cakepop29 Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 So I'm just starting out, bought my guitar today but now I need to buy my amp! On a relatively low budget here, and will upgrade my amp as I progress. Here are 3 amps I've found, I need help choosing the best one! I'll be just playing at home for my own pleasure. Maybe the occasional jam with one or two people if I get good and am lucky. In a bit of a rush too and need it by this weekend. [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/SubZero-V15B-Vintage-15W-Bass-Combo-Amp/B7P"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/SubZero-V15B-Vintage-15W-Bass-Combo-Amp/B7P[/url] [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Belcat-15W-Bass-Amp/O1Q"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Belcat-15W-Bass-Amp/O1Q[/url] [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Belcat-25W-Electric-Bass-Amp/8C9"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Belcat-25W-Electric-Bass-Amp/8C9[/url] Thank! Quote
CamdenRob Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) SVT and a pair of 8x10s should do it... sorry... as a more productive suggestion I wouldn't personally bother with any of those practice amps, they are all going to sound so horrible and honky that it's enough to put you off bass playing altogether a bass doesnt even sound like a bass through those things they have absolutely no bottom end whatsoever... I would suggest getting a small mixer or something and using headphones for home practice and then saving up a bit extra for a proper amp when you get around to jamming with some mates Edited December 10, 2014 by CamdenRob Quote
Hobbayne Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 Agreed. If I were you I would look at one of these. You can connect it up and jam along to music. [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/effects-recording-c6/headphone-amplifiers-c192/vox-vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp-p9247/s9495?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp-voxamplug-bass&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CjwKEAiA-5-kBRDylPG5096R8mASJABqEdm4h95xpr-UDqlH8TWkqRbW8hmr-pU41rNMtDXYLi76IhoCsVzw_wcB"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/effects-recording-c6/headphone-amplifiers-c192/vox-vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp-p9247/s9495?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp-voxamplug-bass&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CjwKEAiA-5-kBRDylPG5096R8mASJABqEdm4h95xpr-UDqlH8TWkqRbW8hmr-pU41rNMtDXYLi76IhoCsVzw_wcB[/url] Quote
FuNkShUi Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 Why not try this: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/251111-white-horse-gfm-80w-amp/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/251111-white-horse-gfm-80w-amp/[/url] ? Quote
SubsonicSimpleton Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 Zoom B1on is very affordable and includes chromatic tuner, basic drum machine and looping functionality as well as the effects, can be used with headphones or in front of an amp, available as cheap as £39 from some retailers. Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Posted December 10, 2014 Is there any way I could use the Vox plug in and play and hook it up to my tv? That way I could use the speakers from the tv? or anyway I could hook it up to normal speakers? Just a thought. Quote
CamdenRob Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 To be honest there's not really a shortcut... your going to need a proper bass amp if you want to play aloud without headphones. Cheapest option would maybe be to look for a decent second hand bass amp in your area? One of those little practice amps will suffice to make you audible but it really will sound terrible... Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Posted December 10, 2014 Okay... how about the Vox AC1 RhythmVOX bass amp? Y'know, the mini amp... [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=11069999990203"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=11069999990203[/url] Quote
yorks5stringer Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) [quote name='cakepop29' timestamp='1418230520' post='2628243'] Okay... how about the Vox AC1 RhythmVOX bass amp? Y'know, the mini amp... [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=11069999990203"]http://www.guitargui...=11069999990203[/url] [/quote] Battery powered...will sound weak and puny. Unfortunately decent power 80-100 watts plus and at least 10" speakers generally means a decent sound, Low power and small speakers ( there are expensive exceptions) will generally sound crap. If you have to go with those 3 options you listed, get the 25w one but don't expect it to sound loud enough for anything than solo practicing . It will struggle over a guitar and live drums Edited December 10, 2014 by yorks5stringer Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Posted December 10, 2014 Yeah, I'm not planning on much more than solo practice atm tbh anyway Quote
yorks5stringer Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 Yes, it's a tricky situation, you don't want to shell out too much at first but when you get a decent amp/combo, it will sound so much better! Paradox is that unless you play with others, you'll never need a powerful rig. Wait till GAS hits you too! Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Posted December 10, 2014 Haha! Well other options are: Laney LX10B (£40 + shipping) Peavey Max 126 (£55) Peavey Max 158 (£60 + shipping) Your thoughts? Need to order this soon! Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Posted December 10, 2014 Actually lets throw in Ibanez IBZ10B too (£50 + shipping) Just want the best value for money! I am just starting out so (dare I say it), I don't even know how much I will enjoy bass! I love music so I am sure I will love it but.,, just sayin' Quote
Twincam Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 To be honest ive just read a fair bit of bull from others about practice amps there. There are lots of practice amps that sound perfectly fine and give great low end. Even mark bass do a mini mark and it has plenty of bottom end. And many other companies use small speakers that give decent bottom end too. And ive jammed with a 25 watt hartke practice amp with an 8 inch speaker and we where fairly loud granted my mates were using amps of similar or lower tubes watts. And we were using a double garage. But you would be surprised how loud a 25w practice amp will go, you will have no headroom meaning the volume will be at pretty much max setting but you can certainly jam using a practice amp. Infact that amp is still at my friends and i still occasionally use it to jam with him. It will not struggle over a guitar or even two or a drummer who can keep it reasonable. People manage to busk ok with a 5w roland cube!. i would go with the peavey or laney there likely to be better designed. So the peavey 158. If you live in County durham you could of had for free my old Carlsbro 90bg combo which would see you through practice and jam sessions. Its also done small gigs apprently!. Quote
