Choosing amp for bass guitar

Lamp vs transistor

If you are looking for a powerful bass amp that will not ruin your budget, then you will probably choose a transistor design. Lamp amps are usually much more expensive and, as you might expect, more unreliable. In principle, the main difference between them is the way they override the sound. The transistor amplifier can play loudly, but after exceeding his limits it generates distortions that are not particularly pleasant to the ear. While tube designs deliver in this case much more pleasant overdrive. However, keep in mind that a good quality transistor amplifier will be designed in a way that prevents it from overdriving. So this is a thing worth paying attention to, but it is not necessary to worry about it.

Combo or head
As with guitar amplifiers, we will have to decide if we really need a very powerful amp. If we are recording in a studio or we only expect concerts in small clubs, small combo can suffice. In the 60s and 70s, there were only a few amplifiers on the market like this, and the amplifier that set the standard in those days was the Fender Bassman in combination with the 2 x 12 "speaker.
Nowadays, amplifier manufacturers understand that the right combination of amplifier and speakers in a closed enclosure (with or without bass reflex) will play loud enough in every situation except for bigger scenes. Most of them give you the option of connecting a separate column to improve the lowest bandwidth.
However in large halls and open stages, don't get off without very strong combo connected to one or two columns. These 100 watts amplifiers are able to play loud enough and purely even to the lowest string E. If you need a strong rock sound that is as audible and perceptible, there is no better solution than a powerful head that drives two 1 x 15 "or single 2 x 15 ". However, it is worth mentioning that most manufacturers offer mostly closed 4 x 10 "speakers, which, compared to those based on 15 inch speakers, offer a wider spectrum of frequencies. Many bass players using active electronics in their instruments prefer this solution.
Advantages of digital modeling
Digital modeling offers you the all what is the best in one. For example, we can buy a simple workout amplifier that will give us the ability to choose virtually any sound or effect, and also will be work well in the recording studio. These often budgeted constructions give us everything - from pure voices to hi-gain hues, and additionally contain a set of effects that every bassist should possess. Thanks tothe technology, we won't have to complain on a weak sound just because we're just playing guitar and we did not spend big money on hardware.
It is also worth mentioning that amplifiers with digital modeling are often less troublesome in terms of noise. The same effects that arise in this technology, such as chorus, delay or reverb, are designed to degrade the sound as little as possible.
However, we will encounter many bassists, for whom modeling is not an option. As individual sound should be the most important for every player, the decision whether digital simulation is the right choice is left to each and every one of us

Does the speaker size is important?

Does the larger speaker is always better? Not necessarily. Contemporary 4 x 10 guitar columns perform very well with the lowest frequences, provided they are properly built. They can even work well in the case of low B strings, which was once unthinkable.
Larger 15-inch speakers deliver more bass, so their popularity among combo speakers and amplifiers is still high. This solution will work well at smaller concerts and rehearsals.
What will be the best choice for us? The answer to this question is difficult to pinpoint. However, many very good bassists leave the task of loudspeaker size to manufacturers and based only on their sound preferences.

Summary
Choosing a bass amp we need to answer on some basic questions:
Which type of construction will be most suitable for us: transistor, lamp or digital modeling?
What kind of sound are we looking for?
Is it supposed to be a combo or a set composed of a separate head and a column?
What power will we require from our amplifier?
Do we need different sounds, and therefore how many channels should our amplifier have?
How often will we transport our equip, how much our amp should weight?
What additional features should you have: built-in effects, recording capabilities,
How much can we spend?
When we answer these questions, choosing the right equipment will be a lot easier, and thoughtful purchases will always be worth it in the future. We hope that this guide will help you to match your dream amplifier to your needs!

Check also

Product categories