Skybone Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Proud Dad moment... my son has joined his first band as the bass player. Thing is, I really ought to get him a decent wee amp for use at home so that he can hear what he's playing when he's practicing. Thing is, what's a decent wee amp these days? Been looking into the options, and there seem to be a few. There's a few options around, but is it worth going for a "name" brand (i.e. Ashdown / Fender / etc.), or one of the many cheaper options? My head says brand name, my wallet says cheap. Who knew looking for a cheap practice amp could be so stressful??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I’d go second hand and get a decent brand name 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammybee Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 How about a Fender Rumble v3? I picked one up here, mint for £65. Sounds great and looks the part. They are plenty loud enough for the bedroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I'd start with something like Gumtree... see whats local... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 22 minutes ago, Merton said: I’d go second hand and get a decent brand name 3 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said: I'd start with something like Gumtree... see whats local... Funnily enough, just seen a relatively local Marshall MB-15 for a very reasonable price on Gumtree. He'd be chuffed with having a Marshall amp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 My Marshall MB 15 was about £30 of the bay last year... great little amp modern channel with compressor and classic channel with gain. Headphone out... google Search 'Marshall MB30 pdf' for the 15/30 owners manual, the MB range brocure is also still about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 It's a tough one because people want a lot of money for low powered amps. You may be just as well getting something with more wattage for similar money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Yep second hand Marshall MB, Fender Rumble, Ampeg BA, Ashdown After or AAA ranges, all will be plenty good enough for home use and none should be too costly, I`ve had all of the above and for the 15 watt/8-inch speaker versions they`re usually around £50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 In your shoes I'd go with either a used Roland Bass Cube 30 or a Line6 Studio 110 if I could find one. Slightly more spendy, but the sounds available are outstanding. I used to gig the Line6 straight to the PA, kicked back against a wall or wedged up on a block of wood as a personal monitor. Great bit of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Another vote for a Roland Bass Cube 30 - one of the older heavier ones. I still have mine despite my silly money main rig. It just sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekomatic Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I have an MB15 and it sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 Marshall MB 15 in really good nick, sounds good too. One happy teenager (his Mum and his sister aren't too happy though! ). 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 (edited) Good Darts... That was quick... Manual Attached... Marshall MB15 MB30 User Manual.pdf If it didnt come with a cover, an Upside Down Medium Sports Direct Bag is a Bang-On size cover for a pound... Keep the dust and a bit of rain off and give a bit of protection in the car... I cut a slot in the bottom to get at the handle. Gak still have the covers but are £17 + £5 postage... Edited June 23, 2021 by PaulThePlug 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekomatic Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Ha ha, that needs to go in the top tips thread in Repairs and Technical! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 24, 2021 Author Share Posted June 24, 2021 Cheers for the manual, and the handy cover tip! Yup, quite pleased with that find. Surprisingly loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JottoSW1 Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 On 23/06/2021 at 15:38, Bigwan said: In your shoes I'd go with either a used Roland Bass Cube 30 or a Line6 Studio 110 if I could find one. Slightly more spendy, but the sounds available are outstanding. I used to gig the Line6 straight to the PA, kicked back against a wall or wedged up on a block of wood as a personal monitor. Great bit of kit. As it happens Im about to post a line6 ld110 for sale here. Hilarious little amps, though the Roland is slightly better really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 Roland bass cube Ashdown MAG Can you do more like £120-£150? TC Electronic can be had second hand and that combo series are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph_Rock Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Warwick Combo's make great practice amps, I have the BC80, I find it very good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 11 hours ago, JottoSW1 said: As it happens Im about to post a line6 ld110 for sale here. Hilarious little amps, though the Roland is slightly better really. Been 7 or 8 years since I owned the Line6 and I currently own the Roland so hard for me to say! Greatly enjoy(ed) both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 26, 2021 Author Share Posted June 26, 2021 10 hours ago, Jack said: Roland bass cube Ashdown MAG Can you do more like £120-£150? TC Electronic can be had second hand and that combo series are great. As much as I'd like to spend more, the budget was stretched at £100 tbh. £25 for the Marshall was brilliant, and more importantly, my son's happy with the amp and playing a bit more. Got to try and stop him from looking at basses on line now though! No hope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Those little Marshall MB amps are pretty decent, you got a good deal there at that price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JottoSW1 Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Bigwan said: Been 7 or 8 years since I owned the Line6 and I currently own the Roland so hard for me to say! Greatly enjoy(ed) both! Torn between selling the 110 but I've also got the LD150 combo which is also good and still portable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Orange Crush 25 every time, although a bit above your budget. 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.