Taking a long walk and the sound that moves air, the bassline produced by the bass guitar whether you believe it or not is actually a lead sound and is a solo act itself being pulled off by the bassist throughout a whole song. So on that note, the bass same with its guitar counterpart is no exemption in needing good amplification in order for it to deliver vital sounds, and what better way to achieve it is with a bass amplifier that has the right amount of volume output, tone shaping capabilities and other useful features built-in with the amp.
Coming from a perspective of only having a single bass rig to handle most live situation, a bass player has to decide between one of two popular options. They can either settle on getting a lesser expensive plug and play lightweight bass combo amp with at least 500 watt of power to channel-in rich beefy tones. Or to spend a little bit more money to get what most gigging bass musicians prefer, by playing with a bass amp head paired with different size speakers or a combination of cabinets.
Now to assist you select and help make a decision on what bass amp to buy. We have put together here some of the best bass amplifiers out in the market today within the thousand dollar budget range. These bass amps on our list is comprised of two bass combo amps with enough power to perform on stage, and the rest will be bass amp heads in varying wattage to choose from and each are ready to initiate a rig defining upgrade.
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Ampeg BA-210
- 450 watt RMS of solid state power bass combo amplifier
- 2×10” inches custom speaker with a high frequency 1” inch tweeter
- Housed in a monitor wedge cabinet with front panel controls
- Controls for the amp are blend plus a drive for the bass scrambler overdrive section, -15dB pad for active basses, master volume, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble with a ultra-hi and ultra-low frequency, HF mute defeat horn and aux level knob
- Other features are send/return Fx loop, extension speaker output, dedicated XLR balanced line out, headphone out and aux-in
Comes readily with 450 watts RMS of solid state power and by using its built-in 2×10” inch custom speaker, to also include a high frequency 1” inch tweeter to help register the needed top end sound. The Ampeg BA-210 is true to its core in offering a simple yet steady solution to all bassists out there who is looking for a reasonably priced bass combo amp that can generate for them serious bass tones right out of the box, and has the kind of sought after volume capacity to effectively cut through the mix when playing on a full band scenario.
The BA-210 is the flagship model of the newly re-design BA series of bass combo amplifiers by Ampeg. It is housed in a monitor wedge cabinet with front panel controls, so players can engage the knobs and buttons easily, then aiming the carve out tones not just on ground level when the amp is upright, but also high above the floor in side tilt position. Controls for the amp are blend plus a drive for the bass scrambler overdrive section, -15dB pad for active basses, master volume, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble with a ultra-hi and ultra-low frequency, HF mute defeat horn for a more vintage tone and aux level knob to control the volume coming from an audio source.
Other useful features on the amp are the set of socket consist of send/return to chain effects, extension speaker output to power an additional speaker cabinet, dedicated XLR balanced line out to connect the amp on a mixing console, headphone out for silent practice and aux-in for playing along using an iPad or smartphone.
Fender Rumble 500
- 500 watt of pure bass tone and muscle power
- 2×10” inches Eminence designed speaker
- Road-worthy enclosure made of ported plywood and a removable silver grill with the Fender logo.
- Controls are gain, selectable bright-contour-vintage voicing, overdrive with drive and level knob controls, 4-band EQ bass-low mid-high mid-treble, and master volume
- Located at the back panel are the XLR line out with ground lift, effects loop send/return, foot switch socket, aux-in, and headphone out, extension speaker and On/Off power switch
Great sounding, lightweight and with stage ready features, the Fender Rumble 500 bass combo amplifier can create a seismic shift of bass tones staring from the traditional to a far more modern tones by a simple adjustment on the knobs and buttons on the top panel.
For the exterior part, the bass amp is built with a road-worthy enclosure made of ported plywood and has a removable silver grill with the Fender logo. Then moving on the inside where the true nature of this amp is, it can pump 500 watts of pure bass muscle to be loud, sustaining and stay precise note per note coming off the bass.
Controls for the amp from left to right is consist of a gain, selectable bright-contour-vintage voicing, overdrive with drive and level knob controls, 4-band EQ bass-low mid-high mid-treble, and master volume. Located at the back panel are the XLR line out with ground lift, effects loop send/return, foot switch socket, aux-in, and headphone out, extension speaker and On/Off power switch.
