The bass guitar is the backbone of any great band, and the best bass amps can produce bone-shaking low-end, with enough punch to cut through the mix, providing the perfect platform for a band to create a sonic masterpiece. I’ve had the pleasure of playing bass in many bands, and it truly all comes together if you’ve chosen the correct bass amp to accompany your playing style.
Bass amps can come in all shapes and sizes, from compact heads that can be held in one hand to all-in-one combos, which pair speakers and amplification into one unit. When used live, bass guitar amps are often put through the PA system, so many of these amps come with a direct output that allows you to get the best possible tone for your audience.
Straight off the bat, if you’re looking for a tour-grade monster, the Fender Bassman 800 is our favorite choice. The Bassman has power on tap and a sweet overdrive channel for some tone flexibility. Alternatively, if you’re just starting out, check out the Boss Katana 110. It’s affordable, packed with options, and pretty lightweight.
If you don’t fit into either of those camps, worry not, as there are many more choices out there. To help you narrow down the amplifiers, I have selected the best options on the market, from vintage-voiced beasts to feature-packed modern combos that embrace new technology. Read on to find my choices, or scroll down to our FAQs to get answers to the common questions players have when looking to buy a bass amp. If you’re a rookie, my how to choose section points out three important considerations when purchasing your first bass amp.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want giggable versatility: The Bassman covers plenty of genres, from rock to country, whilst providing enough power for most venues.
❌ Avoid if you predominantly play smaller venues: This will be a bit too powerful for your local bar gig.
Overview
The original Fender Bassman from 1952 is a far cry from this contemporary version, but despite all the modern features crammed onboard, the Bassman 800 retains the style, feel, and tone of this Fender classic.
Build
Fender uses a hybrid design, combining a tube preamp and solid-state power amp to deliver a thunderous 800W of pure Fender clarity and warmth. The internals are housed in a meranti plywood cabinet and wrapped in classic black textured vinyl, weighing in at only 7.7kg.
Features
As this amp is designed for modern players, the Bassman features an XLR line output with a level control knob, ground lift switch, pre/post EQ switch and silent recording capability. If that wasn't enough, it can also be seen behind Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt on some of the biggest stages in the world.
Sounds
Tonally, the Bassman covers plenty of ground. You get two channels to choose from - vintage and overdrive - with the former being warm and thick, whilst the overdrive channel can provide plenty of bite if you choose to dial it in.
Best budget
✅ Buy if you value simplicity: This is a plug-and-play amp that offers very few roadblocks to getting a good tone straight off the bat.
❌ Avoid if you need a bit more power: Although the line-out will cover larger venues, 200 watts may not be juicy enough for some.
Overview
Perhaps not as widely known as Fender or Boss, Trace Elliot still carries plenty of bass amplification expertise, having been in the business for 40 years. The ELF series has been one of its most successful as it blends affordability and portability like no other.
Build
The ELF is easily one of the smallest bass amps on the market, clocking in at 4" tall and 12.5" wide. This emerald bass head is ideal for players on the move as it will comfortably fit inside the pocket of your gig bag while leaving plenty of room for cables and the odd pedal. On top of that, this giggable bass amp will only set you back around £/$300, a true winner in my book.
Features
Now, the ELF may not have as many features as some of the other amps on this list, but it does include everything you need for a stellar bass tone. There’s a standard 3-band EQ, with gain and volume control; it doesn’t get much more straightforward than that. You do get a headphone jack for silent practice, a nice addition to an otherwise simple configuration.
Sounds
The 200 watts of power are more than enough for most situations, while the XLR out is a must-have for sending your perfect bass signal to the PA. The ELF will deliver a modern-sounding tone, with a tight low-end that is a little bit transparent.
Best head
✅ Buy if you’re sick of carrying heavy gear: At under 3kg, say goodbye to heavy, cumbersome bass amplifiers.
❌ Avoid if you rely on built-in effects: If you’re yet to start your pedal collection, this Little Mark won’t have your effects-needs covered.
Overview
Don't let the small stature of the aptly named Little Mark fool you. This mighty bass head will fill the biggest rooms with the most insane low-end – and all while fitting snuggly in your gig bag.
