Best Bass Guitar Amps (2023 Buyer’s Guide)

In this article, we’ll go through some of the best bass guitar amps and their different features and characteristics. Choosing the right amplifier is very important, as it will deliver almost 50% of your overall sound quality. The sound of most electric instruments nowadays depends more on electronics like pickups and amplifiers than on wood resonance.

I’m a professional bass player with several years of experience composing, producing, and recording music with numerous bands. I really enjoy playing the bass, as this instrument has its own personality. Playing the bass is much more direct and emotional than the guitar, as you won’t need to worry about the harmony of complicated chords.

The bass guitar is very enjoyable and easy to learn, which is why many young musicians start their career playing this instrument. But to make the most out of your electric bass you might need a good amplifier. Join me as we explore some of the best bass guitar amps and the brands behind them.

What Is a Bass Guitar Amp?

The bass amplifier is an electronic device that takes the low vibrations of the bass strings as an input and transforms them into equalized and amplified sound. The electric bass guitar has a very low volume without any amplification, as this instrument lacks any soundholes or a bigger acoustic body. This is why you’ll need an amp to really enjoy your electric bass guitar.

Most bass guitar amps are quite similar to their guitar counterparts. The main difference is the bigger wattage, as bass amplifiers require more power to create those low tones. Generally speaking, low frequencies are much harder to produce than mid or high ones, no matter the equipment.

This is why most bass amplifiers have at least double the wattage of guitar amps. And the speaker diameter is considerably bigger too.

Types of Bass Guitar Amps

Let’s take a look at different types of bass amplifiers. Here I’ll mention basic types of amplifiers and their features.

Combo

The combo is a self-contained package that comes with a head stack and a cabinet (speaker). This type is practical and compact, which makes it very popular among beginners and students.

Stack

Many professional musicians prefer the quality of head stack and cabinets to create their sound. This way they can connect the head to other cabinets in line and create a powerful wall of sound. Most head stacks are versatile but require more experience to set up and manage.

Solid-state

Solid-state amplifiers use transistors to produce their sound. This type is robust and reliable, and also generally has a mid-low price tag. This type is frequently used by beginners, as it requires minimum maintenance.

Valve

Valve or tube bass guitar amps are commonly used by most professionals, as the tube produces a unique warm tonality that’s almost impossible to achieve with solid-state. Tube amplifiers are quite fragile and require constant repair and tube changing. This amp type is normally recommended for the most experienced and professional players.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Bass Guitar Amp

Nowadays there’s a huge selection of brands and models of bass amplifiers on the market.

But to choose the right one, you have to consider several features like the size, sound, and price tag of the amplifier.

Size

Bass guitar amplifiers have a huge variety of sizes and shapes. Combo and head stacks types are usually the smallest ones, with some exceptions. The cabinet of the head stack is the biggest part of most professional amplifiers, and it can be as big as your closet.

Knowing the precise dimensions of your future bass amp is a must, as you’ll need to fit it inside your car or van.

Sound

The sound and tone can vary considerably. Most bass guitar amps tend to create powerful lows with some definition on high and mid-range tones. But each brand has its own formula for creating a unique sound of its own.

I recommend trying out as many amps as you can, and eventually, you’ll find the perfect type for you.

Price

The price range for most amplifiers is quite wide. From budget-friendly mini-amps for under a hundred to elite and professional tube stacks for several thousand, there is certainly an enormous selection of models. We can surely find a perfect one for you.

10 Best Bass Guitar Amps

Let’s dive deeper into each particular model and its features. Here you’ll find some of the most famous and well-respected brands like Fender, Orange, and Trace Elliot.

1. Unity Bass U60 60-Watt 1×10″ Bass Combo

• Size: 5.67 x 7.4 x 20.2 inches
• Weight: 26 pounds
• Output: 60 watts
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: 1 x 10″
• EQ: 4-band

The Unity Bass U60 60-Watt 1×10″ Bass Combo is a reliable and easy-to-use combo amplifier. With an interesting design and a great balanced sound, this amplifier is a perfect match for intermediate and beginner players.

