just pulled the plug and ordered a Sterling by Music Man Bongo in Satin Black. Sweetwater had it for $160 off so $639. Back ordered but saying it should be here September 8thish. Was looking for a complimentary bas to my Yamaha TRBX174EW. Now I need a new amp, looking at a rumble 40, don’t think my 15 is gonna cut it.
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Some people are fans of the bongo. Hope you get it soon. Been through waiting on a bass order myself.
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At first I was not a fan but after looking at it awhile, and the satin black, it really grew on me. Now I really dig it!
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Played a used one of these recently, actually two - purple and black. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it felt, as I’m not a huge fan of the looks. I definitely preferred the black one, aesthetically.
Congrats and enjoy your new bass when it arrives!
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As someone who quickly lost interest in a 50 watt combo, I’d recommend you consider going to a 100 watt version. That wattage in several brands of combo amps is still good for small room practice but can also move some air. They start to include a DI at that level, too, which is a good thing to have as you grow. $100-extra very-well spent. Within Fender, you can get a used Rumble 100 for the same price–or less!–than a new Rumble 40.
Congrats on the Bongo! Well reviewed and (I think) super cool!
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Check your local Offerup and see if you can get a Boss Katana 110, that would be my top choice.
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If you use or plan on using a multi effect pedal with built in amp sims, I’d look at studio monitors. The JBL 305s are really good bang for buck monitors. If you plan on playing out with others down the road, I’d go with PA speakers. That way you get whatever amp voicing you’re going for without another amp to color the sound.
I really dig the Bongo’s. I sorta dismissed them because I’m not super big on the musicman stuff. They’re really good basses but they never did “it” for me. I picked up a Sterling Bongo in a local shop and had a hard time leaving it there. I’ll own an EBMM Bongo some day (I’d want the 4 band EQ). Really nice upgrade from the 174, that was what I started with. Congrats, I’m sure you’ll love it.
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@kamikos has good things to say about his Katana 210, which I believe he got at a comparative steal of a deal vs a 110. It may be because of pricing at a local retailer, I don’t recall.
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Yeah, local guitar shop that’s a Premier partner of Boss sells the Katana 210 Bass perpetually “On sale!” at the same price as Sweetwater and Guitar Center sell the 110 Bass amp ($200 off). At least, I haven’t seen it change in the 10 months or so that I’ve been into bass, and still holding true this morning. Sadly, they don’t seem to do that for the guitar Katana amps.
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I found a 110 on marketplace for $285. The seller is calling it mint.
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Sounds like a good price. There’s really only a few differences between the 2: power output (but at home you’ll likely just use the 1W setting anyway), the extra 10" speaker (with associated additional size and weight of the cabinet), and a speaker output on the 210 to power an external cabinet instead of the built-in speakers. So it can be used as a super heavy and bulky amp head. If you’re doing that, just get an amp head.
If you pursue the marketplace one, see if you can play something through it to make sure the seller didn’t blow the speakers, whether it be an instrument or 1/8" aux in jack on the back from an iPod or something.
You might ask if they’ve used Tone Studio with it, and if so you’ll likely want to restore the settings to default as they likely messed with the global EQ (separate from the top knobs) and other stuff that you can’t access via the top panel). They may have screwed up the settings enough that they don’t like how it sounds, don’t know how to fix it, and are getting rid of it. To do so: hold down the “PANEL” button on top by the power switch while you turn the power on. When all the SETTING buttons stop blinking consecutively, it’ll be back to factory defaults. It takes about 15-20 seconds.
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Thoughts? Ampeg BA-115v2 1x15" 150-watt Bass Combo Amp with Scrambler, Sweetwater has it for $279, regularly $399. $5 less than the used Katana.
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Ampeg is known for good stuff, but I’ve never used one of those so I’m no help. I like that you can use it as a wedge monitor and all the cables (aside from power) and controls are on the front. Biggest difference I see is that it’s a combo amp only, no built-in multi-effects like the Katanas have so any tone shaping/effects will need to be done externally with pedals and the like.
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I am still a newbie so not looking for a lot of frills, although I will not turn them down if the price is right. Looking for a Solid replacement for my Rumble 15 that I can grow old with and not outgrow as I get more proficient.
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I think either would work well. The bonus with the Katana (and the reason I went that route) is that as a beginner, I had no idea what I would even want to do with tone pedals, or if I would at all. Considering the cost, cabling, power requirements, and just physical space of individual pedals, just to find out you may or may not like them, I felt that I could play around with the built-in ones in the Katana to give me an idea of what I wanted tone-wise so I’d at least have an informed opinion if I decided to go down the pedal path.
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I think it has stated a few times in various threads to get what you need now. If the situation ever arises that you need something else, you can look into it then. I’ll never need a more powerful amp for playing at home in my 10’x10’ office, but I might want it to sound different. And I had no interest in playing in a band doing gigs when I started, but now I’m kind of wanting to at least jam with some other people and maybe see where I go from there. Then if gigs do become a thing, will I need my own amp? or will there be a PA from the band or venue. Do I need a stage monitor or in-ears? If there’s a venue PA and using in-ears or something, I definitely don’t want to haul my heavy amp around. It’s 48lbs + any cabling, pedals, etc. Can’t answer these questions until the need arises and there’s no sense spending the money for something you don’t need.
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Thank you! That is great info that I will definitely take along in my search for the perfect amp not just for today but for future me. Can’t see me doing any gigs but hey you never know’
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My entirely uninformed thoughts are that 1) @Al1885 is real smart and real experienced, and he recommended the Katana, 2) a search for the model name and “TalkBass” yields several threads discussing from owners and knowledgable ppl, TL;DR = decent performance, not loud enough for gigs, heavy, good but not very flexible tone, and 3) not to come across as a negative Nelly, but don’t forget shipping vs your Marketplace find.
Edit to add, I spend money on things I want but don’t need often enough that I stopped feeling bad about it 
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Messaged the marketplace seller and based on the great feedback that is what I am going to go with. The appropriations committee (aka the wife) has approved this expenditure. Also approved the new bass so I think she might be a keeper! Lol
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Sweetwater ships for free.
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