Practice Amps, who uses them and what do you use?

Ben Greene · Post by **Ben Greene** » 6 Mar 2015 2:44 pm

I'm not a huge fan of hauling my Session 500 around for two hour, low volume practices. And I can't afford a Milkman(one day, one day!). Any of y'all use a smaller amp with decent tone to practice with? If so, what do you use? Bare in mind, I am playing with bands and would need some head room to be heard. Thanks!

Justin Emmert · Post by **Justin Emmert** » 6 Mar 2015 3:52 pm

Roland XL 80 or Peavey 112.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 6 Mar 2015 4:48 pm

I use my Peavey Nashville 112-it's my main amp for playing at home, church, and steel guitar shows, so it's my main amp and practice amp. When I first started playing steel, I used a little Peavey Rage 108 that could be used with any instrument-it was great for starting on, then I used a little Fender Champion amp, but I couldn't figure out what setting to put it on,so the sound wasn't too good, then in 2004, I got my current amp, the 112 and have been using it since then-it's my best amp

Jerry Kippola · Post by **Jerry Kippola** » 6 Mar 2015 5:30 pm

62 tweed champ

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 6 Mar 2015 8:35 pm

I bought a fender mustang amp to leave at my bands practice space. Compared to my Quilter it doesn't sound great but it does get the job done and it's pretty versatile. Roland cube is also a decent practice amp.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 7 Mar 2015 3:42 am

Fender Mustang II
Twin Reverb emulation is decent and the headphone out has plenty of gain.

Randy Tatman · Post by **Randy Tatman** » 7 Mar 2015 5:21 am

I picked up a Peavey studio pro 112 for $100.00 at a pawn shop. It works great for steel and guitar. It also weighs nothing.

Bill Moore (RIP) · Post by **Bill Moore (RIP)** » 7 Mar 2015 8:52 am

The mini bass amps are great, like the GK MB200. That one is only about 2.5 lbs @ 200 watts. You need a speaker cabinet, but a single 12 cab is quite light and works well, even for gigs. And you probably want some external effects, maybe reverb or delay pedals, at least. All together, the whole kit would probably be less than 25 lbs. Hard to beat that.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 7 Mar 2015 9:22 am

I also like the Fender Mustang III for home and practice.

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 7 Mar 2015 9:42 am

The Session 400 comes along to gigs, but for practice I use a Roland Cube 80XL. It's only 35 lbs, has onboard effects and works for my guitar or steel.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 7 Mar 2015 10:40 am

I just go thru the computer, for 10 years now. I usually go thru a preamp first such as Revelation or Eleven Rack, but it can sound just fine going straight into the interface, using an amp model in my Cubase (or your Pro Tools or..)

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 7 Mar 2015 11:21 am

cheap old used pv bandit 112.

use it for some gigs, too.

Bob Moore · Post by **Bob Moore** » 7 Mar 2015 5:43 pm

For practice I use a KB30 which is a small keyboard amp. (Peavey). Bob

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 8 Mar 2015 1:41 am

I usually go through the PA system and if not, my Roland 80XL. We don't play too loud at practice. stevet

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 8 Mar 2015 1:43 am

I usually go through the PA system and if not, my Roland 80XL. We don't play too loud at practice. stevet

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 Mar 2015 2:13 am

Fender Blues jr...

Adam Tracksler · Post by **Adam Tracksler** » 8 Mar 2015 3:55 am

Yamaha THR10C. I really love this little amp....

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 8 Mar 2015 5:27 am

Ditto on the THR10C. Nice amp sims, great sound. Just sit it on your computer desk and you're good to go.

Keep it plugged it though as the sound suffers when using batteries. Maybe Yamaha has since fixed that problem but it was noticeable with the initial run of these.

That said, this is a great little amp, comes with a carry-case too.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 8 Mar 2015 5:36 am

Ben on the Portland Craigs list there is a PV Bandit for $100. 150 watts.

Michael Remming · Post by **Michael Remming** » 8 Mar 2015 9:47 am

Another vote for the Roland Cube 80xl. Our guitar player likes to practice at volume no problem keeping up.

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 8 Mar 2015 9:52 am

I have another NV400 that I use. Weight? It sits in one place and hasn't moved 'cause why should it? It's my practice area.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 8 Mar 2015 10:02 am

I'm with Eric.
I practice through a Fender Twin. The one without wheels. The one with wheels sits ready for a car trip.

James Jacoby · Post by **James Jacoby** » 8 Mar 2015 10:02 pm

I use a Rolland Cube 80 X. Don't know how it differs from the XL, but it has great onboard effects, and adequate clean volume. Yes, you can use the reverb, and delay, at the same time. This amp is light, and not only can it be a great practice amp, but is strong enough for gigging in smaller venues. I've used it at outdoor steel jams, and for a lead guitar amp, occasionally. I don't remember how much I paid for it, but it wasn't a lot. -Jake-

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 9 Mar 2015 1:25 am

This original 70's vintage Crate sounds great at low volume. It actually sounds better than a lot of newer and more expensive when played at low volume.

Plus, I like the way it looks.

It has no reverb, so I use an old POD 2.0 to provide it.

Frank De Vincenzo · Post by **Frank De Vincenzo** » 9 Mar 2015 5:40 am

Fender Bassman 25
Great practice amp. Just add reverb of choice. You can find these used all over at very reasonable prices.