Addressing the need for a bass amplifier takes a lot of considerations and it is always going to be situational. For solo practice or jam rehearsal purpose only. 25 to 100 watts bass amps are considered perfectly suitable. However, when about to gig, these amps may lack the power to push the sound and be optimal at the same time. So in that regards, it is probably the right time now to upgrade on a bass amp that can handle and loud enough for the stage.
With the small bass practice amp placed aside for now. It’s time think about matching the new amp with the genre of music the band plays. If centered on blues or jazz music which are played smooth and not to heavy. Amplification coming from a 200 to 350 watts bass amplifier can already work efficiently with the rest of the band and be heard by the audience that they can already appreciate.
Opposite to that genre is the realms of rock and metal. Where the guitar player or guitar players is expected to use a lot of overdrives. Along side the drummer in full percussive mode, and also not to forget to mention the noise coming from the crowd. On this case, a bit more wattage on a bass amplifier would be necessary in order to stay fat and not to be thinned-out. Preferably a bass amp that has 350 to 500 watts of power for that type job.
What bass amp to buy? Bass combo amps are always welcome, but arguably amp head paired with a speaker cabinet offers more range in sound. As well the flexibility in size of the rig to go from 2×10”, 4×10”, 1×15” and any combination of cab to get the proper set-up and sound.
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Peavey Max 300
- 300 watts solid state power bass combo amplifier
- Premium 2×10” inch speaker with angled baffle design
- Housed on a sturdy cabinet complete with steel perforated speaker grille
- Top panel controls composed of a On/Off switch, 3-band EQ Bass-middle treble with buttons for contour, mid-shift and bright, gain control, and master volume with Kosmos C-low-end enhancement
- Other features are 2 inputs for passive/active bass, built-in chromatic tuner with mute, XLR direct output with ground lift, FX loop send/return, 1/8″ jacks for phones output, aux input and socket for the foot switch
Offering a reliable lightweight medium size bass combo amp to bring on gigs and the same amp to use for band rehearsals as well. The Peavey Max 300 is primed for all that action and accordingly priced so everyone can afford.
This amp is a 300 watts combo with 2×10” inch speaker housed on a sturdy cabinet complete with steel perforated speaker grille cover that makes the bass amplifier studio ready and road worthy. Special on the Max 300 combo is, it comes with a DDT speaker protection to sense clipping, has an angled baffle design and has the patented TransTube circuitry that gives the bass amp a gain boost for a more authentic classic overdrive sound. Controls for the amp are situated at the top panel composed of a 3-band EQ Bass-middle treble with buttons for contour, mid-shift and bright, gain control, and master volume with Kosmos C-low-end enhancement. Also on the top panel is a built-in chromatic tuner with mute, and on the back panel are the XLR direct output with ground lift, FX loop send/return, 1/8″ jacks for phones output, aux input and socket for the foot switch.
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
Very warm sounding bass amp with an nice even tone, and just about to do any given gig in town is the Ampeg BA-210. This particular amp in the Ampeg BA series is a 450 watts combo with custom 2×10” inch speaker housed on a side wedge cabinet to be played like a wedge monitor or the regular way when standing upright.
Controls are awesomely Ampeg. It has a -15dB input pad for active basses or additional level control. Scrambler Drive to produce the SVT grind, Legacy preamp 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble with ultra high and low for added tone shaping properties, and the aux level knob with optional sockets for the audio source. Other features also found on the amp are extension speaker output for powering additional cabs, headphone output jack to play silently, XLR line out to connect in front of the house, and HF mute button defeats horn for a rounder more vintage tone.
Hartke Kickback KB12
- Loud 500 watts class-D power
- 2” inch paper/aluminum highdrive speaker that enables the amp to deliver massive headroom
- Ruggedly made all around and portably light to carry housing
- Front panel controls are straight forward comprised of a master volume, shape knob to get that mid boost and 3-band EQ bass-middle-treble to produce a bunch of other tones
- XLR DI out to connect the amp to a PA system and headphone out for silent practices
Ruggedly made all around and portably light to carry. This little beast of a kickback bass amplifier is coming from none other than Hartke. The Hartke Kickback KB12 combo amp has a commanding 500 watts class-D power with a single 12” inch paper/aluminum highdrive speaker that enables the amp to deliver massive headroom and generate its overall output volume.
Controls are very simple and situated in the front side for easy adjustment comprise of a master volume, shape knob to get that mid boost and to produce a bunch of other tones. Then next to it is the EQ bass-mid-treble to further blend to the preferred sound, XLR DI out to connect the amp to a PA system, and headphone out for silent practices.
