5 Best Small Bass Amps For Gigging

The Ampeg RB-108 is a sleek compact bass amp with a black diamond cover and sparkle grille cloth. With 30 watt power and Ampeg’s patented “Super Grit Technology,” it packs a huge punch without drowning out the more subtle tones coming from your bass guitar. It also handles humbuckers or vintage single-coil pickups with ease.

The 8-inch speaker is useful for gigs and extremely easy to travel with, but it also comes with an ⅛ in AUX input and headphone output, so you can plug in and practice without bugging anyone else in your house or hotel.

This versatile amp comes equipped with a 3-band EQ and a pre-amplifier, so you can get much more volume than you would think from this modestly-sized amp. You can easily switch from a huge, meaty sound fit for a metal band to a more biting tone that will fit punk rock.

This analog mini bass amp operates on a whopping 50 watts, with a 12-inch speaker that will give you your classic bass tones without blowing out everyone’s ears. The ported cabinet that the Orange Crush Bass amp is built inside helps keep your low end meaty and solid.

In fact, this mini amp is full of features that are also on the brand’s OB1 and 4 Stroke amplifiers, so if you’re looking for a bass that packs some power, this is the one for you.

It has an active 3-band EQ to help shape your tone, as well as an AUX input and headphone output. It also has a chromatic tuner built-in, so you won’t have to struggle with getting your bass ready to go at the last minute before a gig!

The Fender Rumble 15 works with 15 watts of power for a vintage-looking amp from a recognized manufacturer, making it an excellent practice amp. The 8-inch speaker won’t overwhelm any room with noise, but you can get a good level of volume when you need it.

Like other vintage amps, it comes with a 3-band EQ, an AUX input, and a headphone output. You can plug your laptop or cell phone into it and play along with music to practice.

The Rumble 15 has a distinctly classic look, with black skin and a silver grille cloth. Add the distinctive Fender logo in the upper left hand corner, and you’ll have an amp that will be the envy of the neighborhood, especially if you have a Fender electric bass guitar.

For the ultimate compact bass amp, the Blackstar Fly 3 is one of the smallest on the market without sacrificing too much. It’s no more than seven inches long and five inches high, so you can cram it in your backpack before a gig with no problem.

Reviews say that the Blackstar Fly 3 amp is louder than expected, despite only 3 watts of power. This amp has excellent compression control, so bassists who tend to play with a lot of attack won’t sound like a muddy mess and have excellent tone control.

It also includes an AUX input and headphone output for when you don’t want to disturb other people. If you need a bass amp that can switch from playing loud gigs to practicing in your bedroom with ease, the Blackstar Fly 3 is an excellent choice.

The HD15 from Hartke is a sophisticated little amp that’s perfect for small gigs and rehearsals. It’s sturdy and not too small, so you can get a modest 15 watts of power without carrying around a massive piece of equipment.

This lightweight bass amp also comes with Hartke’s patented HyDrive – design speaker, which is made of a combination of aluminum and paper. This will give your tone a uniquely warm, zingy sound.

It’s equipped with a built-in limiter as well, so you can control your volume better. Like the other amps on this list, it has an AUX input and a headphone output to facilitate silent practice.