Finding the perfect bass guitar amplifier isn’t just about loudness — it’s about shaping your unique tone.
Whether you’re a beginner learning your first groove or a pro playing live, the right amp brings your sound to life. From smooth vintage warmth to gritty modern punch, today’s amps cater to every style and budget.
In this list, we’ve handpicked the top 10 bass amps trusted by musicians worldwide. Each option includes key specs, pros and cons. If you’re new to bass amps and need help choosing one based on your playing style, check out this bass amp buying guide by Sweetwater for expert advice.
List of Bass Guitar Amplifier:
- Aguilar Tone Hammer 500
- Fender Rumble 40
- Markbass Little Mark Vintage
- Darkglass Microtubes 900
- Orange Little Bass Thing
- Ampeg SVT-7 Pro
- Hartke HD500
- Gallien-Krueger MB800
- Peavey MAX 300
- Ashdown Rootmaster RM-500
1. Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 – Powerful Bass Guitar Amp for Stage Performers
Looking for pure tone with unmatched punch? The Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 is a beast that’s built for serious bassists who need consistency and clarity during live gigs.
Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 – Specifications
Electronics:
- Amplifier Type: Solid State
- Power Output:
- 500 Watts @ 4 Ohms
- 250 Watts @ 8 Ohms
- Power Section: Class D
- Transformer: Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS)
Controls
- EQ Section:
- Bass: ±17 dB @ 40 Hz
- Mid Level: ±16 dB
- Mid Frequency: 180 Hz – 1 kHz
- Treble: ±14 dB @ 4 kHz
- Drive Control: Fully adjustable, featuring Aguilar’s proprietary AGS (Adaptive Gain Shaping) circuit
- Input Pad: Selectable -10 dB pad for active basses.
Inputs & Outputs
Inputs:
- 1 x 1/4″ Instrument Input (compatible with active and passive basses)
- 1 x 1/8″ Auxiliary Input
Outputs:
- 2 x Neutrik Speakon Speaker Outputs
- 2 x XLR Balanced Outputs with Pre/Post EQ and Ground Lift Switch
- 1 x 1/4″ Tuner Output
- 1 x 1/8″ Headphone Output
- Effects Loop: Series operation; adds 6 dB of additional gain, suitable for a broad range of effects units
- USB Port: 1 x USB-C for firmware updates and IR loading
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 10.75″ x 8.5″ x 2.75″ (27.3 cm x 21.6 cm x 7 cm)
- Weight: 4 lbs (1.81 kg)
2. Fender Rumble 40 – Best Compact Bass Amp for Practice and Small Gigs:
Don’t underestimate its size — this lightweight bass amplifier from Fender rumbles with deep lows and rich tones, perfect for beginners and home jamming.
Specifications:
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Solid State (Class D)
- Power Output: 40 Watts @ 8 ohms
- Speaker: One 10″ Fender® Special Design
- Channels: One
- Controls: Gain, Bright On/Off, Contour On/Off, Vintage On/Off, Drive, Overdrive On/Off, Level, Bass, Low-Mid, High-Mid, Treble, Master Volume
Inputs:
- 1 x 1/4″ Instrument Input
- 1 x 1/8″ (3.5mm) Auxiliary Input
Outputs:
- 1 x XLR Line Out with Ground Lift
- 1 x 1/8″ (3.5mm) Headphone Output
Cabinet & Hardware
- Cabinet Material: Lightweight Plywood
- Amplifier Covering: Black Textured Vinyl
- Grille Cloth: Silver
- Front Panel: Painted Metal
- Handle: Molded Plastic Strap with Nickel-Plated Caps
- Knobs: Ivory Soft Touch Radio Knobs
- Pilot Light Jewel: Red LED
Dimensions & Weight
- Height: 16.5″ (41.91 cm)
- Width: 16.5″ (41.91 cm)
- Depth: 12″ (30.5 cm)
- Weight: 18 lbs. (8.16 kg)
Special Features
- Foot-switchable Overdrive Circuit (optional footswitch not included)
- Three-button Voicing Section:
- Bright (high-end boost)
- Contour (mid-scoop)
- Vintage (tube-emulating tone)
- Removable Front Grille
- Ported Cabinet Design for Enhanced Bass Response
- Extremely Lightweight and Portable
3. Markbass Little Mark Vintage – Warm Tube Tone in a Modern Bass Amp
Craving that vintage warmth with modern controls? The Little Mark Vintage delivers creamy, dynamic sound that’ll breathe life into your bass lines.
Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Solid State (Class D)
- Power Output: 500W RMS @ 4 ohms / 300W RMS @ 8 ohms
- Preamp: Tube (ECC83)
- Power Amp: Mark Proprietary Technology (MPT)
- Controls:
- Gain: -46 dB to +23 dB range
- Master Volume
- DI Level
- Limiter (from 0 to MAX)
- 3-Way EQ Preset Switch: FLAT / CUT / OLD
- Pre/Post EQ Switch (rear panel)
- Ground Lift Switch (rear panel)
Equalization
- Low: Center Frequency: 68 Hz; Level: ±16 dB
- Low Mid: Center Frequency: 400 Hz; Level: ±16 dB
- High Mid: Center Frequency: 2200 Hz; Level: ±16 dB
- High: Center Frequency: 10 kHz; Level: ±16 dB
Inputs & Outputs
Inputs:
- 1 x 1/4″ Instrument Input (Impedance: 500 kOhm, Max Voltage: 9 Vpp)
- 1 x 1/4″ Effect Return (Impedance: 33 kOhm, Max Voltage: 10 Vpp)
Outputs:
- 1 x Balanced XLR Line Out with Transformer (600 Ohm, Max Voltage: 12 Vpp)
- 1 x 1/4″ Effect Send (Max Voltage: 20 Vpp, Pre-EQ)
- 1 x 1/4″ Tuner Out (Max Voltage: 2 Vpp)
- 1 x Speakon Combo Speaker Out
Cabinet & Hardware
- Chassis: Compact and lightweight design
- Weight: 5.51 lbs / 2.5 kg
- Dimensions:
Special Features
- Tube Preamp: Provides rich and warm tones full of harmonics.
- Limiter Control: Offers a modern response when set high, or vintage-style distortion when set low.
- 3-Way EQ Preset Switch:
- FLAT: Neutral EQ setting.
- CUT: Scooped mids with enhanced lows and highs.
- OLD: Scooped highs for a vintage tone.
- Balanced DI Out with Transformer: Delivers pure, full, and linear sound across all frequencies.
- Gold-Plated Circuits: Ensures the purest and cleanest sound quality.
- Foot switchable Mute and EQ On/Off: Allows silent tuning and EQ bypass (footswitch sold separately).
4. Darkglass Microtubes 900 – High-Gain Bass Amp for Metal and Rock
This is not your average amp — the Microtubes 900 is a tone monster built for aggressive genres like metal, punk, and hard rock. Punchy, gritty, and powerful.