zero9 Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 Do you have anything at home you can plug a bass into, such as a hifi, or some computer speakers? These would be fine for low volume practice, however, you may need either a small mixer or interface in between Quote
machinehead Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 My advice would be to buy a used amp of around 100 watts of your local gumtree. It will be far better value and you can sell it on at little or no loss. Frank. Quote
Musky Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 [quote name='zero9' timestamp='1418241998' post='2628414'] Do you have anything at home you can plug a bass into, such as a hifi, or some computer speakers? These would be fine for low volume practice, however, you may need either a small mixer or interface in between [/quote] I was just going to suggest this, or specifically running through a computer with some speakers. Not tried this myself but I know others here have done so. Just be aware that bass is punishing for speakers, and the merest hint of buzz, fuzz or any other nasty noise should have you turning down and/or reducing the bass frequencies. Any particular reason why it's got to be this weekend, other than sheer excitement? You can do much better than a little practice amp for less than £100 if you can wait and save, using your PC/speakers in the meantime. If you can't wait I'd look at a Peavey Micro Bass, which are cheap and plentiful second hand. They were a solid recommendation on here for those looking for practice amps until they were discontinued a few years ago. Quote
Twincam Posted December 10, 2014 Posted December 10, 2014 Oh forgot to mention look at cash generator online ive bought basses and recently an amp from there they all came next day too and the postage tends to be really cheap, ive seen some ok little practice amps on there. Also cash converters online never used them as they seem expensive but worth a look. Quote
rodma Posted December 11, 2014 Posted December 11, 2014 I got rid of my wee ashdown amp and play through a pair of cheap powered nearfield monitors via a BDI21, sounds ten times better than through the toy lookalike bass amp Quote
Weststarx Posted December 11, 2014 Posted December 11, 2014 I think you should buy this one out of the options you've given because its more powerful than the others and should give you a better sound because of it. [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Belcat-25W-Electric-Bass-Amp/8C9"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Belcat-25W-Electric-Bass-Amp/8C9[/url] I'd personally ignore anyone telling you to play through a computer or headphones because you'll still need to invest in decent speakers/headphones and still not get a decent sound because they're not made for playing a bass guitar through...AND more importantly you wont experience the coolest part of playing bass and thats making the whole room vibrate!! As a beginner, you dont need anything fancy or amazing guitar tone because at the end of the day you're going to be playing to the mirror in your bedroom. If you then decide you like it so much you want to start gigging, then I would start looking at more expensive stuff because at the moment you dont know if you're going to enjoy it or not, so for now keep it simple, BASS > LEAD > AMP. Find some easy songs you want to learn (which is pretty easy to do on bass) and just play! Until you know what you're looking for and looking at I wouldnt buy anything secondhand unless you had someone to go with you that knows what to look for and know if somethings dodgy or has been abused. Keep it simple now, you dont want to have a headache before you even play the thing! Buy an amplifier... 1 Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 11, 2014 Author Posted December 11, 2014 Thanks guys! I've just seen the Peavey Max 158 up on eBay, so I'm currently bidding on that. If I don't get it for a decent dirt cheap price, then I think I'll get the Belcat 25w amp as suggested by Weststarx! Will keep y'all posted Quote
cakepop29 Posted December 11, 2014 Author Posted December 11, 2014 But, if I did go pre-owned these are also options: [url="http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/product-guitar-amplifiers/hartke-b20-20-watt-bass-amplifier-black-BL18635"]http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/product-guitar-amplifiers/hartke-b20-20-watt-bass-amplifier-black-BL18635[/url] [url="http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/product-amplifiers/laney-hardcore-max-30w-amp-BL21496"]http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/product-amplifiers/laney-hardcore-max-30w-amp-BL21496[/url] Quote
Dan Dare Posted December 11, 2014 Posted December 11, 2014 You don't actually specify a budget, as far as I can see. As others advise, you can't generally get decent sound out of small, cheap bass amps (you need to move air and cleanly for low frequencies and that takes a bit of power/quality). If you can stretch to it, the smaller EBS combos are nice and the advantage of buying something better is that you can recoup part of the cost when you upgrade. The amps you suggest will get you virtually nothing back on resale, I'm afraid. I'd steer clear of pawnshops, too. They don't give stuff away. eBay a better bet. Good luck. Quote
CamdenRob Posted December 11, 2014 Posted December 11, 2014 The issue isn't with the model of practice amp your looking at, I would imagine that all the models you've put links up for are of a similar quality. The issue is that practice amps are on the whole pretty rubbish. They will have no low end whatsoever and are therefore rather pointless as a means of amplicifation... They will of course enable you to hear yourself playing though and if that is your sole aim just get the cheapest one you've found Quote
FuNkShUi Posted December 11, 2014 Posted December 11, 2014 Yeh, i think as a beginner to bass, i wouldnt get too concerned with the intricacies of what frequencies you'll hear etc. Get a small amp and speaker like the ones you've suggested, and just play. Play along to songs, play anything at all, just experiment and see if you feel the bass is something you'll enjoy. If you do get hooked, thats when you can start concerning yourself about the quality of your sound. For now, IMO, just get something cheap, that allows you to hear yourself. And enjoy Quote
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