The bass guitar is a hugely popular instrument with a wide range of applications, from blues, rock, pop, and jazz to reggae, funk and metal. While the sound of the bass is often created with the guitar and strings, you wont really be able to appreciate the full range of bass tones without a good quality amplifier. Choosing the right amplifier for your bass guitar is essential if youre looking to get the most out of your sound. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing bass guitar amplifiers available on the market. In this article, well take a closer look at some of the best bass guitar amplifiers and discuss some of the features and specs you should look for when selecting the right one for you.
Best Bass Guitar Amplifiers
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Fender Rumble 500 V3
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Peavey Electronics Max Series 115
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Ampeg BA115v2
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Hartke HD75
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Vox PB10
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Gallien-Krueger MB112-II
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Roland CB-60XL
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Bugera Ultrabass BXD12A
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Phil Jones Double Four
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Orange Crush Pix CR100BXT 1×15
|
7. 2
|
1. Fender Rumble 500 V3
I recently purchased the Fender Rumble 500 V3 and I’m incredibly impressed. It is a 500-watt bass combo amplifier that provides plenty of power for any gig. It has a 12-inch speaker and three-band EQ for ultimate control of your tone. It also has a four-button footswitch for easy access to four of the most commonly used controls. The amp also comes with an effects loop and an auxiliary input. The Rumble 500 V3 sounds great and is a great choice for any bass player looking to upgrade their amp. Highly recommend!
- 500-watt Class D amplifier with XLR line out and headphone out
- Selectable voicing including classic, vintage and modern bright
- Four 10″ Eminence speakers
- Extension speaker output with impedance matching
- Onboard overdrive control
- Five-band graphic EQ with XLR output
- Balanced direct out
- Auxiliary input with independent level control
- USB port for connection to PC/Mac for recording and playback
- Auxiliary output for connection to additional amplifiers
- Four-button footswitch for remote control of channel selection, overdrive, EQ and mute
2. Peavey Electronics Max Series 115
I recently purchased the Peavey Electronics Max Series 115, and it has been a great addition to my home studio! It has a great sound quality that is very balanced and clear. The low-end is tight and punchy, the mid-range is warm and enveloping and the highs are crisp and sparkly. The dual 15″ woofers provide plenty of headroom, and the power handling is quite impressive. It is also quite light and portable, so it is easy to move around if needed. I highly recommend the Peavey Electronics Max Series 115 for anyone looking for a great sounding, reliable and affordable PA system.
- 400-watt power handling
- High-performance 15″ woofer
- RX14 compression driver with 1.4″ titanium diaphragm
- Ultra-wide frequency range for maximum acoustic performance
- Lightweight neodymium magnet
- Sensitivity: 97 dB 1W@1M
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Bass port for increased low-frequency response
- Metal grille for added protection
- Pole mount for added versatility
3. Ampeg BA115v2
I recently purchased an Ampeg BA115v2 and am extremely pleased with the sound. The amp is powerful and packs a punch, providing plenty of volume for larger venues. I especially like the 3-band EQ, which allows me to shape the tone to my liking. I also appreciate the aux input and headphone output, which make it easy to practise with my headphones. Overall, this is a great amp for both practice and live performance.
- 15 speaker with ported enclosure
- 500 Watts peak power
- 3-band active EQ for dialing in tone
- Tuning functionality for a range of sounds
- XLR line out for direct connectivity to a PA
- Aux input for playing along with music or backing tracks
- Headphone out for silent practice
4. Hartke HD75
The Hartke HD75 is a great amplifier for beginner bassists. It offers a solid sound, with just enough tonal control to make it versatile. The power output is sufficient for small gigs or practice sessions, and the cabinet design is small enough to fit in most spaces. The controls are simple and intuitive, allowing you to dial in your sound quickly and easily. Overall, the Hartke HD75 is an affordable, reliable amplifier that is perfect for the beginner bass player.
- 750 watts of Class D power
- 12 Hartke HyDrive Paper/Aluminum hybrid speaker
- High-frequency horn with adjustable dispersion
- 3-band active EQ with mid-frequency sweep control
- Balanced XLR DI with pre/post EQ switch
- 1/4-inch and Speakon outputs
- Stereo link for two HD75s for stereo operation
- Tuned, ported cabinet with side-mounted bass reflex port
5. Vox PB10
I recently purchased the Vox PB10 and I am so happy with my purchase! The PB10 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with great sound quality and loudness. The sound is really clear and has a rich, deep bass. The battery life is also impressive – it can last up to 8 hours on a single charge. The design is sleek and modern, with a nice rubberized finish. The controls are easy to access and the Bluetooth connection is strong. I would definitely recommend this speaker to anyone looking for a high quality, portable Bluetooth option!
