Am I... Asking the impossible???

[Kukulkan61]

Volume knobs?????

 

[Warpeg]

Try turning this thing down.

 

[yodedude2]

Okay okay, Semantics Steve... I do not care for the sound of any of the amps pictured in my OP when they’re at a low volume.

But really, the only bit of all that I actually take out of the house is the Peavey and the 4x10. I have an Eden preamp/DI that will work just fine for most live situations around here.

And yes, good folks, kind folks...

I got used to living in the boonies and being able to move all that air.

I readily admit my limitations, and will check out the GK and the Rumble... and probably buy an amp stand to keep it off this old wooden floor.

pardon my asking, but if you don't care for the sound of a larger cab at lower volume, why would you like the sound of a smaller cab at low volume?

(there is a tactile experience of amplitude that cannot be well-replicated at lower volumes, and it's not just about the tone or the sound. it's about the physicality of the sound moving through the air (and solid objects, too). i expect you are probably going to cycle through a bunch of smaller combos and never find anything you like much. I reckon you know all that already...)

all that being said, I would second the pjb recommendation. mine was very neutral and clear, including the very low end. however, it did not move a lot of air or get very loud.

 

[Flooflox]

What about a bass shaker, butt kicker type thing?

bass shaker site:talkbass.com - Google Search


Edit: I'm including a link from the above search from a Talkbass user.
DIY bass shaker footrest for practice

 

[Kukulkan61]

GK MB112 II....

 

[Jim622]

Hartke-HD50 - I live in a twin ranch. 30 ft from the next house on the other side.

Review: Hartke HD50 Combo Amp

 

[somegeezer]

If you don't like the sound of your good amps at low volume, you're unlikely to enjoy any amp at low volume. Especially one that struggles to put out the low end to start with. That's the first thing to go as you turn down. It's also the first thing to annoy your neighbours. So turning up your low EQ back can give even the amps you already have a better chance, but probably still annoy the neighbours. I'd recommend learning to play with the volume knob, rather than throwing money at a smaller amp that basically does the exact same thing, or play during times when your neighbours are out of the house, or, if you really want to throw some money at something, soundproofing to stop the noise getting to your neighbours as easily, and allowing you to deafen yourself during practice as much as you want.

 

[bdplaid]

Pretty sure this is just false.

Pretty sure you're just wrong. ;-)

Fletcher–Munson curves - Wikipedia

Things sound differently to the human ear at low vs high volumes. Proven scientific fact.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I wondered about the Rumbles. I have a Rumble 25, and while it’s great for standard tuning, or even a step down, the little 8 inch speaker can’t handle more than that.

The 200 has a 15" speaker. It would be as good as any you can get and better than most.
Expecting amps to respond to an unusual tuning like that is optimistic.
That A is 27.5 Hz. Most amplifiers are rated to about 40 or 50. It is also on the edge of being a brown note. Human hearing (for young people) is 20 - 20K Hz. The older you get, the more the range decreases.
So, most everyone in the Fender Rumble Club (in Amps & Cabs) reporting says the Rumble line is great at producing the low B. There are a few CGs around and they all have Rumbles in stock. Go check one out.

 

[bdplaid]

I've fought with this forever. I recall one band's rehearsal space that had a neighbor that was just goofy over bass volume. I had a new amp one night that was particularly low-endy. Phone rings. Then I tested this by playing one night with an octave box on. Immediately, the phone rang. And this was in a neighborhood, and he was several houses down, at least 300 yards away.

I'm not sure I found an answer to making bass sound the way I want at low volumes, but if it was just practicing at home I think I'd try a good sounding speaker, elevate it to ear level, and EQ to taste. Sometimes a compressor can help by making things seem louder than they are. HPFs are good things.

Still, for me there is no substitute for volume when it comes to bass. It's all about moving air.

 

[SirMjac28]

I would love to blast that rig on 10 acres I bet it sounds really good.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I'd get a phil jones briefcase or one of their other offerings they handle the lows like a champ.

 

[packhowitzer]

Gal lien Krueger MB108. It will slay 95% of the combos it’s size.

My son's MB108 is a amazing little amp. GK all day.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Hank

After nearly a decade in the boonies, living in a 3/2 on ten acres, I now find myself in a 2/1 on a half acre lot right in the urban sprawl of Dallas, TX.

(citys $v<k!)

Three bed, two bath and two bed, one bath, respectively.

So you lost your rehearsal space and your poor dog lost his bathroom? That' s bad!

I do NOT care for the sound of a big amp at low volumes.

That "garage rock" Peavy only sounds good when cranked. I can understand you!!!

Ah, I have an Eden World Tour DI/Preamp. Perhaps cranking the preamp with the amp volume set very low?

This is probably the best way to get a good sound, without buying new gear.

A practice combo with small speakers won' t get you there. (IME)

When you want to give in to GAS and buy something new , I would look for a smaller head.

The Ampeg micros are nice, GK does some decent stuff too…

btw forget about buying a stand for your amp (a beer crate will do the job )

Am I really asking for too much by wanting to love the time whilst not angering my neighbors? Honest question.

But maybe you are just a "loud is good, it' s rock" guy (like me )

In that case crank your amp and tell your neighbours, that you have an angry dog!

They won' t complain


good luck with your hunt for the good sound

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[chadds]

I'm pretty sure at least one of those devices has this feature!

He’s on TB. He’s asking for advice to spend his money.

 

[Jim622]

If its just for practice. I got one of these for at work.

 

[Kevorargh]

+1 to somegeezer for the soundproofing recommendation. I find that turning down is okay but you have to have a nice pedal or preamp (like your Eden) to get it to have some sort of grit or you really have to mess with the eq (or both). A smaller amp isn't going to cut if you have been used to cranking your amp especially trying to get a low A to be heard.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Pretty sure you're just wrong. ;-)

Fletcher–Munson curves - Wikipedia

Things sound differently to the human ear at low vs high volumes. Proven scientific fact.

This is indeed correct. But you can match the low volume curves with EQ (which is what a "loudness" button on a home stereo is supposed to do).

 

[Skillet]

At least your cats aren't next door terrorizing the neighbor's deck.

 

[Lava]

Headphones...