Beginner bedroom practice amp advice needed

[totallyjem]

I'm very new player that has bad GAS but hasnt really gotten into a decent amp yet. Right now I have one of those plastic four force things that I use to mess around on.

I mostly have been learning with rocksmith but am ready to branch out and try more traditional practice.

Anyway, I have been thinking of something that works for bass and guitar as I mess with both. I have lots of pedals (mostly fuzz) I just play around with because I'm such a novice. I'm into stuff like the Cure and Joy Division, but also lots of fuzzy metal goodness.

Its one of those deals where I'm so new I dont really know what to get or what I like for sure yet. Probably why I've tried out so many guitars and pedals in the last year or two. For some reason amps seem more permanent to me so I have not just been buying them like other gear.

Is there anything out there that is relativley inexpensive (not more than $300) that would be good for guitar and bass and pedals at bedroom volumes that is better than the four force? Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

[hiorgos]

...

[totallyjem]

Cool...Will playing bass through a guitar amp at bedroom volumes blow out the speaker on something like this?

[Derelict78]

I have an old peavey TKO 65 that I think sounds great with guitar. It's also been my bass "bedroom" amp for 10+ years.
It's worth a shot to check out, they go pretty cheap on CL.

[K2000]

Double post, duh

[K2000]

Cool...Will playing bass through a guitar amp at bedroom volumes blow out the speaker on something like this?

Is bedroom volume like the same as watching TV volume? Then no.

I would look for a used, small Peavey combo. Also, you might look for an amp that has built-in effects modeling, or you can play a device through (iPhone etc) for 'jam-along' practice.

If you get something that's slightly louder than you need, that should reduce the risk of blowing your speakers, IMO. Because you'll never come close to making the amp work hard. So if you try an amp and it seems surprisingly loud to you, then it's probably going to work.

Things like "good tone" are less of a factor for these purposes, IMO... the quality difference in amps is more important, the louder you need to be (band situation). Less important for bedroom practice.

[Uncle Grandfather]

I would suggest finding a used 70s fender silverface champ. It will be in your price range, perfect practice AND recording amp. It breaks up into the classic famous fender distortion. Will also handle pedals great. If you can find a vibro champ near that price it's a steal and you should snag it. The tubed vibrato is sooo lush.

edit: great for guitar and baritone and bass VI. not so appropriate for bass guitar though, I just reread your initial post.

[penelope tree]

I'm not sure how good they would be for bass but I think either the VHT Special 6 Ultra or Fender's Super Champ X2 would be good for someone that is tentatively exploring the world of guitar equipment and developing their technique. The former is very good value and you can experiment with different types of valves, while the latter has some (optional) digital modelling available.

[totallyjem]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Gives me something to google and troll the local shops/internet for.

I'm interested in bass VI cause of the cure stuff...but I'm trying to get better before I get more guitars. I was up to like 6 at one point just trying different stuff out then reselling. I really like my telecasters most of all right now. One of them has a jazzmaster pick up in the neck position.

[totallyjem]

It looks like some of the USA made Peavey Bandit 65's are around on CL but no bass amps. Anyone have an opinion on those?

A TKO 80 is at a pawnshop a few towns away. I might be able to pick it up if its still there in a couple weeks...its only $130.

[Jwar]

Acoustic. Cheapest and best sounding practice amps out there IMO. I have two. Love them. When one took a shit, I didn't care because it was cheap.

[totallyjem]

Any particular model?

[Jwar]

Any particular model?

I'm fond of the Acoustic B200 but you can get a B100 as well or a even smaller model.

The B200 lasted me years. I'm going to get it repaired as well. It's a great amp. I got mine for 400 new, it's a combo, but perfect for bedroom stuff. You can get a used one for much cheaper.

[WayToHip]

I use a mixing board for late night headphone action hahaha. Probably not what you want though. My little brother has one of Fender G-DEC bass amps. It has modeling tech so there's different amps to try, it has a quite a bit of built in effects like chorus flanges and reverbs. The dirt sounds are crappy, but it can get you Joy Division's grindy bass.
Also, Roland Cubes, Robert Smith uses them

[totallyjem]

Haha I already copped a bunch of his boss pedals did not even think to look up his amps figured it was huge stage stuff...