Are you looking for the best small bass practice amp? Then, you’re in the right place.
When shopping for a new bass practice amp, it’s essential to keep a few factors in mind. The most important one is the amount you’re going to invest in this crucial equipment.
No matter which skill category you fit into, you should be looking for the best small bass practice amps under $100.
Top 5 Best Bass Practice Amps Under $100:
Fender Rumble 25 v3 Bass Combo Amplifier (Editor’s Choice)
Fender is one of the icons of musical instruments. The company has been a key supplier to the music industry for more than 70 years. As a result, players have performed with Fender guitars and amplifiers in almost every genre, from rock and jazz to country and blues.
The company started by Leo Fender is credited with inventing the electric bass amp. This product line now includes the Rumble Series, a “beefy” power amp with a large, ported speaker. You get plenty of volume and bass response from this 25-watt package.
It comes with standard volume control, EQ controls, a state-of-the-art overdrive circuit, and switchable contour control. These features give you both the bite and the punch you desire with the touch of a button.
Pros
- Great Tone
- Good power in a small amp
- Excellent starter amp for a beginner
Cons
- Speaker rattle in some individual units
- Hard to access fuse
If you want to practice without disturbing others in the house, plug your headphones in the ¼-inch output jack to mute the speaker. The MP3 input lets you play your songs while you practice. The Rumble 25 is backed by Fender’s five-year transferrable warranty.
Blackstar FLY3 Bass Combo Amplifier
This is a good option if you’re in the market for a very portable, battery-powered practice amp. While it delivers “only” three watts, it does have two channels (clean, overdrive) tape delay and provides the right tone for its size.
You’ll get friendly tone control, with the added feature of resonating sound thanks to the tape delay feature.
Other features of this low-priced option include an MP3/Line-in jack, an output jack for headphones, and, of course, battery power for complete portability. In addition, you can use it with AC power to save on batteries.
Pros
- Excellent performance for battery-power/size
- MP3 jack for phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
- Full tone capability
Cons
- AC adapter costs extra
- Inconsistent power
This is a perfect choice for the beginner or mid-level player who only needs to practice alone. It’s designed to be highly portable, but some veteran players may be less than satisfied with the tone and performance. Besides, customers have to purchase the AC adapter for an extra $20.
Peavey Max 126 Bass Combo Amplifier
Peavey is one of the older companies in the music-equipment industry, having produced their first products in the mid-1960s. Of course, this doesn’t quite put them in Fender and Gibson’s icon class, but the company is now recognized as one of the largest suppliers of instruments and sound equipment in the world.
The Max Series of bass amplifiers includes several amps with power ratings of up to 300 watts. The 126 Combo amplifier is the right choice for low-bass sound from a lightweight amp.
The 6.5-inch speaker produces plenty of sound for practice and in a small room setting.
You also get selectable “vintage” gain control with Peavey’s patented TransTube circuitry, as well as low-range and high-range EQ controls. Listen through your headphones with the 1/4” headphone jack or make use of the handy auxiliary input.
Pros
- Great bass lows
- Plenty of power
- A good punch in a small package
Cons
- Sound cuts off at high volume
- Speaker distortion with some units
- Circuitry picked up radio signals.
Peavey has a reputation for producing reliable products with excellent sound reproduction. The 126 Bass Combo fits with other amps from this long-standing manufacturer, though some customers experience speaker distortion and sound loss problems. However, this Peavey does deliver nice bass tone.
Ampeg BA108 Bass Combo Amplifier
The Ampeg name is recognized among professional musicians and amateurs alike as innovators in big, loud rock amps.
In the late 1960s, the company created a super-vacuum tube amp to compete with the enormous amplifiers used by dozens of rock guitarists in the UK and the United States.
Those early, 300-watt monsters led to a range of amplifiers and sound equipment, reaching down to the Ampeg BA-108 at 25 watts. This power rating and the eight-inch speaker will give you more than enough bottom for practice. But you can also use this small package when playing in small rooms with one or two other musicians.
The BA-108 is a solid-state amp with three-band EQ for excellent tone control. It’s a perfect choice for beginning players as well as for veterans who want quality practice sound. It’s equipped with MP3 input as well as a headphone-out jack for practicing without disturbing others.
Pros
- Good power at 25 watts
- The signal-out jack doesn’t shut down the speaker sound.
- Headphone jack to mute speaker
- Smooth, deep tone
Cons
- Speaker buzz/speaker loosens up with use.
- Controls didn’t hold up over time.
Tone and 25-watt power are probably the best features of the BA-108. When you practice with this small bass amp, you get great tone and the option to mute the speaker or not with two output jacks. Good product for the money.
Vox Pathfinder 10 Denim Bass Combo Amplifier
Vox became one of the most desirable names in music equipment in the late 1950s, beginning with its association with the UK’s JMI Corporation. The name first appeared on a guitar amplifier in 1958. After that, Vox was the choice for members of The Beatles, beginning in 1962.
The Pathfinder 10 Denim brings in this manufacturer’s sound-equipment technology and the Iron Heart company’s unique talents. That makes it a limited-edition amplifier, thanks to the contribution of the denim/garment company.
While some see it as a collectible item in the amplifier line, bass players looking for a good practice amp may also find it more than adequate. It certainly looks different when compared to other amps covered with non-designer fabric.
The 10 Denim is a solid-state amp delivering 10 watts of power through a 6.5-inch speaker. You also get two-band EQ and headphone output. This little amp weighs in at a comfortable 10 pounds.
You might expect this to be one of those “collectible” amps that don’t perform exceptionally well. But the truth is, the Pathfinder 10 Denim not only looks great, but it also stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the other small practice bass amps on the list.
Pros
- Great at practice-level volume
- Tone/Gain adjustment
- Great for beginner and veteran
Cons
- Too small for anything but solo practice
- Lightly built, it didn’t last
- “Muddy” sound with some units
How to Choose the Best Cheap Bass Amps
Is Power Important?
Remember, this is going to be an amplifier for practice. So if you’re a beginner, an amateur with medium-level skills, or a veteran/professional, you can get the same quality components, construction, and performance without spending a lot of money.
The sound will still be more than adequate.
It is not a “gig” amp, so you don’t have to put “watts of power” at the top of your priority list. Instead, try to stay with one of the traditional manufacturers and combine that with the budget bass amp highly recommended by players who know musical equipment.
What Features Should You Look For?
Without hearing the actual sound from a small bass practice amp, you should focus on getting the features you want and need.
Of course, if you’ve been able to experience one of the best small bass amps in person, you’re ahead of the game. But, as a gentle reminder, this is not necessarily the amp you’re going to use to produce sound for others to hear.
If you buy a small amp with 10 watts to 25 watts of power, you’ll be able to use it for practice without overdriving it. This same inexpensive bass amp will also serve you well in cozy gatherings of friends and family.
You will also need a headphone output jack so you can practice privately. When you insert the headphone jack, the speaker is muted.
Many of the newer amps also have a 1/8” auxiliary input for use with an MP3 player. Most of the best small practice amps speakers are in the 6-inch to the 6.5-inch range, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time making comparisons of this feature.
That will be important if you want to use the amp for both solo practice and play with one or two fellow musicians. Keep in mind that some of the best value bass amps have 8-inch speakers.
Battery or Plug-in?
When portability is the critical element you’re searching for, you can get a battery-powered mini-amp designed strictly for solo practice sessions.
You don’t have to sacrifice features and benefits with the newer portable bass amps, as manufacturers offer them two channels: tape delay and firm tone. The performance belies the size of these tiny units.
Most of the top-line battery-powered portables have a line-in jack so you can connect an MP3 player, smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The output jack gives you the benefit of practicing privately as well.
What About Controls?
Basic EQ control will be sufficient when you purchase an inexpensive bass practice amp. If you can find what you want in the size and budget categories and get low-range and high-range EQ control, you should be fine.
For reliability, a solid-state amp will serve you best. You aren’t going to be seriously concerned with getting tube tone from a bass practice amp anyway.
Speaking of control, you should also pay attention to the overall weight of the amp. While this isn’t a significant concern for most players, you will have peace of mind knowing you can grab your amp with one hand and carry it comfortably when you need to move. Therefore, width and height should generally be on the bottom of your priority list.
Now that you’ve hit the high spots of small amps on the low end of the tonal spectrum, you have enough information to dig into a few of the best value bass amps. All of these carry a price tag of $100 or less. However, each could find a place in your practice routine.
So, What’s the Best Bass Combo Amp Under $100?
As you begin shopping for the best small bass practice amp, you should not have to spend more than $100 to get equipment for working on your low-end chops.
As you read through the reviews, remember there are individual units within any brand that may have issues. In addition to reviews from previous customers, you’ll need to focus on the support you’ll get from the manufacturer and the seller.
If you want to buy the least-expensive amp, you should go with the Blackstar FLY3. The others are very close in price, though still under $100.
The Fender Rumble 25 is probably your best choice for best performance and overall satisfaction.
However, any of these could be your choice for the best small bass practice amps under $100.