5 Affordable Portable Bass Amp Heads | Reverb

[@stevennemeth6256]

My Ampeg SVT - CL is portable. It comes with handles.

[@barrysinclair354]

And it has the free double hernia option that few amps offer.... I can say this because it is my main amp and I love the tone and power but hate the fact that I am old

[@Zigger27]

Don't forget the Hartke TX600. It's powerful, affordable and has great tone. It has a nice hand-grip for portability and should fit in a laptop bag

[@dariuskool1998]

100% agree

[@rreennommaann]

I wish they would turn these amps up loud and dig into the strings like you do when you're playing live.

[@TheDaytontube]

Sick Mars Volta line at the end 👌

[@Footerismyname]

The fender rumble 500 v2 head is my favorite amp I’ve ever owned. And at $399 it should be on every list.

[@sknuts6429]

Footerismyname yeah the rumble series has really improved

[@kafeitk]

$400? For the 500w? Is that really how much it was 2 years ago Edit: I missed the "head" part lol

[@speelbergo]

why are the tones all so muffled? It's hard to gauge an amp's clarity without a bit of tone in there.

[@nova_4168]

the bass hes using, the pick ups and the tone nobs. he doesnt mess with the nobs so.

[@aclimbatize]

Yeah, I don't understand why every demo sounds like all of the tone nobs are set at 0. You have this gorgeous expensive AF bass running through some really nice amps, and they all sound muffled and boring. There are so many ways to play and so many tones possible with a bass like that and the amps showcased, and not one sounded inspiring or exciting.

[@idlingby6853]

as well as what others have said here, it's also the cab, I've found they turn out quite dark sounding

[@aggzish]

@@nova_4168 he's probably to busy staring at his fretting hand. His playing makes me feel uncomfortable and awkward.

[@dimsoneill]

I thought it was just me. This guy has zero clues on how to demo an amp. The cab sounds ratty too.

[@hetschhog]

Not sure but I feel your Stingray is peaking a bit.

[@leaner33]

Could you explain what 'peaking' means in this context please? Trying to grab my first amp (head) soon.

[@fenderjazzface999]

@@leaner33 you might know by now but it means that the input volume is too high which creates a bad kind of distorted sound. On bass this can make low notes sound very "boomy" which is further exaggerated by the musicmans humbucker pickup and the already very low-heavy ampeg speaker cab. The sound of everything in this video is quite bad if I'm honest. Jake usually has a great tone no matter what he plays so I'm wondering what happened.

[@jamescole7197]

I feel like there's too much of the PF115 in the mix making everything sound a bit too dark.

[@Mud9]

What do people mean when they say dark? Does that mean to much low? Been trying to understand.

[@dragongamer2317]

@@Mud9 dark means not lively or bright, just dark with very little or no highs, mostly mid-low low.

[@turcitox]

Same with the orange cab

[@arthuraguirrejr.9500]

@@Mud9 it means that the lows have a more aggressive, growl sound to them. Really good for rock.

[@rickleblanc8900]

Sometimes a bit of eq tweaking on the amp goes a long way. One of the best bass cabs imo was the Peavey 1-15 Black Widow model. 350 watt capacity, solid bottom end with nice mid articulation. Also, Ampeg 4-10 with 70's retro grille is a beast

[@BAZZMAN800]

I came to the conclusion that the Ampeg PF-115LF is not a desirable bass cab.

[@stevedavis7451]

Its also pretty ugly.

[@FoamSquatch]

I had one. It was cool, more so because I normally use 4x10 and 8x10 so having a 1x15 was neat. But in all honesty I was not impressed with the sound. I have since played an Orange 1x15 and it blew the PF out of the water.

[@houseofsolomon2440]

I have an Aguilar tonehammer head w/their db112 cabinet. Sounds very good w/nice fit & finish

[@rickleblanc8900]

@@stevedavis7451 it's the retro Ampeg look. Sets it apart from most everything else imo. Pretty subjective matter, really but i care a bit more about the sound than the looks. Case in point : the MarkBass bumblebee yellow look isn't for everyone but it sounds great

[@christiandaelemans]

wtf do you mean that cabinet is great sounding

[@chriscuthbertson]

The Thrust knob on the TC's is a compressor for 'tube emulation'

[@-k-b-]

No love for Eden, damn. They're a really affordable and great sounding company. I had strayed from playing one because no one I've known has ever played em, but man are they great!

