Alesis BassFire 60 112 Combo

This amp sounded like a good fit for my purposes. I needed a practice and backup amp. Since the Alesis was priced under $200, I bought it online without trying first. The main attractions were the built-in digital effects, CD input, and digital tuner.

However, in actual usage, I found this amp pretty frustrating. The problem is the way the user interface is arranged. There is one knob to select the digital parameter which you want to edit, and another knob to scroll through the values. Furthermore, the display only shows 2 characters, so you have to refer to the manual constantly, to determine which parameter you are editting. This arrangement may work okay for home use, but would be nearly impossible to use in a live situation. The only way is to preset all of your sounds before attempting anything live. If you need to edit your sound, better bring a flashlight too.

The 60 watt power rating is okay for small rooms. But I'm spoiled by more power, since my other amp is an Ampeg SVT-III Pro.

The built-in chromatic tuner function worked flawlessly. But you can only use it when all effects are bypassed.

I used this with a 1977 Rickenbacker 4001. Admittedly, that is a very challenging source for any amp, because the Rick tends to have low-voltage, thin-sounding output.

The preset sounds had a lot of variety, ranging from clean to synth and fuzzed sounds. Despite the numerous sounds, one thing was really missing - a solid, loud, clean sound ! No matter how I adjusted the parameters, I was never fully satisfied with the sound. It seems the EQ frequencies weren't in useful ranges. And if I tried to add subharmonics or octavizer, there was a digital aliasing noise. This digital aliasing noise occurred one many different settings. It was just loud enough to be annoying.

When I played the amp a bit louder, a little past 6/10, I noticed the display flashed a number, then suddenly my low bass was attenuated. Well, it turns out the vibration shook the bass tone knob, and caused an erroneous input. There were two ways to deal with this: 1) turn down the volume, or 2) set the bass tone on a different click-stop.

The 60-watt output really doesn't sound all that loud. But the amp didn't clip or fuzz at high volume.

New, but I noticed some fit-and-finish problems with the black vinyl covering. It wasn't bonded or cut to the right shape in some areas.

No experience with this, since it is new.

I was pretty enthusiastic when I first got this. It's amazing how much sophistication is built into this amp. I've been playing for 30 years, and haven't seen this many features at this price in any other combo amp.

This would be a very fun amp for beginners, due to the variety of effects sounds. But I'd steer clear of this one for serious bass use. Somehow, I expect a bass amp to achieve a good fundamental sound. This amp just doesn't do that !

My enthusiasm soured after struggling with the parameter knob for quite a while. As evidence of how frustrating that is, my son who is a very adventurous beginning player, got tired of messing with it after the first day. So, he just settles for whatever he can get from those mediocre preset sounds.

I'm planning to return mine for a refund tomorrow.

Made in 2004. BassFire 60 Specifications include: Power 60W, Speaker 12?, Channels 1, EQ 2 band and digital modeling, Built-in Effects 80 digital; user edited or presets, Momentary Pedal Inputs Yes, CD/MP3 Input Yes, External Speaker Out Yes, Stereo Link Output Yes, Dimensions 18.5? x 15? x 23? (W x L x D), Weight 52.5 lbs.

Lots of options that are well executed.

I use a Jay Turser Beatle bass and a double fat strat with a 28.5" scale baritone neck (tuned E-E lower 4 strings tuned same as a bass). Both basses have humbuckers. I also play my squier Jagmaster through this amp. I play a wide variety of styles and this amp handles them all. First off, with a single 12" driver this amp is not going to play 130dB to the back of a concert hall. This amp does get loud. It is quiet. The built in noise reduction is effective. I have worked mostly with the amp/cab models, the reverb and the digital tone controls. I get the sound I want with ease. Control and setup are simple and strait forward. The range of variation on the effects is very wide and you can go from sweet perfection to "oh man that shounds like s**t". This amp has a solid low end that will vibrate stuff off your shelves. Notes maintain definition even at volume. The tone is directly related to how you have the modeling set up. I like it alot. The by-pass option is good to see how your axe sounds without any coloration. I cranked this thing in by-pass just to see how the power amp section and speaker performed and man o man this thing rocks. Since the core is solid once you dial in your sound your set. Overall excellent amp.

Opened the amp up to see the internal layout and was impressed. Nice layout and the amp stays cool to the touch even when you push it. Haven't had any problems or issues.

did not use/have not needed to use. The way this thing is built I will not need to use this support.

Been playing over 20 years, this amp was bought after I picked up a Spitfire 60 (that rocks too). I played a bunch of amps in the 60 watt range / $200.00 dollar range and on a whim picked up the Spitfire 60 from Musicians Friend for $130.00. I liked that amp and after testing it out with a bass bottom decided to spend my overtime $$ for the BassFire 60. This amp drives me to to play more frequently.