Find the Best Bass Amps
It can seem daunting if you’re new to the bass amp market. It can be overwhelming to choose from so many choices. I have compiled this list of top-rated bass amps for church and other live performances to help you decide.
There are many opinions on what is the best. Some people want the lowest price. Some want the most advanced features. Everyone wants the best sound quality.
For 40 years, I’ve been a bassist. I began my career in 1979. I have been a part of the Christian rock scene, opening for Randy Stonehill, Sweet Comfort Band and Rez Band, and Larry Norman and Darrell Mansfield. I’ve taken all my knowledge in this area and tried to make it into a list that you will find most useful.
Before we move on to the list, I want to answer some questions people often ask when looking for a bass amplifier.
- Find the Best Bass Amps
- Questions that people ask when searching for the best bass amp
- The Best Bass Amps for Churches and Other Live Performances in 2019.
- The Best Bass Amps Review is Completed
Questions that people ask when searching for the best bass amp
Which are the top bass amp brands?
In our guide to bass amp buyers, we have included many top brands. The following is the list.
Which bass amp is best for small gigs?
My experience and many of my peers are in small churches. Space is limited. A small combo of bass amps and guitars is my preferred choice. A 25w-50w amp is usually sufficient.
What is the difference between guitar amps and bass amps?
Yes! Yes! Bass amps feature larger speakers that are specially designed for the low-end audio spectrum. Cabinets are constructed from thicker materials and designed to handle low-frequency audio.
Are you looking for a bass amp?
Both yes and no. It is possible to play your bass through any amplifier. It will sound terrible with amplifiers with less than 12″ speakers. If played at high volumes or for prolonged periods, it can blow out the speakers of an amplifier.
The Best Bass Amps for Churches and Other Live Performances in 2019.
When deciding on how to create this list of bass amplifiers, I needed to decide what criteria people would use to define “best.” There are many good bass amplifiers available. I have been playing bass for 40 years. When choosing the best bass amps, sound quality, ease of use, features, and cost was important to me. These are the choices that you will see below.
The Best Bass Amp
The price and sound quality were the most important factors in deciding the best bass amp for church or live performances. The features were less important. My belief has always been that you should get the best bang for your buck. The Fender Rumble 500 is my favorite overall bass amp.
Fender Rumble 500
Fender Rumble 500
A Great Bass Amp By A Great Brand
Best Bass Combo Amp
Combo amps have been a favorite of mine since childhood. I was a musician who traveled frequently so it was important for me only to move one piece of equipment. It may be beneficial for those who use the church stage to host different events eliminating one piece of equipment could be an advantage. A bass combo amp is what I recommend. As long as the stock speakers can be swapped for JBL or Cerwin Vea speakers if needed.
With this in mind, I recommend the Gallien Krueger MB115 as the best combo amp for bass.
Gallien Krueger MB115
Gallien-Krueger MMB115-II
Best Bass Combo Amp
Best Bass Amp Head
Many bass players prefer separate speaker cabinets from their bass amp heads. This amp has its pros and cons. You can swap speaker cabinets to suit different sizes and types of venues. Different music styles can be used with different cabinets. A musician who plays at church can take his head home and replace it with another speaker cabinet. The heads are lighter than the cabinets, which can be very useful.
Therefore, I chose the Aguilar AG700 as the best head for bass amps.
Aguilar AG 700
Aguilar 515016 Ag700
Best Amp Head
Best Bass Amp Head Under 500 Dollars
As a pastor since 1988, I have seen firsthand how tight some people’s budgets can be. I wanted to include a great amp head for under 500 dollars. For those with limited budgets, the Hartke TX300 is an excellent option.
Hartke TX300
Hartke TX300
Best Budget Amp Head
Best Small Bass Amp
A small bass amp might be necessary if you have a small church or don’t have enough space on your platform to store large equipment. Although the amp I chose is compact, it still produces a great tone. One drawback to this amp is the fact that it can’t be used in large rooms. You will need to use your sound system to mic it. It will work well if you play in a small church or other venues. You will be amazed at the quality of this amp’s sound.
Hartke HD25
Hartke HD25
Best Small Bass Amplifier
Best Practice Amp for Basses
A practice amp is something you might need for at-home or on-stage. A good practice amp will have enough power to produce a clear tone that you can hear your bass when it is squeezing or popping or when you want to give it that jazzy feel. The Ampeg BA-110 is my favorite choice for a practice amp.
Ampeg BA-110
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110
Best Practice Amplifier
The Best Bass Amps Under 100 Dollars
I do not recommend Bass amps below 100 dollars. You get what you pay for. Fender makes a small amp at this price point. This bass amp may be the best option if you can’t afford something better. This is not a recommendation. It’s just an option I found.
Fender Rumble 25
Fender Rumble 25
Inexpensive Bass Amp
The Best Bass Amps Review is Completed
There you have it. These are my top picks for the best amps for church or live performances. These amps will last you for many years. I have listed all possible options, and I’m sure you will find the right bass amp for you.