Gallien-Krueger MB212
- 500 watts of class D-power bass combo amplifier
- 2×12” inches speaker to cover most venues
- Enclosed on a recognizable rudimentary designed all back cabinet with a GK logo
- Controls is consist of a power switch that can detect dirty power to keep the amp safe, -10dB pad for active basses, gain knob, contour button, 4-band active EQ bass-hi mid-low mid-treble to blend, boost knob, and master volume with the limiter and horn switch
- Patch bay section is to plug a headphone and will work as well as the chain out to drive GK’s MBP powered enclosures 212 MBP, aux-in for MP3 player and XLR direct out with pre/post switch
Known over the bass community for setting an excellent standard of bass amplification. Gallien-Krueger is proud to present their MB Series II bass combo amps, ranging from 25 watt practice amp up to its top tier models namely the 2×12 MB212 and 4×10 MB410 that are bought registered to have 500 watts of class D-power to be heard in any live situation, use for recording session, as well band rehearsals because the amp even for their size weighs only roughly around 41 lbs to remain effortlessly portable.
All the MB series bass combo amps is housed on a recognizable rudimentary designed all back cabinet with a GK logo made out of quality plywood and the controls are all situated at the back portion of the top panel, but differs for each amp. For the Gallien-Krueger MB212 featured here, it is consist of a power switch that can detect dirty power to keep the amp safe, -10dB pad for active basses, gain knob, contour button, 4-band active EQ bass-hi mid-low mid-treble to blend, boost knob, and master volume with the limiter and horn switch.
Patch bay section of the amp is also located together with the controls to plug a headphone for silent practice, and work as well as the chain out to drive GK’s MBP powered enclosures 212 MBP if needing to expand for bigger gigs, aux-in for your MP3 player for practice, and lastly the XLR direct out with pre/post switch to go straight into house support.
Hartke LH500
- Classic high-voltage 12AX7 Class-A tube preamp circuit and has a solid state output that packs 500 watts of power
- Made with a rugged metal chassis
- Pair it with any speaker cabinets of choice, or match it primarily with Hartke’s line of HyDrive cabinets
- Control panel is comprised of a master volume, Hartke’s brite switch for added high frequency response, limiter switch with LED indicator to regulate peaks and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble
- At the back of the amp are the effect loop send/return jack and speaker out to connect the cab
First on our list for a bass amplifier head under the thousand dollar budget a bassist can consider to grace the stage with is Hartke’s LH500. This bass amp uses a classic high-voltage 12AX7 Class-A tube preamp circuit and has a solid state output that packs 500 watts of power to give bass players awesome lows to high-end bass sounds. The amp can be paired with any speaker cabinets of choice, or match it primarily with Hartke’s line of HyDrive cabinets like the 1×12” speaker HyDrive HD112, 2×10” speaker HD210 and 4×10” speaker HD410 that are all assembled to deliver the traditional warm tones of a paper cone and at the same time punchy attack of aluminum.
To shape sounds, the LH500 control panel is comprised only of a master volume, Hartke’s brite switch for added high frequency response, limiter switch with LED indicator to regulate peaks and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble and front panel XLR balanced direct output. At the back of the amp are the effect loop send/return jack and speaker out to connect the cab. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
TC Electronic BH550
- Commanding 550 watts of class-D power
- Housed in a lightweight metal chassis
- Controls consisting of gain with peak LED light, 4-band EQ bass-low mid-hi mid-treble, master volume, 2 TonePrint knobs to control the amount of effect, chromatic tuner and mute switch
- Back sockets are for the headphone, audio player, footswhitch, balanced DI output with pre/post EQ routing, speaker out and mini USB port
Up to the challenge and great to build on, the BH550 is the middle child of the BH series of bass amp heads developed by TC Electronic to take a bass player tones beyond the next level. At first glance, this bass amp may look small and has minimal controls to operate. But don’t let that put you away because concealed underneath its small package is a commanding 550 watts of class-D power that translates to lots of headroom, and the minimalist controls is more of an advantage than a disadvantage in finding your way going from one tone to another.
Comparing all the three models of the BH series. The BH250 being the smallest has the fewest controls to dial-in the sounds and only having a single TonePrint slot to bank effects for free using the TC electronic app. While for the BH550 and the 800 watt version BH800, the controls are very much similar consisting of gain with peak LED light, 4-band EQ bass-low mid-hi mid-treble and master volume. Added to the features of the amp are the two TonePrint knobs to control the amount of effect, chromatic tuner, and mute switch.
Moving at the back and completing the amp are the sockets for a headphone, audio player, pedal input to connect TC electronic footswhitch, balanced DI output with pre/post EQ routing, speaker out and mini USB port. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Gallien-Krueger MB 500
- 500 watts bass head amplifier
- Rugged silver housing with black knobs
- Front panel controls has a -10dB pad for active basses, mute button, gain, contour, 4-Band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble, foot switchable drive channel with a boost and separate volume control, master volume and an On/Off switch that can detect dirty power
- Patch bay at the back is consist of sockets for the headphone, effects loop send/return, tuner, footswitch, two speaker outs, and DI out with ground lift
Another entry from Gallien-Krueger to join the list coming still from their MB series, but this time around a bass amp head to match it with different size speaker cabinets is the Gallien-Krueger MB 500. This bass amp is a workhorse and has a wallop of a knockout punch tonally even it only weighs 3.75 lbs. Moreover, the unit is very affordable for anyone to start grooving on and not short of power using its solid state preamp and class-D power amp to attack every notes of the bassline, fills, slap n’ pop and playing chords on the bass guitar with utmost conviction and extraordinary balance.
