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Step 1
Determine what size amplifier you need. You can do this by thinking about what application you have for it--playing in a band setting requires at least 100 watts of power, while practicing alone or with a small ensemble may only require 20 to 50 watts of power.
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Step 2
Research what features you think will be useful to you for your own applications. Some amps come with digital effects built in, and some players won't use them at all. A graphic equalizer is usually better than three dials, but if you want simple, go for the knobs.
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Step 3
Go to the music store and see what they have on the showroom floor. Decide if you want a combo amp or a traditional head/cabinet setup. A combo amplifier puts the amplifier and the speaker in one box for easy carrying, but a head/cabinet allows you to match the speaker to the head according to your own preference. Practically, the only difference is the portability factor, but some of the more powerful amplifiers only come as a head.
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Step 4
Play your bass guitar through each amplifier that you are interested in. It is important to hear your own instrument played the way you are going to play it through each amp so you know what it will sound like before you get it home.
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Step 5
Examine your budget. Of course, budgetary concerns are unavoidable, as not everyone has thousands of dollars to set up the perfect rig, but don't just buy the cheapest amp you can find. Often the least expensive amps don't sound very good or won't hold up to the rigors of playing in a band. Expensive amps are expensive for a reason, and professionals don't just choose expensive amps because they can afford them--many players have used the same amp for decades.