Dark glass Microtubes 900 v2 Specifications:
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Class D Power Amplifier with Analog Preamp
- Power Output: 900W RMS @ 4Ω; 450W RMS @ 8Ω; supports 2Ω mode
- Preamp: Analog with switchable Microtubes B3K and Vintage Microtubes (VMT) overdrive circuits
- Compressor: Studio-grade VCA compressor with adjustable control
- Equalizer: 6-band graphic EQ
- Cabinet Simulation: Impulse Response (IR) cabinet emulation with three selectable slots
Controls
- Gain: Adjusts the input volume before the EQ section
- Drive: Controls the amount of distortion from the Microtubes Engine
- Blend: Mixes between clean and distorted signals
- Level: Sets the output volume of the Microtubes Engine
- Tone: Adjusts high harmonic content via a variable low-pass filter
- Compression: Controls the amount of dynamic compression
- Master Volume: Controls the overall output volume
- Mute Switch: Mutes the amplifier output
- EQ Bands:
- Bass: ±12dB at 80Hz
- Mids: ±12dB at 250Hz, 500Hz, 1.5kHz, and 3kHz
- Treble: ±12dB at 5kHz
Inputs & Outputs
- Instrument Input: 1 x 1/4″ mono
- Auxiliary Input: 1 x 1/8″ stereo
- Headphone Output: 1 x 1/8″ stereo with cabinet simulation and volume control
- Speaker Outputs: 2 x Speakon combo jacks
- DI Outputs: 2 x XLR (Pre-EQ and Post-EQ with cabinet simulation)
- Effects Loop: 1 x 1/4″ send and 1 x 1/4″ return
- MIDI Input: 1 x 5-pin DIN for remote control
- USB Port: 1 x USB-C for firmware updates and IR loading via Darkglass Suite
- Footswitch Input: 1 x 1/4″ for Dark glass Intelligent Footswitch
Dimensions & Weight
- Width: 26.7 cm / 10.5″
- Depth: 25.5 cm / 10″
- Height: 7 cm / 2.75″
- Weight: 2.9 kg / 6.39 lbs
5. Orange Little Bass Thing – Stylish and Powerful Bass Amp Head
With its signature Orange look and powerful tone shaping, this amp head is perfect for bassists who want style, punch, and portability in one package.
Orange Little Bass Thing – Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Solid State (Class D)
- Power Output: 500 Watts RMS @ 4 Ohms
- Preamp: Solid-State with Class A Optical Compression
- Compressor: Footswitchable Class A Optical Compressor (footswitch sold separately)
- Equalizer: 3-Band EQ with Parametric Mid Control
Controls
- Volume: Adjusts the overall output level
- Compression: Controls the amount of optical compression applied
- Treble: ±15 dB at high frequencies
- Frequency: Selects the center frequency for the mid control
- Middle: ±15 dB at selected midrange frequency
- Bass: ±15 dB at low frequencies
- Pad Switch: -6 dB attenuation for active basses or high-output pickups
Inputs & Outputs
- Instrument Input: 1 x 1/4″
- Footswitch Input: 1 x 1/4″ (for compressor activation, footswitch sold separately)
- FX Loop: Buffered Send and Return (1 x 1/4″ each)
- Speaker Outputs: 2 x Speakon
- Balanced DI Output: 1 x XLR with Ground Lift Switch
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 8.5 cm x 27.6 cm x 25.1 cm (3.35” x 10.9″ x 9.9″)
- Weight: 2.95 kg (6.5 lbs)
6. Ampeg SVT-7 Pro – Iconic Bass Amplifier Head for Touring Musicians
Legendary tone meets modern portability — the SVT-7 Pro brings Ampeg’s legacy sound with modern reliability for professionals on the road.