Bugera Ultrabass BXD12
- Bass combo amplifier with class-D 1000 watt peak power
- 12” inch turbo sound speaker
- Tilt-back cabinet with front panel style controls
- Rotary controls are master volume, dedicated bass-mid-freq-treble controls for sound shaping, gain knob, and a compressor to increase sustain and also smoothens out the volume
- Pressable switches are the ultra low and high for EQ settings, -15dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, compressor switch and mute
- Input/output sockets are XLR DI line out, tuner out, effects insert, L/R aux-in and for the foot switch
The Bugera BXD12 is the kind of bass amp that is well suitable for those bassist on a minimum budget. It has many great features to create awesome bass tones and has all the power to let them already perform on-stage without emptying their pockets.
This bass combo amplifier has class-D 1000 watts of peak power with a 1×12” inch turbosound speaker placed on a wedge style cabinet to direct the sound towards the ears not on the legs just like a monitor angle. Controls panel is situated at the front for easy access consist of a -15dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, master volume, rotary EQ bass-mid-treble for shaping with an ultra-low and ultra-high switch for presence, mid frequency knob to give five different EQ settings, compressor to control peaks of the sound smoothening it on the process, and a gain knob. Sockets to plugin effects, tuner, foot switch, audio source, and balance DI output are all found at the back of the cabinet.
Aguilar Tone Hammer 350
- 350 watts of continuous Class-D power
- Enclosed on the familiar silver housing
- Controls are master volume, gain and drive controls, 3-band EQ bass-mid level-treble, mid frequency control to boost and cut, -10dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, mute, and Lift/Gnd button
- XLR DI line out pre/post selectable and tuner output
Setting a high standard when it comes to portable mini bass amp head with a big tone and making the product easily available to bassist in all playing levels to come by due to its very reasonable price, the Aguilar Tone Hammer 350 is definitely a good choice for a bass amp head.
The Aguilar Tone Hammer 350 is an awesome first installment to the popular Tone Hammer 500 and Tone Hammer 700. It is basically the smaller version of its predecessor for having 350 watts of continuous power. Controls on the amp are master volume, gain and drive controls, 3-band EQ bass-mid level-treble, mid frequency control to boost and cut, -10dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, mute, and Lift/Gnd button. Unlike the 500 watts model it doesn’t have FX loop feature, it only has the XLR DI line out pre/post selectable and tuner output. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and only use proper speaker cable.
Peavey MiniMAX 500
- 500 watts of power to be attach on a preferred speaker cabinet
- Small and compact bass amp head for a bassist that are always on the go
- Simple controls to develop tones consisting of a gain, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble with punch, mid-shift and bright controls, master volume with psycho-acoustic technology and power switch
- Added features are the built-in tuner, headphone output jack, aux-in, FX loop, XLR direct line out, two twist lock 1/4” speaker outputs and also at the back is a voltage regulator switch
For a small portable bass head amp, the Peavey MiniMAX 500 is blessed with 500 watts of power to be attach on a preferred speaker cabinet. It has the set features which are capable of producing a huge array of bass tones, and also it includes a chromatic tuner.
The simple master volume, gain, and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble each has an option to change or get enhanced in a press of a button. Used either individually or simultaneously, which kind of a multiplier to the sound giving the amp a wider range. Sockets as follows are separate input for an active and passive bass. Headphone output jack, aux-in, FX loop, XLR direct line out, combination twist lock and 1/4” speaker outputs and also at the back is a voltage regulator switch. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and always use proper speaker cable.
Tech 21 VTBass 500
- Delivers 500 watt of power on a small package
- SansAmp all analog preamp and Class D power amp
- Controls on the amp are drive, character, shift button, mid,-blend-level knobs, low knob, high knob, pad button and bite button
- Coming with the amp is an effects loop send/return with bypass switch to double as a mute, headphone out and XLR DI line out with ground lift
The 500 watt power to gig and nicely plotted tone shaping features to get massive tones on the Tech 21 VTBass 500 are understandably the two main reasons why this small portable bass amp head is well received and recognized in the bass player community.
The front panel host the SansAmp all analog preamp and Class D power amp that give all the richness to the sound. This is followed by the character control to achieve a number distinct bass tones, blend to mix in direct signals, bite switch for a presence boost, active tone controls to cut or boost +/-18dB with switchable mid frequency and Gnd/Lift button. Also coming with the amp is an effects loop send/return with bypass switch to double as a mute. Headphone out and XLR DI line out. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and always use proper speaker cables.
TC Electronic BH 550
- 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
kirmish on stage is unpredictable, especially when there is no PA support around, but with the TC Electronic BH 550, it can get you covered with its 550 watt of power to push the necessary volume to be heard with the rest of the band. This bass amp is portable to travel with and offers a flexible variety of bass tones, so a bass player can get more out of it and be the one bass amp for any stage occasion.
