I currently have a little rumble 15 for practice and wanted a combo that is more substantial. I ordered a Blackstar Unity 120 to try as it had a big reduction on black Friday. It came today, OMG it sounds absolutely terrible, really distorts at higher volume and there is also a horrible ringing when I get past G on the low E. It’s like a node is being excited in the room but the excited node is within the amp coming from the driver. I’m shocked how bad it is. It’s going back to the seller for a refund. So now I’m at a loss knowing what to go for, there seems to be love and hate for most amp brands. Do I keep with Fender or maybe try something from Hartke or Ampeg. I’m just looking for something clean sounding that doesn’t distort with the lower notes. This is only for practice at home. Thanks for any help
Rumble 100
I’d definitely stick with big brands til you are well versed in the gear kung fu.
The advantage is that big brands acquire smaller brands for their intellectual property and at the same time eliminate the competition. Fender can sell a kick a$$ amp at cheap price.
Rumble 40 to 100
This is the best advice. When you get into all of the offshoots of big brand bass stuff you enter the “what am I going to get?” field… Enjoy playing and worrying less about playing much louder than maybe a Fender 40/Ampeg 110 at this point. When you get into playing with others you can level up!
I second that emotion. 
I loved my Rumble 40, but had to sell it because it wasn’t dual voltage. After I relocated to 230VAC land, I bought a Studio 40. Love it. Great for practice and smaller gigs. Full I/O (FX loop and DI out with Pre- and Post- options). If you’re going to be switching between presets regularly, the Studio 40 supports the GTX-7 footswitch. The video is for its use with the Mustang GTX guitar amp, but it works the same way with the Rumble Studio 40 bass amp (you have to change to it from the default footswitch via the configuration menu).
It’s most likely a faulty amp. Ringing on a specific note usually means a bad speaker or something loose inside, not something you did. Sending it back was the right call. Blackstar amps aren’t bad at all, maybe check out any bass amp shootout video on YouTube to see what kind of tone you like?
@Appletones I should have posted this earlier. It’s a practice amp shootout by our very own @JoshFossgreen .
Thank you, I watched the vid and I will probably go for a Fender rumble 100
The rumble 15 is what it is and will always leave you desiring more. If you just want to sound good at home the 100 will likely make you very happy. If you intend to ever play with a drummer, you’ll find it to be underpowered. Go bigger is my advice. Rumble 500. More is always more.
That could be a bit overkill, 
True words 
In the new rehearsal space, there is an Ampeg Rocket Bass Amp (500W), which sounds really, really nice. The 50W version might be worth looking into for you (around USD300).
It sounds like it, but its only pushing 300ish in combo form. You have to add an extention cab to realize the full 500. That would be overkill but a really good option should there come a time…..
Good idea; unless you’re a decent ‘Amp Detective’, it can be difficult knowing what older used amps to look for. I have an old school Rumble 75 and a Gallien/Kruger Backline 110. I don’t really see either come up for sale any more. Saw an old school Ruble 65 last month for $100. It went fast.
I was able to snag an Orange Crush 50 Glen Hughes edition on deep discount last weekend. Id shop around maybe check out demos or low rent count rental units out there. Solid State will have a little more longevity theoretically here as well. for whats its worth i love this Crush 50 does everything i want in a practice and small gig amp.
Coolio! Now you need to snag a Glenn Hughes signature Orange purple O Bass like mine and @Gloucestre ‘s!
Are the bass combo amps also usable on guitar? I play both instruments and if possible do not want to buy two amps.
Thank you for all your feedback, really appreciated. I think I’m going to go for the Fender Rumble 100