Bass amps have to deliver a lot of thump, so they are not known for being especially light or easily portable. Luckily, some of the biggest names in the industry have worked hard over the last couple of decades to build bass amps that are both lightweight and still able to deliver that lush low end. Here we’ll take a closer look at five lightweight and ultra-portable bass amps that won’t break your back or your wallet.
Best Portable Bass Amps:
Ashdown Rootmaster RM500C210 EVO II 2×10-inch 500-watt Bass Combo Amp
The Ashdown Rootmaster RM500C210 EVO II combo amp tips the scales at just under 40 pounds, making it the second heaviest of our lightweight amps but still very portable. And, with two 10-inch speakers and 500 watts, this undersized amp is anything but small on volume and power. The RM500C210 EVO II not only packs a punch, but it also features a 5-band EQ with bands at 1.5kHz and 240Hz that let you fine-tune those crunchy mids and keep the low end defined and punchy.
Tone options on the EVO II don’t end with the onboard EQ. There’s also an ultra-flexible overdrive control that lets you add grit and growl to your sound — from a sprinkle to a flood of fuzz. And, when you really want to shake the floorboards, you can tap the Rootmaster’s onboard subharmonics generator for an instant bump in low-end punch. Bottom line, the Rootmaster EVO II has the features and portability that make it good for the garage or the stage.
Best Portable Bass Amps:
Orange Crush Bass 50 1×12-inch 50-watt Bass Combo Amp
Next up, the Orange Crush Bass 50. This 50-watt amp comes in at only 31 pounds, making it incredibly portable and ideal for basement jams, solo rehearsals, or gigging out. A single 12-inch speaker kicks out classic bass tone that is analog, warm, and punchy. All that classic Orange tone can be shaped via the onboard active EQ, including a parametric mid control, that lets you move from clean to crunchy with simple tweaks. Because of the Crush Bass 50’s faster speaker response, you also get a more up-front cut and bite when you dial in more treble.
One of the Crush Bass 50’s standouts is the onboard Blend control that lets you combine your EQed tone as you wish. Pair your cleaner treble tone with a small or large dose of gain with the Blend knob and enjoy the results. Virtually any EQed setting can be combined with the Blend control at various levels for a nearly infinite array of combined sounds. The Crush Bass 50 also has a built-in tuner, an effects loop, a CabSim-enabled headphone out, and a mini jack for plugging in a CD player, an MP3 device, or any other similar device. This little powerhouse is, like all Orange amps, built for tone and versatility.
Best Portable Bass Amps:
Blackstar Fly 3 Bass 1×3-inch 3-watt Bass Combo Amp
For those wanting an amp that can fit inside a backpack, the Blackstar Fly 3 Bass is an ultra-mini amp that weighs less than two pounds! Battery powered and MP3 compatible, the Blackstar Fly 3 Bass features a 3-inch full-range speaker and is the ultimate practice amp with features that make it fun and practical. Even though it only has a 3-watt rating, the Fly 3 Bass packs a lot of punch and volume. Keep the Fly 3 Bass at low volume, and you can practice while your roommate studies; or place a condenser mic in front of it, run it through your PA, turn up the volume, and you can jam in the basement or garage with the band.
The Fly 3 Bass features onboard EQ and compression and an overdrive circuit that lets you dial in an impressive array of sounds. There’s also an MP3/line in for jamming along with or listening to your favorite music. There’s even an emulated line out for silent practice or recording!
Best Portable Bass Amps:
Gallien-Krueger MB112-II 1×12-inch 200-watt Bass Combo Amp
Going digital has helped to make bass amps lighter, and the Gallien-Krueger MB112-II is a great example of this. The MB112-II weighs a back-friendly 28 pounds and comes loaded with digital features that unlock a ton of tonal possibilities. The MB112-II’s 12-inch speaker handles the impressive 200-watt output, making it the ideal rehearsal amp as well as a good go-to for coffeehouse shows. An onboard 4-band active EQ and an active gain control let you tweak your tone to your desire, dialing in the perfect touch of grit and clarity. This innovative amp also lets you “go big” with a Chain Out option that lets you connect your MB112-II to an MBP-powered enclosure that converts this amp into a more club-ready combo rig!
Best Portable Bass Amps:
Ampeg BA-210v2 2×10-inch 450-watt Bass Combo Amp
For more power and volume in a portable bass amp, the Ampeg BA-210 bass combo is a game changer. You’ll need a little more lifting base in your stance to get it to the van and onto the stage; but, at 48 pounds, the BA-210 is still impressively portable. And, with two custom Ampeg 10-inch speakers and 450 watts of juice, this amp is 100% gig-ready while still great for garage rehearsals. The BA-210 also features a 3-band EQ, ultra-high/low tone shaping, and HF mute for great tone-shaping options. And, in a nod to easy access, Ampeg moved all controls to the front of the amp, so tediously reaching to the back or even to the top of the amp to make changes to your settings is a thing of the past! The BA-210 also comes loaded with extras like an XLR direct line out, an effects send/return, and an external speaker output for all types of connection options.
These are just some of the amazing portable bass amps we carry. Now it’s your turn to tell us what you’re after in a portable amp. Give your Sales Engineer a call (800) 222-4700. We specialize in helping our customers find the perfect gear at the right price.
