Is the amp you practice with important?

Mingus Addict · #1 11-11-2007, 03:11 AM

So here is my situation. When I play with my band both live and at practice I use an SVT-III into an Ampeg 810e. When I practice at home by myself I either practice through my Fender DeVille (2x12 guitar amp) or I practice without any amp in a very quiet room. Does anyone think it's important to have a good bass practice amp? I'm worried that I may be missing out on imperfections in my technique not having a practice amp. On the other hand it seems like playing with no amp is good because I'm hearing the acoustic sound of the strings and I'm playing hard and solid so I can hear them. I just don't know

meev992 · #2 11-11-2007, 03:20 AM

My practice setup is my laptop, connected to a decently loud stereo, and an 80 watt BOSE system with a guitar practice amp as the head. It sounds pretty damn good...sometimes I think the tone of my practice setup is better than the "practice rig" I leave at my drummer's place. Having a good practice amp is important, it keeps you motivated. A d for me, it's a joy to hear the great tone I get out of the BOSE system, so it gives me incentive to practice.

BassBob185 · #3 11-11-2007, 05:03 AM

I'd recommend you get a good practice bass amp.

Jazz Ad · #4 11-11-2007, 05:16 AM

I always practiced unplugged. Never had a problem.

Depth_Charge · #5 11-11-2007, 06:31 AM

I practice using the same rig I gig with - my Eden Nemesis 320W 4x10 cab/combo running through my ME50B multi-effects pedal board.

Works for me

Dave Martin · #6 11-11-2007, 06:55 AM

I would day that no, it doesn't matter. Much like Jazz Ad - when I was on the road, I would spend hours every day working on technique - without an amp. It works fine.

transcendent · #7 11-11-2007, 07:02 AM

I bought a Behringer V-Amp amp simulator (~$150 CDN), and a pair of headphones. That's my practice rig - no annoying the neighbours or spouse and I can pipe my iPod and my practice tracks through it.

Okay sound. A little awkward with the headphones, but works for me. Only thing that its really lacking is a metronome.

tww001 · #8 11-11-2007, 07:18 AM

There are valid points to either view point here. Brian Bromberg once told me that practicing electric bass without an amp is important because the minor buzzes and extraneous string noise are more evident, and really help clean your tone. One the other hand, Rufus Reid has said that you should practice upright bass (an acoustic instrument!) with an amp, because it's part of your instrument and sound, and you need to work on tone in a setting where you have time to fiddle with all your knobs, and not be surprised (or distracted) by your tone on the gig.

Gintaras · #9 11-11-2007, 07:21 AM

I love to practice because I have a great sounding practice amp. it will growl, slap and sound great when it is quiet. I don't play out a lot so practice is also my fun time.

I use a SWR Workingman 10 with an Eminence Basslite speaker (this really made a difference in the amp sound) I have a Sansamp BDDI going into the effects return. This is also used when playing with my acoustic guitar friends.

IanStephenson · #10 11-11-2007, 08:18 AM

If you're not gigging regularly, or are just learning to play at gigging volumes then it would be usefull to spend some time with your amp, to get a good feel for it - play LOUD is a different experience.

However once you've learnt to do that, then use whatever tools you have available. I reherse (with band) using a small combo. I practise (at home) using a REALLY nice valve head and a 2x15" - I just got my practise room build!!! :-))) So it's easy for me to just walk in and plug in - the 2x15" uses up the same space if it's hooked up or not, so i might as well use it, as it's easy and fun. I gig with totally different set up.

It's only a problem if I'm introducing a new piece of equipment, as I rarely get a chance to try things out until the gig. However i just make sure i have a fall back system that I'm happy with in the event the new kit doesnt' work out, and set things up at sound check.

ian

Stumpy · #11 11-11-2007, 08:51 AM

When I am not connected to my Thunder Rig I just use a pair of Sony7506 headphones connected to my Mackie mixer. I run the CD through and the bass goes through the Sans Amp BDDI into the Mackie.

I know that the tones are right on the bass for when I connect to the live rig and there are no issues for me to hear myself...

JMO

xshawnxearthx · #12 11-11-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I always practiced unplugged. Never had a problem.

same here.

my new guitar player wants to jam at his house and he keeps insisiting i get some crappy practice amp just to make noise with.

do guitar players have any grasp that bass players like to sound good?

meev992 · #13 11-11-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xshawnxearthx

do guitar players have any grasp that bass players like to sound good?

Guitar players lack discipline these days

and Gintaras made a valid point, Practice time should be fun time. When life gets you down, it's a great coping method.

DrBone · #14 11-11-2007, 11:05 AM

I think there are pros and cons to practicing with and without an amp. I've done both for extended periods. When practicing unplugged I do believe my technique improved, I became cleaner and I was always fretting right behind the fret to eliminate buzz. The downside was that my hands grew heavy. I was hitting the strings harder with my right hand so I had to fret harder with my left. This reduced my speed and fluency to a degree and I had to consciously play lighter.

If you do play with an amp obviously you want a better sound, but I find that at the low volumes of a practice amp the sound matters less. That being said, whenever I go to my bass lessons and play on his Roland Cube it sounds worlds better than my Aria Pro and makes playing more enjoyable.

DocBop · #15 11-11-2007, 11:13 AM

I like a small good sounding practice amp so I can hear myself when playing along with my stereo, but don't want something loud the will brother others. That way I can practice at any hours of the night or day. I also picked up a hollow body bass I use a lot unplugged. Handy if I get and idea, or hear something on the radio I want to figure out. I will use it also for things like sightreading practice or just trying out improv ideas.

0175westwood29 · #16 11-12-2007, 03:59 PM

i agree practice should be fun, but i think having a good sound as i have a crappy 40w combo and i want to get my gk rig as soon as so i can play thru that will encourage me more i just know it!

but for me tone makes a big difference i like to sound the same if im jamming or practicing

and IanStephenson a practice rm i dream of the day!

Gawd · #17 11-12-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

My practice setup is my laptop, connected to a decently loud stereo, and an 80 watt BOSE system with a guitar practice amp as the head. It sounds pretty damn good...sometimes I think the tone of my practice setup is better than the "practice rig" I leave at my drummer's place. Having a good practice amp is important, it keeps you motivated. A d for me, it's a joy to hear the great tone I get out of the BOSE system, so it gives me incentive to practice.

what do you use on the laptop?
I've been trying to find a good program to control my sound, right now Im using tone port with gear box, but its not getting the sounds I want.

skaliwag66 · #18 11-12-2007, 10:41 PM

Nah
I was playing through computer speakers before i got my very very very solid state amp.

meev992 · #19 11-12-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gawd

what do you use on the laptop?
I've been trying to find a good program to control my sound, right now Im using tone port with gear box, but its not getting the sounds I want.

oh no no no, sorry if i've mistaken you.

I have the amp head, and bose system, underneath my bed.

my laptop just hooks up to my radio, so i can play a metronome or play along with a song.

but i use an m-audio jam-lab...it's pretty decent for the money.

Gawd · #20 11-12-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

oh no no no, sorry if i've mistaken you.

I have the amp head, and bose system, underneath my bed.

my laptop just hooks up to my radio, so i can play a metronome or play along with a song.

but i use an m-audio jam-lab...it's pretty decent for the money.

okay, I see.