Help from fellow bass players
sheseemstobestronger
Posts: 14
I just started playing a bass a couple months ago, and I need an amp. I don't really know what to look for in an amp either. Any suggestions??
umm...
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
Have fun!
I think you should look for at least a 50 watt 12 so you can keep the amp for a while you really can't play with a band with under 50 watts the bass should be the most powerful instrument besides drums in the band.
The things you want to look for are, Output Wattage some where above 50 watts for bass preferably. Cabinet Construction (If it feels cheap it is cheap) Tone and Volume shaping. Preamp Postamp Gain, Treble Middle Bass EQ and on the newer amps Voicing controls and perhaps compression.
What not to look for, Built in Effects like Flange, Auto Wah etc.
You won't use them much anyway you can worry about effects later, don't pay more for them.
Put your money on the Cabinet, Speaker and tone shaping and you'll get the most for your money.
Play them all then decide.
15 watts is fine in fact you can get buy with 10 but eventually you will hopefully be playing with a band and a 50 watter will allow you some flexibility
Hartke, Gallien Kruger, and David Eden are other good companies I failed to mention.
But it all goes to price......sadly it always does....and everything has a price.
For the original poster... It's a good idea to look in yard sales school sales etc for old but good stuff. There are lots of people who will keep a good amp a few years and then get rid of it or there Parents will sell it cheap when they move out. That's a really good way to get a lot of amp for a little money, but it's buyer beware that way so you'll have to check it out before buy it.
Used is cool but it has no warrenty.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030922140901150131025216743190/g=home/search/detail/base_id/108168
It's got enough power to play with a group, can be tilted back for smaller stages, but can be played quietly at home and is portable. You can always add another cabinet later (like a 15" extension cab) and really pump the stage volume. It's reliable, well-built, and versatile. THere are cheaper amps out there, but I'd spend the dime on a good amp that you'll still want to play through five years from now.
If you have a price range, we could probably limit our selections...