[@rickleblanc8900]

I remember the first time i saw Eden bass gear at my local music store. It looked cool as hell, where did this come from, never heard of Eden before lol. I thought it was pricey at the time but when i plugged in, i was truly amazed at the tones i heard. On the used market, they're pretty affordable now so i totally encourage anyone to buy Eden when they pop up.

[@jaredmeit6127]

I've only seen the tiny Quilter guitar amp, and the bass one surprised me equally. It sounded better to me than the other amps that sport traditionally desirable tech. Very impressed.

[@jaredmeit6127]

Was the EQ flat in all the tests? The Aguilar sounded really woofy in this video, but Janek uses it and he sounds super bright and articulate. (Loved the Volta line) EDIT: I just listened again with headphones and it was a much cleaner sound.

[@sackthevaulthunter8028]

Surprised that Fender and Peavey stuff wasn't mentioned. I'm having success with my Rumble and Max heads

[@2doobsmcjubes555]

Ive played alot of different bass heads and my Fender Rumble 500 is my favorite solid state head ever. The EQ section is actually useful and the gain is awesome.

[@TheRealCowlick]

@@2doobsmcjubes555 1000 bucks bro...

[@joycesanders4898]

Peavey LOVE💕🎶

[@DIEGO192cane]

Isn't the trace Elliot elf a good and affordable alternative too?

[@babayaga1767]

yes. i have one. it rocks

[@stevedavis7451]

Affordable????!

[@gooseman7522]

Steve Davis have you seen the list in the video? The elf is affordable compared to the ampeg or orange

[@lordundhimself1310]

That Stingray is gorgeous

[@cromwellg60]

You missed the Mark Bass Nano 300 and Trace Elliot Elf. The Mark Bass is so small it fits in my gig bag, and 300w

[@TheBassfresh]

Great video, but, anything you play through an Ampeg cab is going to give you a bit of ampeg tone, there cabs are part of their tonal chemistry. I'd rather hear each amp head through it's companion cab that was designed for it, like you did with the Orange. Having said all that, the Ampeg head of course sounded the best through the Ampeg cab.

[@BlueCollarRay]

After playing all, and also owning the Tone Hammer....I bought the Orange Bass Terror, and it’s my go to.

[@chrisb48907]

do you use the matching 12 inch cab (s) or something else?

[@skyweaver3199]

The sound in every example is very very muddled in the video, I don't know if it is your mic, or maybe the cabinet. But, I would love to see something like this again, re done. : ) The overall style of the video is good.

[@johannsoncrusoe5589]

No offense, but the basslicks could be more versatile I think. The dynamic ranges are not displayed well. I play fast bass in Hardcore and Punkbands and those styles have more fast 16 and single notes with a lot of punch that need gainy and tight amps. I love the ampeg bf! Though not really affordable. :)

[@Dobroz99]

Affordable bass cabs, read light, would also be interesting. Thanks for the review.

[@billsmith2212]

I've seen Victor , Stanley , Marcus , Richard Bona and many other top players .Multiple times solo and with various lineups . None of them uses tube amps . They always get great tone on their gigs . Most tube heads are at Rock shows and are Ampeg . However , it seems to be a more driven or distorted sound that is the goal there . To each his own .

[@sliverhandsonbasses]

Thanks for playing The Mars Volta! 🙏🏿

[@davidleamy7564]

Nice riff with the shout out to the Mars Volta!

[@lavadoraautomatica1]

Ashdown where it at?

[@NBarker1993]

I feel like the Orange head really wants to let rip. Bet that machine gets really loud

[@Reverb]

It really does get very loud!

[@phoratio]

I have it and it's freaking loud!

[@jackthomson5047]

@@phoratio how loud is it with an 8ohm cab

[@phoratio]

@@jackthomson5047 into an 8ohm 2x12, very loud. I don't have a decibel meter, but I've never played it above mid dial. It has beautiful tone as well. Total favourite

[@jackthomson5047]

@@phoratio thankyou!!

[@edwinwise6751]

I have the tc 250 with a single 15 celestian. Pulse in bass reflex cab . Way beyond my expectations. Fat , round, warm......

