If you like the ToneHammer, you can’t go wrong with your choice.
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Advice on buying ideal setup for individual practice
- Thread starter morguloth
- Start date
Often run this little practice set up with a Phil Jones C2 , but here it is with a Barefaced One 10 I recently picked up. The amp is a Darkglass e500. The software for it has about two dozen pedals and effects. You can program it with a phone or tablet. It’s not terribly complicated to figure out. On top is a Phil Jones BigHead headphone amp for silent practice. I spend a lot of time on this little rig. It’s fun to play around on.
Home practice rig is a little more straightforward.
Where did that chair come from?
Stepping on that rug would make me nervous.
Got one too and love it.
Good for acoustic/songwriting rehearsals too.
You’ve gotten a lot of recommendations that are pretty far from that. They’re good amps, but some (Markbass, IMO) have no hope at all of ever sounding like a Bassman + 215.
Kinda seems like you’d do well to abandon this thread and start a new one titled: “I liked the Fender Super Bassman, but…” and have the body of the OP be: “it’s too much for just playing in my music room at home to an audience of one.
I’d like a practice amp that is in the same tone/voicing ballpark as the Super Bassman when it’s run through its matching 215.
These are the brands that are available and have warranty centers in my country: T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.
Which one is going to come the closest to the Bassman + 215 voicing?”
If you want a practice amp that sounds like a Super Bassman through a 2x15, take a look at the Fender Studio 40, or the Stage 800.
They are both digital modeling amps that model amps and cabs (and effects pedals). If you setup the Super Bassman mode to play through a 2x15 cab, it sounds remarkably like one. The Stage’s 2x10 is better than the Studio’s 1x10, but they both really do what they advertise.
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I use the bassman models from Zoom, Line 6, Apple’s amp garage, and Amplitube (IK Media). They all sound fine. It’s also one of my favorite models for guitar, once I sprinkle some reverb in there.
Don’t get me wrong, I like amps. There have been many over the decades, plus cabinets I’ve bought or built. I’ve held on to my Acoustic Image ten2 because it’s the size of small floor tom, weighs under 30 lb and puts out 600 watts through the two 10” drivers. Great amp. Haven’t plugged it in a couple years. If I get talked into going out to play, that would be plenty. If I know there’s a PA, I just bring a multi fx and a compressor and a xlr cable and do a di setup. I’m not hauling a bunch of gear to fuel stupid volume levels. I don’t miss that 90 lb tube amp and 100 lb 2-15, not one bit.
For day to day, I throw on some earphones and go for it. Nobody is going to complain. I can crank playback through my monitor set up (if I’m home alone). Gets plenty loud, and I’ve never been happier with the sounds I’m getting. Seemed like every amp had its own thing, and that’s what I’d get. Now I have a studio full of gear on my screen.
OP wanted to optimize a practice setup, and has no intention of gigging.
Things that make my space work: I built a stand up height desk and shelves and cabinets. All gleaned from jobs or thrift stores. I can stand or sit on a heavy duty drafting stool. Monitors are up at ear level and turned in and slightly down. Computer screen is at a comfortable height, and cables are routed neatly under the desk. One switch turns on all the gear. I’m lucky enough to have a whole room, insulated and finished with a door. It’s easy to walk in, flip a switch and go.
Don’t get me wrong, I like amps. There have been many over the decades, plus cabinets I’ve bought or built. I’ve held on to my Acoustic Image ten2 because it’s the size of small floor tom, weighs under 30 lb and puts out 600 watts through the two 10” drivers. Great amp. Haven’t plugged it in a couple years. If I get talked into going out to play, that would be plenty. If I know there’s a PA, I just bring a multi fx and a compressor and a xlr cable and do a di setup. I’m not hauling a bunch of gear to fuel stupid volume levels. I don’t miss that 90 lb tube amp and 100 lb 2-15, not one bit.
For day to day, I throw on some earphones and go for it. Nobody is going to complain. I can crank playback through my monitor set up (if I’m home alone). Gets plenty loud, and I’ve never been happier with the sounds I’m getting. Seemed like every amp had its own thing, and that’s what I’d get. Now I have a studio full of gear on my screen.
OP wanted to optimize a practice setup, and has no intention of gigging.
Things that make my space work: I built a stand up height desk and shelves and cabinets. All gleaned from jobs or thrift stores. I can stand or sit on a heavy duty drafting stool. Monitors are up at ear level and turned in and slightly down. Computer screen is at a comfortable height, and cables are routed neatly under the desk. One switch turns on all the gear. I’m lucky enough to have a whole room, insulated and finished with a door. It’s easy to walk in, flip a switch and go.
Just got this GK Fusion 210 about 6 weeks ago. I got to the point where I’m realized the Rumble 100 I had was a dead end. I considered a head/cab, but with the capability to add another cabinet to this combo (it would be 800 watts), I think it will be more than sufficient for the foreseeable future. I can barely turn the volume up in that room, but I love how it sounds and feels
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I mean, that's not really what I'm going for most of the time. Just, have fond memories of cranking those tubes and feeling it in my gut.
Honestly, I'm just trying to have a truly fantastic sound option when I feel like it. I don't need portability or volume, just something that'll make me smile when I plug in, you know?
Don't let the small drivers fool you! You'll be surprised how big this little amp sounds! I have a Phil Jones BP-800 amp driving a C-4 cabinet. My bandmates in a very LOUD contemporary gospel band can't believe how deep, loud, and clean my rig sounds and I smile every time I play through it!
I DO gig, but I think it might relate to your situation.
I spend a lot of time practicing/woodsedding material at home, where I prefer using an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and 210 neo cab, the same head I use on 95% of my gigs.
I too am a finger player with no pick and very little slap.
I could more easily use a permanent preamp/DI into a sound system that stays hooked up at home and not have to unpack and setup that rig between weekend gigs, or just go with a basic DAW/bass amp/cab sim arrangement. Thing is, the Aggie rig is fun to play and sounds great at all volume levels.
Plus it's got some nice musical grit for those who may not be quite sold on grit yet.