For fast tone shaping and settings, the amp front panel controls has a -10dB pad for active basses, mute button, gain, contour, 4-Band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble, foot switchable drive channel with a boost and separate volume control, master volume and an On/Off switch that can detect dirty power. Patch bay is situated at the back consist of sockets for the headphone, effects loop send/return, tuner, footswitch, two speaker outs, and DI out with ground lift. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Quilter Labs Bass Block 800
- 800 watt bass amplifier head
- Road worthy and compact housing
- Straight forward controls are the gain with an LED light, depth knob for the low-end, contour for mid scoop to high-end sound, and master volume to adjusts the peak power starting from 0 going to a full 800 watts
- Has universal- voltage power supply to work on any voltage from 100-240V to play it literally anywhere
- For input and output sockets the bass amp has speakon speaker outs, headphone out on the front panel, DI line out, and DI line in
Enclosed on a sturdy lightweight aluminum package, the Quilter Labs Bass Block 800 puts on the table a massive 800 watts of power that will respond dynamically and musically to the bass instrument and tones coming straight out of the players hands. It has universal- voltage power supply to work on any voltage from 100-240V to play it literally anywhere. The Bass Block amp only demand to a bass player is to plug it on a speaker cab, turn the volume up, and then enjoy the effortless production of bass tones that can rock the house down.
Key features to set-in and optimize the tones are the gain with an LED light, depth knob for the low-end, contour for mid scoop to high-end sound, and master volume to adjusts the peak power starting from 0 going to a full 800 watts. For input and output sockets the bass amp has speakon speaker outs, headphone out on the front panel, DI line out, and DI line in. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Ampeg Portaflex PF-800
- 800 watt bass head amplifier
- Ultra compact and light weight bass head amp
- Controls are mute button, -15dB pad for active basses, compression control, gain to control the amount of gain, ultra Hi/Lo boosts switch, 4-band EQ bass-mid-treble and 5 position mid frequency control, FX mix, and master volume
- On the back panel are the power supply switch 100-240V, On/Off switch, speaker out, socket for the footswitch, power amp-in and preamp out patch, FX loop send/return, tuner out, and XLR line out with pre/post EQ and ground lift
The PF-800 is perfect for bassists who feels right at home using a high output bass amp on a lightweight portable design. The superior performance of this 800 watt bass amp head combined with any of the Ampeg’s vintage style cabinet gives bass players plenty of room for a clean volume output, and the degree of fatness projected on the bass tones is always going to be primed to stay on top of a heavy handed drummer. As well the ability to play side by side with an overdrive hungry guitar player.
Enumerating now the controls and features of this amp are as follows. The Portaflex PF-800 has a mute button, -15dB pad for active basses, compression control, gain to control the amount of gain, ultra Hi/Lo boosts switch, 4-band EQ bass-mid-treble and 5 position mid frequency control, FX mix, and master volume. On the back of the amp there is a power supply switch 100-240V, On/Off switch, speaker out, socket for the footswitch, power amp-in and preamp out patch, FX loop send/return, tuner out, and XLR line out with pre/post EQ and ground lift. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Aguilar Tone Hammer 700
- Moving 700 watt Class D power
- Enclosed on the familiar silver housing
- Controls for the amp are -10dB pad for active basses, mute, gain, drive, 4-band EQ bass-mid level-mid frequency-treble and master volume
- Socket on the front panel are the input for both active and passive bass, FX loop send/return, DI balance out with pre/post EQ and ground lift
- At the back panel are the tuner output, speaker outs, and On/Off power with switchable power supply 100-240V
One of the big boys on the block that really means business and arguably a must have bass amplifier that a bass player can rely on is Aguliar’s Tone Hammer 700. This bass head amp throws in a deadly combination of warm round tones, and has pristine clarity over the sound with moving power, which makes it a great go to amp for any playing situation. The bass amp is based on the popularity of the Tone Hammer pedal. By taking the OBP-3 solid state preamp of the pedal and then adding a class-D power section with 700 watts RMS, the final product when forge together is the Aguilar Tone Hammer 700.