Build
For us, the Mark Bass Little Mark represents everything we love about high-powered portable bass amps and is a must-try for every style of bass playing. Since this amp is only around 2.5kg, you could quite easily put it in a backpack and forget it’s there. If you’re growing tired of lugging heavy combos to pub gigs, invest in the Little Mark.
Features
Unlike other brands, Markbass has decided to keep features to the essentials. There isn’t a plethora of effects or amp voices clogging the control panel; instead, you have a 5-band EQ, gain, master volume, and ‘Old School’ filter. The last control takes a bit from the top-end, rounding out your tone for extra smoothness.
Sounds
The Markbass Little Mark has been a staple of practice rooms and venues for years, and the latest version is the best yet. The tone of this pint-sized head is clear, clean, and very articulate – and it also gives you the option to switch between a flat or scooped EQ setting.
Best practice
✅ Buy if you need something lightweight yet powerful: Fender has balanced portability and power to perfection with the Rumble series.
❌ Avoid if you use lots of overdrive: The overdrive channel is a tad harsh on the Rumble 200, not ideal if that is the basis of your tone.
Overview
This may be the second entry from Fender on this list, but the Rumble 200 takes a very different approach to bass reinforcement than that of the classic Bassman. Now, the Rumble series of amplifiers features a full complement of models from a 15W practice combo to an 800W bass behemoth – but we've decided to opt for the Rumble 200, as we believe it offers the most bang for your buck.
Build
The 200W of power is more than enough for most situations, and the 15" Eminence speaker delivers plenty of low-end punch. An important USP of the Rumble range is the weight. Size-wise, the Rumble 200 is quite large; however, it’s only 15kg, a back-friendly weight for taking to practice sessions, or even gigs.
Features
There are also plenty of well-thought-out features, such as the ability to bring in and out the compression horn – via an on/off switch on the rear of the amp – so you can dial in the perfect amount of high frequencies to complement your roaring bass tone. Other features include a three-button voicing section, which allows you to choose between Bright, Contour, or Vintage mode, an XLR line out with ground lift, and a foot-switchable overdrive channel.
Sounds
Overall, the tone is quite warm with a punchy response. It isn’t the most characterful, but for a budget practice amplifier, it is more than serviceable and retains plenty of clarity at higher volumes. The overdrive channel leaves a little to be desired as it is a tad harsh, so if your bass tone relies on a warm drive, perhaps look elsewhere.
Best combo
✅ Buy if you need something reliable: This is a popular choice for players seeking dependability.
❌ Avoid if you enjoy a bit of tube-amp mojo: Although reliable, this amp sometimes lacks the soul and character present in classic tube amplifiers.
Overview
The Orange Crush line has long been a go-to staple of guitarists looking for an affordable yet reliable solid-state amplifier – and the same is true for bass players.
Build
This 100W combo is ideal for smaller shows and practice rooms with a single 15-inch speaker providing the DNA to create punchy mids and noticeable low-end. Although Orange doesn’t state the cabinet material, we do know it weighs around 24kg, and players have the option between black or orange vinyl as per their preferences.
Features
Orange has supplied plenty of useful features onboard, including a balanced output for connecting to a PA, an emulated headphone output for practice, an aux input for connecting external audio sources, and an onboard tuner.
The feature that makes the Crush Bass stand out from other bass amps in the category is the Blend and Gain controls. These are taken from the company's OB1 series of guitar amps and allow you to integrate the harmonic distortion Orange is known for with your core bass sound.
Sounds
As for its tone, expect a present low-end, with punchy mids, all whilst retaining clarity at higher volumes. The Crush Bass 100 is quite the workhorse, and its versatile tone can be adapted to suit plenty of different playing styles.
Best for beginners
✅ Buy if you want to find your sound: With a bucket-load of effects and amp voices, this budget-friendly bass amp is great for discovering new tones.
❌ Avoid if you value simplicity: Although it’s pretty straightforward to use, some bassists won’t find the added extras and flashing lights useful.
Overview
The Boss Katana routinely tops our list of the best guitar amps in the world, so it only makes sense that the bass model would make an appearance here. Following in the guitar version's footsteps, the Katana-110 takes what six-string players loved about that iteration and reimagines it for the modern bassist.
