Practice Rigs for Apartments

bucephylus · #1 05-06-2012, 03:14 PM

Arghhhh! After I don't know how many years living in my own house, I have recently taken a job in another city (Albuquerque) and am doing the weekend commute thing for the next few years.

The new thing for me here is trying to figure out what to use for rehearsal in an apartment where the bass is definitely able to disturb the neighbors.

I am looking at the Cafe Walter and maybe some other headphone amp.

But, I was wondering if there are REALLY smallish (maybe 1x8) rigs that cats in similar circumstances are running that would get a decent sound at really low volumes. Any experience/information would be appreciated. Many thanks.

bucephylus · #2 05-06-2012, 03:23 PM

Oops that was supposed to be 1x8.

punkrocko · #3 05-06-2012, 03:30 PM

I use to practice with a cheap 4 channel Behringer Xenyx mixer. Run your bass, pc, ipod whatever into it and out to headphones.

bucephylus · #4 05-06-2012, 03:38 PM

Thanks. I am actually interested in alternatives to headphones. Something that sounds good but is not loud. If that makes any sense.

Downunderwonder · #5 05-06-2012, 03:50 PM

I get a better headphone sound than my 8" Fernandez but I prefer the amp. I hate the wires, if they were wireless I think I would be happy, but batteries would eat me alive.

bassist4dalord · #6 05-06-2012, 03:51 PM

I have a Johnson RepTone 15-watt 1x6" combo. Sounds like garbage, but it works. I'm sure my apartment neighbors hear it; my college dorm suitemates heard it through cinderblock. Bass travels; no way around it. I use headphones 60% of the time and 20% each unplugged and combo amp. For headphone use, I plug into either one of my combos, but more often than not, I use my GK MB115 with its auxiliary imput for my iPod. I play through a pair of Sennheiser e150 cans.

guy n. cognito · #7 05-06-2012, 03:52 PM

Honestly, I'd prefer headphones all day long over a small amp at super low volumes Almost any volume from a bass amp will disturb the neighbors. Spend a few hundred on some good headphones and call it a day.

jeff7bass · #8 05-06-2012, 03:53 PM

The little Ampeg is a great practice combo! Tried one last week. 8" speaker but big, Ampeg like tone.

http://www.amazon.com/Ampeg-BA108-25.../dp/B004INGEB4

dspellman · #9 05-06-2012, 03:54 PM

You might look at greenboy's Crazy 8 (Mike Arnopol building them):Acoustic Cab Shootout

Might also consider just getting something like a KRK Rokit 8 (powered nearfield monitor for around $249) and running some kind of preamp into them (I've got an old Bass Pod XT that works).

Honestly, headphones are probably your best bet. Friend of mine has a pricey apartment ($2K/month in Mountain View) and really can't use an amp on anything; she can hear the guy in the apartment above her scratch.

famousbirds · #10 05-06-2012, 04:01 PM

I was in exactly the same boat. I have a Markbass LM800 head that I love to bits, and was looking for a nice little 1x8 cab to pair it with for quiet (but not headphone) practice.

Geez, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When I looked, there were basically two options on the markets: the Genz Benz STL-8T 1x8 extension cab with tweeter, or Greenboy's Crazy8. Though I dig the Fearfuls (use one as my main cab), it was a bit pricey for just a practice cab. Ended up with the GB, and it is perfect. Tiny, great sound, quiet enough for practicing after hours, but can pump out a surprising amount of sound, definitely enough to keep up with a sensible drummer. And it responds in much the same way as my main cab, so I can keep all my EQ settings the same between practice/rehearsals/shows.

Of course, that model was discontinued a few days (no joke) before I started to looking, so it took a whole lot of calling around to find a store with one in stock. Good luck finding one now. Not sure if they're bringing it back or replacing it with something, they haven't listed it as discontinued (although several dealers have confirmed that is the case).

Another option for a practice cab is Duke's "tweeterless coffeehouse 1x10".

FC Bass · #11 05-06-2012, 04:02 PM

For an apartment? Easy, this: Youtube link

Seriously: I use a line 6 POD studio GX, great sound through headphones and you can jam easy with whatever music is coming from your PC/laptop (plus it's not expensive)
This is recorded with the Line 6: Heavy "Ampeg" drive and some clean sounds with chorus

Since I always play with headphones, my neighbours tolerate the situation from the first clip once in a while

grenadilla · #12 05-06-2012, 04:02 PM

A small 1x10 or 1x12 cabinet like an Eden could use your regular head at apartment volume. Stay close and occasionally check the back corners of the room for boomyness.Ashdown make a "Perfect ten" and Marshall make a 30 watt ten amp.

curbowkid · #13 05-06-2012, 04:04 PM

I totally break my apartments rules and run a 500 watt TE through a fender. Oops.

Floyd Eye · #14 05-06-2012, 04:05 PM

Your local CL no doubt has a few of those crappy little Crate 15 watt 1x8 practice amps. Actually, my daughter got me one for Father's Day about 10 years ago. It don't sound bad really. Surely it will not be enough to use with a band, but definitely enough for practicing alone. 4 band EQ too.

Hopkins · #15 05-06-2012, 04:06 PM

Here is mine

I just turn way down

bassfart · #16 05-06-2012, 04:12 PM

http://pocketlabworks.com/PocketGK.html This is the best apartment amp and it sounds amazing.

kraigo · #17 05-06-2012, 04:17 PM

I'd recommend an Epiphone Valve Junior and a small 1x10 cab based on a Eminence S2010 (search for Duke DeJuene's thread). You'll want to put it on your couch or something to keep it from shaking the floor.

KO

waynobass · #18 05-06-2012, 04:26 PM

Behringer BT108. Cheap, small, sounds fine. I never turn it up above 2.

Joe Louvar · #19 05-06-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Arghhhh! After I don't know how many years living in my own house, I have recently taken a job in another city (Albuquerque) and am doing the weekend commute thing for the next few years.

The new thing for me here is trying to figure out what to use for rehearsal in an apartment where the bass is definitely able to disturb the neighbors.

I am looking at the Cafe Walter and maybe some other headphone amp.

But, I was wondering if there are REALLY smallish (maybe 1x8) rigs that cats in similar circumstances are running that would get a decent sound at really low volumes. Any experience/information would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfart

http://pocketlabworks.com/PocketGK.html This is the best apartment amp and it sounds amazing.

I’d checkout this (if you have nice monitors, etc).

Or maybe the Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-8T would be perfect? Just don’t turn it up to loud.

http://www.amazon.com/Genz-Benz-Watt...6343956&sr=8-2

LDonnie · #20 05-06-2012, 04:52 PM

I was toying with exact same question just today. I think this little device is interesting (and can be had second hand for a fair price): http://www.bass.se/2009/microbassII.htm.

Quiet practice at home and offers a great preamp function when you are going to gigs and plug into the DI or for recording.

Also gives a good excuse to buy nice headphones! (which is almost as fun)