If I’m guessing it correctly, you’re now about to gig and very well prepared with all the songs memorized to already hit the stage. However, the bass amplifier you’ve been playing with all along at home and for jam rehearsals session with the band is a 40-75 watt practice bass amp, or a 100 watt bass combo amp that you somehow feel is not going to be quite good enough in some stages, especially when not running on PA system support to boost the sound. So without you taking any chances of bringing a bass amp not right for the job. As well to avoid a kind of wake up call coming from a mistake. It is probably the right time now for you to decide on buying a more gig ready bass amplifier in order for your overall sound to be even more versatile.
At the three hundred dollar price range for a bass amp. You can still find bass combo amps suitable for practices and small venue gigs. But they are now also joined by a number of giggable bass amplifier heads that can be paired with different size speaker cabinets. All these bass amps are reasonably priced to trigger an upgrade from what you’re using and are highly capable to meet bass players expectations in regards to built quality, on-stage flexibility and most importantly delivery of sound.
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Hartke HD75
- 75 watt bass combo amplifier
- Equipped with patented 1×12” inches HyDrive speaker and 2” inches tweeter
- Rugged housing with a black tolex cover and metal grills
- Controls are situated at the back portion of the top panel consisting of volume, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble and a 7-band graphic EQ
- With a built-in limiter to regulate peaks
- Input/output socckets are 1/4 headphone output, 1/8 stereo aux input and send/return effects loop
This 75 watt bass combo amp from Hartke’s HD line is built ready to easily deliver serious bass tones for bassist’s in all levels to use for practice and carry the kind of output volume that can handle gigs in small venues. It is equipped with one 2” inch tweeter and Hartke’s patented HyDrive speaker technology which is a half paper, half aluminum hybrid cone bass speaker that combines the warmth and roundness of paper along with the punch and attack coming from aluminum.
Controls for the amp are situated at the back portion of the top panel consisting of volume, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble and a 7-band graphic EQ to even further shape the output sound. Other features that goes also with the amp are 1/4 headphone output for silent practice, 1/8 stereo aux input for stereo line level devices like an MP3 players and drum machines, built-in limiter to regulate peaks and send/return effects loop.
Ampeg BA112
- 75 watt RMS power bass combo amplifier
- 1×12” inches custom speaker
- Built with a monitor wedge cabinet to direct the sound not on the legs but on the ears
- Equipped with a Bass Scrambler overdrive circuit to deliver the SVT grind from mild to full bass distortion
- Controls consisting of a 3-band EQ section bass-mid-treble to blend with a utra-hi and low setting, -15dB pad for active basse, and aux level knob to control the audio source volume
- Includes input and output jacks to use a headphone, 1/8” and 1/4” inch aux-in for audio source and for the foot switch jack
The BA112 is the third installment on the newly re-designed BA series of bass combo amps by Ampeg which can surely capture both the modern and classic Ampeg tones that many players sought after and rave about. It is a plug and play amp with straight forward front facing controls to carve out many tones a player can imagine and by using all its 75 watt RMS power, this bass combo amplifier can deal an awesome amount of volume to be heard across the room, making it not only great for home practice and rehearsals, but for gigging purposes as well.
Just like its bigger brothers the 150 watt BA115 and 450 watt BA210, the Ampeg BA112 is built with a tilt monitor wedge cabinet to direct the sound not on the legs but on the ears. It is also equipped with a Bass Scrambler overdrive circuit to deliver the SVT grind starting from mild to full bass distortion, Legacy Ampeg preamp 3-band EQ section bass-mid-treble to blend with a utra-hi and low setting, -15dB pad for active basses, and aux level knob to control the audio source volume. Then completing the whole features of the amp are input and output jacks to use a headphone, 1/8” and 1/4” inch aux-in for audio source and for the foot switch jack.
Peavey Max 100
- 100 watts bass combo amplifier
- 10” inch premium speaker on an angled baffle design
- Road worthy cabinet with metal grill and Peavey logo
- Dual input for passive and active
- Controls consisting of grain, overdrive button, 3 band EQ and buttons for punch, mid-shift and bright, master volume, Kosmos-C low-end enhancement button and power On/Off switch
- Built-in tuner
- Sockets found at the back are the effects loop send/return, footswitch, XLR direct output with ground lift, 1/8″ jacks for phones output and aux input
Unlike any other bass combo amps available on the market today, Peavey offers their Max series of bass combo amplifiers with all the power a player will ever need and is pack with features to go out there and play. All the models on the Max series are offered in a impressively low price that anyone can buy. Starting from the most basic 10-20 watts bedroom amps to hone in skills, up to the road worthy 100 watt Max 100, 150 watt Max 150 and Peavey Max 300 that has 300 watt RMS power to really blow the house down.