Build
Under the hood, Boss has hidden a 110-watt class AB power amp and custom 10-inch woofer, meaning it's more than capable of hitting the stage with you. Weighing 16.8kg, it isn’t the lightest amplifier, but it will be manageable for most to take on the road.
Features
However, the Katana-110 shouldn't be dismissed as purely a gigger's amp, as the ability to drop its impressive output to a single watt means it's just as comfortable at home as it is on the stage. Plus, at home, you can dive into the Tone Studio Editor via the USB connection on the back, granting you access to more effects or other players’ patches.
Sounds
With three unique amp voices – Vintage, Flat, and Modern – as well as extremely usable effects, this amp is adaptable, reliable, and seriously simple to use. Diving into the effects section will allow you to experiment with bass tones you may otherwise miss, making it a great learning platform for beginners.
Also consider
If for some reason you didn't find what you were looking for above, here are some more great options for you to choose from.
How to choose
When it comes to finding the best bass amp for your needs, it really comes down to application. The right bass amp for a touring rock band will be worlds apart from the right bass amp for the average bedroom warrior. So think carefully about what you really want your new bass amp to do, and use that as a starting point.
You'll want to consider things such as power, the versatility of sounds, connectivity and, of course, if you are gigging, portability. This guide has most situations covered, so you should find an amp here to suit your needs.
1. Head or combo?
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If you need to keep your rig as small as possible, there are plenty of almost-pocket-sized bass amp heads. If you are sharing a bill with multiple bands, then you may be able to borrow a bass cabinet, and if not, there are a number of fantastic, compact cabs that would pair perfectly. A head also means you can pair different cabs with your amplifier depending on the situation, for example a laid back bar gig may be perfect for a compact 1x10” cab, but if you have a festival slot lined up for the following day, you can crack out the 8x10”.
If you want to avoid the risk of not having access to a speaker cabinet, a bass amp combo might be better for you. These are amplifiers with speakers that have been paired to work with the amplifier section sympathetically, so you should have a great sound. They can be a little heavy, especially larger models. So it might be easier to have a cabinet and amp head separately. If you’re concerned that a bass combo might not shift enough air, many combos will have an additional speaker output, so you can add another cabinet.
2. Power
Bass amps can be particularly confusing when it comes to wattage and you may need more than you think to compete with the rest of a band. If you are looking to play live regularly, consider an amp with plenty of watts and a DI output (most good bass amps will have this anyway) which gives the sound engineer the chance to plug you into the PA and give you far more volume.
100 watts for a guitar amp would be very loud, whereas this might not be enough for a bass amplifier – though there are outliers. To be sure that you can have an amp to handle anything up to medium-sized shows, we would suggest looking for an amplifier with 200W of power as a minimum, and 300W+ is ideal.
3. Additional features
Any bass amp should have some tonal shaping ability through an onboard EQ. The complexity of EQs can vary drastically across different amplifiers, with the ability to shift different bands to alter more specific parts of the tone, but even basic EQs should have been voiced to tastefully attenuate frequencies to produce the tone you need.
Dynamic processing such as compression is a fairly common addition to a bass amplifier and is very useful for adding a ‘pop’ to your tone that works particularly well for funk playing. Other effects are less common, but can be really useful, depending on which genre you play.
If you want to record at home, some bass amps feature recording interfaces, which make it easy to plug into a computer and achieve ready-made bass tones, which is arguably the simplest way to record bass. If you already have a recording set up, we would recommend an amplifier with an integrated DI output. Not only is this really helpful for playing live and giving the sound engineer a balanced version of your bass tone, it is also handy for recording, allowing you to plug straight from your DI output into your recording interface for a line level tone.
For beginners, bass combos that offer an all-in-one solution are our recommended starting point, and why not also look for an amp with a tuner? That way you should have everything you need to make great tones and, crucially, be in tune while you do it!
FAQs
How many watts do I need to play with a drummer?
This is an age-old conundrum for band musicians, as after all, the drums and bass are the anchor holding down the entire production. Therefore, both must be balanced. So, what size bass amp do you need? This will depend on whether you’re going with a solid-state or a tube amplifier.