[@williamolsen20]

I know this may sound odd, but I prefer solid state bass amps. When it comes to guitar it is tube amp all the way, but for some reason solid state, and bass for me.

[@simonsmith2642]

I lay guitar bass and drums and a few others, and when I gigged out with bass I always used solid state, (MOSFET) I needed and wanted articulate, to be locked in with the kick, but, also needed headroom, nobody likes clipping on solid state.... Guitar is always tube, and always dimed, roll back on guitar to clean up. 15w usually does fine sometimes the good old classic 30 gets pulled out. But never more than that. Yeah I 💯 agree, I like tube warmth but only in preamp stage on a bass amp. I need clean and articulate with headroom. Guitar, low watts, dime it, and go.....

[@Homanjer]

I found that bass tube amps just have way more muddy bottom end. You can get close with some solid states if you boost the bottom but solid states are just way cleaner sounding. Tube amps have very clear characteristics where certain frequencies are kind of left out seemingly. A solid state amp is just way more even overall

[@theworstguitarever1470]

Dark glass is Not affordable.Im buying one anyway I can’t help it

[@user-nf5bi1fv8c]

But the Darkglass Microtube 900 for 1200$ is every dollar worth i think. 6 Band EQ and sick sound

[@leiruagetro]

I got my M900V2 last summer for about $950. It’s light weight, and the drive section sound is fantastic

[@Rorschack]

@7:27 whats that riff? ive heard it before but cant remember what it is

[@leoray1234]

Missing the GK MB200 bass head...fits on your palm and weighs 2 pounds, with amazing sound

[@user-ic3hf3sx4r]

I really love my TONE HAMMER, It gives me a practical and deep sound even on a Bizarre bass, but doesn't kill the character of the bass and so natural. but if you want the drive sound, you should go another or use pedals...That's not to everybody's taste, I guess.

[@lordthorby6199]

Tone hammer doesn’t have a drive sound it’s an effect pedal he is probably using. I got a tone hammer and it doesn’t have any drive. I’m selling mine for an orange amp i bought the Aguilar for the drive but they are lying about it.

[@garthkolbeck8674]

When I played bass, I tried Gallien Kruger, I tried Peavey's, I tried Crate, I tried Fender I settled on my Ampeg portaflex 100 watt 1x15 solid state. You flipped the head, snapped it down and rolled that cube out to the trunk!🤣Plenty of power and a direct out for the p.a.

[@lepanzon]

Man, I was impressed by the TC. As a guitarist (I know, I know) that’s trying to get back into playing bass, I appreciate this video. That Aguilar and the Quilter really impressed me. Personally after researching a bit, I think I will go with the Terror Bass, since it’s what I am familiar since I own a Tiny Terror guitar amp, and the bass player for one of my old bands used to play with a Terror Bass and I always enjoyed how that sounded. But that Aguilar, Quilter and Ampeg are pretty good options as well. Really enjoyed them. I guess now I’m gonna collect bass gear 😅😅😅

[@OmniTron1000]

Was that some Mars Volta I heard in there? ...cheeky.

[@DoeIII75]

Yo that Music Man is golden. Gotta have one

[@jaykelley103]

It sounds like a fucking fart machine

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

I would have thought that the orange Amplifier would have been built around an all vacuum tube PWM modulator to give the guitar the sound they appear to love.

[@lordthorby6199]

The tone hammer doesn’t produce a gain like that I can personally confirm that. Just giving a heads up to those looking for they tone

[@Infinighost]

The Mars Volta!! Hell yes!!

[@Homanjer]

If anything this video really shows how important the speaker cab is. I'm really obsessed with having the best amp I could possibly get but especially solid state bass amps sound SOOOO similar when going through the same cab. And if you put it into a mix it's even less important what amp you actually use. I love Ampeg because the Ampeg overdrive (SVT and even the scrambler) is really nice. But man I don't use any overdrive live anyways. I could use any amp aslong as it has Ampeg/eminence 10' speakers... Besides when playing live the audience mostly hears the PA anyways...

[@adamziolkowski2549]

Ampeg or Fender head with Sonic 2x15 cab... love it

[@charliewesley94]

Use a friggin passive bass next time!!

[@davehope5609]

Aguilar are really gutless

[@Adamnme01]

maybe along a similar line another vid like this for combo amps?