Ampeg SVT-7PRO – Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Hybrid (Tube Preamp with Class D Power Amp)
- Preamp: 1 x JJ 12AX7 Tube
- Power Amp: Class D
- Power Output:
- 1000 Watts RMS @ 4 Ohms
- 600 Watts RMS @ 8 Ohms
- Power Supply: Switching
Controls
- Gain: Adjusts the input signal level
- Bass: ±12 dB at 40 Hz
- Midrange: ±10 dB at selectable frequencies
- Midrange Frequency Selector: 5-position switch with center frequencies at 220 Hz, 450 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 kHz, and 3 kHz
- Treble: ±15 dB at 4 kHz
- Ultra Lo Switch: Boosts low frequencies by 2 dB at 40 Hz and cuts 10 dB at 500 Hz
- Ultra Hi Switch: Boosts high frequencies by 9 dB at 8 kHz
- Compressor: Onboard variable compressor with a ratio up to 10:1
- FX Mix: Blends the direct and effects loop signals
- Master Volume: Controls the overall output level
- Mute Switch: Silences the output for silent tuning or breaks
Inputs & Outputs
- Instrument Input: 1 x 1/4″
- Auxiliary Input: Stereo RCA
- Headphone Output: 1 x 1/4″ TRS (mutes speaker outputs when in use)
- Tuner Output: 1 x 1/4″
- Preamp Out / Power Amp In: 1 x 1/4″ each
- FX Loop: Send and Return jacks (1 x 1/4″ each)
- Speaker Outputs: 2 x Speakon/1/4″ combo jacks
- Balanced Line Out: 1 x XLR with transformer balancing and ground lift
- Footswitch Input: 1 x 1/4″ (for remote switching of FX loop)
Dimensions & Weight
- Weight: 15.5 lbs / 7 kg
- Rack Mountable: Yes (includes removable rack ears)
7. Hartke HD500 – Reliable Bass Combo Amp for Practice and Performance
Whether you’re jamming at home or performing live, the Hartke HD500 offers smooth response and crisp tone with solid build quality.
Hartke HD500 – Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Class D
- Power Output:
- Peak: 500W
- RMS: 250W
- Speakers: 2 x 10″ HyDrive paper/aluminum hybrid cone drivers
- Magnets: Neodymium
Controls
- Bass: ±12 dB at 70 Hz
- Midrange: ±12 dB at 700 Hz
- Treble: ±12 dB at 5 kHz
- Shape Control: Activates a specialized EQ curve with a variable filter (100 Hz to 900 Hz)
- Volume: Master volume control
- Compressor: Onboard variable compressor with a ratio up to 10:1
Inputs & Outputs
- Instrument Input: 1 x 1/4″
- Auxiliary Input: 1 x 1/8″ stereo
- Headphone Output: 1 x 1/4″ TRS (mutes speaker outputs when in use)
- Tuner Output: 1 x 1/4″
- Preamp Out / Power Amp In: 1 x 1/4″ each
- FX Loop: Send and Return jacks (1 x 1/4″ each)
- Speaker Outputs: 2 x Speakon/1/4″ combo jacks
- Balanced Line Out: 1 x XLR with transformer balancing and ground lift
- Footswitch Input: 1 x 1/4″ (for remote switching of FX loop)
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 515 mm x 498 mm x 305 mm (20.27″ x 19.6″ x 12″)
- Weight: 15.6 kg (34.39 lbs)
8. Gallien-Krueger MB800 – Lightweight Bass Amp with Gigantic Power
Want to carry 800W of raw tone in your backpack? The MB800 gives you jaw-dropping power in an ultra-portable design, perfect for gigging bassists.
Gallien-Krueger MB800 – Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Solid State
- Preamp: Discrete FET-driven preamp utilizing GK’s proprietary G.I.V.E. (Gate Induced Valve Effect) technology
- Power Output:
- 800 Watts @ 4 Ohms
- 500 Watts @ 8 Ohms
- Limiter: Defeatable limiter for dynamic control
Controls
- Gain A / Gain B: Two selectable gain channels for tonal versatility
- Level B: Adjusts the output level for Gain B channel
- 4-Band Active EQ:
- Bass: ±10 dB at 60 Hz
- Low Mid: ±10 dB at 250 Hz
- High Mid: ±10 dB at 1 kHz
- Treble: ±14 dB at 7 kHz
- Contour Control: Variable control that adjusts midrange scoop and boosts lows and highs
- Limiter Switch: Engages or disengages the built-in limiter
- Mute Switch: Silences the output for silent tuning or breaks
- -10 dB Pad: Attenuates input signal for active basses or high-output pickups
Inputs & Outputs
- Instrument Input: 1 x 1/4″
- Effects Loop: Send and Return jacks (1 x 1/4″ each)
- Tuner Output: 1 x 1/4″
- Headphone/Line Output: 1 x 1/4″ TRS
- Balanced DI Output: 1 x XLR with Pre/Post EQ switch and ground lift
- Speaker Outputs: 2 x Speakon
- Footswitch Input: 1 x 1/4″ (for Gain A/B selection and limiter defeat)
Dimensions & Weight
- Height: 1.75″ (4.45 cm)
- Width: 10.75″ (27.3 cm)
- Depth: 8.5″ (21.6 cm)
- Weight: 4.9 lbs (2.22 kg)
9. Peavey MAX 300 – Budget-Friendly Bass Amp with Punch
This amp proves that great tone doesn’t have to be expensive. Ideal for intermediate players, the MAX 300 balances price and performance perfectly.
