Top Picks for the Best Cheap Bass Amp of 2024

Every manufacturer uses a lot of jargon in their ads, and most of the time, they are purposefully obfuscated or exaggerated to make a product seem more attractive than it really is. In all reality, bass amplification is actually pretty simple. So long as you know a few simple terms, you’ll be able to get a general idea of whether or not an amp will be a good fit for you.

Power Rating (How Loud Your Amp Should Be)

Volume is generally measured in wattage because the volume an amplifier will produce is closely tied to its wattage rating. However, with that in mind, volume is a funny thing. More volume doesn’t necessarily mean an amp will be more audible, and some types of amps may be significantly more audible than their wattage rating would imply.

However, as a general rule, a bass player is going to want to double the wattage of the guitar players in their band if they’re playing in larger venues (bars and clubs). For example, if you have two guitarists each running 100-watt solid-state amps, you’re going to want 400 watts (100*2*2=400) to have enough volume to compete with the other instrument(s) in your band without your amp distorting. For smaller venues, like coffee shops, you’re probably not going to need more than 100 or 200 watts. Of course, how you EQ your amp, speaker size, and how the speaker(s) are designed will also have an impact.

It is also worth pointing out that having a tube preamp is not as hyped on cheap bass amps as they are on guitar amps. Many of the best bass amplifiers don’t utilize tube circuitry.

Bass String Gauges can also impact how loud strings respond to playing.

Tone Controls

Tone controls are a must-have on any amplifier, so virtually every amplifier includes them. We’ve just listed the most common EQ and tone-shaping controls below for ease of reading. Note that some or a few cheap bass amps come with expanded controls, including 4-band EQ or even 7-band EQ. You can get more tone-shaping options by utilizing a pedal or processor that allows for pre- and post-EQ adjustments.

Treble:

Treble controls the high-end frequencies. More treble equals more clarity because high-end frequencies travel through the air more easily. However, use this in moderation so you don’t overcrowd the mix.

Mid:

Mid is the middle ground between bass and treble. It adds more body to the sound, but it also creates a clear voice. Be especially careful with how much midrange you dial in because the guitar is a mid-range focused instrument. Too much mid-bass will create a mix that feels flabby and unfocused.

Bass:

As expected, much of a bass amp’s sound quality has to do with how it handles bass frequencies. Bass makes the sound fuller, and because the bass guitar (obviously) is a bass-focused instrument, it’s an incredibly important frequency to have control over. While beginners may want the most bass possible, too much bass can still make your instrument sound muddy.

Scoop/Mid-Shift/Contour

Treble, mids, and bass frequencies usually get separated into three distinct groups. This is solely for ease of use because these three groups are constructed to allow us to manipulate sound more easily. For example, when you turn a treble control higher, you actually boost a range of frequencies rather than just one.

A scoop (which is sometimes known as a mid-shift or contour) changes the base frequencies that are altered when you manipulate the mid-range control. Don’t concern yourself with the technicalities of this right now. Rather, just know that if an amp has a scoop or mid-shift control, you have more sounds available to you.

Effects and Amp Modeling

More and more amps these days are coming with built-in effects. Some include a variety of different distortion models (based on famous stomp boxes) and modulation effects. While amp modeling is not as pervasive compared to cheap guitar amps, there are now some cheap bass amps that offer this tone flexibility.

With that being said, there is sometimes a tradeoff present when an amp has built-in effects. When resources are spent on effects, other aspects of the amp may suffer. This can either mean that the amp is built with lower-quality materials, ships with a smaller speaker, or is more expensive than an amp of similar quality that lacks these effects. There’s also the downside of some of the amp models and effects being sub-par or impractical for bass guitar use.

So, whether or not you should look for an amp with built-in DSP really depends on what it is you’re going to be doing. Amp modeling and effects aren’t used with the bass to the extent that they are with the guitar, so while the added flexibility may be attractive, don’t think you need effects to sound better.