Why I Recommend It

This amplifier provides a solid sound with great dynamic range and quality electronics. This bass guitar amp is made by Blackstar and is a great mid-range option for any musician.

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2. Trace Elliot ELF 1×10″ 200-watt Bass Combo Amp

• Size: 17.32 x 16.5 x 14.5 inches
• Weight: 18 pounds
• Output: 200 watts
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: 1 x 10″
• EQ: 3-band

The Trace Elliot ELF 1×10″ 200-watt Bass Combo Amp is an ultra-portable amplifier with a huge volume to play with. It’s amazing how small and loud this bass amp really is. The Trace Elliot brand is famous for creating some of the most powerful bass guitar amplifiers on the market and this model is no different, as it offers a signature tone with high-grade electronics and EQ.

Why I Recommend It

I personally love all amps made by Trace Elliot, as they have their own distinctive style and personality. I’ve played and heard this model and the lows are incredibly smooth and deep. Highly recommended.

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3. Ampeg BA-110V2 Bass Combo Amplifier, Black, 40-watts

• Size: 13 x 16 x 18.8 inches
• Weight: 34.1 pounds
• Output: 40 watts
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: Custom 10″
• EQ: 3-band

The Ampeg BA-110V2 Bass Combo Amplifier, Black, 40-watts is a robust bass amp with that signature Ampeg sound. This budget-friendly amp has a 60-degree position which is very comfortable to be used as a monitor during practice or rehearsals. Overall, this is a solid amp with a great sound and a reasonable price tag.

Why I Recommend It

All Ampeg amplifiers have that smooth professional sound, which made this brand so popular. This model is a great starting point for any player, as it delivers that aforementioned Ampeg sound for a very low price.

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4. Ashdown Studio 12 1×12″ 100-watt Bass Combo Amp

• Size: 14.88 x 16.3 x 18.58 inches
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Output: 100 watts
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: 1 x 12″
• EQ: 5-band

The Ashdown Studio 12 1×12″ 100-watt Bass Combo Amp is a powerful and stylish bass amplifier with vintage inspiration. Ashdown has its own way of doing things, and they continue to produce amplifiers in their old traditional way. Ashdown models are very popular among rock artists, as the vintage style of this amp perfectly fills this niche.

Why I Recommend It

I heard Ashdown amplifiers several times and they sound very nice. I really like the design and overall classic feel of most models made by this brand.

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5. Hartke 2500 Bass Guitar Amplifier Head, 250 watts

• Size: 22 x 18 x 7.5 inches
• Weight: 33 pounds
• Output: 250 watts
• Type: Amplifier head
• Speakers: None
• EQ: 10-band graphic

The Hartke 2500 Bass Guitar Amplifier Head, 250 watts is an outstanding bass head amp with durable construction and powerful sound. This brand has become quite popular recently as they offer a clean and punchy tone with an overall high-quality build for most of their models.

Why I Recommend It

Hartke bass guitar amplifiers are considered some of the best high-quality amps on the market. With this brand, you can never go wrong.

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6. Fender Rumble Studio 40 – Electric Bass Guitar Combo Digital Modeling Amplifier

• Size: 20.5 x 20 x 15.4 inches
• Weight: 23.1 pounds
• Output: 40 watts
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: 10″ Fender Special
• EQ: Bass, middle, treble knobs

The Fender Rumble Studio 40 – Electric Bass Guitar Combo Digital Modeling Amplifier is a well-balanced amplifier made by the famous Fender brand. This model offers a huge range of tonalities, from clean and crisp to dirty and deep. As always with Fender, this amplifier delivers outstanding levels of quality and craftsmanship.

Why I Recommend It

This particular model is quite popular, as it offers features like a looper, wireless tone app, and many others. This amplifier is a solid workhorse with high-tier sound qualities, which makes it a perfect match for intermediate and beginner players.

