Small Bass amps that bump

[alex1fly]

What are some good smaller bass amps that still bump? I'm looking into getting a bass rig, but I can't carry a lot of weight (40 lbs or less is ideal). But I still want a decently loud sound.

For example, the Fender Blues Jr. is a small guitar amp but it sounds huge and is used by stage musicians worldwide. Are there bass amps that share this reputation?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

heh, thats like looking for a virgin in a whorehouse.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

I have a Trace Elliot BLX 80 from the mid 90s that has a killer sound for a 1x10 combo. Though in band situation you would be hard pressed with it. I know Gallien Krueger made some 1x12 150 watt combos that sounded excellent but again at band levels can be a bit tough. I guess it depends on what your doing. I love my BLX cause it has a unique sound but unless its a pretty quiet gig its not real useful. I'm not a fan of running a bass amp on edge. I would rather have a 300 watt bass amp that is just barely cracked open with tons of headroom than a 100 watt one that is having its nuts stomped on and the low end is getting farty cause its trying to compete with a gorilla fisted drummer.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

have you considered getting a sansamp DI letting the front of house do all the heavy lifting? That way you get "your" tone in any venue, and you can use a smaller onstage monitor amp using either the parallell out or instrument out. They are an awesome tool for a working bassist and also are indispensable in the studio. The beauty of a DI that lets you tailor in your own sound is that the system works in any venue and at any volume.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

Check out the new Ampeg Portaflex line, or any similarly tiny but powerful bass head. Use a light cab like a MarkBass, and you have a very convenient and lightweight setup. My friend loves her 350W Portaflex and MarkBass 2x10, and the whole setup weighs so little it makes me sick!

 

[karpathion]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

Check out the new Ampeg Portaflex line, or any similarly tiny but powerful bass head. Use a light cab like a MarkBass, and you have a very convenient and lightweight setup. My friend loves her 350W Portaflex and MarkBass 2x10, and the whole setup weighs so little it makes me sick!

Listen to this guy. He knows everything! :friday:

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

Nice. That ampeg looks sweet. And I've been eyeing the Sansamp Series for... well, forever!

Ampeg, didn't they change ownership or something in the last couple years? I remember there being some hoopla over whether their new amps "were the same" or something like that.

I won't be playing with any gorilla drummers. If drummers (or anyone) can't respect their own quality of hearing, I don't play with them.

Small gigs, me playing along to electronic beats, jam/groove sessions. Having a quality tone to record too. Filling in at gigs around town. Any large gigs I'll just mic the amp or find another solution.

But then, big amps have a great sound (hard to beat a 4x12 cab!) so its IMPERATIVE that I find a small amp that still sounds big! The weight issue is a big one for me.



Both the Portlaflex and the Sansamp are great solutions. Thanks

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

Ampeg is nowhere near as good as they used to be before thy moved to who knows where to be built. But they do have their gems among their current product line. I think the PF is one of them. Plenty of other companies make similar amps. Something in that same vein as the Portaflexes would be really convenient. Tiny, powerful heads that will fit in a briefcass...and combine with a modern lightweight cab.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

I would just get one of the markbass 1x12 combos. They're amazing and seem to fit your description quite well.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

There are small amps with power like the Orange Terror Bass (500watts I think) and alot of other small heads that pack a punch. That said a 1x15 or 4x10 is gonna be alot more powerful for bass then a 1x10 or 1x8 due to the ability to translate that power to vibrations. The mark bass stuff looks real cool to but yeh no smaller then 1x12 I reckon.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

Those little Markbass amps pack a serious punch onstage. They couldn't fill up a really big room, but their DI takes care of that.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

I always wanted to try one of these

http://www.philjonesbass.com/pjbdirect/product_info.php?cPath=21_24&products_id=44

 

[Aceman]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

Galien Kruger head with a little Hartke 2x10 aluminum cab?

 

[everdrone]

Re: Small Bass amps that bump

I dig my 2x15 500watt galien kruger combo bass amp, weighs only 37 pounds!! possibly too loud... but just right to compete with a pesky volume queen guitarist