Hi
In the process of buying my daughter a bass - have found a nice looking Squier MB4 that will hopefully check out when I see it in person.
Wasn't sure what to do re a practice amp? She has a Vox VX1 already as she plays electric guitar, can she just use that to start with or will I need to buy her a bass amp as well?
If so, what's worth looking at in the £50 region??
She won't be gigging or anything (not yet anyway) so its just for home and preferably not too loud, but loud enough that she could play along with others when needed.
Thanks
PS Any opinions on the Squier MB4 would be great too (especially anything to look out for)
Comments
A second hand Fender Rumble 15 should be about within your budget. A new one is £85 - anything much cheaper than that will sound pretty poor to be honest.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
im a beginner and I would echo the sentiment above. don't buy a very cheep amp because the do sound crap and you will want something better in no time so the money spent on the very cheep amp is waisted. If you can find a better used amp that will be much better value in the long run
Discontinued models and unfashionable brands are where deals are more likely to be found. Peavey, small Trace Eliot, Fender Rumble, Roland Bass CUBE. If you are feeling brave, Ashdown Engineering made a few low wattage models.
Another option is a headphone/recording pre-amp.
EDIT: My comments about the Squier MB4 bass guitar have been moved to your separate thread on that topic.
Appreciate the insight into the MB4 as well. Good to know that its basically a good platform that could be upgraded if needed. Was going to get her something more expensive, but didn't want it to end up as a potentially expensive lump sitting in the corner!
I did look a few Ibanez basses as well, but its a combination of price, aesthetics, location and time. The MB4 is just over £100.
A new option I looked at was one of the Ibanez SR Mezzo ones - smaller, lighter etc. but much more expensive.
In the end I decided that going the passive route was better as its one less thing to have to keep a stock of and she can always buy an active one later if she sticks with it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEAVEY-MICRO-BASS-BASS-AMPLIFIER-20-Watts/303293721635?hash=item469db6ec23:g:WOAAAOSwTU1dh3Dr
There are a couple more - the later model with a metal grille - for collection only if you're anywhere near Leeds or Shefford.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
They don't come up used very often because they are worth keeping even when the player moves onto bigger gear.
Set up an ebay search so you get notifications, and maybe put a WANTED ad up on basschat too.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
Have also been looking at Fender Rumble 25.
Cheers
If buying pre-owned, check for rattles and loudspeaker fart. Sometimes, the internals come unglued.
Thanks. Let me think about that.
At the moment, the Fender Rumble 25 and the Roland Cube Bass are the front runners - the Fender probably slightly ahead on looks alone. I know the way that it looks will have an impact on the overall reaction.
Thanks
If possible, test the amp using a bass guitar similar to the one that your daughter will eventually receive.
The Squier MB4 is no longer common in shops. The Cort Action Bass, Squier Affinity P Bass or a Yamaha RBX170 should give a reasonable approximation.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein