Are practice amps becoming obsolete?

[VS]

I like keeping a small practice amp handy for living room acoustic jams and such.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I like practicing/playing with really good lightweight audiofile headphones and headphone amps/DAC'S.

Don't have a computer, just this phone and also appreciate minimalism and the organics of analog vs everything else.

 

[Lava]

No

 

[jtg]

I mean, if you're just practicing what do you need to plug in for? Everything starts with the strings shaking the wood. I learn songs through my interface but if I'm just practicing technique an amp is unnecessary hassle.

 

[Dabndug]

My class D head and lightweight cabs serve for practice, rehearsals, and gigs. A dedicated practice amp is superfluous.

 

[pfschim]

I use a small Ampeg BA108 as a rehearsal amp with a few bands I'm in. Easy haul and works fine/sounds ok for rehearsal volumes.

For another band, I have a permanent rig, Ampeg PF500/115HE, at the rehearsal space we own. It's really more than a "practice amp", I could easily gig with it, but I just use it to rehearse with that particular band.

When I practice in my own studio space, I either use the computer/interface/headphones approach, or my Mesa Walkabout/Berg NV212t gig rig ... depending on what I'm practicing and why. When I am learning a bunch of songs that are available digitally, I will use the computer/interface/headphones to learn them. But, I have long advocated using your gig rig (within reason of course) to practice because it helps with being consistent between practicing and gigging, and being very familiar with your live playing rig. Of course, IEM gigs are a whole 'nother thing as it relates to practice rig approaches.

it's all about using the tools you have to get the job you want done. So for me, and the job I'm getting done, practice amps still have a place.

 

[DishDive]

Maybe I'm not entirely sure what "practice" amp means in this context...
Practice amp with a band? i.e. rehearsal?
Practice amp for at home, solo, woodshedding?

With Band/rehearsal...I use a regular gigging rig or some variation (smaller scale of it). You play like you practice.
For home, solo, woodshedding (solo)... Computer + interface

 

[StatesideRambler]

I practice my playing rather than my stage persona and "sound". Besides, the sound you get in your living room (or bedroom) will differ enormously from your sound in a bar, a hall or a theater. The music you play will drive your choice of rig.

Any rig that you want to practice through can be useful. I'm in my 70s and prefer using a small amp for practice because I like to hear in the room what and how I'm playing. It also doesn't dominate the room. Practicing through a stage rig can work but it doesn't appeal to me at all. It's simply overkill for practicing. I'm not at all against using headphones or a DI or PC/interface/monitors and I keep them around and use them on occasion.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I value a good amp at home, it is arguably the only place to enjoy "the taste" of my beloved basses.

On most rehearsals, we play on sub-par systems. On most gigs, we hear ourself either through monitors or in-ears - both sound sub-par. No place like home.

YMMV - especially if you have great amps on stage. We don't get that kind of stuff around here.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

I don't see them becoming obsolete. Perhaps they're changing form as indicated by some of the responses.. and let's not forget those el cheapo budget starter packs that include a small amps.

I have a 100 watt combo that is suitable for small to medium gigs that sits in the lounge room for any practice or sudden inspirational moments but 9 times out of 10, I'll practice with the rig that best suits the band or venue I'll be playing at... it's nice to know it's working properly before its to late.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I don't see the point of a practice amp, but I have a modular rig 112 and 212, so I can scale it up and down, I also have a headphone jack on my pedalboard, one on my amp and then my amp di'd into my recording software which I can monitor on headphones. Playing quiet or absolutely silent isn't a problem!
Even before all the fancy stuff, I always just used the amp I had, just turned the volume down.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I take a Rumble 40 to rehearsals. 18 lbs, yo!

 

[lomo]

Unless I am recording, I avoid using my computer for bass. I use an amp with enough power to handle a drummer, with a volume pot.

 

[chris_b]

When playing at home the sound doesn't matter to me.

I'm working up a set for a gig and the focus is on familiarizing myself with the material and my memory.

Tone is the last thing that concerns me. That all changes on the gig.

 

[Tommy Sparks]

Use one of my regular amps for practice. I never had a dedicated practice. I don't get along with headphones very well.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I live in a apartment so my gig amp is also my practice amp. I use headphones. It works fine.

 

[prepair02]

No practice amp here. Just sit at the computer, open DAW, set the input and you are ready to go. Easier to play along with songs, to loop parts and you're ready to record too.

 

[Nuisance]

The rehearsal space for my current band is downstairs in my studio. I spend my of my time upstairs in my office (I work from home). During the day when I grab my bass to just plink around on it, I'll usually do it unplugged. If I'm trying to new learn new songs I'll plug my bass into a small 6 channel board (along with my MP3 player) that I keep on the edge of my desk. I do have a practice headphone amp with bluetooth, but I only use that when I'm traveling.

Computers? Nah. That would take too much time. When I practice I just wanna plug and play.

Lately we're silent stage (IEM's) so my "real" rigs go unused.......... unless I wanna go downstairs and rattle the house just for fun. Even then most of the time I just plug into the PA (via one of my DI's) and let the mains do the rattling. I keep telling myself I'll hold on to my two amps (a D800+ and LM IIII with various cabs) in case the next band I'm in doesn't use IEM's........... but I'm wondering how realistic that is.

 

[brianrost]

"Practice amps" have been obsolete for a long time. I've owned exactly one for bass and one for electric guitar, still have both but haven't turned them on for years. I have a headphone amplifier but haven't used it for a long time.

Every other amp I've used for practice was a gigging amp.

I keep one of my backups in my music room plugged in and ready to go and for playalong duties, I just use my computer and audio interface.

My advice to beginners has always been to buy a used amp that will be loud enough for you to jam with others and play gigs with. After all, unless you will never play with others you will need such an amp eventually anyway. Why waste money on a small amp with only one application.

A local store has this 1980s vintage 300W Fender combo for $150. I have used this as provided backline, it's loud as **** and sounds good. There's amps like this everywhere at cheap prices. Better to get one than waste money on a wimpy "beginner's amp".

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So, I was in the market for a practice amp after changing up some of my gear (I recently took 12 months off playing and cleared all my gear out).

I still have a few rigs but only bring them out for gigs.

I have been using a headphone amp for a while but didn't love the sound and wanted something for my son to use as he gets his first bass, a Kala Solidbody which arrives today.

I looked at everything and just couldn't make up my mind. In the end I figure to just go to the local store and grab a Rumble or Rocketbass.

I ended up deciding on getting some M-Audio Studio Monitors and an Interface instead for marginally more than a Fender Rumble 40. In fact, the Bass Plugins which included some GK, Ampeg and Bassman plugins were far superior than the practice amps.

The sound quality was ridiculous and will all the plugins that came free with it, it's so much better than any practice amp. Plus all the recording options etc.

I wonder if others share the same view?

Sounds like a good idea. Congrats.