A Bassist’s Perspective on the Necessity of Bass Amps

Hello, this is Mieno, the bassist for the Hammond organ instrumental band "BANANA NEEDLE."

Lately, I've been obsessed with the idea of getting a new head amp.

For bassists, the role of an amp can be a tricky thing to pin down.

During live performances, the audience usually hears the bass through the PA system rather than directly from the amp. It’s also rare to see a mic placed in front of the amp.

There was a time when I thought, "I don’t need an amp at all!"

I even performed with just monitor speakers placed behind me or picked up the sound of my upright bass with a microphone alone.

Depending on the genre, there are indeed situations where a big amp isn’t necessary.

That said, I feel that if you set your amp’s volume to complement the balance of the instruments on stage, it helps the atmosphere on stage naturally flow into the audience.

Of course, this depends on the size of the venue. For instance, the drum’s acoustic sound will always reach the audience no matter what.

In our case, we also have the roaring sound of the Leslie speaker to contend with, so we need an amp that can hold its own against that beast, haha!

One of the studios we often use has an AGUILAR Tone Hammer 500.

AGUILAR / Tone Hammer 500

Aguilar, the brand that needs no introduction.

Though it's still a relatively new name in the market, it has already become a standard for many bassists.

Known for its ability to deliver tight lows without unnecessary boominess, and a satisfying low-mid presence, it's truly a legendary piece of equipment.

Before jumping into buying something new, I decided to bring my existing amp to the studio for a comparison. The result? Neither better nor worse than the Aguilar…

But somehow, it felt uninspiring.

Personally, I think my preferences have shifted over time.

And that’s just natural—our tastes evolve!

So, I’ve been spending the last year or so searching for an amp that both suits the band and aligns with my personal preferences.

The first contender on my list is MARKBASS.

MARKBASS Little Mark Vintage

In another studio room, there was a MARKBASS amp permanently installed. I asked to use it in our usual room to give it a proper test.

The standout feature was the switch that lets you select between "FLAT," "SCOOPED," and "OLD" tone profiles.

I started with the controls set to neutral and the "FLAT" setting. Unlike the kind of flat response you’d get from plugging directly into a PA mixer, this "flat" was one that truly made a bassist feel good—classic MARKBASS, with that midrange punch that feels incredibly satisfying.

Next, I tried the "OLD" setting.

This softened the high frequencies a bit and added a warm, tube-like character.

The preamp tube, prominently displayed on the front of the amp, was clearly doing its job.

While it's called "OLD," the sound it delivered was a modern interpretation of vintage tones—ideal not only for classic styles but also for contemporary music. It’s a sound that would undoubtedly appeal to today’s bassists.

After five hours of rehearsal, the band’s overall impressions were summed up like this:

"The sound is almost too good."

"The power is overwhelming."

Interestingly, the members of BANANA NEEDLE tend to shy away from sounds that are "too perfect."

Perhaps the bass became a bit too prominent and distracting.

This reminded me of a time when I used an F-Bass with an AVALON DESIGN DI for a live performance. Even then, I got similar feedback from the audience—the bass sound was so clear and detailed that it stood out a little too much.

Choosing gear that complements the overall ensemble is incredibly important.

Next on my list of contenders: the MARKBASS CASA, the Michael League (Snarky Puppy) signature model.

MARKBASS CASA Michael League (Snarky Puppy) Signature Model

When I read Michael League's comments before, he mentioned something like, "It handles big sounds effortlessly," and honestly, the look of it is top-notch.

Lightweight amps often prioritize portability, which means they tend to be small. But when you place a tiny amp on top of a large cabinet (speaker), it can look... a bit underwhelming.

That’s why the idea of giving a lightweight amp a "vintage-style casing" is pure genius!

The CASA’s appearance is a vintage-inspired, classic style, but its sound is responsive and leans slightly towards the high-mid frequencies.

Since Michael often plays a Precision Bass in Snarky Puppy, my guess is that this amp was tuned with that in mind.

Its sound is clear and cuts through nicely, even in large ensemble settings—a truly great tone!

However... our band’s gear is transported in a standard car. So, while the CASA’s "vintage casing" looks absolutely amazing, it would be a tight fit space-wise.

(Yes, we’re cramming a Hammond organ and Leslie speaker into a regular car, haha!)

Which brings me to my current top contender: the FENDER Rumble 800 HD.

FENDER Rumble 800 HD

I first came across the FENDER Rumble 800 HD during a session at a live music venue outside of my band activities. It was a house amp, and I was immediately impressed by how naturally it felt to play—very comfortable and familiar.

Fender as a company just seems to have a knack for making things that are just right.

The switches and knobs have a cute, retro aesthetic, and the price point is remarkably reasonable.

What really stands out is how well it captures that "Fender feel" in such a compact size.

Fender amps, along with Ampeg, are legendary pieces of gear that have shaped the sound of music over the years.

The spirit of Fender seems to flow through this amp, a testament to the brand's legacy.

So far, I’ve shared my thoughts on the amps I’ve tried recently—more like an exploration of my personal preferences. But I’d say this: if you’re playing a passive bass, it might be worth putting extra care into choosing your amp head.

Find your favorite gear and let it shake the room!^ ^

See you next time!

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