooden-sound Ashdown amp. It also came with some pre-set effects like chorus and distortion and what not - although I do have a multi-effects pedal which I play on with earphones anyway. I'm curious as to how such a smaller amp can give out such better sound and volume. Maybe I chose a crap practice amp those few years back - though I heard ashdowns are quite good? Nonetheless this new amp was about £100 and I might buy it. I wonder if anyone recommend an alternative before I buy it, in-case there's some good standard little amp that most people buy/trade on here? I must admit I haven't paid much attention to amps, largely because I don't gig and I play rarely anyway. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 It would help so much if you mentioned the model of your amp and the one you tried out in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 The little practice amps nowadays certainly pack a punch. My 25 watt Ampeg BA 108, well I can`t get it on over 2 on volume at home without being extremely anti-social to the neighbours. Great sounding little amp. My old 15 watt Marshall MB15 was similar. I wouldn`t use either in a full band setting, but doing an acoustic type set, I`d have every faith in my Ampeg (it`s about £100 new). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) I use a Markbass 801 as a practice amp and it's more powerful (ie. loud and full whilst remaining clean) than some of the [multiple times larger] brutes I used to play through. Like you, I'd been wondering "How do they do that?" But I gave up and just enjoy it. CB Edited July 20, 2012 by cloudburst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arabassist Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1342810110' post='1741443'] It would help so much if you mentioned the model of your amp and the one you tried out in the shop. [/quote] Sadly I had forgotten the name. I was just impressed with its sound to size ratio. [quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1342813501' post='1741514'] I use a Markbass 801 as a practice amp and it's more powerful (ie. loud and full whilst remaining clean) than some of the [multiple times larger] brutes I used to play through. Like you, I'd been wondering "How do they do that?" But I gave up and just enjoy it. CB [/quote] Yeah I'll probably end up buying it anyway. Edited July 20, 2012 by arabassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 I wouldnt be surprised if it was one of the Roland Cube Bass models. They have a remarkable sound & volume for their size, and a few different models and effects on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arabassist Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 It's a Lowdown LD15 - never heard of it, so possibly not that great but good enough for me to get back into playing more often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Lowdown are in the Line 6 range I believe, so not a bad brand name at all. If it gets you playing, then it's gotta be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.