Ultimate Guide to Best Bass Combo Amp for Gigging & Practice

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Bass Amp Combo

Every manufacturer uses a lot of jargon in their ads, which are often purposefully obfuscated or exaggerated to make a product seem more attractive than it really is. In all reality, the types of amps are 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 a bass combo 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 a bass combo amp 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 a bass amp combo will be more audible, and some amps may be significantly more audible than their wattage rating would imply.

Though, as a general rule, a bassist is going to want to double the wattage of the guitar players in their band, especially if they’re playing in larger venues (bars and clubs). For example, if you have two guitarists each running a 100-watt solid state amp, 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 bass amp combo distorting. For smaller venues, like coffee shops, you’re probably not going to need more than 100 or 200 watts.

In venues where all musicians are plugged into a PA system, then output volume won’t be too much of an issue. Even practice amps like the Ampeg Rocket bass could work, as long as they have a DI out and you have sufficient monitoring levels.

Of course, how you EQ your bass combo amp, speaker size, bass string gauges, and how the speaker(s) was designed will also have an impact.

Tone and Gain Controls

Tone controls are a must-have on any amplifier, so virtually every amplifier includes them. They also aren’t that complicated, so we’ve just listed them below for ease of reading.

• 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 mids you dial in because an electric bass guitar, aside from low-frequencies, is also a mid-range focused instrument. Too much mids in the bass combo amp will create a mix that feels flabby and unfocused.
• Bass: Bass makes a 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

More and more amps these days are coming with built-in effects. Some amps include a variety of different distortion models (based on famous stomp boxes) and modulation effects.

With that being said, there is a tradeoff present when an amp has built-in effects. When resources are spent on effects, usually other aspects of the amp suffer. This can either mean that the bass combo 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.

So, whether or not you should look for an amp with built-in effects really depends on what you’re going to be doing. Effects aren’t used with the bass to the extent that they are with the guitar, so while the added flexibility may be attractive, I don’t think you need a complex effects browser 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 a bass combo 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/recording musicians. However, it is something to keep in mind.

Built-in DI

A DI (direct input) allows you to plug your bass amp combo directly into a P.A. console.  This connection is useful because it allows the front-of-house sound technician/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.

If you rarely gig or gig at small venues 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 amplifier.

A DI also allows you to plug your bass combo 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: Balancing Sound and Weight

Combo bass amps can be heavy because of their robust cabinets and woofers. Thankfully, many brands are now designing their amps with portability in mind, incorporating lightweight materials and improved handles, or even adding wheels for easier transport. If you’re a regular gigging musician, consider how often you’ll need to move your amp and balance your volume needs with portability.

While this guide focuses on the best bass guitar amps, don’t overlook other options like compact amp heads or bass preamps, which can be great for musicians on the go.

Modern Connectivity: Recording Made Easy

For home recording, having a bass amp combo with USB output can simplify your recording workflow. Features like Bluetooth connectivity allow you to stream music for practice or jamming, enhancing your overall experience. Don’t forget about traditional connectivity options like aux input and a headphone out; these are essential for quiet practice sessions, as the low frequencies of bass guitars can be tricky to contain.

Are Combo Amps Good for Bass Guitars?

Combos combine the amp circuitry and speaker in one easy-to-use package, making them a great and practical choice for beginners learning the ropes or for professionals who want to plug in and play without the hassle of matching amp heads with speakers.

Note that some professional bassists opt for just a class D head paired with loud speaker cabinet. While others go straight to PA using a bass preamp, and just using a headphone amp out for monitoring. A good headphone amp can also be used for bassists who use wireless in-ear monitors.

Can Guitar Amps be used for Bass Guitars?

While it’s technically possible to use a guitar amp for bass, it’s not advisable. Bass guitars require a more robust low-frequency response, which guitar amps simply aren’t built to handle. This could lead to a thin sound and, worse, could potentially damage your guitar amplifier. If you need an alternative, consider a keyboard amp with a wider frequency range, but it still won’t match the performance of a dedicated combo bass amp.