Do I need a practice amp?

[Philzik]

Hi!

I just bought a bass and I'm wondering if i need a practice amp. Right now, I'm playing with an amp simulator and the computer, using headphones or my hifi system. I have the opportunity to buy a used ampeg ba112. Is it worth it? Alternatively, I could buy a hardware amp simulator like a vamp-bass.

Will the sound be much better with the amp? I don't plan on playing with a band in the near future, but just to know, would the ampeg be usable in a band context?

Actually, my main hesitation comes from the fact that I already have a lot of guitar gear in my small apt...

Thanks for your answers,

Phil

[JxBass]

The BA112 is a very nice amp for home use. While you'll get by fine with your computer and headphones, you should get additional pleasure from the very nice Ampeg tone. Plus, it'll be physically easier on your ears.

EDIT: the BA112 isn't suitable once a drummer joins the fray.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 it's not necessary, but it would be good to have anyway- but once you start playing with others, especially drummers, you'll want alot more than the BA112 will give you.

[jabsys]

I wouldn't bother with ba112, it's not loud enough with a band & with how good software is now I wouldn't be surprised if the amp simulator sounds better.

[sad_katz]

Maybe somewhat related to the thread, do you gigging musicians ever consider needing a small bedroom practice rig when you already have a half-/full-stack for gigging and/or studio work?

[chadds]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

Maybe somewhat related to the thread, do you gigging musicians ever consider needing a small bedroom practice rig when you already have a half-/full-stack for gigging and/or studio work?

It's my small gig rig. Getting a full bore tone when practicing can be great. Now you might practice at gig volumes so you woundn't need.
Some folks use ABGs for home practice.

[sad_katz]

Originally Posted by chadds

It's my small gig rig. Getting a full bore tone when practicing can be great. Now you might practice at gig volumes so you woundn't need. Some folks use ABGs for this purpose.

Sorry but what's an ABG?

[treekiller]

I actually use a Fender 100 Rumble 2-10 as my main practice amp, I used to use it on top on an ancient Peavey TNT 100(1-15) live before I bought my G-K rig. Tonally it's decent and can get loud enough to practice with a drummer. I have used the D.I. to record with and got good results.

I also have a Rumble 15 "bedroom" amp, but don't use it much. It isn't loud enough to play with drums and sounds too nasally.

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

...do you gigging musicians ever consider needing a small bedroom practice rig when you already have a half-/full-stack for gigging and/or studio work?

Yes. My practice amp sits by my computer. I use it to learn new songs and practice the ones that need work. I play along while my computer is playing the mp3's and the monitor is displaying the lyrics/chords/sheet music/tabs (I hate tabs!). If I want to carry it into the other room and play scales or other finger exercises while I'm watching TV, that works too. If a bandmate (not the drummer) stops by and wants to practice a few tunes with me it's right there for that.

I suppose I could eliminate the practice amp and just use simulators and headphone amps, but then I couldn't hear the phone or the doorbell! I prefer to listen to myself through an amp rather than through headphones. YMMV

[OOZMAN]

Originally Posted by scottbass

Yes. My practice amp sits by my computer. I use it to learn new songs and practice the ones that need work. I play along while my computer is playing the mp3's and the monitor is displaying the lyrics/chords/sheet music/tabs (I hate tabs!). If I want to carry it into the other room and play scales or other finger exercises while I'm watching TV, that works too. If a bandmate (not the drummer) stops by and wants to practice a few tunes with me it's right there for that.

I suppose I could eliminate the practice amp and just use simulators and headphone amps, but then I couldn't hear the phone or the doorbell! I prefer to listen to myself through an amp rather than through headphones. YMMV

Why would you need headphones?

[sad_katz]

I currently have a headphone amp and software simulator stuff. Definitely not enough to feel the groove, imo
I just can't decide to go 15" practice combo first or just gun for the half-stack and save some dough.

The little combo route looks better for noodling in the bathroom vs. a half-stack rig though

Not gigging yet, hopefully can find gigs in the near future.


I know this highly depends on the area, but do you gigging guys get more gigs thanks to owning and bringing your own rig (half or full stack)?

[drewfunk]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

Sorry but what's an ABG?

Acoustic Bass Guitar.

