Are you a bassist looking for the best bass amp head? If you’re searching for an amp head that will provide you with great sound, plenty of options and plenty of power, you’ve come to the right place. There are many options on the market and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve done the research and compiled a list of the best bass amp heads on the market today. From ultra-compact heads to heads packed with features, this list will help you find the perfect amp head for your needs.
Best Bass Amp Heads
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Behringer BXD3000H Ultrabass
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Gallien-Krueger Ultra Light MB200
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Hartke HA3500
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Trace Elliot ELF Micro
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Fender Bassman 500
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Ampeg PF800 Portaflex
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Ampeg SVTVR Classic Vintage Reissue
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Ampeg SVT-3 Pro
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Orange OB1-500
|
7. 2
|
1. Behringer BXD3000H Ultrabass
I recently purchased the Behringer BXD3000H Ultrabass and I’m really impressed by the quality of sound it produces. It has a lot of features that make it ideal for both live and studio settings. The tone shaping and EQ options give you a lot of flexibility in how you shape your sound. The amp can also take a good amount of power to keep up with the loudest performances. The construction is very solid and durable, so it will last a long time. Overall, I would highly recommend the Behringer BXD3000H Ultrabass to anyone looking for a reliable, quality amplifier.
- 900W of Class-D bi-amplification
- Ultra-flexible active/passive input configurations
- Ultra-musical 4-band active EQ with sweepable mid-frequencies
- Dedicated Super Low Mids controllable via footswitch
- Integrated compressor with dedicated control
- Dedicated Limiter switch for speaker protection
- Balanced direct output with integrated level control
- Ground Lift switch
- Robust and road-suitable construction
- High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
2. Gallien-Krueger Ultra Light MB200
I recently got the Gallien-Krueger Ultra Light MB200 and I’m really impressed with its performance. I play bass and this amp is the perfect solution for my needs. It’s lightweight, powerful, and has high-quality sound. The sounds and tones are really clear and I can easily get the sound I’m looking for. The controls are also easy to use and I love that it has an effects loop that I can use to add more effects and control the sound even more. Overall, I’m really satisfied with the Gallien-Krueger Ultra Light MB200 and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great sounding bass amp.
- 200 Watts of power
- Four band EQ with adjustable mid frequency on a Bass and Treble
- 3-position Bright switch for fine-tuning sound
- Notch filter for controlling feedback
- Variable compressor with on/off switch
- XLR balanced, 1/4 inch unbalanced and stereo 1/8 inch line outputs
- 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch headphone outputs with level control
- All-metal construction for superior roadworthiness
3. Hartke HA3500
I recently purchased the Hartke HA3500, and I have been really impressed with it. It is a great bass amp for the money, and has plenty of power for most gigs. The tone is excellent, and it has a nice variety of settings to help you dial in the sound you’re looking for. It is well built, and has a rugged feel to it. I have had no issues with it so far, and would definitely recommend it to fellow bassists looking for a good amp at a reasonable price.
- Powerful 350-Watt solid-state bass amplifier
- Unique tone-shaping filters
- High-fidelity active EQ
- XLR direct output with pre/post EQ switch
- Shape control to modify the bass response
- Durable construction with metal grille
4. Trace Elliot ELF Micro
I recently purchased the Trace Elliot ELF Micro and I am very pleased with it. It is a great amp for anyone looking for a compact, lightweight and powerful amp. It has a great tonal range and is very versatile. I have been using it to practice and gig in small venues and it has been a great investment. The ELF Micro has a great clean tone and can also produce great crunchy tones. With the built-in effects, it is also easy to customize the sound to your needs. I highly recommend the Trace Elliot ELF Micro for anyone in need of a great sounding, lightweight and portable amp.
- Ultra-compact size
- Three-band EQ with built-in switchable mid-frequency control
- Overdrive control
- Input level control
- Balanced DI Output for connecting to a PA or recording console
- 9 Volt battery or power supply operation
- Rugged, road-worthy construction
5. Fender Bassman 500
I recently purchased the Fender Bassman 500 and I’m extremely pleased with it. It’s an all-tube bass amp head, which provides an impressive amount of power and clarity for a relatively small amp. The five-band equalizer allows you to tailor the sound to your liking, with a switchable mid-frequency control. It also has a built-in compressor and an XLR DI output for direct recording. The tone is warm and punchy, with a great low-end presence. The distortion is surprisingly good, not too overbearing but still plenty aggressive and full of character. All in all, it’s an amazing amp that’s definitely worth the money. Highly recommended!
