Am I setting myself up for frustration if I buy a poor quality amplifier? Does it even matter?
December 1, 2011 8:49 AM Subscribe
Does the quality of a bass guitar amplifier really matter?
I've recently started playing bass, and because of my many failed starts with learning instruments I decided to take the advice to buy a decent one to start out with so I don't get frustrated and quit. (Epiphone Thunderbird IV)
It seems to be working as I can't put the thing down, buut I forgot to buy an amp to go with it. I found a First Act amp that's only $20, but I haven't heard good things about First Act. Is buying a sub par amp going to frustrate me, or does it even matter? I was really hoping not to pay more than $50 for one, are there any decent bass amps in that price range or do I need to go up?
I've recently started playing bass, and because of my many failed starts with learning instruments I decided to take the advice to buy a decent one to start out with so I don't get frustrated and quit. (Epiphone Thunderbird IV)
It seems to be working as I can't put the thing down, buut I forgot to buy an amp to go with it. I found a First Act amp that's only $20, but I haven't heard good things about First Act. Is buying a sub par amp going to frustrate me, or does it even matter? I was really hoping not to pay more than $50 for one, are there any decent bass amps in that price range or do I need to go up?
Response by poster: I'll be practicing on my own to start out with, but I'd eventually like to join a band. I'll also be practicing for an ensemble within the next year.
posted by biochemist at 8:54 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by biochemist at 8:54 AM on December 1, 2011
There are no 'decent' bass amps for $50, assuming the implication that decent is "sounds good, durable, usable in a performance situation".
If you've got only $50, I'd look into a headphone amp. Rockman is the standard go-to here.
posted by chrisfromthelc at 8:55 AM on December 1, 2011
If you've got only $50, I'd look into a headphone amp. Rockman is the standard go-to here.
posted by chrisfromthelc at 8:55 AM on December 1, 2011
Quality of a bass amp matters IMMENSELY. It took me years to find one that I liked. Same bass for most of the time (a Fender JP-90), but going through a parade of amps it sounded like 6 or 7 different instruments.
Don't look at this as a problem you have to solve right now, in terms of getting the perfect amp. Just get a shitty one for now (anything under $50 is going to be kind of shitty) and treat it as a learning experience, as you start to figure out what you're looking for in a sound.
posted by COBRA! at 8:57 AM on December 1, 2011
Don't look at this as a problem you have to solve right now, in terms of getting the perfect amp. Just get a shitty one for now (anything under $50 is going to be kind of shitty) and treat it as a learning experience, as you start to figure out what you're looking for in a sound.
posted by COBRA! at 8:57 AM on December 1, 2011
Response by poster: I should clarify that my budget is more like $250-300, buuut I'd rather not spend that much. I don't want to set myself up for unnecessary frustration though, so if I have to then I will.
posted by biochemist at 8:58 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by biochemist at 8:58 AM on December 1, 2011
Where do you live? I have a Peavey that is lovely that I'm trying to get rid of cheap (upgraded to Ampeg).
posted by spicynuts at 8:59 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by spicynuts at 8:59 AM on December 1, 2011
You're better off to buy something a little more expensive and serviceable now, because you will quickly become annoyed with a crappy amp if you choose to go that route.
posted by chrisfromthelc at 9:01 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by chrisfromthelc at 9:01 AM on December 1, 2011
For practice: it don't matter.
For performance: a million times yes. Huge variations in quality, features and tones across brands and models. Picking an amp for performance is a very personal decision based on your budget, needs and preferences.
posted by gnutron at 9:02 AM on December 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
For performance: a million times yes. Huge variations in quality, features and tones across brands and models. Picking an amp for performance is a very personal decision based on your budget, needs and preferences.
posted by gnutron at 9:02 AM on December 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
To answer your specific question though - it is immensely personal. When I started playing guitar at 15, I could only afford a little pignose piece of shit. I hated it because I couldn't sound like Eddie Van Halen. It frustrated hell out of me. But I'm a perfectionist and I still get frustrated with my tone and at this point I've got gear that is thousands of dollars.
So, as a beginner, decide what kind of person you are. If you are a perfectionist, spend the 300 bucks and get a used Ampeg. If you are more interested in just learning playing - forget it, buy a 50 Fender Rumble or something.
If you want to play out in the very near future...6 months...it's an ENTIRELY different story. 300 dollars in the used market could get you something nice for playing out.
posted by spicynuts at 9:02 AM on December 1, 2011
So, as a beginner, decide what kind of person you are. If you are a perfectionist, spend the 300 bucks and get a used Ampeg. If you are more interested in just learning playing - forget it, buy a 50 Fender Rumble or something.