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7. Orange Crush Bass 100W Bass Guitar Combo Amp, Orange

• Size: 25 x 18 x 24 inches
• Weight: 53.46 pounds
• Output: 100 watts
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: 1 x 15″
• EQ: 3-band active

The Orange Crush Bass 100W Bass Guitar Combo Amp, Orange is a powerful and quite heavy amplifier with enough power for practicing and performing live. The Orange brand is very well-respected among most musicians, and it can be seen being used by many famous artists like Geddy Lee from Rush and Glen Hughe from Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

Why I Recommend It

With that unique signature Orange look, this amplifier will certainly help your sound get to another level. This amplifier is a solid choice if you need a reliable and good-sounding amplifier without any unnecessary complications.

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8. Hartke Kickback 12 Bass Combo, 1×12 (HMKB12)

• Size: 20 x 17 x 18 inches
• Weight: 28 pounds
• Output: 500 watts
  
• Type: Combo
• Speakers: 1 x 12″
• EQ: Bass, middle, treble knobs

The Hartke Kickback 12 Bass Combo, 1×12 (HMKB12) is a small beast with a powerful roar. The compact and sturdy construction of this amplifier is perfect for rehearsals and small shows. This model is a mid-range option for Hartke, which offers a high-grade quality for a reasonable price.

Why I Recommend It

I used this amplifier and heard it many times, as it’s quite common to find this model among beginners. This model is very good-sounding and quite reliable, like most equipment made by Hartke.

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9. Trace Elliot ELF Ultra Compact Bass Amplifier

• Size: 4.1 x 6.75 x 1.35 inches
• Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Output: 200 watts
• Type: Amplifier head
• Speakers: None
• EQ: 3-band

The Trace Elliot ELF Ultra Compact Bass Amplifier is a portable version of the popular ELF line made by Trace Elliot. This amplifier will cost you considerably less than its combo counterpart while offering the same professional sound quality.

Why I Recommend It

Trace Elliot amplifiers have a really amazing sound quality to them. The powerful and smooth low tones make this model an easy choice for any musician.

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10. Orange Amplifiers AD Series AD200B 200W Tube Bass Amp Head Orange

• Size: 11.81 x 11.81 x 23.62 inches
• Weight: 61.6 pounds
• Output: 200 watts
• Type: Amplifier head
• Speakers: None
• EQ: Bass, middle, treble knobs

The Orange Amplifiers AD Series AD200B 200W Tube Bass Amp Head Orange is a high-tier tube amplifier created with a simple idea in mind: a bass guitar amp without any post-process and with the purest sound possible. This model is a materialization of that idea through and through.

Why I Recommend It

This model has a smooth and deep tone that can satisfy any player. This amplifier also has the signature Orange design, and it offers a few simple controls and knobs with a vintage feel to them. This is an admirable tool that should be in the arsenal of every professional bass player.

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Best Bass Guitar Amp Brands

You’ll find a great variety of bass guitar amplifier brands, each one with its own philosophy and methods behind its models.

Here we’ll take a closer look at some of the brands that create the best bass guitar amps and why they became so successful.

Fender

Founded in 1938 by Leo Fender, the Fender Musical Instruments Company is the most important and well-valued brand in the world. Their products, which include electric guitars, bass guitars, and amplifiers, are considered some of the best on the market. Fender always delivers consistent high quality for every piece of musical equipment they produce.

See More: Best Fender Bass Guitars Buyer’s Guide

Trace Elliot

A relatively young company, Trace Elliot has already earned its place as one of the most important brands when it comes to musical amplifiers. Founded in 1979 in the UK, this company produces a wide range of high-tier amplifiers with a personal and unique style. Trace Elliot amplifiers have a distinctive and powerful sound, which makes them so popular.