I havent had a practice amp at home for a while, i can practice unplugged just fine and enjoy the noise at practice. I wouldn't mind having one though.

[klejst]

I would say it is really up to you. If it sounds good and works for you the method you are using now then no you do not need one. However it is like others have said one of those things it is nice to have, especially if you can get a great deal on it. Smaller combo amps are great when you are not looking to shatter walls and invest in a big rig.

[will33]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

I currently have a headphone amp and software simulator stuff. Definitely not enough to feel the groove, imo
I just can't decide to go 15" practice combo first or just gun for the half-stack and save some dough.

The little combo route looks better for noodling in the bathroom vs. a half-stack rig though

Not gigging yet, hopefully can find gigs in the near future.


I know this highly depends on the area, but do you gigging guys get more gigs thanks to owning and bringing your own rig (half or full stack)?

Most places no rig = no gig.

That would be like a singer showing up with nothing but a pair of vocal chords and expecting somebody else to have a mic, a stand, a monitor, a PA,.......well.........wait a minute.

[MEKer]

Look,
1. you say you have a bunch of guitar gear.
2. You are in an apartment.
3. I presume that means you have a guitar amp of some sort.
4. Practice with the guitar amp. No, you will not blow it up at "apartment volume". I also think, yes, your bass can sound like a bass through it. I've done it, survived and increased my skills during that time, OK? It was PRACTICING and learning the instrument. And you yourself say its all you're doing at this time.
5. Now, save the bucks for when you wanna get a decent amp to at least play/jam with others.
6.Then come back here to get a bucket full of recommendations for THAT use.

[sad_katz]

Originally Posted by will33

Most places no rig = no gig.

That would be like a singer showing up with nothing but a pair of vocal chords and expecting somebody else to have a mic, a stand, a monitor, a PA,.......well.........wait a minute.

I see what you did there

Originally Posted by MEKer

Look,
1. you say you have a bunch of guitar gear.
2. You are in an apartment.
3. I presume that means you have a guitar amp of some sort.
4. Practice with the guitar amp. No, you will not blow it up at "apartment volume". I also think, yes, your bass can sound like a bass through it. I've done it, survived and increased my skills during that time, OK? It was PRACTICING and learning the instrument. And you yourself say its all you're doing at this time.
5. Now, save the bucks for when you wanna get a decent amp to at least play/jam with others.
6.Then come back here to get a bucket full of recommendations for THAT use.

+1

Sometimes, just for kicks, I use a guitar combo at the music school. The bass sounds fine though it does sound thin and not much air impact compared to a bass rig. Just don't crank the volume and bass way too high - might blow a speaker or two.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

Maybe somewhat related to the thread, do you gigging musicians ever consider needing a small bedroom practice rig when you already have a half-/full-stack for gigging and/or studio work?

I never did until I got one a couple months ago. And now I love having one. But I got one because I just got this regular gig where I needed something to amplify my upright just a little louder than I can do with the upright unamplified.

[fernandino]

i personally need to practice through my stack. i noticed that if i practice without plugging into my stack (either going completely unplugged or even through a headphone amp) my fingers get noticeably heavier. seems like im trying to compensate for lack of sound/thump by hitting the strings harder. thats just me tho.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

Maybe somewhat related to the thread, do you gigging musicians ever consider needing a small bedroom practice rig when you already have a half-/full-stack for gigging and/or studio work?

A lot of people have a small amp powerful enough to use on gigs that also works as a practice amp. For me it's been something like an SWR Baby Blue or a single 10 with a small Stewart power amp and most recently a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10T. With amp technology improving lately I don't see why you wouldn't buy a giggable 150-200watt amp that's the same size as a 50watt one that wasn't very giggable in most cases. Even if you're on a tight budget something like a GK MB200 and a used single 10 is pretty doable.

And Jimmy what about that little Ampeg stack you got? I think that fits what I'm talking about.

[S.B.]

For me I use my gig amp LMII and part of my stack. I use 2 avatar 210s when gigging. I use my LMII with one of the 210s for practice. Also have back up amp an old trusty GK400. I like to have a decent sound when practicing and it is still protable. I leave one 210 at home for my own practice and the other at the drummers for rehearsal. Only thing I have to move around is very portable amp.