Best Bass Guitar Amps for Rich, Clear Sound

AER’s BassCube 2 acoustic bass amp is versatile and powerful enough to capture the intricate sounds of the double bass, and amplify them for the entire room to hear. You’re getting two channels here, which means that you can plug multiple instruments into the amp. Each channel comes equipped with its own settings/EQ, along with compressor and notch filter. The two way acoustic system in the BassCube is designed to pick up on all the subtleties that make the acoustic bass so unique, whether you’re playing with a bow or have your fingers on the fretboard, all of your playing and performance will be translated through this amplifier. Acoustic bass guitars will sound good through this amp and definitely what was in AER’s mind when this product was created.

SWR has been manufacturing amplifiers made specifically with bassists in mind since the 1980's, and their update on the California Blonde acoustic bass amplifier continues their line of products in a way that won’t have the company losing fans any time soon. Offering two channels and 200 watts of power, this amp also features a preamp with a built-in Aural Enhancer; this feature makes every note sound clear and distinct with overtones that exude a natural grace. The amp also features tone controls that allow you to perfect your tone; three band active EQ is present, along with a built-in reverb to give your sound some cool space and breadth.

Acoustic’s AB50 acoustic bass amplifier is a 1x10 build that offers pristine, natural-sounding amplification designed specifically for the instrument. Two inputs allow multiple instruments to be plugged in and controlled with their own parameter controls. Additionally, one can also plug in an acoustic bass guitar and microphone, too. A 1/8 inch headphone jack and 1/8 inch MP3 input also allow players to run music from their phone, computer, or other devices so that they can play along. A line out also allows you to send your signal directly to the PA.

The Euphonic Audio The Micro bass amplifier head comes configured with two independent channels: a Mid EQ set at 500Hz for electric bass, and a Mid EQ set at 800Hz for upright/acoustic bass. Intelligent input switching allows players to select different settings for individual channels or both of the channels. The unit itself is small and lightweight at just over two pounds but offers a power output of 550 watts. The amp’s EQ offers low, mid, and high faders for each channel, along with a variable high pass filter. The unit also features an effects loop with blend control and a wide range of setups available via the amp’s internal jumpers.

The Peavey Headliner 210 offers a tight and punchy bass sound that favors strong low frequencies. Two 10 inch custom ferrite-magnet woofers help to aid in this cause, while also bringing a good deal of midrange clarity to the equation. Most bassists are going to be using a bass amp cabinet on the road, and the Headliner 210 is built with those concerns in mind. The durable construction features a braced cabinet and steel corners, meaning that this thing is quite tank-like in its stature. A 16 gauge perforated metal grille and black carpet covering also will put you at ease when it comes to handling the challenges of the road. And heavy-duty recessed handles make transporting this cabinet easy to do.

The Mesa/Boogie Subway D-800 is a bass amplifier head that packs a whole lot of power and tone control into its compact frame. A four band EQ gives you hands-on control over the timbre of your signal, while a variable voicing control lets you preset the EQ curve anywhere from flat to a vintage-scoop. Pre/post EQ also provides greater ways to dial in your ideal tone. It also comes with a headphone out so you can practice via headphones wherever you may be. Weighing in at only five and a half pounds, this head is very easy to travel with and comes with a gig bag to make transporting and protecting your gear even easier.

One of the main components that sets Peavey’s MiniMEGA bass amp head apart from the rest of its peers is its proprietary KOSMOS enhancement. This technology offers increased bass impact while taking extra care to not overburden the speakers that the signal drives through. Additionally, the MiniMEGA also features a four band EQ with semi-parametric mids and a built-in compressor, giving players all they need to sculpt their own tonal identity. Also featured on this unit is an effects loop, a gain control, and MIDI control, giving players plenty to work with in finding the tone that they like. This bass amp head is great for both the studio and the stage.

If you’re a bassist looking to practice at home or play in small, intimate performance environments, Hartke’s HD25 is definitely worth checking out. With an 8 inch speaker that pumps out 25 watts of power, this unit also features a built-in limiter that allows your volume to be kept under control. A HyDrive-design speaker uses paper around the outside to bring about a warm and round sound; however, the aluminum middle offers up some serious punch. There's also a 1/4 inch mono headphone output, so this pick ideal for players who want to practice without disturbing neighbors. Meanwhile, the 1/8 inch stereo aux input gives them the ability to practice along with audio signal routed from their computer, smartphone, and more.

Where to start when it comes to the Mesa/Boogie Bass Strategy 8:88 amp head? For one, it has a wide range of wattage depending on where you’re playing it; 465 watts, 250 watts, or a slight 125 watts, all of which suit huge arenas, smaller clubs, or compact recording studios, respectively. Eight KT88 tubes power this amp, providing a loud and warm sounding tone that cannot be mimicked by any other type of configuration. True to its name, this amp head gives plenty of strategies for getting your sound exactly how you want it. You can choose between a nine band graphic EQ, gain control, active bass, passive mids, active treble, a five position active mid-voicing switch, and a master volume.

Six KT-88 power tubes are the driving force behind the Ashdown CTM-300 bass amp head. These components provide a superb amount of punch and power. A dual-function front panel VU meter gives you a clear visual representation of the sound coming out of the unit. Dual inputs allow for use with both active and passive bass guitars. The amp’s tube-driven effects loop makes it easy to maintain your original sound while adding new flavors into the mix. There are standard EQ settings to help your craft your sound, but the amp head also features deep, mid-shift, and bright switches to add a further degree of control over your tone.

The Fender Rumble 200 bass amp head offers up 200 watts, which is a feat in and of itself coming from a unit that weighs less than five pounds. The head’s four band EQ gives you just what you need to dial into the sweet spot of your frequency range, but things get kicked up a notch further with the three button voicing palette. Using this modern feature, players can opt for a bright setting which adds more treble to the mix, contour for boosting the low-end, and vintage to deliver deep lows and classic character. The unit’s patented magnetic Rumbe Head Attachment System keeps the head locked firmly in place when you pair it with a cabinet. An optional foot switch also gives you the ability to activate the Rumble 200’s built-in overdrive.

The TC Electronic RS210 bass amp cabinet is portable and lightweight, yet still packs the punch necessary to carry great bass tone. Two custom 10 inch Eminence speaker do the heavy lifting here, pumping out 400 watts of power that are enhanced by a titanium-diaphragm tweeter. But that’s about all the heavy lifting that one can associate with the RS210, as it only weighs a mere 38 pounds. The unit is very durable as well, thanks to its 18mm plywood construction. There’s nothing more troublesome than having amp heads slide around from the vibrations that cabinets are bound to produce, so the RS210 works around this by employing an anti-skid top surface.

Mesa/Boogie’s Subway Ultra-Lite bass amp cabinet provides both portability and tonal excellence for bassists looking to make noise in a big way. The cab’s Aviation style bracing and tuned front ported tri-port porting provide advanced strength while also reducing the weight of the actual gear. Recessed, flip-out metal handles make this cabinet easy to move around, not to mention it's a lightweight unit at just 33 pounds which is not that much when you consider some of the other options that are out there. A single 12 inch speaker provides 400 watts of power while the included slip cover ensures this unit will stay clean and protected when it's not in use.