If you’re considering solid-state, anywhere around the 200-300 watts mark should give you enough power to keep up with a drummer. This gives you enough volume and headroom, meaning you can retain clarity at higher levels. If you’re playing in a loud rock band or in bigger venues, an amplifier closer to the 500-watt mark will suit you better, allowing you to push it harder without completely overdriving the amp.
Tube amplifiers, on the other hand, are much louder than their solid-state counterparts. A tube amp around 100-150 watts will likely be loud enough for most bands in small to medium-sized venues. If you’re ever unsure, selecting a bass amp with a line-out will allow you to hook up to the venue's PA, providing a safe fallback in case you’re in a bigger venue than usual.
Can I use my guitar amp for my bass guitar?
This is a question I encountered every other day whilst working in a guitar store. It’s important that you do not use a guitar amplifier with a bass guitar. Guitar amplifiers cannot handle the low frequencies of a bass guitar, and it is very likely you’re going to blow the speaker, particularly at higher volumes. Sure, you’ll get a sound, but the risk of the low-end blowing out a guitar speaker is very high.
Speakers in guitar amplifiers are not designed to handle the amount of movement a bass guitar will produce, leading to eventual rupturing. It may work for a while, but for the sake of your amp it is always better to play it safe.
How does speaker size affect the low-end?
The complex relationship speakers have with your bass amplifier tone is one that requires a physics degree. However, there are helpful generalizations that begin to explain speaker-size and its effect on the low-end. Bigger speakers – 15 to 18-inch – will have a more pronounced lower-end, push much more air, and ultimately, sound deeper. Compare this with smaller speakers – 8 to 10-inch – which will retain better clarity, be more focused, and a lot tighter. Other factors like cabinet size, headroom, and resonant frequency all play their part in affecting the low-end, but having this general understanding of speaker size will steer you in the right direction.
Should I get a combo or a head?
The choice between a combo and a head ultimately depends on your portability needs and how much stage volume you require.
For beginners, home practice, or players gigging in small-to-medium venues, a combo is often the preferred move. Because the amplifier and speakers are housed in one unit, you avoid the hassle of extra cables and mismatched gear. It’s a plug-and-play option that offers a consistent, predictable tone every time you play.
For the touring professional or those playing large stages, an amp head offers maximum power and modularity. While it requires carrying a separate cabinet – or relying on a venue's backline – a head allows you to mix and match different speaker configurations to suit the room. If you want the highest wattage in the most compact footprint, a bass head is the industry standard.
What is a Class-D bass amp?
Although Class-D amps have been around for quite a long time, they have been finessed in recent years to better suit music and amplification. Having existed in Hi-Fi for a time, more and more bass amps are beginning to use Class-D amplification.
Ultimately, it is a modern, lightweight amplifier system that doesn’t require a power or output transformer. These are two of the heaviest components of a bass amp, and removing them, the weight is much more manageable. It also means a bass amp doesn’t need to be as large to house internal components, resulting in a smaller, yet equally powerful amplifier. On the production side, they are cost-effective to produce. Meaning bass amps will be getting lighter and more affordable as brands take to Class-D amps.
Is it better to use an amp or go direct when playing live?
Generally, bassists and sound engineers alike will use a blended approach. Going direct – plugging into a DI box before your amp – typically means a better front-of-house sound, as the engineer has cleaner and direct control of your signal. However, it can detract from the feel and thump that bassists enjoy playing with. Having an amplifier on stage will help with personal monitoring and give you a better feel whilst playing. By opting for a blended approach, you can get the best of both worlds, by keeping the sound engineer and your bandmates happy when playing live.
Is it worth buying a tube bass amp?
At Guitar Player, we are tube amp truthers. The expressiveness, dynamics, and rich tone that tube bass amps can elicit are hard to look past. For those serious about their bass amp tone, a tube amp is certainly a worthwhile investment. However, our love for tube amps doesn’t mean we are blinded by potential detractors.
