What's a good giggable bass combo amp?

[KissMyAmps]

I'm looking for something gig-worthy that might not be that expensive. $350-$500 range. Something good for hard rock/metal. Definitely want a combo amp for simplicity sake. What wattage do I need to get the job done? Asking for a friend, so any good advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[blackba]

I have been pretty impressed with the Ampeg combos. I know a few people who have them. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BA210v2
The only gotcha on that amp is that the 2 stock 10inch speakers are an 8ohm load. the amp is 283W @8ohms and 450W @ 4ohms with a super high THD. http://www.ampeg.com/pdf/manuals/BA_OM.pdf

In the bass amp world, limiting to combos is kind of tough as most are a bit under powered. About 250W is the min I would go with for gigging, but it really depends on the PA. What I like about the ampeg listed above is that you can tilt it back like a monitor, which is great if the PA is handling your primary bass amplification duties.

The rookie bass player mistake that I made was getting a whimpy amp and then overplaying to get more volume out of it.

Ask over at www.talkbass.com as well. Super helpful folks over there as well.

 

[Pushead]

I have the 1-15 version of the Ampeg combo above. I feel like it gets the job done (I'm a guitarist mostly, but I sit in on bass occasionally with groups.)

In my experience, the sound guy at the clubs I play want to take a direct feed to the board anyway. I end up just using my combo for monitoring.

 

[cardinal]

The latest Fender Rumble 500 gets rave reviews.

 

[GregM]

I have an Ampeg BA112 that I've been happy with but I don't know whether it would keep up on it's own in a live situation. The 115 and 210 have an XLR line out.

 

[Vin Diezel]

MArkbass!

 

[Hamer95USA]

I played bass as a house bassist for a local jam night for about 6 months. When I first started the jam night, all I had was an '80s Ibanez Roadstar bass with Dimarzio bass pickups and a Sansamp Bass Driver DI box through the P.A. since I didn't have a bass amp. I saved up my gig money, found a used bass combo amp for sale on Craig's List, and bought a used pre Fender SWR Super Redhead 2x10 bass combo amp from a guy who worked for Bass Player magazine for $700. It was a good sounding versatile bass combo amp with 350 watts amp to keep with the drummer. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to keep a bass amp in the studio or for cover band gigs.


Guitar George

 

[Giga]

I'haven't come across anything lighter and more portable then the small Markbass combo's but I generally don't like their sound. Also consider the TC Electronics combo's. I'm not sure if either will fit your budget though.
The Sansamp Bassdriver Guitar George mentions is awesome, it has the potential to make almost any old amp (or PA for that matter) sound great.

Good luck !

Giga

 

[the rossness]

Live bass is all about wattage and the number of speakers. go from there

 

[Juggernaut]

http://www.tcelectronic.com/combo450/

 

[the rossness]

http://www.tcelectronic.com/combo450/

That looks cool! FWIW, I like my TC bass amp more than my MarkBass 2x10 combo. The TC is more inspiring to play. However, the Markbass cuts better in a live mix. go figure.