If you’re in the market for a new bass amplifier then you’ve come to the right place. Our best bass amps guide should arm you with all the information and options you need to zero in on the right amp for you.
As bass cabinets have become lighter in the last fifteen years or so, the amps themselves have become equally lightweight, with many companies offering a Class D (solid-state, switching amplifier) alternative alongside their larger, heavier amps.
But smaller and lighter doesn’t always equate to an amp lacking in features - the current crop of Class D offerings come fully-loaded with tone-shaping features and a variety of input/output connections.
The market for valve technology still exists too, with many players preferring the tonal colouring that valve-based architecture can offer their bass tone. Let’s take a closer look at the best options for a range of budgets and playing levels...
Best bass amps: buying advice
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There was a time when carrying a bass amp was a test of your physical strength, and in some cases, it still can be. But as technology has improved and costs have come down, virtually every company has a lightweight amp solution in their range. As a result, the options available to bass players has never been so vast.
For starters, it’s important to consider the applications you require your amp to cover and plan accordingly. Don't buy a 1,000 watt amplifier if you intend to play at home or in a quiet acoustic band. Similarly, a 100 watt amp won't be able to compete with a live rock band running on all cylinders.
Consider the speaker enclosures you intend to use as these will affect the tone, volume and sound distribution of your bass signal. Also consider the resistance (measured in ohms) of the amp compared to the resistance of the cabinets you intend to use.
For ease of transportation, portable class D amplifiers offer many benefits, however very few feature valves in their preamp so you may need to look at a larger unit if you require valve colouration.
When considering the best bass amp to buy, ask yourself if you will make use of all the built-in features. Some players really only need an on/off switch and a master volume control, especially if they shape their tone via the preamp/tone controls on their instrument or via pedals.
If you wish to practice at home on a regular basis, a headphone output may prove beneficial as well as an auxiliary input to play along with a music source.
Our best bass amp list is presented in price order and we’ve highlighted the current best deals on each amplifier.
The resurrected Trace Elliot has much to live up to, considering what TE used to stand for in terms of bass amplification. Obviously, the Elf is a very different proposition to the leviathan TE amps of the ‘80s, but don't let its size deceive you.
Tonally, there is much to be impressed by. The limited EQ section does its job well, while the LED indicators highlight when the in-built compression and drive functionality are in operation.
The actual power on offer is very impressive; looks can be deceptive. A fine amp and a no-brainer. You could even use it as an emergency backup for your gig bag.
The original Reidmar amp was EBS's response to the need for a lightweight amp alternative to their HD350/360 and Fafner models. The Reidmar is now a heavyweight amongst lightweight amp solutions and, backed up with EBS's power handling and strength of tone, there is much to please players of all styles.
Fully-featured with several tone filters, a comprehensive EQ section, and quality compression and drive options, there is much to enjoy. Slap tones are conveyed with clarity and finesse, rock players will love the fullness of tone and grittier possibilities while the list of connections should satisfy those players who like to push their bass amplifier to its limits.
The original Orange Terror Bass amp built its own fanbase at a time when portable amp heads with built-in valve distortion were few and far between. This new iteration features more grind and tonal colour.
Based on the AD200 amplifier, this hybrid-design utilises a 12AX7 valve in the preamp stage and a 12AT7 valve for the Send output of the FX loop. The return input has a solid-state stage and a solid-state Class D output stage.
So, how does it sound? Well, this is a loud amp! Playing with a pick gives a great rock tone straight off the bat while adding some distortion courtesy of the 12AX7 in the preamp produces the signature Orange tone. It’s richly coloured, with enough grind and distortion to warm the sound up, but never venturing towards a lackluster fizz.
The preamp and control panel architecture of the U500 is clear and logical. On the left are the pad switch, input and gain stage. This section is analogue, but from here onward everything is digital. Next comes a selector switch with three voice options: Classic, Modern and Flat.
At the other end of the preamp, you can select one of three different amp response settings: Linear, 6L6 and 6550. These two functions used together are at the heart of what these amps are about; in effect they allow a range of amp modelling.
Linear offers the tight, accurate and bright response of a modern digital amp. The 6L6 and 6550 settings are influenced by the more organic characteristics of valve amps, and sound warm and tight.
This is one of the best bass amps if you want a stand-alone backline amp that’s capable of delivering everything you could possibly need in terms of power, accuracy, features, and tone.
When Fender first created the Telecaster, Precision and Jazz Bass instruments, the amplification the company subsequently produced was designed to bring out the now legendary characteristics of their basses.
Over time, the bass amps fell out of favour somewhat, but this newly re-designed version of the classic Bassman amp is a breath of fresh air, with vintage valve tones courtesy of its valve-loaded preamp, a whopping 800-watts of power, all the vintage aesthetics you could wish for and a back-friendly weight to boot.
Change from clean to rich valve tones in the blink of an eye with the two-channel setup and inclusive footswitch and play your Fenders as they were meant to be heard.
Darkglass Electronics has taken the rock market by storm in recent years with its tone-filled pedals and amps. This particular amp is about as fully-featured as you could possibly wish for, complete with MIDI and USB circuits for complete flexibility.
The basic tones on offer are very impressive also - sonically there isn't much this amp can't deliver. With a studio-quality compressor installed and virtual cabinet storage an option, could this be the best bass amp out there?
The sleek impressive design also scores top marks; the only let down is that it can't be effectively rack-mounted or protected from the dangers of a live environment.
