Help what bass amp

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GSPBASSESGSPBASSES Frets: 2335
in Bass tFB Trader


I'm looking for a new bass amp, it's never going to be gigged, but I want something a bit more then a practice amp. Now that would sound quite a simple thing to do, it wasn't. I haven't purchased a bass amp for more years than I can remember, amps have changed a lot, so I would be relying on advice from shop assistance who should know their business, no chance.

Go into my local guitar shop explained exactly what I want, medium size amp, no built in effects, Don't want a digital modelling amp, never going to be gigged. I might as well have been talking to a brick wall, shop assistant wanted to show me what amps big enough to fill the London Arena, or they were packed with digital affects. I let him go on for a little while then interrupted him as he was showing me a Markbass which I think was about 500 Watts, explain again what I wanted adding it's only going to be used in a work shop setting up new bass guitars that I built. He looked at main quite puzzled, then just carried on has if I hadn't said anything.

So, change tack, said I've changed my mind I want a smallish practice amp, hoping smallest practice amp would turn into a biggish practice amp, which it kind of did. he showed me mainly Fender Rumble amps, that we're fine except I think Fender spent too much money on the effects  not enough on what counts. By this time I was totally fed up and said I'll think about it and come back to you.

Next day went over to Brighton to try my luck there, got more or less the same treatment totally ignore what you ask for, try to sell you hi wattage amps the size of a truck, or small ramps packed with loads of pre-sets sounds of which 90% you would never use.

I'm now wishing I've never sold my Marshall stack, although it was very big, very loud, but it just did what bass amp should do, let a bass guitar sound like a bass guitar.

So my question to you can you recommend a smallish bass amp that’s not packed with pre-sets sounds and digital effects, has a master volume, a gain control, but not one that puts you into ridiculous amounts of overdrive, bass, treble and mid control, and not much else.

 Price range around £300.


Your life will improve when you realise it’s better to be alone than chase people who do not really care about you. Saying YES to happiness means learning to say NO to things and people that stress you out.

https://www.facebook.com/grahame.pollard.39/

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Comments

  • KeefyKeefy Frets: 2272
    A Fender Rumble 40 will do the trick - small and light, but I've heard one used effectively with a 20-pice big band.
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  • martmart Frets: 5205
    Yep, a Rumble is almost certainly what you need.
    Alternatively, you could try this:
    http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/PJB_Micro_7_Combo.html

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  • KKJaleKKJale Frets: 982
    Look at the Ampeg BA-112. I think they sound pretty damn good. 

    The smaller 1x10 is worth a try too.


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  • JezWyndJezWynd Frets: 6021
    I just got a Phil Jones Bass Session 77. It’s a 100 w practice combo with two 7” speakers and a 2” tweeter. Phil Jones amps really let the sound of the individual instrument shine through - there’s no sweetening or signature sound, just the exact reproduction of what you plug in. Excellent for practice as it reveals flaws in your playing. It’s supposed to work well with acoustic guitars etc as well but I haven’t checked that out yet. The 77 is a budget amp in their range and there are a few low to mid wattage combos, all using small size speakers of their own design. Well worth checking out. Bass Direct are stockists if you happen to be local to them.
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  • KebabkidKebabkid Frets: 3301
    Fender Rumble 40 not the all black model which has the built in effects and modelling. The 25 is ok but a little farty but 40 should cover what you need with enough eq shaping.
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  • GSPBASSESGSPBASSES Frets: 2335
    tFB Trader

    Went back into the local guitar shop today, spoke to a different salesman explain what I wanted, he immediately showed me the Fender Rumble 25, then the 40. Tried them both out decided the 40 what's the one, I did try out the little Markbass but decided I preferred Fender. It turns out the Rumble 40 I was showed yesterday was the studio version with all the effects.

    I now have a new bass amp that does exactly what I wanted, and well below budget, thanks for the advice.


    Your life will improve when you realise it’s better to be alone than chase people who do not really care about you. Saying YES to happiness means learning to say NO to things and people that stress you out.

    https://www.facebook.com/grahame.pollard.39/

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