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Getting a 500-watt 2x10 mostly (or solely) for low-volume practice?

Bassaga

Bassaga

Sep 4, 2015
444
1,186
Arizona
#1
Any reason not to do this? I know that's not what these sorts of rigs are designed for, but are they bad for it?

I just figure, if I'm going to have one amp it may as well be able to handle whatever comes up. Right now I play quietly in my living room 100% of the time, and even my 40-watt 1x12 is way more than I need. But it's time to change it up, and I keep thinking, shoot, maybe I'll start playing out sometime, why not be prepared with something powerful and just keep the volume down until I need it? Looking at a Blackstar U500 right now, which strikes the right balance for me between simplicity and features.

I do need something beefy enough for a good low B. And okay 2x10s just make me happy and I want one, so sue me. I'd like to remain a one amp guy, if possible. If I never end up playing out, is it wrong to get a moderately powerful rig just for low-volume practice? Regrettable for any reason? Or just a waste of money and kind of weird?
 
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#5
My primary home practice rig is a mesa TT800 or Aguilar Tonehammer 500 through a Subway 115/210 stack.

I see no reason why a quality 500w 210 setup shouldn't be anything but fantastic as long as you could could achieve the drive/overdrive you desire without having to goose the master to get there. This is super easy with the TT800 as the taper of the master is very forgiving. The TH500 takes a bit of a delicate touch as I guess it's using a linear taper instead of audio taper or something like that.
 
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#6
Weird is good. I'm weird too. I'm saving up for a Rumble stage 800 for the same reason. Right now I only play through headphones cause I sunk all my money into the Bass. lol. Get what makes you happy. I keep finding great deals on different amp combos in local classifieds, and it makes it hard to stay the course, but in the end you gotta get what you really want. Honestly, I probably will not have enough saved up till the end of the year at the rate other projects are going, but at least I know I'm getting what I really want, and not just settling.
 
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#8
Yeah, I've been mostly playing through my G-GK MB212 II.

It sounds pretty great at low volumes. I use a bit of boost and I've been experimenting wit a Timmy clone which is kind of a clean boost when the gain is set pretty low. Adds a bit of character.

I have a couple other amps including an ELF with a TC 2x8 cab which sounds great at a bit louder volumes, but a little lackluster at 'someone's in the next room' volumes.
 
#12
Since not being able to play out or rehearse with my band, my home set up is as follows

Living Room
GK 800 RB with a GK 2-12 Neo

Music Room
Mark Bass SD800 with a GK 4-12 Neo

Bedroom - next to the bed
Old, old, old crate 25 watt and Acoustic 20 watt practice amp. Split the signal between the 2.
Fender Deluxe 2x12 guitar amp for when i get the feeling...
 
#16
I have a small practice amp that does the job in an 800 square foot area without having it cranked very far at all. That amp is sitting on an amp stand so it projects the sound up and out into the room as opposed to having it on the floor and the sound getting restricted by the amp on the floor with furniture in the way. Cheap fix and it works for me.
 
#17
Zmonster said:
Weird is good. I'm weird too. I'm saving up for a Rumble stage 800 for the same reason. Right now I only play through headphones cause I sunk all my money into the Bass. lol. Get what makes you happy. I keep finding great deals on different amp combos in local classifieds, and it makes it hard to stay the course, but in the end you gotta get what you really want. Honestly, I probably will not have enough saved up till the end of the year at the rate other projects are going, but at least I know I'm getting what I really want, and not just settling.
Click to expand...
I started out with a Stage 800 just to play around the house. There was one on FB Marketplace that was just too good of a deal to pass up.
I decided that I didn’t need such a “big” amp for playing quietly, or through headphones, so bought a Studio 40 (also via crazy good deal on FB Marketplace). From a portability standpoint, the Studio is great, but the Stage sounds better at every volume setting.
Get the 2x10. You can’t go wrong with a good, gig-worthy amp for any setting. IME, you’ll notice the difference in tone regardless of your volume.
 
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#18
Zmonster said:
Weird is good. I'm weird too. I'm saving up for a Rumble stage 800 for the same reason. Right now I only play through headphones cause I sunk all my money into the Bass. lol. Get what makes you happy. I keep finding great deals on different amp combos in local classifieds, and it makes it hard to stay the course, but in the end you gotta get what you really want. Honestly, I probably will not have enough saved up till the end of the year at the rate other projects are going, but at least I know I'm getting what I really want, and not just settling.
Click to expand...
I love my Studio 40, and I want the Stage 800, even though I have no real need for it. It's just awesome, get what you like.
 

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