Tube amps are much heavier than their solid-state counterparts. If you’ve got a bad back, a tube amp may not be suitable. Tubes are perishable, meaning maintenance is required, particularly if you blow one. Also, tube amps are incredibly loud, sometimes too loud for smaller venues. Lastly, tube amps don’t typically have built-in line-outs or other modern features like effects that more and more players rely on.
So, if stellar tone and dynamic playing are top of your priority list, yes, it is worth buying a tube bass amp. But if you’re looking for stability, portability, and modern features, then you should check out a solid-state bass amp.
Key terms
- Active: An active bass is one that has powered electronics onboard, as opposed to passive electronics. This provides a boosted output and hands-on EQ sculpting on the bass itself.
- Boutique: This refers to high-end, often custom-made bass gear that comes from smaller suppliers. Boutique equipment is typically individually hand-made as opposed to factory-produced like some bigger brands.
- Class-D: A high-efficiency amplification method that uses rapid switching technology rather than traditional linear circuits. This allows for extremely lightweight designs that generate very little heat.
- Clipping: When an amplifier is driven past its maximum power capacity, it clips the sound wave, turning it into a square wave, resulting in overdrive, distortion, and sometimes even fuzz tones.
- Cabinet (cab): The enclosure that houses the speakers in a bass amp. It is typically made from plywood or MDF, and its internal volume and porting significantly shape the bass response.
- Combo: Short for ‘combination’, a combo amp is one that houses all bass amp components within one unit, including the pre- and power amp and speaker.
- DI (Direct Injection): A DI box is a unit that converts a high-impedance, unbalanced bass guitar signal into a low-impedance, balanced level that can be sent to a PA or a mixer.
- Driver: This is another term for a bass amplifier’s main speaker. The driver speaker is designed to handle big movements (excursions) that are produced by bass frequencies.
- EQ (equalization): The EQ section is where you can boost or cut particular frequencies. Typically, on a bass amp, this will be bass, middle, and treble frequencies.
- Head: Unlike a combo amplifier, a head only houses the pre/power amplifier sections. To hear a sound, you need to connect an external speaker cabinet, as a head doesn’t have one. This is a more modular approach to bass amplification.
- Headroom: This refers to the amount of volume or power a bass amp can handle before it starts to distort. Higher headroom means you can play louder whilst retaining clarity.
- Hybrid: A hybrid bass amp mixes both tube and solid-state technology. Typically, a hybrid bass amp will have a preamp tube with a solid-state power amp. This is to blend the warmth and responsiveness of tubes with the dependability of solid-state technology.
- Impedance: The electrical resistance of a speaker cabinet. It defines the load on your amplifier; a lower impedance – 4 ohms – allows more power to flow, while a higher impedance – 8 ohms – restricts it.
- Modeling: A type of amplifier that uses signal processing to replicate the sound of classic amplifiers. Your tone is produced by replicating sounds as opposed to generating them naturally.
- Neodymium: A type of magnet used for speakers, which are much stronger and lighter than traditional magnets. They are punchy and clear with a tight low-end when used for bass amps.
- Passive: Electronics that operate without a battery or external power source. Passive systems use high-impedance circuitry that can only cut frequencies rather than boost them. They are known for a dynamic response, though they provide a lower output signal than active systems.
- Power amp: The power amp is the section that boosts the line-level signal from the preamp into a strong signal that can be used to drive the speakers.
- Preamp: The preamp is the section that turns the weak signal from your bass into a line-level signal that can be read by the power amp. This is perhaps the most important section for influencing your amplified tone.
- Solid-state: This type of amp works by amplifying your bass through the use of transistors, as opposed to vacuum tubes.
- Tweeter: This is the small horn speaker that handles the mid and treble frequencies in a bass amplifier.
- Woofer: This is another term for the large speaker found in a bass amplifier. It handles most of the low frequencies.
How we test
At Guitar Player, we live and breathe everything guitar related. It's our passion and we certainly hope this passion comes through in our buyer's guides. Everyone at Guitar Player is an expert in their field and we draw on this knowledge and experience when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best bass amps available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
When making our lists, we pay careful consideration to everything from budget to feature set, playability and durability to come up with an accurate representation of the best bass amps available right now.
Read more on how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
