15 Best Bass Amps Under $300 – 2023 Review

Are you in the market for a new bass amp but don’t want to spend a fortune? In this article, we will take a look at some of the best bass amps that are available for under $300. We will review each one and let you know what we think about them. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, there is sure to be something on this list that will interest you!

You Don’t Have To Spend A Fortune To Get A Great Tone

There are a lot of different amp choices for bass these days. In the past, you had to choose between large and expensive amps with great tones or smaller and cheaper amps that didn’t sound as good.

But now, thanks to advances in speaker and electronics technology, there are plenty of great-sounding small and affordable amp options available.

Yes, you heard right. Budget bass amps are here to stay! And, as bass amps go, there’s some awesome options on the market.

You don’t have to fork out loads of money on bass amplification just because a website, blog or magazine told you certain tube amps was the “best bass amp for the money”.

Often, the best cheap bass amp can be a really good option because it’s the one that suits your needs. But the real key to understanding what to buy is understanding what your own needs are in the first place.

With that in mind, let’s get stuck into some bass amp reviews, look at some great bass amp combos, bass practice amps for all budgets (from under $300 and a few that are in the category of “best bass amp under 1000”) so you can go away knowing what kind of bass amplification you need.

So, if you’re looking for a great-sounding amp for your bass, you don’t have to break the bank to get it. There are plenty of excellent options out there that won’t empty your wallet.

Which Bass Amp Should I Buy?

Don’t have time to look through a long article?

No worries. Here’s our top picks. But if you can’t see anything that suits your needs then keep reading.

There are plenty of options reviewed in detail later in this article.

Rest assured you’ll come away from this read with the best bass amp to suit your needs!

Do You Need An Amp For Bass Playing?

When you plug an electric bass into an amplifier, you are effectively increasing the volume of the instrument. This is because the strings on an electric bass vibrate at a much lower frequency than other types of guitars, making it difficult for the sound to carry without amplification.

In addition, an amp also provides a greater range of tone options. For example, by adding distortion, you can create a heavier sound that is perfect for rock and metal styles. Moreover, amps are essential for live performances, as they enable the bassist to be heard clearly over the rest of the band.

Without an amp, the electric bass would be largely relegated to practicing at home and recording in the studio. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of your electric bass playing, it is essential to invest in a good-quality amplifier.

Conclusion

All of the amps discussed in this article are perfect for bass players who want quality sound without spending a fortune. Whether you’re looking for a powerful combo amp or a small, portable head, these amps will do the trick. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping today and get ready to rumble!

FAQ’s

What size amp should I get for my bass?

The size of bass amps really depends on what you want to use it for. Think about the setting you’ll be using the amp in.

A small bass combo amp might be perfect if you’re just doing small practice sessions alone in your home.

However, if you’re playing louder gigs, bass amps that have a lot more power but are still portable like the Trace Elliot elf would be ideal.

Can I use a normal amp for playing bass?

Technically, you can use a guitar amp – which is what most people mean by a “normal” amp – for bass but it’s not a good idea.

Guitar amps can’t handle bass tones well at all because they’re not designed for it.

If you want good bass tone then it’s best to get a bass combo amplifier or another one of the bass amps listed in this article.

Do basses need special amps?

Yes! Bass guitars need bass amps.

Which amplifier is best for bass?

A lot of different bassists will have their opinion on what the best bass amp is.

Whilst there are certian features that are good to have – band eq, a variety of bass tones or a DI output – bass amps are ultimately something you need to try and form your own opinion of.

Is 30 watts good for bass?

A bass amp with 20 – 30 watts is sufficient to provide good sound. If you are playing at a larger venue, or even a pub or bar, you’ll likely need at least a 50W bass amp.

Is a 10 watt amp good for a bass?

The 10 or 15 watt bass amp can be used for practice and home uses but not for playing in bands.

They might have a great tone but 10w simply isn’t powerful enough for a gig so maybe consider something like a Trace Elliot Elf or an Orange Crush Bass amp.

Is Fender Rumble 100 loud enough for gigs?

