Whether you’re picking out a new bass head or trying to decide on your first, there are plenty of factors to consider when on the hunt for a bass amp. Solid state vs. analog, live vs. practice, heavy-duty vs. lightweight: All are factors deserving consideration to pick that perfect addition to your rig.
That said, popular opinion and a few guidelines can take the bustle out of finding that ideal bass amp. From the tube-fueled English boom of the Orange BT500H Terror Bass to the deceptively powerful Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 900, a world of options is on offer with reviews and insight to make a smart purchase.
Find the best-selling models on Reverb, decide which one is the best fit for you, and start making enough rumble to shake the guitarist’s strings loose.
This page updates in real time with current data, so what you’re seeing is up-to-the-minute rankings. Click on each entry for more info and check out the bottom of the page for more details on buying a bass amp head.
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Orange Terror Bass 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
Starting at $575Crafted with features like a full, responsive three-band EQ, active and passive operation, and a Class D power rating operating at a hefty 500 watts, the Orange Terror Bass Head BT500H brings together an easy to transport size along with the earth-shaking tone you know and love from Orange. Fashioned in a lunchbox design to fit in even the most packed touring van, the 12AX7-based preamp blasts the big, mean sound that's kept players coming back to this company for decades. - 5
Orange AD200 Bass MK3 200-Watt Bass Amp Head
Starting at $1,499.99The AD200B 200 Bass MK 3 is a bass head built with modern appointments such as four 6550 power tubes and a full-band, onboard EQ.
Features: ECC83 and EC81 vacuum tubes, 200w power - 6
Gallien-Krueger 1001RB-II 700/50W Biamp Bass Head
Starting at $599.99Combining features like active EQ, 700 watts of solid state power, and company standards like contour and voicing, the Gallien-Krueger 1001RB-II 700/50W Biamp Bass Head is a lightweight workhorse ready for practice or the stage.
- Power: 700W solid state with 50W horn
- Inputs/Outputs: One instrument input, two speakON, two 1/4", one XLR, one tuner outputs
- Onboard Effects: Four-band active EQ, contour, presence, and four- or five-string voice controls, Gate Valve Induced Effect boost (GIVE)
- Other Features: Effects loop, level, ground lift, and pre/post XLR controls
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Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 900 V2 900-Watt Bass Amp Head
Starting at $880The Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 900 V2 900-Watt Bass Head builds on the success of the company's flagship amp with the same pristine power and even more tone-shaping features. An amp just over six pounds gets you 900 watts of class D power and studio- and stage-ready features like the Microtubes distortion/OD engine, a six-band graphic EQ, VCA compressor, and IR cab simulators to afford players a world of tone-shaping options. - 12
Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
Starting at $368.28Packing features like a built-in compressor with dedicated controls, ultra hi/lo boost buttons, midrange controls with a five-position frequency selector, and pre and post EQ control, the Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex 500W Bass Amp Head offers a dizzying array of features in one of the most compact heads on the market. A tiny titan, the MOSFET preamp and Class D power section in this model push up to 500 watts of solid state power for possibly the most powerful 11 lbs of bass-centric amplification on the market. - 18
Quilter Bass Block 800 Ultralight 800W Bass Amp Head
Starting at $649.99With the Bass Block 800 Ultralight 800W Bass Amp Head, Quilter gives bass players a dynamic amp for live and studio settings. Like the 101 Mini Reverb 50-Watt Guitar Head for guitar players, it's incredibly light but packs 800 watts into its modest chassis. With this much power and depth, bass notes won’t bottom out or clip on players. - 20
Ampeg SVT-7 PRO 1000-Watt Bass Amp Head
Starting at $547The Ampeg SVT-7 Pro is a rackmountable, ultra-powerful bass amp head with 1000 Watts of classic Ampeg juice. A tube preamp sets the stage for classic growl and weight to your sound, further shapable through a versatile tone stack with ULTRA HI and ULTRA LO switching and a 5-position switch for midrange tone control. A plethora of options for connection include 1/4" and speakon connectors for your cabinet, a tube DI output for direct recording or going straight to front-of-house, FX loop, power amp input and preamp output. And while this amp is definitely built for the stage, you can also make use of the front-panel headphone output for silent practice when you don't want to disturb anyone around you...or down the block.
What to Consider When Buying a Bass Amp Head
Solid State vs. Tube
The new generation of Class D-powered heads like the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 and Aguilar Tone Hammer offer players pristine, arena-filling sound in a package you can stow in a backpack. For purists, there’s no beating the natural breakup of a tube amp, which some say solid state amps can’t match, but most heads are made with enough headroom that you won’t be breaching that ceiling anyway.
Portability
As a rule of thumb, bass amps run heavier than guitar amps, so making a purchase with your back in mind isn’t a bad decision. The Ampeg SVT-7 is an analog beast, but it will also feel like lugging a wildebeest around when you’re transporting gear to the show. Class D heads, which some say don’t have that analog character, get you all the decibels you’ll need in a head the size of a hardcover book.
Brand
Depending on the application, certain brands will be more catering to your needs than others. Looking to play metal and rattle skulls? Names like Orange and Mesa Boogie are tailor-made to snarls and remain preferred options of players like Al Cisneros of Sleep. Looking for rock, funk, or jazz? Ampeg and its models like the Portaflex can be found in the rigs of stars like Colin Greenwood.