[@domjkof5327]

This guy should really consider to step up his game. He got no sound in his hands, so the amps sounds all the same, if not bad.

[@EpicStuffMan1000]

do your hands emit sound???

[@domjkof5327]

@@EpicStuffMan1000 on an instrument, they sure do, Sir.

[@barackmycat9448]

The bass was a bad sound to me. How was it adjusted? A p-bass would be much better for a test like this. Keep it simple so the amp will show it`s colors.

[@stynkychrist]

you know waht is the power range @8ohm? from the tc electronic bq250?I have a ampeg svt 210 this work at 200w @8ohm

[@xero_2003]

Why not mention the Trace Elliot Elf?

[@geekguitars]

I love my Quilter Bass Block 800

[@Brannington]

I'm surprised that i like the quilter the most.

[@TheAaron3dg]

Used one for backline this weekend. 5 different bassists used it, everything from Zeppelin to Motown, and it performed incredibly well!

[@eucesarmachado]

me too, but im sad everything still too pricy in my country

[@rome8180]

This video didn't do the magic of the PF-50T justice.

[@joycesanders4898]

I'm not..Quilter=quality. 👍🎶

[@TheEchelon]

Not me, Quilter makes great solid state amps

[@AaraliRam]

Roulette Dares!

[@SpectorEuro4]

Left a dislike and I feel good about it. The guy is peaking a StingRay, I don't even think he noticed the amount of distorted/rambling sound.

[@shaneharrington3655]

You got a guitar heads version of this?

[@MrTatiblack]

is the Aguilar 350 loud enough for stage?

[@auntjenifer7774]

Which was the loudest ? I couldn't hear much.

[@stevenordstedt2535]

muddy sound like the 1970's fender bassman. the new fender MB 2500 watt combos kick Ass and the GK also.

[@lightotaku4545]

7:27 kinda sounds a bit like the intro to Honey This Mirror Isnt Big Enough For The Two Of Us by MCR

[@jmwreck]

is it possible to use TC Electronic BQ500 with a 300w cab?

[@jambi5096]

U know? it was between me and Jake for this job he's doing with reverb right now and a lot of people we grew up with act like I'm bitter and jealous that Jake got the job over me but it was actually how handled himself after. That's actually how we met David Kalt too, he had us meet him in his office to announce who got the job and after Jake was awarded the position. He held his hand out like a "kudos anyways" type gesture and when I went to shake his hand, he faked me and swept his hand through his hair and he did this in front of Kalt and like 4 other people. Of course everyone in the room laughed and I played it off like I wasn't embarrassed but I was. Honestly congrats on the gig Jake but that was a total d*ck move and you should be happy to know I'm still working with local musicians. So don't worry. I'm doing just fine, bud.

[@lawrencegenereux8567]

It's unfortunate that the music business is loaded with so many assholes. It's also quite telling that in almost every case, they aren't any of the best players.

[@liamtahaney713]

Can’t imagine why you wouldn’t get the job you’re such a charmer!

[@soultabs]

I quite like muffled sound so this , for me, is a great review. Thumbs up

[@TrevWings]

That would be the 1x15 cab

[@soultabs]

@@TrevWings thanks for the heads up

[@belveder3716]

Wich mic are you using for the amp?

[@rickleblanc8900]

This video isn't really a good representation of the amps' tones. Everything sounded muffled and there was no real definition, the playing and the "woofiness" made everything hard to listen to overall. And this is an expensive bass, on top of that. I can't really blame the cab because i have the same model and it sounds better than on this video. If anything, a bit of eq tweaking could've helped

[@ostapchovgan1115]

This for guitar please!!

[@jorgiewtf]

You had me at Drunkenship of Lanterns!!!

[@TheMusicmak3r]

Thanks for the upload!

[@ouz3407]

jack bruce bass techniques ?

[@patriot3dx]

HUBIERA ESTADO MEJOR SI PROBARAS UN POCO LA EQUALIZACION YA QUE EN TODOS LOS EJEMPLOS LOS TENIAS CON 0 TREBLE.

[@eucesarmachado]

i started ignoring all the "affordable" chat after i saw that u are playing a music man sting ray through all these amps

[@adfresh2266]

Don't think I've ever seen The Volta used in a demo video

[@sikguy9939]

Return with #PotentPairings

[@dieguishernandez]

no Markbass? :(

[@kongandbasses8732]

At the end most if not all of the bass players say, that nothing beats the tone of a big iron solid state amp, not to mention all tube heads. Small and lightweight amps have their market, at least after the second generation of Class D Poweramps came out, but nothing beats the tone, punch and transients some iron is able to deliver.