Yes it is. The Fender Rumble 100 is a great amp for gigging. It has plenty of power and can easily fill the room even at higher volumes. It also has onboard effects, making it an ideal choice for gigging bassists.

With its wide range of tones you’ll be able to find something that will fit your style perfectly. Whether you need some heavy rock distortion or a light jazz tone, this amp can do it all!

What kind of amplifier do you need for a bass guitar?

You’ll need a bass amp with a decent amount of features like band EQ, DI output, a good control panel and some tone shaping capability.

Do you need a special amplifier for a bass guitar?

Yes. You need a bass amp. If you’re unsure which one to buy then read this article to see our review of the best bass amp options on the market.

Can you use any amp with a bass guitar?

Technically yes, but it’s not a good idea. Guitar amplifiers are designed for electric guitars and thus do not provide the power or low-end response a bass guitar needs. It is also possible that using a guitar amplifier with a bass guitar can damage the amp itself.

Are bass amps expensive?

There are a wide variety of amps on the market at a range of prices. Generally speaking, you can find entry-level amps for around $100 and mid-range amps up to $500. Professional grade bass amplifiers can reach prices of up to several thousand dollars but are usually not necessary for the average musician.

Is 500w bass amp enough?

Yes! 500w bass amps will be loud enough for almost any gig. However, they won’t be very portable!

Will a bass ruin a guitar amp?

Eventually, yes it will. Guitar amps aren’t made to handle bass guitars. The speakers aren’t designed to handle the amount of low end that comes from a bass guitar and eventually they will get damaged beyond repair.

Bass amps will do the job much better!

Are 10 watt bass amps good?

Yes. 10 watt bass amps are ideal for practice and home use. With some modern technology, they can also be used to perform with a band in small venues as well.

That said, if you want your bass to be loud enough to compete with the rest of the instruments, it’s best to get an amp with at least 50 watts of power.

Do basses and guitars use the same amps?

No, they do not. Bass guitars require a different type of amplifier than electric guitars due to their lower frequencies and the large amounts of power needed to create them. Specialized bass amplifiers are designed specifically for bass instruments and provide a much better sound quality than other types of amps.

Is a combo amp good for bass?

Yes. Combo amps are a great choice for bass players as they combine the amp head and speaker into one unit.

They’re more portable than separate amplifier heads and speakers, but still provide plenty of power to get a good sound out of your bass guitar. Combo amps are also much easier to set up than separate units, making them an ideal choice for bass players that travel a lot.

What is bass combo amp?

A bass combo amplifier is a self-contained unit that combines a bass amplifier and one or more loudspeakers into a single unit.

They are typically used by bassists in small to medium sized venues such as clubs or bars. Bass combo amps come in a variety of sizes, ranging from large floor-standing units to small, portable amps that can be easily carried to gigs.

Most bass combo amps have a variety of features, such as EQ controls and effects loops. Some even include built-in effects such as distortion or reverb.

While bass combo amps are not essential for all bassists, they can be a great way to get the most bang for your buck, particularly if you play in smaller venues.

Are combo amps good for gigs?

Yes. Combo amps are great for gigs as they provide a powerful, full sound that’s ideal for small to medium sized venues. Bass combo amplifiers also offer more convenience than separate head (power amp) and speaker units since they can be easily carried from gig to gig and don’t require additional setup time.

However, you may need to upgrade to a larger amp if you plan on playing in larger venues or if you need more power for your bass sound. For gigs in larger venues, it is recommended to use a separate bass amplifier head and bass cabinet as this will give you more control over your tone and volume level.

If you’re looking for the best combo amp for gigs, make sure to look at models with at least 50 watts of power. This will ensure that your sound is loud enough to compete with the rest of the instruments in the band.

What bass amp did Paul McCartney use?

From 1964 onwards, Paul McCartney favoured an AC100 with a 4×12 cab. The AC100 was a 100-watt bass amp made by Vox. This was his main amplifier until the early 1970s when he switched to an Ampeg V4B. In the mid-1980s, McCartney returned to using Vox amps and has used them ever since.