Bass guitarists prefer combo amps for rehearsals and small club performances, as this type of amp combines preamplifier, power amplifier, and speaker all into one unit, making setup much simpler.
Sweetwater offers an outstanding selection of bass combo amplifiers in every size and style to help you choose your ideal combo amplifier, from budget entry level units to vintage reissues. With their huge inventory of bass combo amps from budget entry level units to beautiful vintage reissues.
Preamp
A bass guitar and amp combo’s preamp is the component that converts electrical signals produced when playing your bass into something we can hear, as well as adding tone controls like EQ and gain. After passing line-level signal on, this preamp sends it onward to power amp section for further processing.
A power amp then adjusts amplitude- and frequency-shifts the line-level signal, creating its own audible sound that’s transmitted via speakers to your audience or listeners. The best bass amplifiers feature preamps capable of producing anything from soft clean sounds all the way through to full, powerful distortion.
At first glance, practice amps and combos may appear simple with just an on/off switch and single volume control knob, however many more costly models often boast multiple switches or rotary knobs for bass, middle, and treble equalization settings as well as electronic tuners and mute buttons to prevent song breaks from altering volume levels or interrupting performances. Many also provide vertical sliders that enable graphic equalizer control over multiple frequency bands.
All bass amps are designed to be easily transportable for gigging purposes, and typically feature features that make carrying them easier (single carrying handle for small and medium-size combos, two handles for carrying larger cabinets or wheels on some larger cabinets) as well as features to protect them during transit (metal corner protectors on smaller cabinets and protective grilles on larger ones). Furthermore, some larger models come equipped with speaker protection circuits or separate subwoofer cabinets in order to better reproduce low frequencies.
Some musicians prefer having both an amp head and speaker cabinet of their own, so they have more freedom in customizing their bass sound through different combinations. While this allows greater tonal variations and customization of sound, you must remember the power handling and impedance requirements for each component when pairing them together.
Amplifier
Your bass guitar amplifier is at the core of its performance. Amps may utilize tube (thermionic or “valve”) or solid state technology such as transistors – hybrid designs can combine both. Furthermore, different power levels exist from low-powered practice amps to powerful gigging amps designed specifically to keep up with demanding gigging situations.
An entry-level bass amp typically contains an input jack for connecting your instrument cable from your electric guitar’s magnetic pickup and an output jack that feeds a standard speaker cabinet, along with controls to alter its overall sound: typically gain and/or volume knobs for increasing or decreasing input signal strength and at least two sets of equalization knobs to control bass, middle, and treble frequencies.
Different bass amplifiers boast various features, but their basic controls are what help define their unique sound. These may include built-in digital reverb or preamp/power amp EQ controls for creating multiple tones; many also come equipped with headphone outputs so you can practice without disturbing others or an XLR direct output that connects directly to PA systems for larger gigs.
Valve or tube bass amplifiers are among the most renowned forms of bass amplifiers, renowned for their glowing tubes which can produce anything from “mellow warmth” to heavy distortion. Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead achieved his signature bass tone by overdriving his triple 100-watt Marshall Bass stacks.
An amp head and speaker cabinet alone would take up too much room in any studio space, making a bass combo the ideal solution for bassists needing to be prepared for anything – be it rehearsal at their drummer’s garage, gigging locally at pub or practicing solo on stage.
Cabinet
Cabinets used in bass amp combos consist of boxes that house speakers and are equipped with preamplifier, power amplifier and tone controls. Bass combo amps are popular among bassists because they make for easy transport from rehearsal to gig; smaller combo amps tend to provide enough power for most venues while for genres requiring high stage volume more powerful (in terms of wattage) amps may be preferred.
A bass combo cabinet typically comprises one or more loudspeakers made of stiff paper; some manufacturers, like Hartke and Gallien-Krueger, utilize ceramic speakers instead. Some cabinets also include high-frequency tweeters that help handle sounds too high for the woofers; bass amplifiers may even boast horn-loaded speakers for live performances.
All types of bass combo amplifiers are designed to be easily transported from rehearsal studio to venue, and most include features to protect speakers during transport while making it easier to move (such as one or two handles for two-handed transport, wheels on some large cabinets and rackmountable components that can be screwed onto 19″ road cases). Amp “heads” may either be tube or solid state models; many iconic bass amps from years past were vintage tube models.
When shopping for a bass amp combo, always visit your local music store and play through them using your own basses. Listen carefully to how each amp sounds and inquire about its features as well as ease of control – this way you’ll know if it will meet all your expectations!
Some bassists opt for separate amplifier “heads” and speaker cabinets rather than purchasing combo amps, enabling them to customize their setup with different models and brands of preamplifier, graphic equalizer, power amplifier and speaker cabinet; plus it makes replacing failing components simpler.
Effects
Combo amplifiers provide an ideal way for novice bassists to start out. Contained within this single unit are preamp and power amp, making it easy to transport between gigs. Most combo amplifiers typically provide enough wattage to fill most venues without over-driving speakers; furthermore they also allow more freedom when it comes to tone control and effects options for tone-control purposes.
Some bassists prefer tube amps for their warmth and responsiveness; this is particularly prevalent among rock and blues bassists who use an amp featuring vacuum tubes in its preamp and poweramp sections. Conversely, many other bassists also like solid-state amps because these models tend to be more durable and can handle higher levels of distortion than tube models.
When purchasing a bass amp combo, there are various factors to keep in mind when making your selection, including speaker(s), gauge size and the amp’s voiced-for-bass design. Speaker type is of paramount importance because bass waves travel differently from guitar signals; therefore it must be capable of handling this different waveform. Most combo amplifiers include 4×10-inch speakers; however some bassists may opt for bigger speakers such as 1×15 or 8×10 for deeper and fuller sounds.
Consider whether a bass guitarist utilizes an effects loop. While some bassists enjoy using various effects pedals, others don’t want any additional noise in their sound. If using an effects loop, make sure it has its own dedicated input or effects return on the amp, since plugging a guitar pedal into its effects loop could damage speakers of that amp.
Power amplifier selection is also essential, with 200 to 400-watt models usually ideal for bassists in larger venues; some bassists even opt for using two separate amplifiers – one to handle low frequencies, and the other midrange and higher range frequencies.