The Peavey Max 100 bass amp is house on a closed back cabinet with a 10” inch premium heavy-duty speaker on an angled design protected by a metal grille speaker cover. Another Peavey exclusive on the Max 1100 and its other versions is the DDT speaker protection that sense clipping and patented TransTube circuitry that gives all the Max models a gain boost for a more authentic classic overdrive sound. Rounding out the features are the 3 band EQ and buttons for punch, mid-shift and bright, a built-in chromatic tuner, effects loop send/return, footswitch, XLR direct output with ground lift, 1/8″ jacks for phones output and aux input.
Fender Rumble 100
- 100 watts bass combo amplifier
- 1×12” inches speaker
- Enclose on the familiar black cabinet with silver grill cloth speaker cover
- Overdrive channel with versatile 3 button voicing consisting of bright, contour and vintage for tube kind of sound
- Controls to blend in tones are the master volume, and 4-band EQ bass, low mid, high mid and treble
- Sockets on the back panel are the effects loop send/return, headphone out, aux-in, footswitch and XLR line output with ground lift switch
What made this bass amp an instant hit and so special among bass players beginners and professionals alike since it first debut almost a decade ago is because, this bass combo amp is remarkably light to transport to jump from gig to gig and can easily be connected compatibly to any front house support using its rear-panel XLR line output with ground lift switch to go live, use it in recording studios, or just simply be the bass combo amplifier to play at home.
The Fender Rumble 100 has the flavor of a classic bass amp when played clean and it has the capability to be aggressive using the overdrive channel with versatile three button voicing consisting of a high-end boost, mid-scoop contour up to old school vintage tube kind of sound. This 100 watt combo amp also includes in its feature an EQ section bass, low-mid, high-mid, treble controls to blend-in and shape the sound even more. While the input and output jacks built with the amp enables the amp to connect to a digital media player, headphone and to chain all your effects.
Bugera BXD12
- Cass-D 1000 watts peak power
- 1×12” inches turbosound speaker
- Placed on a kick back cabinet with metal grill
- Front panel controls consisting of a master volume, EQ bass-mid-treble with an ultra-low and ultra-high switch, mid frequency knob for different EQ settings, -15dB input pad for active basses, mute, compressor to control peaks and a gain knob
- At the back of the cabinet are the Input and output sockets to plugin effects, tuner out, footswitch, audio source, and XLR balance direct out
The Bugera BXD12 bass combo amplifier is primed to produce incredible sonic bass sounds using its revolutionary class-D 1000 watts peak power and 1×12” inch turbosound speaker placed on a wedge cabinet to shoot the sound upwards just like a monitor angle. The Class-D amplification offered by the Bugera BXD12 is energy efficient, eliminate the need for heavy power supplies and massive heat sinks that makes significant impact on the overall weight of the amp.
To tweak the controls when the bass is upright or in kickback position, Bugera situated all the controls in the front panel consisting of a master volume, EQ bass-mid-treble for shaping with an ultra-low and ultra-high switch for better presence, mid frequency knob that gives five different EQ settings, -15dB input pad for active basses, mute, compressor to control peaks and a gain knob. Input and output sockets to plugin effects, a footswitch, tuner out, audio source, as well the XLR balance direct out are all located at the back of the cabinet.
Behringer BXD3000H
- Class-D 300 watts bass amplifier head
- 2 channel bass amp: Clean channel with dedicated gain control and distortion channel with gain, shape and level controls
- 7-band graphic EQ to use on both channels
- Features a compressor for smooth volume peaks, switchable Ultrabass subharmonics processor for unbelievable low-end power and master volume
- XLR DI line output and a set of jacks for a headphone, CD-in, FX insert, speaker out and footswitch
Bass combo amps are always welcome mainly because they are easy to use, good sounding and is built as a single unit ready to play. However they are not as portable and flexible sounding like a bass amp head paired with different size speaker cabinets, and with just a little bit of know how on matching the amp with the cabinets, you can get a totally new sound and a different level of bass presence every time you play.
Starting on our list for a bass amp head that has the power to get you gigging in no time is this 300 watt bass amp coming from Behringer. This amp is very affordable to pair with a cabinet if your are really on a tight budget. It is a 2 channel amp with a clean channel with dedicated gain control and distortion channel with gain, shape and level controls. The 7-band graphic EQ on this amp can be use on both channels, and other features on-board are as follows. Compressor for smooth volume peaks, switchable Ultrabass subharmonics processor for unbelievable low-end power, master volume, XLR DI line output to direct connect to a mixing console and a set of jacks for a headphone, CD-in, FX insert, seaker out and footswitch. Impedance is 4 to 8 ohm and use only the proper speaker cable.