Peavey MAX 300 – Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Solid State
- Power Output: 300 Watts
- Speakers: 2 x 10″ Premium Speakers
- Speaker Protection: DDT™ (Distortion Detection Technique)
- Preamp Features:
- TransTube® Gain Boost (Tube Emulation)
- Overdrive
- Contour
- Mid-Shift
- Bright
- Kosmos-C Bass Enhancement
Controls
- EQ: 3-Band Active EQ (Bass, Mid, Treble)
- Gain Control: Pre-Gain with TransTube® Boost
- Additional Controls:
- Overdrive
- Contour
- Mid-Shift
- Bright
- Kosmos-C
- Chromatic Tuner: Built-in with Mute Function
Inputs & Outputs
- 1 x 1/4″ (Active Instrument Input)
- 1 x 1/4″ (Passive Instrument Input)
- 1 x 1/8″ (Auxiliary Input)
Outputs:
- 1 x XLR (Balanced Direct Output with Ground Lift)
- 1 x 1/8″ (Headphone Output)
- 1 x Speakon (External Speaker Output, 8 Ohms)
- Effects Loop: Send and Return Jacks
- Footswitch Input: 1 x 1/4″ (Controls Overdrive and Mute, Footswitch Not Included)
10. Ashdown Rootmaster RM-500 – British Bass Amp Tone Redefined
From tight lows to punchy mids, the RM-500 brings classic British flavor with modern versatility — a true workhorse for the gigging bassist.
Ashdown Root master RM-500 EVO II – Specifications
Electronics
- Amplifier Type: Solid State
- Power Output: 500 Watts
- Power Requirements: 115–230 Volts
- Speaker Outputs: 2 x Neutrik Speakon/Jack outputs
- Frequency Response: -3dB @ 17Hz to 30kHz
- Minimum Impedance: 4 Ohms
Controls
- EQ: 5-band Active EQ
- Bass: ±15dB @ 100Hz
- Lo Mid: ±15dB @ 220Hz
- Middle: ±15dB @ 660Hz
- Hi Mid: ±15dB @ 1.6kHz
- Treble: ±15dB @ 7kHz shelving
- Additional Features:
- Valve-emulated Drive
- Subharmonic Generator
- Compressor
- Shape Switch
Inputs & Outputs
- High Instrument Input: Impedance 3.9M Ohms, input range 150mV
- Low Instrument Input: Impedance 10k Ohms, input range 300mV – 40V p-p
- Line Input: Impedance 22k Ohms, input level 0dBu nominal
Outputs:
- DI Output: 600 Ohm balanced, Level 0dBu nominal
- Tuner Output: Impedance 22k Ohms, Level 0dBu nominal
- Headphone Output: 1 x 1/8″
Effects Loop:
- Send: Impedance 22k Ohm, Level 0dBu nominal
- Return: Impedance 22k Ohms, Input Level 0dBu nominal
Conclusion:
The right bass guitar amplifier enhances your tone and performance, whether at home, in the studio, or on stage. With options ranging from portable practice amps to powerful gig-ready models, there’s something for every bassist’s needs and budget. Choose wisely to bring out the best in your playing and make your music truly stand out.