Ampeg

Created in 1946 in New Jersey, this brand is currently used by numerous famous artists and musicians all around the world. This company had a peak of popularity a few years ago, when it was the first brand to come to mind if you think of bass guitar amplifiers. It could be seen everywhere, on every stage, used by every band.

Orange

This British brand is a top company when it comes to bass amplifiers. Orange was established in the UK in 1968 by musician and electronics designer Clifford Cooper. The overall idea behind every model they produce is to create a simple but effective amplifier with a powerful and bright sound.

Bass Guitar Amp Aesthetics & Build

You can see a huge variety in color, shape, and sound with every bass guitar amplifier. Let’s take a closer look at each feature.

Material

The main structure is chipboard made of maple, mahogany, or walnut. The construction offers better stability for the electronics and the speakers as well as some resonance properties. But the most important element of any amplifier is what’s inside.

Transistors/Tubes

Inside we can normally find a transistor or tube system. Transistors are more reliable and quite sturdy, while tube amps are quite fragile.

Color

There’s a great selection of colors, but you can easily see that each brand sticks to a certain style or color scheme. Orange, for example, paints their models with orange, white, and black patterns. Trace Elliot on the other hand has a modern green design, which makes its amps so distinctive.

Buying New vs Used

If you buy a new amplifier, you’ll get a warranty and certain services that used ones don’t offer. But sometimes the price for used amplifiers is too low to ignore, as most amps are quite expensive. It’s a question of personal preference, as each method has its own pros and cons.

How Much Do Bass Guitar Amps Cost?

You’ll find that prices for most amplifiers vary a bit. The lowest price tag is around $200, mid-range can go for $400-$800, and as for most high-tier models, they can ascend to several thousands of dollars.

What Are the Best Bass Guitar Amps?

Let’s review some of the best bass guitar amplifiers I presented on this list.

Ampeg BA-110V2 Bass Combo Amplifier 40-watts: Best for Beginners

The Ampeg BA-110V2 model is easy to use and has a very compact design. Its high-grade sound makes this amplifier so good for beginners and students.

Trace Elliot ELF 1×10 Combo Bass Amplifier: Best for Intermediate

The Trace Elliot Elf is an outstanding piece of musical equipment that can satisfy even the most demanding musicians.

Orange Amplifiers AD Series AD200B 200W Tube Bass Amp Head Orange: Best for Professionals

A decades-long dedication of perfecting the sound and electronics of every model made this brand so renowned. The Orange Amplifiers AD Series AD200B 200W Tube model is a high-tier professional bass guitar amplifier made with that unique Orange style.

Where Are the Best Bass Guitar Amps Made?

The most important bass guitar amp brands are mostly from the United States and the UK, as these countries have a high level of technical finesse that’s required to build precise and reliable electronic equipment.

Where to Buy Bass Guitar Amps

Nowadays there are numerous music stores and online retailers that offer a great selection of bass guitar amplifiers. Let’s take a look at each one and why they’re good.

Amazon

Amazon is a world leader in online retail, and they offer fast delivery for a very competitive price. Amazon offers several useful features, such as a detailed view and information on the product, as well as my favorite: customer reviews, a section where you’ll find the most sincere opinions on every product. You’ll find a mix of positive and negative reviews, which will really help you decide.

Online Music Retailers

To compete with a titan like Amazon, many smaller online retailers offer better prices and exclusive deals with prominent musical brands. Here at Into Strings we highly recommend Fiddlershop.com, Sweetwater.com, and GuitarCenter.com, as they offer a huge selection of high-grade amplifiers and musical instruments.

Your Local Music Store

In your local music store, you’ll find a limited selection of amplifiers, but you can certainly try out any amplifier and see all their features up close. This might be an important factor for many people who like to test the product before buying it.

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In Conclusion

I really hope you enjoyed this guide about the best bass guitar amps. Throughout this article, we explored some of the most important bass amplifier brands and the unique models they produce.

If you liked this article, feel free to share or leave a comment.

Stay safe, have fun, and good luck with your sonic adventures!