Downsizing into apartment - need amp advice!

[plamicus]

Hi!

I'm going to be a ski instructor this season, and I've been given employee housing - sharing with other instructors. All the instructors are in one apartment building together- obviously I'm going to bring my bass(es) ( MM Stingray 5 and one of breedlove acoustic/ fender jazz / self built bass).

However, I may be a bit stuck for amp options. At the moment I have a GK 210 amp - however if I use this their is a good chance I'll be hated - since low frequencies don't care about obstacles such as walls . Furthermore, I don't actually know that I'll have that much space for an amp that size.

I'm doubtful I'll be gigging - since I don't see where any of the drummers would store their drums - but would like to jam with any other musicians there. Does anyone have any advice for small amps (or other clever ideas), that will be good enough to handle the low B and sound decent?

[cracked_machine]

honestly, flats and bass amps do not mix. You will be getting constant knocks on the door from irrate neighbours.

So what do you do if you want to practice? Simple, get a PC/laptop with an input jack on the soundcard, plug your bass into that, and use headphones. A cheap fuzz pedal will aid the sound greatly here. Plus it's easy to jam along to records.

Before you dismiss this "no amp" solution, bear in mind you can do this at 3am with no one the wiser. I recommend windows XP (Win7 can have some latency problems with the audio loopback)

[hoshbrown41]

Originally Posted by cracked_machine

honestly, flats and bass amps do not mix. You will be getting constant knocks on the door from irrate neighbours.

So what do you do if you want to practice? Simple, get a PC/laptop with an input jack on the soundcard, plug your bass into that, and use headphones. A cheap fuzz pedal will aid the sound greatly here. Plus it's easy to jam along to records.

Before you dismiss this "no amp" solution, bear in mind you can do this at 3am with no one the wiser. I recommend windows XP (Win7 can have some latency problems with the audio loopback)

Not a bad idea. I've done this using an interface and garagebad and it works, but I'm personally not a fan.

Even though it's another 210, the Ampeg Micro VR is amazing - especially for its size. I've also played on their new BA110 and it's pretty decent as well.

[droo46]

+1 to the computer option. I use Garageband on my Mac or the Line6 Pod Farm software for quiet practice most of the time. It's quiet and it's very portable.

[dhsierra1]

just saw this posting today, looks like it could fit the bill if you're not afraid of a little DIY or know someone who could do it, this one's easy and very reasonable in cost:

1x8 DIY practice cab build

Not sure if putting this on a thick blanket or foam rubber on the floor would minimize coupling to your downstair's neighbor's ceiling, those more knowledgeable will hopefully shed some light there.

Also, +1 on the computer soundboard option, too, but at least w/this if you ever run into someone else who plays acoustic guitar you're set.

[basslinejam]

Headphone amp + nice cans + mixable aux in is the best solution IMHO

A Korg Pandora or something like that can be great (has effects, drum patterns, metronomes etc...)

[jabsys]

Originally Posted by basslinejam

Headphone amp + nice cans + mixable aux in is the best solution IMHO

+1 , even a 15w amp on low volume is loud enough to be heard in the other apartments.

[basslinejam]

Originally Posted by jabsys

+1 , even a 15w amp on low volume is loud enough to be heard in the other apartments.

yeah, forget about moving ANY air except that little bit inside your ear canal #;>)