[@As5Hat]

Gotta add some slap in there to show the different amp sounds and test the highs and mid scoops.

[@50Something]

More mud than a mudslide! Why?

[@erickvalencia2016]

That Aguilar thou 🤤

[@bugsycline3798]

why don't any of these bass amp reviews actually show what happens when you play be amp with a drummer? If you really want to sell me, the best thing to do would just be to set up a pair of stereo condenser mics on one end of the room and a band on the other side of the room. no close micing. Let's see if the amps can cut through the mix. anything can be made to sound good when close-miced or ran direct. But I need real-world applications.... (same with guitar amps)

[@JustShortOf]

Great info...thanks!

[@ransombaggins9301]

Some nice stuff it seems. I was hoping there would be something *more* affordable. Apart from the $199 TC, I can't justify this kit yet. One day!

[@robbie_the_guitarist7277]

Why am I getting Johnny demarco in the beginning of the video? 😂

[@liamtahaney713]

I really want a tone hammer.

[@tearsofsoy4091]

"Affordable"...

[@sodapopbrosky]

Oh watch out we got a badass over here 🖕🏾

[@TheEchelon]

@Whassname Whassname Get over yourself dude lmao. You're the one here that feels the need to pass off as some hot shot to total internet strangers. You're not. ;)

[@bradford4570]

He's a great host but he seems to alwaysthrow that word around extremely loosely 😂

[@frankfromchicago9248]

Orange wins!!

[@DancingTakosMonkey]

i dont think we have the same definition of affordable

[@iwasntfeelingcreative]

sweet bass

[@Lion_ofJudah]

Ampeg.

[@redtoesmaster2931]

Too bad the paying was boring

[@charltondemas3560]

Uhh.... Nice choice of song for the orange 'light crunch' demo!!!! "Roulette Dares" -The Mars Volta. Seriously pumped to here it and now I just learned that part from watching you so its a double wammy!!

[@arthurmckay4202]

Play harder wtf

[@user-pu7oe7vd4j]

In my opinion everything sounds the same. Probably because of Ampeg cab.

[@luispitot6406]

The ampeg

[@trunks828]

Here’s something to try. Hx stomp. Into a headrush frfr12. Yeah I went there.

[@SpectorEuro4]

Did it work?

[@trunks828]

It did but doesn’t give you the real amp feel I mainly use it for practice and a monitor and let the stomp do the rest

[@SpectorEuro4]

@@trunks828 I see. Im trying to find a good cab to pair the TC electronics BQ500. I cant decide. I dont know if you could guide me? Im looking for something that can handle small venues, band rehearsal would, say, a Hartke HD112 do the job? Can a 1x12 cab handle gigs? We mainly just go to a PA system (as my amp head can go straight to it), but if it so happens that we dont have a PA, I wonder if a 1x12 can handle the job. We play mostly grunge and some blues.

[@trunks828]

@@SpectorEuro4 a 1x12 can handle small venues as long as you have it paired with a cab that has a similar ohm so if the heads 500w you want something that can handle 500w you shouldn’t have a issue with this at all. My father played a 1x12 for years and it never was a issue with guitarist playing twin reverbs.

[@cheranguista]

My 7 bucks headphones does not differ the sounds of each amp,

[@flower-fauna]

Ah i love jake

[@Kianquenseda]

Darkglass 900

[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

Everything sounded terrible through that Ampeg cab until the Ampeg head showed up.

[@jeffsmith3743]

The TC was the only one that was "affordable"! If I'm going to spend up to $800 I'm going with a Hartke hd 508 or the 500! Both are 500 watts.

[@Zackhames]

Mars Volta!

[@michaelrobenalt5193]

no Ampeg micro vr head? surprising lol

[@whamni]

When you were a WEE LAD, very Irish lol lol ..............Good review, but I'll stick with my Trace Elliot.

[@Hillbilly_Papist]

Still me favorite brand. I greatly enjoy Ashdown's tone as well, can't seem to figure out why.

[@petkopeet]

Ed Kemper son?