There is an array of bass amps on the market today and it can be daunting when shopping. Two key aspects to keep in mind when searching for an amp are wattage and speaker size.
Combo amps are convenient, as they combine all components into one unit for transport and setup. However, professional bassists sometimes prefer using separate head and cabinet combinations when recording to minimize rattle from loose grates inside their enclosures.
Beginner
Beginner bass guitarists should keep several factors in mind when choosing an amp and guitar combination. First off, bass guitars produce very little sound on their own; an amplifier must be used in order to make them loud enough for practice or live performances with other musicians. Bass guitarists are an essential part of every musical ensemble as they contribute dynamic effects while helping keep rhythm intact – adding dynamics while emphasizing changes throughout songs and providing support when needed.
Electric bass guitars come in various styles and sizes. Bassists of shorter stature may wish to consider purchasing a student model; some manufacturers also offer full-scale basses in more compact, easier to play formats. Beginners should carefully consider their desired instrument: either an acoustic bass or solid-body electric bass; the latter are generally heavier and more costly than their acoustic counterparts.
Electric bass amplifiers typically contain three controls: gain, tone and drive. The gain control allows users to increase or decrease signal intensity from their bass guitar – increasing it for powerful sounds such as distortion whereas when this control is decreased it offers cleaner sounds with sharper low end notes.
Beginners often worry about the power of their bass amplifier. Newcomers might prefer selecting an amp with low wattage to reduce distortion caused by their bass. Many amps offer feature-rich sets of preset sounds, effects and tones organized by genre for quick finding of their desired sound quickly and easily.
A bassist must also make sure their electronics are in working condition, without loose or faulty connections, before running their hand along the neck to check that all frets are even and undamaged – worn-down frets could indicate restringing needs to take place, while newcomers to bass should consider purchasing protective cases for their instrument.
Intermediate
Bass guitars make an excellent addition to any genre, adding depth and range that enriches songs with vibrancy. Furthermore, they’re relatively straightforward for newcomers looking to pick up bass playing as well as experienced musicians looking for new challenges on stringed instruments – making bass an excellent choice both for novice players looking to pick up an instrument as well as experienced ones already experienced in bass playing.
Beginners looking for their first bass can benefit from considering what style of music they plan to play when choosing their instrument and amp. A bass guitar that offers sound suitable for jazz, metal or pop could add another layer to any composition and create a richer musical experience for listeners – hence it would make sense that any intermediate player invest in one with matching capabilities and sound.
One of the first factors to keep in mind when buying a bass guitar is which neck size suits your playing style and preference. Some prefer longer necks while others find shorter ones easier to navigate with their hands. Neck style also plays a factor in how easily and comfortably a bass guitar can be played and held.
Next, decide on the type of amplifier you require. With so many types of bass amps to choose from and each offering different features and advantages, choosing an amp can be overwhelming. However, one popular solution is solid-state amplifiers using transistor technology which tend to be less costly than their tube-based counterparts while still producing no distortion at high volumes without producing distortion at any volume level. Some modern solid-state amps even include circuitry which simulates their sound and feel!
Other bass amp options available to guitarists include acoustic amps, which produce a warm woody tone perfect for folk music and unplugged jam sessions. There are also hybrid amps which combine both an acoustic bass with the power of an electric bass guitar; these models make an excellent option for beginner guitarists on a budget who still wish to perform with their bandmates.
Advanced
Ask any bass player and they’re likely to prefer a tube amplifier as their favorite amp. These classics create warm distortion that adds depth and richness to bass tones, but hybrid amps now exist that combine a tube preamp front end with solid-state power for similar results without the cost or weight associated with tube amps.
Bass guitar amps often include features to enhance the playing experience beyond basic controls such as gain, volume and tone. For instance, many come equipped with built-in tuners and mutes switches that enable silence during tuning or breaks; others feature effects loops which enable external effect devices to connect between preamp and power sections of an amp.
Combo bass amps provide an all-in-one solution, making them suitable for home or studio use and offering slightly more output than amp heads yet less than full-sized cabinets. If playing gigs, their XLR line out allows direct plug-in to PA systems (though you may require an additional DI box).
Some models feature switchable impedance so you can match the amp to your speakers (usually 4 or 8 ohms). USB input lets you connect your bass directly to a computer for recording performances; additional extras such as effects loop, headphone jack for silent listening and speaker EQ are worth keeping an eye out for as they help tailor frequency response of an amp’s output.
As a beginner, we suggest beginning your bass journey with a long scale bass guitar – this industry standard offers more range than shorter models. More experienced players may wish to consider investing in a six-string bass for increased versatility – it works especially well in heavy music genres like metal and hard rock as well as jazz or other genres where its longer strings provide additional tonal options than four string options.
Professional
Fender offers professional bassists an abundance of options to add power and features to their rig, from combo amps such as the Rumble 100 to heads like SVT CL 300 which offer classic valve warmth at stadium-ready volumes.
Combo amplifiers are ideal for gigging musicians as they’re compact and portable. Most come equipped with headphone output and an AUX input to connect phones or MP3 players for practice sessions; there are even models like Ashdown Studio 15 combo amplifier that come complete with covers to protect them on the road!
Most bass amplifiers for sale feature some form of equalization to allow users to tailor their sound according to genre and style. Some bass amps, like the Aguilar Tone Hammer, come with dials for dialed frequencies while others use simple 3-band equalization for wider tonal options; and others even have drive controls which add distortion or compression, such as on Darkglass Microtubes.
Find amps with built-in effects such as chorus and reverb that you can use on the fly for instantaneous personality boost. Many models even feature series loops to connect pedals into.
Solid-state amps offer more powerful and portable rig options, and can deliver high volume levels while remaining portable and lightweight. While tube amps may offer natural overdrive capabilities, solid state amplifiers are usually more reliable. Solid state bass amplifiers make an excellent choice for gigging bassists.
If you want a bass with an original look on stage, there are numerous basses for sale with customized paint jobs and designs. One popular example is the Music Man StingRay that has been personalized by Joe Lally of Fugazi and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182; both players have added their personal stamp.