Built with an innovative technology, it simply can throw in more than expected it to do. You get more power out of it and the creative features like ultra-lightweight chassis design, build in tuner and the TonePrint which is exclusive only to TC Electronic products, that a player can place and change effects that is going useful to them in any gig. For controls it is simple consist of gain, EQ section with bass-low mid-hi-mid-treble, two TonePrint knobs, mute toggle, and the master volume. At the back panel the USB, speaker out, DI output and set of input and out put jacks for audio source, effects and headphone are located. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use proper speaker cable.
Ampeg Portaflex PF-500
- 500 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
This bass amp head the Portaflex PF-500 is derived after the Ampeg Portaflex tube amplifiers. The part of the PF series without the tubes and has a digital class-D power with a solid state preamp that can also come in a 350 watts Portaflex PF-350 and 800 watts PF-800 versions which includes an on-board compressor, additional EQ setting, and other more features.
Controls on the front panel for this small size portable bass head amplifier are straight forward consist of master volume, rotary EQ bass-mid-treble and 5-position mid frequency control, ultra Hi/Lo boosts switch, gain knob, -15dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, and FX mix. Sockets included and other controls found at the back are aux-in, headphone output jack, FX loop send and return, speaker out, power amp-in and preamp out patch, tuner out, foot switch, XLR DI line out, power switch and voltage switch. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only the proper speaker cable.
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
Developed together with Hartke’s line of HyDrive cabinets, the LH500 bass amp head offers bassist in any level the ideal punchy low and high-end sounds using its classic 12AX7 Class-A tube preamp circuit and solid state output. This bass amp packs 500 watts of power and housed in a 2-rackspace metal chassis with steel face plate and handles, readily made to handle all gigs and studio recordings.
The Hartke LH500 has front facing controls to tweak sounds and are easy to use comprised only of a master volume, selectable brite switch for added high frequency response, limiter switch with LED indicator to regulate peaks, front panel XLR balanced direct output and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble. While found at the back of the amp are the effect loop send;return jack and speaker out to connect a cab. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Fender Rumble 500 Head
- 500 watt bass amplifier head
- Versatile and light to use on studio recordings and live gigs
- Controls consisting of a master volume, 4-band EQ bass-low mid-high mid-treble, overdrive channel, gain and 3 button tone voicing
- Sockets to plugin a headphone, audio source, foot switch, effects, speaker cabinets and XLR line out to a console are all available at the back
Needing no or not much of an introduction. The Fender Rumble bass amplifiers probably is the most popular in all series of bass amps and most widely use bass amp by beginners and veteran players alike to capture both the classic and modern tones imaginable. The Rumble combos are versatilely great, and as great are the amp heads that give bass players not only versatility, but also the flexibility side by choosing cabinets of their preferred size and number of speakers to use in rehearsals and for gigs.
Extremely loud and has plenty of power for headroom to be amazingly clean or express bass playing with a gritty sound by hitting the overdrives is the Fender Rumble 500 which also comes in a 200 watt version. Controls for both amps are exactly the same consisting of a master volume, 4-band EQ bass-low mid-high mid-treble, overdrive channel, gain and 3 button tone voicing. Sockets to plugin a headphone, audio source, foot switch, effects, speaker cabinets and XLR line out to a console are all available at the back. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and always use proper speaker cable.
Bugera Veyron BV1001M
- Rated with 2000 watts peak power to give players all the headroom they need
- Mosfet pre-amplifier and class D-power
- Controls are master volume, dedicated EQ bass-mid-treble with ultra-high and low shift, mid frequency knob that provides 5 classic sound variations, compressor for adjusting volume peak, gain knob, -15dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, and mute
- Back sockets are consist of FX loop send and return, aux-in, Headphone out, for tuner and foot switch, XLR direct output to console and speaker outs
This bass head amplifier by Bugera comes in two versions for bass players to choose from. This model here the Veyron BV1001M has a Mosfet pre-amplifier and the other model the Bugera Veyron BV1001T got the 3x12AX7 tube driven preamp, and both models has a class-D power.
These two amps for comparison are rated with 2000 watts peak power that gives players all the headroom they need to articulate their overall sound and achieve a much better volume output response. Controls are slightly different for each models, but the BV1001M are as follows. Master volume, dedicated EQ bass-mid-treble with ultra-high and low shift for sound shaping, mid frequency knob that provides 5 classic sound variations to suit your playing style, compressor for adjusting volume peak, gain knob, -15dB input pad for active basses or additional level control, and mute. Back sockets are consist of FX loop send and return, aux-in, Headphone out, for tuner and foot switch, XLR direct output to console and speaker outs. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
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