So, I'm a guitarist, and I want to switch to bass for awhile. I wonder what kind of amp I'd need (wattage, etc...) to rehearse with a band and play small gigs. I'm also on a budget so let's set a 500$ limit.

Thanks in advance, guys.

__________________
"Know what you're trying to do before you do it. Turning knobs at random isn't enlightening any more than throwing paint at a wall blindfolded will let you paint a nice picture."

Steve Albini

30W is an absolute minimum
60W is probably a better buy

New, bang for buck, the Behringer BXL1800 (180 W) wedge shaped combo is hard to pass up.

For rehearsals and small gigs you want 100W minimum. Really you'd be looking at a 1x12, 1x15 or 2x10 combo. Something like the Ampeg BA115, Fender Rumble 100, Roland Cube 100, Hughes & Kettner BK100, Ashdown Electric Blue 15-180 or Gallien Kreuger Backline 115 would be ideal.

__________________
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

My geeked rig

I full heartedly agree with Mobius...for me it would be a shootout between the Fender Rumble 100, and the Roland Cube 100. I know the guitar Cube sounds awesome...haven't had the chance to play the bass Cube. I know the Fender will be solid...I don't know...if I were you. I would write down all these models and go have a bass amp shootout...write down what you like about each one and what you don't like. Don't forget to make sure you find out how much they weigh.

__________________
MySpace

//Guitars:
- Ibanez Iceman IC400 (BLK)
- Ibanez SZ320 (Brown Sunburst)

//Effects:
- DigiTech Grunge Distortion
- Dan-O (Flanger)
- DigiTech RP80 (multieffects)
//Amps:
- B-52 LG-100A halfstack
- Peavey TKO 80
- First Act Practice Amp

...This is your brain on Krank.

The Roland Cube for bass has a reputation of lacking bass... Behringer-stuff? Stay away if you feel that you want to have som greater stuff... Ad just like $50-$100 and you have an amp ten times better.

I'd go for something Ampeg-y or something Gallien & Krueger, NOT the Backline-series (if it's called that? The cheapest serie).

__________________
The rig

Having played with a Roland Bass cube 60 in bands at large (300-500 seat) gigs for years I find the suggested 100W minimum a touch humourous (The amp was being DI'ed into the PA). I suppose it depends on the sort of music being played too.

@FreCKo. I notice you have a Behringer in your sig. While there are certainly better amps out there, I also think that 10 times better for $50 is a bit of an exageration. Maybe you could share some examples?

I would get a GK head and whatever cab I can find.

__________________
Rig:
Fender P-Bass>Boss TU-2 Tuner>Digitech Bass Synth Wah>Electro Harmonix English Muff'n>Gallien Kruger 1001Rb into a Peavey 8X10

Gas:
Sanford & Sonny Bluebeard or similar intense big muff bass fuzz

fender bxr 200/300

1x15

not exactly the best in terms of tone/features.

but these mofo's are LOUD.

and honestly dont sound that bad, comparable in tone to the lower end ampeg stuff.

ive played in a band with 3 guitarists; a 5150 half stack, marshall tsl 100 full stack, and a mesa boogie triple rectifier full stack, and i could still be heard fairly loud and clear.

the best thing about them is the volume you get for the price. especially if you buy used.

the fender bxr i had was 200 watts and cost 700 bones new, like 7 years ago

you might could find the newer model bassman equivalent used and have better tone and still save money.

__________________
proud member of the marshall family

fender esquire gt
ibanez rg 270 dx w/invader
boss tu-2 tuner
boss ns-2 noise supressor
mxr 10 band eq
marshall jcm 2000 dsl
marshall 1960a 4x12

Ah, I used an 50w Riley-amp in an rehearsalspace, and it's enough, but I had to crank it pretty hard... My amp is 120w, and it works, I have it on about 1' o clock...

Ah, maybe not ten times better for $50 more But if you look around for used stuff, you may find some good combos for a decent price. The Behringer ain't that bad, I just don't like the sound

But, some examples? Any of the Ampeg BA-series, Fender Rumble (I love the 100w-combo), or any of the Gallien & Krueger, all going for between $100 and $200 more, and sounding alot better IMO.

__________________
The rig

It also depends on your drummer. With 60W I guess yours wasn't a real hard hitter? Anyway in rehearsals with my metal band (2 guitarists using 75/50W 1x12 combos and a LOUD drummer), I found I had to turn my old 65W combo to almost maximum just to hear myself, which gave me a very farty tone. 100W is a better option because if you then find yourself in that situation you have more headroom. Ideally you never want to have to turn your amp past halfway.

__________________
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

My geeked rig