If you want to play out in the very near future...6 months...it's an ENTIRELY different story. 300 dollars in the used market could get you something nice for playing out.
posted by spicynuts at 9:02 AM on December 1, 2011
Look into the Fender Rumble amps - great sound, low cost.
posted by blaneyphoto at 9:04 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by blaneyphoto at 9:04 AM on December 1, 2011
I look at it this way: when you play electric the instrument isn't just the guitar, it's the guitar + amp. So buy the best amp you can afford but make sure you test it with your bass before you buy.
posted by tommasz at 9:10 AM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by tommasz at 9:10 AM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also FWIW, I wouldn't wanna perform with an amp less than 100 watts. Not a big Fender Rumble fan either - I think they sound very rock-y with very little warmth.
posted by gnutron at 9:13 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by gnutron at 9:13 AM on December 1, 2011
I'm not playing out right now, but I will say that playing my bass through my iPad using Garage Band has been a great way to illustrate exactly how much difference there is between amps. GB has a built-in set of a ton of "general" amp sounds that can, at least, give you an idea of how different a sound can be using amps and pedals. (If you have that option available to you.)
posted by ASoze at 9:17 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by ASoze at 9:17 AM on December 1, 2011
Get a cheap one now, and save that 2-300 when you know what you like. First acts are just fine for practice.
If you have a mac with an input jack, you can hear what your bass will kinda sound like through different kinds of amps by plugging your instrument into garageband and using their bass amp emulator (you'll need an adapter from a speaker plug to your bass, or an instrument cable to the input jack)>
posted by Jon_Evil at 9:17 AM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you have a mac with an input jack, you can hear what your bass will kinda sound like through different kinds of amps by plugging your instrument into garageband and using their bass amp emulator (you'll need an adapter from a speaker plug to your bass, or an instrument cable to the input jack)>
posted by Jon_Evil at 9:17 AM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Sorry, this is the correct link for the how-to video
posted by Jon_Evil at 9:20 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by Jon_Evil at 9:20 AM on December 1, 2011
Aside from personal taste issues, many (most? all?) cheap bass amplifiers do a terrible job at even reproducing bass notes at all. There's definitely a minimum threshold of cost and power needed to make a bass sound like a bass. $200-250 on the used market, with some guidance from someone who knows basic stuff about it, will be just about right for something that makes your instrument sound sound like a "bass". What you specifically end up in this price range is a matter of taste and availability in your local market, but anything less than that and it will be getting on your nerves once you've moved beyond the very basics and start worrying about tone and technique.
posted by Benjy at 10:11 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by Benjy at 10:11 AM on December 1, 2011
For practice, get the cheapest amp whose sound you can stand.
When you think you're ready to buy something better, take your guitar to a music store and plug it in to some different amps. Any music store that won't let you do this is not worthy of your business.
posted by DWRoelands at 10:19 AM on December 1, 2011
When you think you're ready to buy something better, take your guitar to a music store and plug it in to some different amps. Any music store that won't let you do this is not worthy of your business.
posted by DWRoelands at 10:19 AM on December 1, 2011
I've played bass for years, and I'd say that amplifier quality matters, but that there is less tonal difference between different kinds of bass amps than there is for different kinds of guitar amps.
You may be able to find a used Peavey TKO or TNT amplifier on Craigslist in the $150-$200 range. Both are good starter amps -- rugged, decent sounding, and enough power to use at band practice or small gigs (or even larger ones if the sound person mics your amp or uses a direct box)
posted by zombiedance at 11:10 AM on December 1, 2011
You may be able to find a used Peavey TKO or TNT amplifier on Craigslist in the $150-$200 range. Both are good starter amps -- rugged, decent sounding, and enough power to use at band practice or small gigs (or even larger ones if the sound person mics your amp or uses a direct box)
posted by zombiedance at 11:10 AM on December 1, 2011
I'd recommend getting at least a combo amp with 1 12inch speaker at around 100 watts. The entry level fenders are good for this.
You'll be discovering your sound the entire time you play bass, but, the first year is a pretty huge discovery zone.
So much of your tone comes from your hands, strings and bass. I wouldn't invest a lot into amplification until you need to gig and you know more about what kind of sound you want.
(My best recommendation is to buy a VT Bass/Deluxe pedal. It's one of those instant awesome pedals. Makes so many stacks have that nice ampeg sound)
posted by zephyr_words at 4:01 PM on December 1, 2011
You'll be discovering your sound the entire time you play bass, but, the first year is a pretty huge discovery zone.
So much of your tone comes from your hands, strings and bass. I wouldn't invest a lot into amplification until you need to gig and you know more about what kind of sound you want.
(My best recommendation is to buy a VT Bass/Deluxe pedal. It's one of those instant awesome pedals. Makes so many stacks have that nice ampeg sound)
posted by zephyr_words at 4:01 PM on December 1, 2011
The sound is in the amp. It really really does matter.
The speaker is a difficult-to-control passive element. The amp is the active element that has the sole purpose of controlling the speaker. The sound is in the amp.
posted by krilli at 6:35 PM on December 1, 2011
The speaker is a difficult-to-control passive element. The amp is the active element that has the sole purpose of controlling the speaker. The sound is in the amp.
posted by krilli at 6:35 PM on December 1, 2011
Response by poster: I decided to get no amp at all - turns out most of the music I like has no bass or very simple bass lines so I returned it.
posted by biochemist at 10:46 AM on December 8, 2011
posted by biochemist at 10:46 AM on December 8, 2011
I decided to get no amp at all - turns out most of the music I like has no bass or very simple bass lines so I returned it.
posted by biochemist
Really? ok....
posted by blaneyphoto at 3:40 PM on December 9, 2011
posted by biochemist
Really? ok....
posted by blaneyphoto at 3:40 PM on December 9, 2011
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posted by John Cohen at 8:52 AM on December 1, 2011