Recommend an amp for someone starting to play again

[JJJack]

I just sold my mate a squier Jazz today and he needs an amp. He's wanting to start playing a bit more after a long gap since his punk days (Haywire, ever heard of them?)

Since I haven't got an amp since 1986 (GK 200MB combo) I have no idea what to suggest other than have a trawl around Gumtree, eBay, preloved etc. I'm suggesting he should go for ~50W, second hand, cheapish and compact. We are not in flashy territory here.

What would you go for?

Cheers
Jack

[Roland Rock]

Will he be gigging? 50w is practice amp territory

[JJJack]

I don't think so but he might do some low key jamming.
Jack

[Roland Rock]

Are these too flashy?
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/264118-ebs-120-bass-combo/"]http://basschat.co.u...120-bass-combo/[/url]
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/265311-tc-electronics-bg250-115/page__pid__2817005#entry2817005"]http://basschat.co.u...05#entry2817005[/url]
Both good quality combos and loud enough to have a friendly jam with a guitarist and drummer and then some.

Edited July 22, 2015 by Roland Rock

[JJJack]

Perhaps not too flashy but he paid me £80 for the bass (bargain!) so I would guess he would want to pay similar for an amp.
He just asked me about Laney amps (HC50), are they any good?

What about Orange, fender, Roland cubes?

Apologies if this is a bit vague,

[Bobthedog]

I sold a Roland Cube to my bass tutor because I did not like the sound. He loves it as did another pupil who bought immediately have played on my old one. Perhaps there is something too them.

[JJJack]

Cheers.
Someone told me that the Rolands have tiny surface mount components so if they go wrong they can't be repaired. Mid you that might be the case for most new amps.

[40hz]

Ashdown Electric Blue. 1x12 or 1x15. Can be had for peanuts secondhand and a nice sounding, well built amp than can cut it in a gig situation. Earliest ones were 150w, 2nd gen are 180w, 3rd gen are 220? All very usable!

[Grangur]

Fender Rumble 15. They're good practice amps and can be bought on eBay for about £40-50.

He can sort out a gigging set up later.

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='JJJack' timestamp='1437602175' post='2827581'].
He just asked me about Laney amps (HC50), are they any good?
[/quote]
In a recent-ish thread, Laney 100W combos were routinely reviled as the worst starter amps people had owned!
[quote name='JJJack' timestamp='1437604661' post='2827596']
Someone told me that the Rolands have tiny surface mount components so if they go wrong they can't be repaired. Mid you that might be the case for most new amps.
[/quote]
It is, for many new amps anyway.

[tauzero]

Hartke Kickback 12 is another possibility. Reasonable sound and the kickback shape means that for close-range listening it can be aimed at his head.

[LewisK1975]

[quote name='40hz' timestamp='1437612919' post='2827622']
Ashdown Electric Blue. 1x12 or 1x15. Can be had for peanuts secondhand and a nice sounding, well built amp than can cut it in a gig situation. Earliest ones were 150w, 2nd gen are 180w, 3rd gen are 220? All very usable!
[/quote]

I'd agree with this - or perhaps an old Peavey TNT/TKO if you can find one..

[Bigwan]

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1437654513' post='2827888']


I'd agree with this - or perhaps an old Peavey TNT/TKO if you can find one..
[/quote]

+1 if you're after bulletproof

I'd try and find a Line6 Studio 110. There was one here for under a ton last week. Great little combos.

[JJJack]

Update.
My mate bought a Laney for a tenner. He says it's ok. It cost him £100 to get playing again: bass £80, amp £10, lead £10! Not bad I reckon.
Jack

[LewisK1975]

[quote name='JJJack' timestamp='1438019771' post='2830938']
Update.
My mate bought a Laney for a tenner. He says it's ok. It cost him £100 to get playing again: bass £80, amp £10, lead £10! Not bad I reckon.
Jack
[/quote]

Brilliant! should go in the 'Bargain' thread that!