- 2.1 channel soundbar system
- Wireless subwoofer with powerful bass
- Bluetooth & NFC enabled for wireless audio streaming
- Optical and analog inputs for connection to television sets
- Wall mountable design for easy placement
6. Gallien-Krueger MB112-II
The Gallien-Krueger MB112-II is an excellent bass combo amp. It is a perfect amp for practice, small gigs, and recording. The sound is clear and punchy and the tone controls give you great versatility. It has a built-in compressor, which is great for getting a tight, hard-hitting sound. The amp has plenty of power, so you don’t have to worry about it not being loud enough. Overall, the Gallien-Krueger MB112-II is an excellent bass combo amp that is perfect for any situation. Highly recommended.
- 300 Watts of Class D Power
- 1 x 12″ Custom Ceramic Driver
- 3-Band EQ
- Tilt-back Design
- 1/8″ Aux Input
- Balanced/Unbalanced XLR Outputs
7. Roland CB-60XL
I recently purchased the Roland CB-60XL and I’m so glad I did. This bass amp is a great piece of equipment for any musician who needs a powerful and reliable amp for live performances. It has plenty of power for larger venues and sounds great for smaller gigs too. The sound is clear and punchy, and it has a wide range of tone and volume controls. The built-in compressor helps to give an extra boost of presence and sustain when needed. All in all, the Roland CB-60XL is a great choice for any bassist looking for a solid amp that will last them a long time.
- 120 watt amplifier with two-way, 8-inch speaker
- Four independent channels with XLR and 1/4-inch inputs
- 3-band EQ and level control on each channel
- Two aux sends (one pre/one post) to connect external devices
- Dedicated headphone output for silent practice
- Subwoofer output for adding extra low end
- Stereo XLR line outputs for connecting to a PA system
8. Bugera Ultrabass BXD12A
I recently purchased a Bugera Ultrabass BXD12A and I am very impressed with the sound quality. The tone is thick and full, with plenty of bass and treble. The power and output are both excellent, and the amp is incredibly loud for its size. The controls are easy to use, and the solid state circuitry ensures that the sound quality is consistent. All in all, this is an excellent amp for any bass player, and I would highly recommend it.
- 1200-Watt Class-D power amplifier
- 2x 12″ high-performance turber woofers
- 3-band EQ including semi-parametric mid control
- High-definition reverb processor with adjustable level
- Aux Input allows you to connect external audio sources
- Subwoofer Out for connecting an additional subwoofer
- CD Input for connecting an external CD player
- Balanced stereo Line Outputs for connecting your mixing console
9. Phil Jones Double Four
I recently purchased the Phil Jones Double Four bass amplifier and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. It is lightweight, yet has a strong and powerful sound. I love the controls which are easy to use and the tone that comes out of this amp is second to none. The Double Four also has a built-in compressor, pre-amp and reverb effects, which give my sound more depth and clarity. It also has a line out for recording, which is great for studio work. I highly recommend the Phil Jones Double Four to any bass player looking for a great sounding amp with plenty of features.
- 2×4 Neodymium Ferrite Drivers for accurate sound reproduction
- Specially designed cabinets for wide frequency range and extended bass
- 1 silk dome tweeter for natural high-frequency response
- Front-firing bass port for extended low-frequency performance
- Bi-amplification technology for sound control and purity
- Integrated amplifier designed for maximum sound clarity
- Gold-plated connectors for secure and reliable connection
- Sturdy and stylish design with piano black finish
- Compatible with a wide range of audio sources
10. Orange Crush Pix CR100BXT 1×15
This Orange Crush Pix CR100BXT 1×15 is an amazing bass combo amplifier! It has great features like an active 3-band EQ, shape control, 17dB gain boost and a 3-way cabinet voicing switch. I used the amplifier in practice and it has a powerful sound with great clarity and punch. The active EQ is great for cutting through the mix and the shape control allows you to sculpt your sound. The 17dB gain boost is great for solos and leads. The 3-way cabinet voicing switch also allows you to customize your sound. Overall, this is a great amp for any bass player and I highly recommend it!
- Orange Crush Pix CR100BXT 1×15 Combo Amplifer
- 15-Watt RMS power
- 1×8″ custom-voiced speaker
- 3-band EQ
- Chrome-plated corners
- Metal grille
- Aux in for connecting phones, tablets and other sources
- Headphone output for silent practice
- CD/MP3 input
- Compressor circuit for increased sustain
