Not sure whether this should be in bass or amps, but here goes...
Short version: What's a good small, cheap practice amp for bass?
Longer version: I've got a new (guitar) practice amp so my old one (a Backstar ID Core 10) is now spare. My daughter plays a bit of bass and has been borrowing the Blackstar occasionally, so now I've got another small amp I'd be happy give her the Blackstar (which she obviously thinks is a good idea!). It sounds quite good for bass but obviously a lot of the features and effects are really aimed at guitar. So the thing is, would she be better off with something else if I give her the proceeds of selling the Core 10 (looks like I'd get about £50 on a good day)? Would a Fly Bass be more appropriate, or something else completely? She still lives at home so still has access to my kit if she wants - so this would only be for playing in her room.
Comments
They're £89 new so you should be able to find a second hand one for about £50-60 if you don't want to spend the extra.
As Funkfingers said, one of the slightly larger ones will do even for more serious use later.
"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
The idea is for something small to use in her (already full) room rather than anything giggable. My little Blackstar actually does the job fine at small room volume.
I was going to give her the Blackstar and just wondered if it might be worth selling/trading it for something more bass-specific, but I have no intention of throwing any more money at it at this point. She mainly plays violin and ukulele but has recently acquired a U-bass and has been getting quite into that - so it does make an acoustic sound, just sounds different through an amp.
I'll have a look at what's available secondhand around the value of the Blackstar - it really doesn't need to be at all loud, and being physically small is quite important (it's not a very big room and she's a typically messy 15-yo - there's certainly no room for a proper-sized bass amp). I had considered suggesting she gets a headphone amp like an amplug.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
I have quite an old one and it’s never let me down. Sounds very good. I still use mine even though I have a silly money main bass rig.
The older 20XL version can be found used and cheap under £100.
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
"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
Ashdown bass amplifiers are fine ... right up until the moment when they stop working properly.
Good thinking, Batman.
That is a very tempting home/recording rig, sir.
http://support.swramps.com/manuals/pdfs/wm10_12_15_om.PDF
The one thing on it that's rubbish is the tap tempo button for the little drum machine. It's impossible to use intelligently, they should have stuck a knob on.
Ron McGovney. Sacked by Metallica to be replaced by the far busier player Cliff Burton. And it's well documented that Burton was pursued because he was a busier player and actual bass soloist.
Pursued to the point that Metallica actually moved cities because Burton wouldn't move to where Metallica were based.
So you can retire your favourite comment now.
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
Very small and light but sounds like BASS.
Cheap too.
Can you imagine "Sir Duke" with just root notes? Urgh!
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
Testing gear in shops I particularly liked the Bass Cube. I probably would have bought one if I had need for one. A rehearsal room I used with a different band had a Laney Rickter, so a practise-sized one might be good also.
I haven't liked the Blackstar bass amps I've played through in shops, although the on-board chorus was nice and used found myself playing Dancing in the Moonlight which might please @Rocker .
Not sure if Harley Benton has anything, but could be another option.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!