A bass amp for me

[batwoman]

Practising bass without an amp is limiting. Well that's what I'm telling myself.    I've only just started reading up about amps. I'm a beginner. I'd use the amp for practising at home, blowing up the neighbours nah, just jokin'    and perhaps some Open Mics. I also want to plug my stomp into it.

I can lift 20kg, but lighter would be better and it must be easy to lift in and out of the boot of my small hatchback car, so no fridges thanks.   Don't want to spend a fortune so not looking at high end stuff.

Any suggestions?

Thankyou 

[Endureth]

Any small amp is perfect.  I spend 90% of my time playing through a Crate BX-15.  It's really small but it's easy and non complicated.

No need to over-do it.

[DavidP]

Maggie, a Blackstar ID:Beam might do the trick for practice at home and perhaps an open mic in a small closed venue, though not sure about that. You wluld be able to play both Red and Cedar through the amp plus an electric if you ever went down that road ... I could imagine you with a hollow body suitable for jazz and blues playing 

These amps are small, so light-weight but all the reviews online really positjve. Also gets great feedback from Richard and Darrell here. So an option to consider.

Also in this multipurpose vein, is the Peavey Vypyr VIP range. Bigger than the Beam, so a bit heavier but still not huge and some good reviews. 20W and 8" speaker so perhaps better able to be used in open mic scenario. And of course that is entry level so could get a bigger one 

That all said, I lack knowledge and experience to know if this multipurpose approach makes an unacceptable compromise by try to be too many things. Best bet to go listen and see how things sound. That did the trick for me when buying my first amp and contemplating solid state or valve.

Have fun ....

[DarrellW]

^^^^^
An ID core BEAM could be very useful in terms of versatility and what it can do. It’s plenty loud enough for home use and maybe Open mic - it could be mic’ed up if there was a drummer!
Apart from that any of the big brand solid state small bass amps with about 30W output would be ok, if you can find Laney they are great value for your money!

[joueur de guitare]

READ THIS BIT!

You can run a bass through a guitar amp, but if you crank the volume there's a chance you'll blow the speaker.

How much do you want to spend?

[batwoman]

Any small amp is perfect.  I spend 90% of my time playing through a Crate BX-15.  It's really small but it's easy and non complicated.

No need to over-do it.

Good advise Endureth. I especially like 'easy and non complicated'.  Thankyou

[batwoman]

Maggie, a Blackstar ID:Beam might do the trick for practice at home and perhaps an open mic in a small closed venue, though not sure about that. You wluld be able to play both Red and Cedar through the amp plus an electric if you ever went down that road ... I could imagine you with a hollow body suitable for jazz and blues playing 

These amps are small, so light-weight but all the reviews online really positjve. Also gets great feedback from Richard and Darrell here. So an option to consider.

Also in this multipurpose vein, is the Peavey Vypyr VIP range. Bigger than the Beam, so a bit heavier but still not huge and some good reviews. 20W and 8" speaker so perhaps better able to be used in open mic scenario. And of course that is entry level so could get a bigger one 

That all said, I lack knowledge and experience to know if this multipurpose approach makes an unacceptable compromise by try to be too many things. Best bet to go listen and see how things sound. That did the trick for me when buying my first amp and contemplating solid state or valve.

Have fun ....

Thanks David, this is appealing and from what I've been reading it may be what I'm looking for.

[batwoman]

READ THIS BIT!

You can run a bass through a guitar amp, but if you crank the volume there's a chance you'll blow the speaker.

How much do you want to spend?

Blowing up the neighbours ... yes. Blowing up my speaker ... no. Are you referring to the Blackstar that will take acoustic guitar as well? I'll spend up to $500 AUD.

[batwoman]

^^^^^
An ID core BEAM could be very useful in terms of versatility and what it can do. It’s plenty loud enough for home use and maybe Open mic - it could be mic’ed up if there was a drummer!
Apart from that any of the big brand solid state small bass amps with about 30W output would be ok, if you can find Laney they are great value for your money!

Thanks Darrell, I'll follow up your Laney suggestion.

[tobyjenner]

Maggie

Plenty of suggestions here without my input. Just make sure the volume goes to 12 !

Toby
 

[DarrellW]

Thanks Darrell, I'll follow up your Laney suggestion.

Another one to add - Orange make nice small Bass amps also

[joueur de guitare]

Blowing up the neighbours ... yes. Blowing up my speaker ... no. Are you referring to the Blackstar that will take acoustic guitar as well? I'll spend up to $500 AUD.

I'm referring to playing an electric bass through any guitar amp. Especially at gigging volumes.

Celestion make speakers, watch their vid. They probably know more about the physics than I do  





I don't know if Ashdown bass amps are generally available in Australia, but they're worth a look.

[batwoman]

I'm referring to playing an electric bass through any guitar amp. Especially at gigging volumes.

Celestion make speakers, watch their vid. They probably know more about the physics than I do  

I don't know if Ashdown bass amps are generally available in Australia, but they're worth a look.

Thankyou joueur de guitare, this is very useful info. I appreciate the time you've taken to help me. 

[batwoman]

Another one to add - Orange make nice small Bass amps also

Added to my research list Darrell. Thanks a lot. 

[batwoman]

Maggie

Plenty of suggestions here without my input. Just make sure the volume goes to 12 !

Toby
 

You are  incorrigible Tony, but I still luvs ya