Bass Amplifier

Make Some Noise
Without an amplifier a solidbody bass just doesn't move enough air for you to hear it. Checking out amps at the local music store can be confusing. There are so many to choose from, and so many options, that it can be hard to tell which one is best. Your local music store can help you demo some amps, but here's a few tips on what to look for.

How Big?
When you're starting out, forget about those refrigerator-sized amplifiers you see the pros use. The amplifier you buy for your first learning experiences as a bass player does not need to be loud or large. A combo amplifier with an 8" to 12" speaker is a good choice for a few reasons. First, it's inexpensive, which is appealing. Large amps can cost several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars. Second, it's self-contained. This means that the speaker and the amplification circuitry are enclosed in a single box, making it easier to use and more compact and portable, which is good. Third, it's not too loud.

That said, you should keep your goals in mind. A practice amp with a small speaker and low wattage will be fine for your bedroom or wherever you practice by yourself, but it probably won't be enough to compete with drums and other instruments in a band. The rumbly bottom end that you hear on CDs just isn't available from one of these small amps.

Your first amplifier only needs a few features:

  • On/off switch
  • Volume control
  • Tone control
  • 10 watts to 30 watts of power
  • A single speaker (preferably 8" or larger)

If you don't have a bass or an amplifier, you may want to shop for both at one time. Several manufacturers offer what they call bass starter kits, which often include a bass and a small practice amplifier, as well as a cord (for connecting the bass to the amp) and a strap. Some even include a gig bag. Most of the major manufacturers offer these kits, and they give you a lot of value in one purchase.

Some amplifiers offer complicated tone controls (bass, midrange, treble), while others include built-in electronic effects that alter the instrument's tone. These features are not at the top of your list of needs. As long as it amplifies your bass and gives you tone you like, that's all you need for practice or playing along with your favorite songs.

An alternative to a small amplifier with a speaker is a headphone amplifier that is designed for bass. This definitely won't cut it in a band, and it may not be much cheaper than a basic practice amp. It's big selling point is that only you hear it, so it's good for practicing when others are sleeping or studying and don't want to be disturbed. Some have inputs that let you plug in your bass and a CD or cassette player, allowing you to play along with your favorite music.

Note that it's usually not a good idea to plug a bass guitar into a stereo system, even if there's an input on the receiver or power amp that looks tempting. The signal spike that a bass can produce is capable of destroying ordinary stereo speakers.

Movin' up
Despite all its advantages while you're learning, the disadvantage of a very small amp is that when it's time to join a band, the amp may not have the volume or the tone that you need. Small amps have small speakers--usually 6" to 10" in diameter--and limited tone controls. If your budget can handle a slightly larger amp, in the 30- to 100-watt range, then you'll have an amp that's sufficient for most band use. Such amps typically have larger speakers (10", 12" and 15" are the most common sizes), and offer more controls for adjusting the tone. They're also larger and heavier. But you'll need something bigger once you start playing with your friends. Again there's heaps of choices, and your local music store will be happy to demo some models. Your transportation limitations will determine just what size you choose, but there's plenty of solid amps that are not too bulky.