Best amp for a greenhorn?

[geddy]

Hey all,
Glad to say I'm now the owner of an Alembic. The gods smiled on me and I picked one up last night for less than $800 usd.  
 
Anyway, could someone recommend an inexpensive practice amp for someone who has almost no playing experience? I'd like to keep it under $300 or less for now. I prefer something thats clean and punchy, if it's not that loud that's ok too. I just need this to get my lessons going.  
Thanks,
Jon
 
ps. I feel unworthy to own this bass being a beginner, but like I said the gods just smiled on me for once and who am I to say no?  

[bsee]

If there's a dealer near you, just go in with your bass and see what they have.  Since you're talking about a practice amp, you should let your ears decide for you.  $300 might also buy you something loud enough to play with a group in the basement on the used market.  
 
I have an amp of that size that I don't use anymore (Hartke kickback 12) that would be about right for you.  It's about 120 watts with a 12 speaker in a convenient size, and there's a direct out for recording or to go to a mixing board for more volume.
 
If you're in the northeast US, we could talk, or you could seek out something like this at your local shop.
 
-Bob

[geddy]

Thanks bob. I live in the Utah but we could still talk if you're willing to ship. If interested my email is paxsman@msn.com.

[bracheen]

Congratulations Geddy.  My practice amp is a Hartke also.  Actually it's my only amp.  It does the job but I got lucky as I didn't listen to it first.
So what did you get and where are the pictures?
 
Sam

[dadabass2001]

Hi Geddy (nice name )  
I have 5 rigs of various size and power. My newest little baby is the Gallien Kreuger Kickback 110, a single 10 with a headphone jack and a line out and 70 watts (loud enough to play with a reasonable drummer and guitarists). It's small enough to make the trip from the car to the show in one trip with the amp, bass, stand and accessory bag all at once. Did I mention that it sounds real sweet and can be had new at Guitar Center for around $260?
Mike

[eastcoastepic]

Geddy,  
  Congrats & welcome. My practice amp is a Fender Bassman 100 (1-15 and a small horn @100 watts) which gives me a surprisingly good clean sound in a fairly small package. These can be had for around $500 brand new, and $300-$400 used.  
  Best of luck, and, of course, give us pics when you can!
   
  P.S. There are no unworthy bassists, just cheap (non-Alembic) basses unworthy of their owners

[tom_z]

Congratulations Geddy - sounds like you got a great deal - love to see a picture.
 
In an environment of players who seek extremely refined tone, I'm going to ask what may be a bit of a radical question. Have any of you had experience with any combo amps with modeling technology (Line 6, Fender . . . )? Any of the guitar players, perhaps? Some of these amps can be had for less than $500 new and around $300 or less used. I have been told that a very wide variety of tones can be achieved even at lower volumes (nice for practicing in an apartment, etc.). I am aware that these amps are fully digital - software driven. Is the technology in these amplifiers mature yet?
 
BTW Geddy - what about a picture? =)
 
Tom

[valvil]

Hello Tom,
 
I've had a bit of experience selling such amps when I was doing retail for 3 years and I also picked one up for myself.  I do like a good modeling amp, and I believe the technology is pretty darn good.  
Line 6, of course, was the first out of the block, but for my money I'd never own one; I've heard a few that sounded ok but they belonged to folks who replaced the original speakers with Celestions. Other than that I never liked the sound all that much and I am not a fan of digital displays on amplifiers (like on higher end Line 6 and Fenders),so I prefer modeling amps that just feature knobs rather than a ton of knobs and displays as well. Fender makes the Cybertwin and the smaller Cyberdeluxe which sound good, but give me  a headache with the complicated controls. Most salespeople will try to sell you one of the Fenders for a few different reasons: A) lots of guitar players (who in this case happen to be salespeople as well) just go ga-ga anytime they hear the word Fender and won't consider anything else to be on par with it , wether it's true or not B) Fender has a program called Fender Dollars for salespeople; sell x dollar amount of Fender gear and get Y dollar amount to apply toward purchase of Fender products.
I could have had any amp  I wanted at dealer cost  but I put my money on the Vox Valvetronix, (1x12 version) which I really enjoy and get compliments on all the time. I also like the effects it has and it's real easy to use. I sold a few of those and always got thanked afterwards when I steered the customer towards it.
Having said that, I suggest that you go out and test a few of these amps yourself. Find what you like, your taste is likely different than mine and you may enjoy tweaking knobs  more than I do.
 
 
Valentino

[bigredbass]

A GREAT beginner amp is the Fender Bassman 25:  Not much money, good enough for the bedroom, and a terrific extra feature:  It has a RCA line-in (from your CD, I-Pod, whatever) and a headphone jack so you can practice anytime without waking any random humans within earshot!  This is a real marriage saver, let me tell ya . . .
 
J o e y

[gare]

Geddy
I think your best bet would be to checkout places like Musicans Friend and other on line places to get an idea whats available and within your budget.  Then if there's a Guitar Center,or Sam Ash,or similar  place near you,grab your bass and try out a few to see what your ear likes. Of course none of these places are the greatest, but they are reasonable. Besides, if you can hold off a little, the bigger chain stores should be having sales around Labor Day,and you might just get a real bargin.  
The problem with on line stores, if you do find a reasonable price, the bargin gets eaten up in shipping charges.  
Hope this helps
G

[geddy]

Thanks for all the great suggestions folks. It sounds like I have a lot of good amps to choose from now.  
I'm stuck at work right now but will be posting pics tonight or tomorrow. The base is a custom model made in 1980; I'm posting the serial tomorrow but from the pics I've seen it looks to be a series II perhaps. The serial has no letters, just something like 80 18333 USA.

[paulcissa]

Hi Geddy,
 
If your feeling at all UK-like, check out the Ashdown line of Electric Blue combos.  If you can find a used one or a new/old stock, you can get a 150 watt single 12 for about $300.00 USD. All the new  Ashdowns (except the flagship amps)are being built in China, so older is better.
I have a EB-180 that I love, it actually has enough punch to work the small room jobs.
 
Good luck! -Chris