Question:
Ok, so I've been browsing for an amp at my local shop. Not too much selection, they only have about 5 bass amps. Which kind of sucks. Though theres a guitar center, and House of Guitars around but their about an hour away each. So I've found the Crate BT100 Bass Amp. I've tried it out and I think it's great. The nice switch pedal, lovely distortion. And good tone in my opinion. My questions are:
1. What should I be looking for in an amp?
2. Should I look for more selection and try out the other places or go with that amp?
I'm on a pretty tight budget, up to about $399. The Crate is $379.
Answer:
there's definitely better amps out there for the price IMO.
before i answer the "meaty" questions, let me know this, what/where are you planning on playing with the amp that you get?
Answer:
Ok, I play in my worship band at church. I'm obviously a bass player, and usually just improvise as I play.. by what I play I don't really know what to say.. And I currently own a tiny Ibanez twenty watt amp. It's pathetic.
Answer:
you probably want an amp of 80-100 watts. your brand choice of course -
but others here can advise you on that. i own a 80 watt Kustom which fits me find as a guitar player in and out of church and a bass player just at home.
a line out would be something i would look at - i don't have one but wish i did. i bought mind from a friend [their church amp] as a favor for my wife and here friend - i am truly satistied with the amp though.
some built-in effects would be great also.
Answer:
personally i'm not a fan of built-in effects, but i know alot of places love it if you have a line-out. whenever i play shows the venues ask if i have a line-out (and i always say no).
for church i use my Polytone 101 which i think is rated right around 100W (information is scarce on the internet). It's got a 1x15 and 2x8" config which gives a well rounded tone that i really like.
like Rocket already said, 80-100W is probably about where you want to be. You might want to check out the Fender Rumble series, and definitely consider the Behringer Ultrabass head and cab configurations. You could get a 300W head and a 2x10" or 1x15" cab for under $400.
speaking of money...how much are you looking to spend?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rocket you probably want an amp of 80-100 watts. your brand choice of course -
but others here can advise you on that. i own a 80 watt Kustom which fits me find as a guitar player in and out of church and a bass player just at home.
a line out would be something i would look at - i don't have one but wish i did. i bought mind from a friend [their church amp] as a favor for my wife and here friend - i am truly satistied with the amp though.
some built-in effects would be great also. Ok, It has a line-out.. (A must have for me) but no effects other than distortion.
Originally Posted by Thesteve personally i'm not a fan of built-in effects, but i know alot of places love it if you have a line-out. whenever i play shows the venues ask if i have a line-out (and i always say no).
for church i use my Polytone 101 which i think is rated right around 100W (information is scarce on the internet). It's got a 1x15 and 2x8" config which gives a well rounded tone that i really like.
like Rocket already said, 80-100W is probably about where you want to be. You might want to check out the Fender Rumble series, and definitely consider the Behringer Ultrabass head and cab configurations. You could get a 300W head and a 2x10" or 1x15" cab for under $400.
speaking of money...how much are you looking to spend?.
I'm thinking of spending only about $400 max. I don't know.. I want this amp bad because I want something now.. And it's my only real option I like. I understand about built in effects I don't really like 'em but this baby's distortion is good.
Answer:
Originally Posted by natedawg5280 I'm thinking of spending only about $400 max. I don't know.. I want this amp bad because I want something now.. And it's my only real option I like. I understand about built in effects I don't really like 'em but this baby's distortion is good.
at $400 you can get a Fender Bassman 100 or anything in the Rumble series.
you might also consider getting a vintage Acoustic head and matching cabinet(s) at that price (an Acoustic 150 won't run you more than $180 and they sound great IMO).
How important/usefull is distortion going to be to you? is it something you see yourself using all of the time or something you just want to mess around with? Personally I could care less about bass distortion/overdrive so I don't know much about it.
Answer:
i would try to get some kind of fender or a swr series amp those seem pretty good for the money
Answer:
guys how about "send and receive"...?,
mind has it but i have'nt used it yet...
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rocket guys how about "send and receive"...?,
mind has it but i have'nt used it yet...
the effects loop...if you're using modulation effects it's definitely a must IMO
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve the effects loop...if you're using modulation effects it's definitely a must IMO
or delay-based effects.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve How important/usefull is distortion going to be to you? is it something you see yourself using all of the time or something you just want to mess around with? Personally I could care less about bass distortion/overdrive so I don't know much about it. I'd just like to mess around with it. I'd use it sometimes, and it also has octave, plus a switch pedal for activating the octave and distortion. So you guys would opt for something else..?
guys how about "send and receive"...?,
mind has it but i have'nt used it yet... Originally Posted by thesteve the effects loop...if you're using modulation effects it's definitely a must IMO What?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rainer. or delay-based effects. delay is a time modulation effect (at least that's how i've seen it classified).
Answer:
The fender rumble series doesn't look that special, and online it's 349 bucks yet no distortion or octave pedal. I think the Crates better.
Answer:
Personally I wouldn't go Rumble if I went fender...but....I can almost promise that you'll be better off waiting and saving up for the effect pedals because you've got so much more control over the sound than the built in effects...especially if you're wanting to play with it...