The bass – The rumble that brings soul to the groove of the whole band. Each thump and slap should make the audience feel one with the music, and only your instrument can make this happen. But of course, your sound, aside from your axe, comes from that magic box called the amplifier. So before rushing off to your music store to get the biggest bass amplifier you can get your hands on, continue reading on – you might be surprised to find that the sound you are looking for might just be hiding in a tiny package. Remember the saying “Small, but Terrible”. Let’s check out the best small bass amplifiers on the market.
Gallien-Krueger MB210-II 2×10″ 500-Watt Ultra Light Bass Combo
Pro: Light weight amplifier with BIG soundCon: Shape
The Gallien-Krueger MB210-II is your ultimate “On the Go” bass amplification. This amp packs a 500-watt punch, besides it’s featherweight attribute of only 33 lbs. It houses CX series ceramic speakers, which makes it very lightweight. It’s G-K Chain Out innovation let’s you connect to a MBP-powered enclosure, so as to create a club ready rig. Another nifty feature of this amp is it’s aux-in, which let’s you plug in your phone, or any player for practice. The GK also hosts an XLR-direct output, which let’s you connect directly to the house mixer. And last but not the least, this amp features a 4-band equalizer and gain control, so you have the freedom to shape your tone and create your signature sound. A lot of versatility and sound from a small box.
Phil Jones Bass Double Four BG-75 70-Watt 2×4″ Micro Bass Combo Amplifier
Pro: Rough and durable aesthetics, very compactCon: separate adaptor/power supply (might easilly get lost)
The Double Four is a tiny piece of tone integrity you can take with you. It’s aesthetics is remarkable, like the material used in a pick-up truck bed liner, ensuring that the finish won’t chip off, or peel over time. It has two four inch drivers which is individually amplified by two 35 watt amplifiers, a system which Phil Jones calls pulsive modulation amplification. This system ensures the clarity and pureness of tone delivered. The limited size of the cabinet also employs Phil’s design – the rectangular auxiliary low frequency radiator, which in layman’s term, is a radiator that redirects air to augment the speaker to output in 30-to-150 Hz frequency range. This amplifier delivers the right punch for you bass, be it in your bedroom, an acoustic jam, a rehearsal studio – you name it.
For bigger venues, the line out of this baby has you covered. It’ also has one nifty feature – you can buy a regular power bank – the standard 20 volt for laptops, and this will serve as your power supply – talk about portability! Again, this amp is not meant to replace your full sized rig; it’s the amplification that you can always take with you, and tone integrity you can count on. By the way, have I mentioned it fits in your backpack?
Carvin MB210 Micro Bass Amp Combo 2 X 10 Inch
Pro: Dual parametric equalizer (Much more control over your sound)Con: Vinyl covers (might eventually peel off in time)
The MB210 from Carvin delivers 250-watt of pure, deep bass prowess. It’s dual 10 inch speaker is enclosed in a 24.5 inch high ,12.75 inches wide by 11.5 inches deep cabinet, and is only 25 lbs! One feature I liked about this amp is how the controls feel; it has a drive knob, and a dual parametric equalizer, which gives you the freedom over your tonality – be it a sweet, low profile thump, or the grit of a powerful driven crunch tone. The MB 120 also has active and mute switches, direct out XLR with pre or post equalization options (which is good, especially for live set-ups). The overall outputs are controlled, either by the master level for the speaker, or the DI level for the preamp output. It’s shape also gives you the option to either position it vertically, or horizontally.
Carvin MB15 Micro Bass Amp 15 Inch Combo
Pro: Small size, big soundCon: Vinyl covers (might eventually peel off in time)
Whenever you think of Carvin, the first thing that comes to mind is QUALITY. And this attribute is ever present in their newest addition to the micro bass amplification line. The MB15 is a 15 inch amp, not much bigger than it’s brother the MB10, but packs a fuller sound because of its 15 inch woofer. It’s a breeze to carry around with you, since it’s only 32.6 lbs, and carries the dimension of 17″ X 12″ by 18.5″ (width, depth, and height respectively). The XLR out goes directly to the board, and also has a ground or lift control. The contour, treble, and bass control ensures that you can shape your sound meticulously, and achieve deep rolling bass, and brilliant highs.
The MB 15 also has active and mute switches, direct out XLR with pre or post equalization options (which is good, especially for live set-ups). The overall outputs are controlled, either by the master level for the speaker, or the DI level for the preamp output. All the features you’d expect to come from a much bigger amp.
Warwick BC20 20W 1×8 Bass Combo w/2″ Horn
Pro: Two instrument input – active or passive (also suitable for two instruments amplification at a time)Con: Limited tone controls
The Warwick BC20 is your standard bass practice amp. From its dual input feature which enable it to host active or passive signals, or for two instruments to plug and play at the same time. It also has an auxiliary input for mp3 players, which is good for practice / jam along. It’s 20 watt power is enough for a standard bedroom. This also has the dynamic distortion limiter, which is good for playing distortion-free at high sound levels. The best part of this amp of course is the headphone output, which enables you to breeze on your songs without disturbing your neighbors.
VOX PB10 Bass Combo Amplifier
Pro: Classic vintage feel of Vox amplifiersCon: Limited tone controls
The Beatles were never wrong to use them, and now they flaunt their label in their newest bass amplifier. The PB10 features a basket-weave vinyl wrap, diamond grill cloth, and a vintage chicken-head knob. It pumps 10 watts over two speakers, giving it much control over distortions, and it’s simple controls ( drive, treble and bass) makes it easy to achieve the sound you want. The vintage feel of VOX is very much evident in this amp. It is the lightweight, portable, and versatile amp for the Bass player on the go.
Peavey Max 126 Bass Combo Amplifier
Pro: Trans Tube Emulation CircuitryCon: Distortion at high volumes
The Peavey Max 126 is the amp that you’d want in your bedroom. It’s a 10 watt amplifier that employs trans tube emulation circuitry, enabling you to get the right tone and feel you’d want, and easily get lost in practising all night. It has a 2 band equalizer, and a modern or vintage voice switch. It also has a tape / line input, and a headphones out for practicing. Overall, the Peavey Max 126 has the basic quality you’d look for in a practice amplifier.
Fender Frontman 10G Electric Guitar Amplifier
Pro: Closed back Design for heavier bass responseCon: Not really a Bass amplifier – comes with the standard Fender squier gig pack
The Frontman 10g is a 10-watt guitar practice amp that packs a mean punch for it’s size. It also has the Aux in for mp3 players, and a headphones out for practice. It has a 2-band equalizer, and a gain control for more drive. Basically it is a guitar amplifier, that can be used as a bass practice amp you’re gunning for more of that “straight rock” kind of sound.