- 500 watts of Class D power
- Four 4-band active EQs
- Two parallel effects loops
- Built-in compressor and overdrive
- Compact and lightweight design
6. Ampeg PF800 Portaflex
I recently purchased the Ampeg PF800 Portaflex and I’m really impressed. I play bass and needed a good amplifier for practice and rehearsal sessions. This amp has amazing sound quality and plenty of power for the small size. The features are great, with a three-band EQ, switchable compression, and a limiter. The reverb is also very good. The portability makes it perfect for gigs and travel, since it only weighs 16 lbs. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an amp with stellar sound quality and great features.
- 800 watts RMS power handling
- Ultra lightweight construction
- Active/Passive preamp voicing
- 7-band equalizer for tone shaping
- Dedicated Line Out for PA/Mixer
- Twin speaker-level outputs
7. Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800
I recently purchased the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800 and I am so thrilled with my purchase! This amp is versatile and reliable, making it ideal for a wide range of musical styles and performance situations. The tone is rich and full, allowing for a range of dynamic sounds to be achieved. The controls are what really impressed me; everything is laid out in a way that makes it easy to find the right settings for your sound. The power section is also impressive; enabling an incredibly loud yet clear sound that is perfect for large gigs or small clubs. Overall, I would highly recommend this amp as an excellent choice for any musician looking for a reliable and powerful amp.
- 800 watt solid state bass amp head
- 4-band EQ with sweepable mids
- XLR direct out with pre/post EQ and ground lift
- Headphone and Auxiliary input
- Sculpture and Drive tone-shaping circuitry
- Compression, limiter and FX loop
- Built-in tuner
8. Ampeg SVTVR Classic Vintage Reissue
The Ampeg SVTVR Classic Vintage Reissue is a great piece of classic equipment that delivers a warm vintage tone. The build quality is solid and the reactive design makes it a great choice for vintage tones. The sound is versatile and can fit into a variety of genres. I’ve been using it for some funk and jazz recordings and it has provided plenty of warmth and presence to bring out the nuances in the music. The reissue is also well-priced for the quality it offers. All-in-all, the Ampeg SVTVR Classic Vintage Reissue is a solid choice for anyone looking for a warm, vintage tone. Highly recommended.
- Authentic all-tube design with classic Ampeg tone
- 2×12″ Ampeg custom-designed Eminence® speakers
- 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mid for maximum tone shaping
- 4x EL84 power tubes for vintage Ampeg tone
- Switchable reverb with level control
- Headphone output for silent practice
- Spring reverb and tremolo effects
- Dual-function footswitch included for reverb and tremolo activation
9. Ampeg SVT-3 Pro
The Ampeg SVT-3 Pro is an incredible bass amplifier. It is incredibly powerful, with a 400 Watt output and a vast array of tone-shaping options. It also has a wide range of EQ controls, allowing for a great deal of flexibility in tone. The sound it produces is warm and full, with an impressive punch and clarity when played at high volumes. I have been using this amp for a couple years now and it has yet to let me down. The build quality is excellent and it is very easy to transport. All in all, the Ampeg SVT-3 Pro is an amazing piece of gear and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful, reliable bass amplifier.
- 1000 Watt output power
- Active 4-band EQ
- 7-position mid frequency switch
- Switchable High and Low Gain inputs
- Balanced direct out
- Slave out
- Defeatable compressor
- Footswitchable effects loop
- Effects mix control
10. Orange OB1-500
I recently purchased the Orange OB1-500 bass amp and I’m very impressed with it. It’s a great amp for both beginners and seasoned players alike. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, with a 3-band EQ and a 4th knob for controlling the master volume. The sound is punchy and clear and the 500 watt power rating is more than enough for gigging. The construction is solid and the amp has a classic Orange look to it. Overall, a great amp and highly recommended.
- 5,000 watt peak power output
- Orange Bax Bangeetar preamp
- Dual channel design with separate EQ and volume controls
- Four-band EQ with sweepable mid-range
- 4 x 12″ celestion speakers
- Four-way stereo/mono switching
- Impedance select switch
- Effects loop
- Switchable line out
- Orange 2-button footswitch included
