Even though its small, this amp can still provide ample output for home practice. Plus, it sounds amazing even with tone turned off completely – giving a familiar experience similar to playing an instrument well played-in!
Bedroom/home/practice amps often get a bad rep, but this one stands out with its thoughtful design, authentic modeling and pro-quality tone. Plus it comes equipped with some handy effects!
Power
This compact amp packs an impressive amount of features into its small body, sounding impressive for its size. Equipped with two 3-inch speakers and 20 watts of power, this amp offers plenty of volume for practicing or playing around the house. Furthermore, USB interface and Bluetooth connectivity allows users to stream backing tracks wirelessly while they play along.
The controls on this amplifier are easy to read and arranged logically, with one knob selecting various amplifier models (Modern, Brit Hi, Lead and Crunch) while a switch toggles bass or acoustic guitar mode. Furthermore, other instruments (such as keyboards or microphones ) may also be connected for live performance simulation.
Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology replicates every component in minute detail to achieve lifelike acoustic tones and feels. While there is an impressively vast number of settings, getting started should be simple with five user presets to save as favorites and an array of FX such as chorus, flanger, phaser tremolo delays/reverb.
Contrasting with other budget amps, this one stands out by featuring a high-pass filter on the input for more low end thump. Unfortunately, though, its lack of 3-band EQ may be somewhat disappointing given the price point.
Overall, the Yamaha THR30II is an outstanding choice for beginners. Its powerful enough features allow bedroom practice sessions as well as spontaneous jam sessions with friends; plus its compact yet stylish form takes up minimal space on your desk or apartment floor. One drawback of this amp is its slightly less impressive sound compared to more expensive amps; but, for its price point it still sounds incredible. For more premium options please see our list of the best bass amps under $200. We have put together the very best options available to you at an affordable price point so you can select an amplifier to hone your skills before upgrading to more powerful setup. Yamaha bass amps offer plenty of tone and flexibility – make sure you select wisely.
Controls
Controls on a bass amplifier allow users to modify the sound produced by its power amp, from simple three-knob tone controls and parametric/graphic equalizers to more sophisticated models with overdrive effects and internal overdrive features. While these features can help make bass guitar sounds more aggressive, their use should always be limited so as not to overload the amplifier.
Most modern bass amps contain both a preamplifier and power amplifier in one cabinet, joined by one or more speakers of various sizes and wattages in a cabinet. Speaker size and wattage is often indicated with an abbreviation like “212-500.” Small practice combo amps often utilize 1×3″, 2×5″”, or 1×8″, speakers while larger amps may include 2×12″, or even 4×10″.
The Yamaha THR10 is an efficient compact amp designed for home use. Featuring a 1/4″ input jack, stereo auxiliary input, headphone output and five-position switch that lets you choose among various microphone models and nylon settings as well as Clean electric guitar mode, along with Master volume and Blend control settings that set how much of either straight signal will mix in with any modeled sounds that might be present.
Some bass amplifier models feature an overdrive effect that can be toggled on or off with a footswitch, making this feature extremely helpful when playing styles requiring excessive distortion such as metal, blues and punk music. MESA Bigblock 750, Mesa M2000 and Marshall MB450 all boast this capability.
Other basses amps feature an equalization control that enables you to modify bass, middle, and treble frequencies separately for custom sound design or aggressive playback. Changing these parameters can help your bass sound more balanced or fuller or give a scooped midrange for extra aggression.
Yamaha bass amps feature built-in chorus effects as well as multi-effects units which can be engaged via button or switch, adding various sounds such as flanger, reverb, delay and hall modes to your bass sound.
Tone
The Yamaha THR10II stands out from other all-in-one home/bedroom/practice amps by providing more flexible controls than many. You’ll appreciate its headphone output and aux input for connecting your devices, enabling you to easily play backing tracks while practicing or performing. Plus, its easy EQ settings provide plenty of tonal options!
Utilizing the Yamaha to play vocal jazz, I was impressed with its precise nature of presentation. Its bass was lean yet strong without ever becoming overpowering or overwhelming; its cool airiness added depth to every component part – even delicate cymbal taps!
As soon as I switched over to high gain, the Yamaha was capable of recreating Hendrix and Trower tones convincingly. Using its Brit-Hi setting with plenty of saturation that brought out harmonics and made its sound stand out. Though not as clear and open as some higher-end amps I have played, it certainly had its own voice that could handle bedroom volume levels better.
Though most amps I’ve used had somewhat harsh treble controls, this wasn’t a concern with the THR10. It provided a satisfying shimmer to enhance fingerstyle playing nuances while providing ample clarity throughout its midrange frequency range.
Yamaha also impressed me with how well they managed the low frequencies, although not quite as crisp and clear as some of the amps I have tested, it still performed fairly well for such a compact amp. This is important because bass frequencies can often become lost if soundwaves collide against walls or surfaces in unexpected places; by positioning your amp correctly you can avoid such cancellation.
Design
Design should always be taken into account when selecting an amplifier for bassists, as many options include power levels, EQ settings and effects settings that meet different performance needs. Some amps even come equipped with built-in XLR direct outputs or USB interfaces for recording purposes; two channels may even feature internal overdrive to produce more vibrant tones.
The Yamaha Elf bass combo provides plenty of oomph in a small package, thanks to its simple control panel and elegant 3-band EQ. Packed with 200-watts, its 200W of power will meet most gigging requirements.
The front face of this amp features a large Volume knob, smaller Source selector and controls for Bass, Middle and Treble frequencies. There’s also a speaker switch which enables running this amp with either one or two sets of speakers; plus there are mute and power switches.
Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology accurately replicates each component down to the wire, giving this guitar simulator an amazingly realistic sound quality. With three banks of five guitar amp models covering everything from shimmering clean, bluesy overdrive and crushing distortion as well as electric-acoustic bass (mic model included) there is also an electric-acoustic bass microphone model (though no acoustic simulation setting).
This amplifier includes two high-quality 3-inch speakers. The built-in USB interface enables recording capabilities and comes complete with Cubase AI music production software, plus it has an aux input for connecting other audio devices as well as Bluetooth connectivity for wirelessly streaming backing tracks to play along.
Controls include a Gain knob that can be set for either clean or overdrive sounds and a three-band EQ with presence, bass, midrange, and treble controls. Other features include stereo FX dials that can be configured for chorusing, flangering, phasering, tremolo or chorus effects as well as delay/reverb dials that provide plate hall or spring reverb settings; additionally it comes equipped with an inbuilt tuner as well as preset buttons which can be edited using THR Remote app for added convenience.