Hartke HA2500
- Full 250 watts of power to a 4 ohm speaker and half its power to 180 watt when plug-in to 8 ohm speaker
- Includes active/passive inputs for basses
- 10-band graphic EQ protection relay circuit
- High pass and low pass contour knobs
- Preamp A and B knobs
- Built-in compressor
- Effects loop send/return and a DI out with ground lift and pre/post switches
The next entry of Hartke on our list, but this time on the bass amplifier head category is the silver-faced chassis clean looking Hartke HA2500. This bass amplifier provides a full 250 watts of power to a 4 ohm speaker and half its power to 180 watt when plug-in to 8 ohm speaker making it versatile to use for home, studio work and live performance in small and medium-size venues.
Advanced features on this bass amp head includes active/passive inputs, high pass and low pass contour knobs, tube-emulation/solid-state circuit, a built-in compressor, 10-band graphic EQ protection relay circuit, effects loop send and return jacks and a DI out with ground lift and pre/post switches. Impedance is 4 to 8 ohm and use only the proper speaker cable.
TC Electronic BH250
- 250 watt power to translate it all into volume
- Rugged and road worthy metal chassis
- Input for the bass with a gain toggle switch for an active/passive pick-ups
- 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble to shape and blend the tones
- TC Electronic TonePrint control
- Toggle mute and master volume control
- Integrated tuner with extended frequency range for 4, 5 and 6 string basses
- Moving at the back are the Balanced DI output with pre/post EQ, speaker out, aux-in, headphone output, usb port and pedal input
TC Electronic is the kind of brand that is fully invested on delivering great products. They are famous for their wide selection pedal effects and also making a big wave on their bass amplification technology. Their offering on this tier is this super-compact TC Electronic BH250 with 250 watt power to translate it all into volume and is filled with add-on features useful for an all around everyday play.
Facing the front panel section of the amp starting from the left side you can find the input for the bass with a gain toggle switch for an active/passive pick-ups, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble to shape and blend the tones, TC Electronic TonePrint control that allow to download and swap effects in second thru USB, integrated tuner with extended frequency range for 4, 5 and 6 string basses, toggle mute, and master volume control. The going at the back are the Balanced DI output, aux-in, headphone output and pedal input. Impedance is 4 to 8 ohm and use only the proper speaker cable.
Ampeg Portaflex PF-350
- 350 watt power to cover live situation and most venues
- Portable, compact and lightweight
- Fornt panel is consist of the rotary gain knob, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble knobs, master volume, -15dB input pad for active basses, on-board limiter, input, aux-in and headphone out
- Input and output plus other controls found at the back are the send and return FX loop, speaker out, XLR DI line out, power and voltage switch
Delivering legendary Ampeg tones in an ultra-modern compact design, the Ampeg’s Portaflex PF-350 pushes out a hefty 350 watt power as its way of complying to the prerequisites of the stage. This solid state bass amp head feels right at home when paired with Ampeg’s 2×10 PF-210HE or 1×15 PF-115HE cabinet, that also allows you to store the Portaflex PF-350 amp head, cables, tools and other things right inside the enclosure for ultimate portability.
On the front panel, it has a rotary gain knob, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble knobs, master volume, -15dB input pad for active basses, and on-board limiter. Input and output plus other controls found at the back are the send and return FX loop, speaker out, XLR DI line out, power and voltage switch. 4 to 8 ohm impedance and use only the proper speaker cable.
Ibanez P300H Promethean
- 300 watts bass amplifier head
- Small and portable to be carried by a travelling musician
- Features a 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, phat control for enhanced bottom and high-end shaping, gain control, master volume and a built-in limiter
- At the back is the power switch, aux input, headphone output, XLR line out with ground lift, speaker outs and -20 dB switchable padding
Doesn’t need any introduction in world of bass and guitar instrument, Ibanez again is poised to epitomize themselves among the leaders in the industry by having a line of bass amplifiers to cater to all busy working musicians and league of audience they gathered thru the years. These series of amplifiers called Promethean is comprised of three bass combo amp models namely the 20 watt Promethean P20, 300 watt Promethean P3110 which is also available in 15” inches speaker P3115 and a single 300 watt bass amp head, the P300H Promethean.
The Promethean P300H is the perfect traveling companion of an amp that offers a dependable powerful output for every live performances and the controls are quick to response when tweaked. It features a simple 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, phat control for enhanced bottom and high-end shaping, gain control, master volume and a built-in limiter. Aux input, headphone output, and XLR line out with ground lift, -20 dB switchable padding and speaker outs completes the whole package. Impedance is 4 to 8 ohm and use only the proper speaker cable.
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