The simple interface of its controls can capture vintage bass tones to play classic sounding baselines, and with every slight turn on the knobs to change the parameters, it opens up other unique and modern tones. Controls for the amp are -10dB pad for active basses, mute, gain, drive, 4-band EQ bass-mid level-mid frequency-treble and master volume. Socket in placed on the front panel are the input for both active and passive bass, FX loop send/return, DI balance out with pre/post EQ and ground lift. Then on the back panel are the tuner output, speaker outs, and On/Off power with switchable power supply 100-240V. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Mesa/Boogie Subway D-800
- 800 watt of power to bring out the very best bass sound imaginable
- Lightweight and portable housing with side handles
- Front panel input section with three switches consisting of a mute, active/passive switch and deep toggle switch
- Preamp features a gain knob with clipping indicator, variable voicing control from flat to vintage scoop, a fully active 4-band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble and master volume
- Located at the back panel are the DI output with pre/post EQ, mic and ground lift, headphone out, aux-in, speaker outputs, impedance switch 2 ohm to 4/8 ohm and power switch
Embodying the qualities of the all tube driven vintage Mesa Bass 400 and Bass Strategy Eight:88. To the mosfet powered Big Block 750 and M9 Carbine, the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 is another welcome addition to their growing line of bass amplifiers that is loaded with all the essentials tone shaping features for voicing, connectivity components to handle big stages and carrying on its lightweight portable package is 800 watt of power to bring out the very best bass sound imaginable.
The Mesa Engineering Subway D-800 begins pulling out tones using its front panel input section with three switches consisting of a mute silences the signal, active/passive switch for tailoring the input headroom to your instrument and deep toggle switch that further enhances the low-end and puts an unmistakable sub-low element into the mix. For the preamp features you’ll have an input gain knob with clipping indicator, variable voicing control from flat to vintage scoop, a fully active 4-band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble and master volume.
Located at the back panel are the DI output with pre/post EQ, mic and ground lift. Followed by the headphone out, aux-in, speaker outputs, impedance switch 2 ohm to 4/8 ohm and power switch. 2 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Markbass Big Bang
- 500 watts RMS of power at 4 ohm and 300 watts in 8 ohm
- Compact, portable and lightweight housing
- Controls consisting of a gain, master volume, line out level, headphone level control, 4-band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble, and EQ2 with variable pre-shape filter to cut mids for slapping and vintage loudspeaker emulator to cut highs for a more vintage sounds
- Included on the amp are the headphone out, aux-in, socket for the footswitch, XLR DI balance line out with ground lift and pre/post EQ, FX send/return, tuner out and speaker outs
If you want to fully invest on having a bass amp rig with a name to show, and targeting the quality of tones used by most professionals bassist on stage, the Markbass Big Bang bass amplifier head is the right bass amplifier for you. This class-D bass amp has 500 watts RMS of power at 4 ohm and 300 watts in 8 ohm to be versatile in any given gigs. It is also compact to fit on a gig bag like any Little Markbass amps and when it starts to run, anyone who hears it will be amaze on how warm, rich and explosive sounding truly this small amplifier is.
For controls to set great tones, the Markbass Big Bang has a gain, master volume, line out level, headphone level control, 4-band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble, and EQ2 with variable pre-shape filter to cut mids for slapping and vintage loudspeaker emulator to cut highs for a more vintage sounds. Other features included on the amp are the headphone out for silent practice, aux-in to play with an audio source, socket for the footswitch to use on the EQ2 and mute, XLR DI balance line out with ground lift and pre/post EQ, FX send/return, tuner out and speaker outs. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Darkglass Microtubes 900
- Powerful 900 watt class-D power
- Comes in a lightweight aluminum housing
- Microtubes overdrive section has a drive, level, tone, and blend knobs with VMT and B3K voicing switch derived from the pedals
- Next section has a gain, 4-band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble with frequency controls and master volume
- At the back for connection are the speaker out, power amp-in to connect a different preamp, preamp-out to connect a different power amp, footswitch to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine and XLR balance DI output with pre/post EQ and ground lift
Stepping up their game and ending the long wait of bass players that follows the brand, Darkglass Electronics has now invested their efforts on not just building effect pedals with the introduction of the Darkglass Microtubes 900. This bass amp head is equipped with an all analog pre-amplifier and a 900 watt class-D power module that makes the amp loud and ready for skirmish on stage. It is a super powerful amp at 2 ohm to attach the amp into two 4 ohm cabinets to get the full 900 watts or play half the power, meaning 500 watts in 4 ohm mode using the switch on the back.
For front panel controls, it is divided into two sections. The Microtubes overdrive section has a drive, level, tone, and blend knobs with VMT and B3K voicing switch derived from the pedals. While on the other side of the panel you’ll have a gain, 4-band EQ bass-lo mid-hi mid-treble with frequency controls and master volume. Moving at the back for connection, the Darkglass Microtubes 900 has a speaker out, power amp-in to connect a different preamp, preamp-out to connect a different power amp, footswitch to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine, and XLR balance DI output with pre/post EQ and ground lift.
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