Joyo BadAss

Hybrid Bass Amplifier Head with Real Tube Warmth

The Joyo BadAss Bantamp bass amplifier head brings genuine valve character to bass players at a price most solid-state amps can't match. Inside the compact chassis sits a 12AX7 preamp tube feeding a 50W solid-state power stage, blending tube warmth with solid-state headroom. This hybrid head is the right choice for bassists who want authentic tube tone in a portable, gig-friendly package.

Tube Preamp, Bluetooth, and Lunchbox-Sized Engineering

What separates this head from typical mini bass amps is the actual 12AX7 preamp tube in the signal path, not a tube-emulation circuit. The Bantamp chassis measures 163 × 110 × 140 mm and weighs 1.32 kg, yet still houses Bluetooth 4.0, a built-in compressor, and an FX loop with separate send and return jacks.

50W RMS Power Section — Tube Preamp Meets Solid-State Headroom

The hybrid design splits the work: the 12AX7 tube handles gain and tone shaping, while the solid-state power amp delivers 50W RMS into a 4Ω load.

• RMS Power: 50W at 4Ω — enough volume for bedroom practice, home recording, and small-venue gigs.
• Speaker Compatibility: 4Ω rated, works with 8–16Ω cabinets — pairs with anything from a 1×8" combo to a 4×10" stack.
• The frequency range of 10 Hz – 18 kHz ensures that both bass fundamentals and intricate harmonics are captured with clarity.

Two Channels, 3-Band EQ, and Onboard Compression

The front panel keeps the signal path simple: a 3-band EQ (Low, Mid, Hi) shapes the core tone, while Gain and Volume controls set drive level and master output.

• Channels: 2 (Normal / Compressor) — switchable via the front panel or footswitch.
• EQ: 3-band (Low, Mid, Hi) — subtle, musical shaping.
• An onboard compressor helps even out dynamics, ensuring consistent performance for slap, pick, and fingerstyle techniques.

FX Loop, Headphone Output, and Bluetooth in a 1.32 kg Chassis

Despite the lunchbox form factor, the rear panel includes a proper effects loop with 6.3 mm send and return jacks. Silent practice and direct recording are handled by the 6.3 mm headphone jack with cab simulation, while Bluetooth 4.0 streams audio from a phone or tablet.

• Effects Loop: 6.3 mm send and return — keeps modulation effects clean after the preamp stage.
• Headphone Output: 6.3 mm stereo with cab simulation — silent practice and direct recording.
• Bluetooth 4.0 technology enables seamless wireless audio streaming for backing tracks.
• Lunchbox-sized chassis at 163 × 110 × 140 mm and 1.32 kg — fits in a gig bag.

For Bassists Wanting Tube Tone at Home, in the Studio, and at Small Gigs

This hybrid head is built for bass players who want the warmth and dynamic response of a tube preamp without the size, weight, or price of a full tube bass head. Home recordists will appreciate the headphone output with cab simulation, which feeds a recording-ready signal into an audio interface. The FX loop lets players add chorus or delay without muddying the core tone. Players looking for authentic tube character in a portable unit will find this device fits their needs.

The Bantamp Series — Lunchbox Amps That Punch Above Their Weight

The Bantamp series from JOYO established a reputation for delivering genuine tube tone in a chassis small enough to fit on a desktop. The BadAss brings that formula into the bass world, addressing a long-standing request from bass players.