Should you choose to go with an amp without built-in effects, we would still recommend that you consider getting a tuner pedal and a compressor. Another option is to get a Bass Preamp with built-in effects.

Speaker Size

At the risk of oversimplifying the topic, a bigger speaker will produce more bass frequencies and give your tone more depth. A smaller speaker will have a more focused and punchy tone. A 12” speaker is considered to be a happy medium between the two extremes.

When thinking about which speaker size will best suit your needs, you first have to realize that bassists get great results with everything from 10” to 15” speakers. It’s not a question of what genre you play, your technique, or even your instrument. It’s all about what you want to hear.

Though with that in mind, should you purchase an amp with a speaker that is smaller than 10″, you may find that your tone is a bit thin. This generally isn’t a huge issue because amps with sub-10” speakers are generally for beginners rather than performing or recording musicians. However, it is something to keep in mind.

A home practice amp with a small speaker is perfect for low-volume practice, and if you want quiet practice, use headphones, or go for a headphone amp. Small amps are also better for a home studio setup.

Built-in DI

A DI out, which usually is an XLR output, allows you to plug your amp directly into a P.A. console. This feature is useful because it allows the front-of-house sound technician or engineer to shape the volume and frequency response of your amplifier. The impact the inclusion (or lack) of this feature will have on your experience as a musician is largely going to depend on the venues you play bass and whether or not you need to go through a PA system.

If you rarely gig or do small gigs exclusively, you’re not going to stand to gain much from this feature. However, it can be a lifesaver if you’re playing larger gigs because you don’t have to worry about miking an amp.

A DI also allows you to plug your amp directly into a recording interface, which makes digital recording easier if you don’t have a wide selection of microphones on hand.

Many amplifiers state that they have “XLR-Out” or something along these lines. This also qualifies as DI, so if you see a manufacturer say “XLR-Out” or “DI,” know that you can plug your amp into a P.A.

You can also buy a separate DI Box or Bass Preamp with a DI built-in.

Portability

With their big woofers and bass cabs, combo bass amps are generally heavy. Thankfully, many manufacturers do put careful thought into designing their amps to be portable. Some do it by utilizing lightweight materials; others focus on improving the handles; and some even add rolling casters to the amp itself. If you’re planning on playing regularly in different venues, you will have to balance your volume and bass tone requirements with sensible portability.

This guide is focused on combo bass amps, but there are other types of cheap bass amps available. Including compact amp heads like the Darkglass Electronics Microtubes. Those who want to travel light can also go for a bass preamp like the Aguilar Tone Hammer and go straight to PA.

Modern Connectivity

For those who record at home, getting a cheap bass amp combo that can simplify the recording process can be a big plus. This is where cheap bass amps with USB recording output come in as a very convenient solution. Other modern technologies, like Bluetooth connectivity, can make streaming tracks more convenient, which in turn can help improve your overall practice and jamming experience. Old-school connectivity like Aux input and headphones out is still essential, especially if you want to do the silent practice. Since the low-frequency sound of bass guitars is hard to contain, it’s best to use a headphone amp for quiet practice.

Are Combo Amps Good for Bass Guitars?

Combo amps combine the amplifier circuitry (preamp and power amp) with a speaker cabinet in one unit. This is a type of amp that is ready to use, removing the need for speaker matching. These are the perfect beginner bass amps for those who are just starting to learn the ropes. It can also benefit pros who just want to plug and play their bass. On stage, most professionals prefer bass amp heads, as they usually offer more power, tweaking, and connectivity options.

Can You Play Bass Through a Guitar Amp?

While it can work, I strongly advise you not to plug your bass into a guitar amp. Bass guitars require more low-frequency response, which guitar practice amps are not designed to handle. This means you won’t get the full sound of your bass, and you will end up damaging your guitar amp. A keyboard amp with a wider frequency range can be a good alternative, but it won’t have a great sound nor will it perform better than a dedicated bass amp.