Ok so now I have an idea for a 5 string bass. But I realised I need a bass amp but when it comes to bass equipment I'm totally stumped. However I just need it for practice purposes cause I would use the my Church's bass amp when playing live on Sundays. So any suggestions for a budget practice bass amp?

Practice at home or with the band?
At home I normally don't amp up, or play through laptop. I find tiny bass amps don't give you a feel for what you are going to sound like any more than playing acoustically does.
If you mean for band practice, just plug straight into the PA...

I currently use a Hartke Kickback 12,the one with the aluminiumcone,it,s light,portable and the sound projects quite well,not my dream amp,but its cost effective and gets the job done,it,s my personal opinion,it handles my passive and active basses with ease..

Im currently also shopping for a practise amp as im tired of transporting a 4x10 cab every week to rehearsals... The Fender Rumble line is amazing value for money and there is a variety of sizes ranging from R2500 up to R8000 so whatever size you want or amount you spend im sure they will have one.. But your best option is to go to a music store with YOUR bass and test out everything.. The brands to check out are Fender, hartke, ampeg, warwick and ashdown..

+1 for Harte. I have the A 100 and I'm sure there is a smaller one in the range. But as said above, If your not jamming with a band get one of those nifty headphone amps like the Vox Amplug (I'm not sure if those are available for bass). If with band, I would get a DI Box and stick it into the PA.

I'll second Jayhell. The Hartke A100 works very well. I'm not a bassist myself, but I have never had any of the bassists that used mine complain. So I take that as a good thing.

And it's brilliant for my crappy bass playing ?

ftcl wrote: I'll second Jayhell. The Hartke A100 works very well. I'm not a bassist myself, but I have never had any of the bassists that used mine complain. So I take that as a good thing.

And it's brilliant for my crappy bass playing ?

And those aluminum cone speakers gives me a semi overtime I turn on the amp. I gives a subtle 'woof' and it looks so cool. ?

Jayhell wrote: If your not jamming with a band get one of those nifty headphone amps like the Vox Amplug (I'm not sure if those are available for bass).

They are available for bass! Haven't tried one, but I was thinking of getting one... about R700 last time I checked.

Anyone know who stocks Hartke in Jo'burg?
And what would you guys say is the minimum wattage for a small band practice?

Cool, thanks?
Pity the sale's just ended but I'll give TOMS a look ?

MNM7 wrote: Ok so now I have an idea for a 5 string bass. But I realised I need a bass amp but when it comes to bass equipment I'm totally stumped. However I just need it for practice purposes cause I would use the my Church's bass amp when playing live on Sundays. So any suggestions for a budget practice bass amp?

I used an Ibanez IBZ10B on my NS Designs upright the other night for a rehearsal and it worked extremely well. Had good fat bass sound directly off the piezo pickup.