How can I practice quietly, and still sound good?

[greekorican]

I am somewhat an insomnia, maybe I just like to stay up late. Anyway, I spend most of the time up late on the computer or watching tv. I would like to play some bass while I'm up at stupidly late hours, but everyone is asleep by 10 oclock, so I can't play through an amp.

Now I've tried headphones with my amp, but it is a pain to have to sit that close to my amp, and the sound is terrible in my opinion. It doesn't sound natural at all, and while i can hear myself better, I prefer the sound of an unplugged bass. The notes have no attack through headphones. A popped or slapped note sounds almost the same as a plucked note. Then I got an amPlug, and it sounded no better. I just want a way to be able to hear myself better, and still like the sound I am hearing. Maybe I'm being too picky, but I can't stand how artificial headphones sound. Any ideas?

 

[Rapisme]

Start with the headphones First.. Ultrasome makes some models specifically for bass.. Then a Pandora box, you'll hear an immediate difference..Hope it works.. If not then a Fodera Private Practice amp..If you can try them before you buy, do it.
Good luck..

 

[gregmerrill]

Deal with the sound. Be thankful you have time to practice as you get older that will disapate. Playing Acoustic has a great advantage-you really hear the true sound of your instrument.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I just practice unplugged because I prefer the feeling and practical way of it.
You could give a try to the Dragonfly stethoscope amp. It's a cheap gadget with decent results. You need a bass with a finish. It doesn't stick well at all onto bare wood.

 

[TheDialog]

Avalon u5!

 

[rpsands]

Wireless headphones?

 

[PaulMacCnj]

Get a Korg Pandora! It features amp & cabinet modeling, effects, drums sounds, etc. It works for bass and guitar. There is a headphone output, an aux input and the instrument input. The aux input is stereo and any line/headphone level source can be used; iPod, MP3 player, computer audio, etc. The aux signal is kept in stereo at the headphone output.

The Pandora is a great practice and training tool. Using headphones, you can crank it up in the middle of night without disturbing anyone.

 

[cripula]

Avalon u5!

Yes! The U5 makes a KILLER headphone amp!
Ok, or a Cafe Walter headphone amp for 1/4 of the price...

 

[dnarock]

GO TO BED !!!

 

[flipper_gv]

one of the cheap line6 external soundcard. Can get some nice sound out of it and play along your mp3's, which is awesome.

 

[ThunderV]

Tascam MP-BT1 Bass Trainer

 

[NortyFiner]

I use a set of studio-quality Yamaha headphones for quiet practice; they are probably one of my best musical investments ever. When all I want to hear is me, that's all I hear, loud and clear...hey, that sounds like lyrics!

Anyway, as for a headphone amp, I have a Rockman Bass Ace that rides in my gig bag on deployments. It's done fine by me for several years now.

 

[JxBass]

Yes! The U5 makes a KILLER headphone amp!
Ok, or a Cafe Walter headphone amp for 1/4 of the price...

+1 on the Cafe Walter with a decent pair of headphones.

 

[SirGrotius]

Run through a Yamaha Audiogram. I use the Audiogram 3, and it's excellent. It's an easy USB hookup to your computer, and you can plug your bass direct into it and jam out to your tunes, etc. I purchases high-quality headphones (Bose "Over-Ear" ...$150), which are pretty much required if you want to go this route.

It's probably crazy, but I almost enjoy rocking out to this more than playing through my amp. The tonal quality is really astounding when you have a nice set of headphones and no other distracting noises.

 

[gregmerrill]

Yeah the U5.

 

[georgestrings]

Get a Korg Pandora! It features amp & cabinet modeling, effects, drums sounds, etc. It works for bass and guitar. There is a headphone output, an aux input and the instrument input. The aux input is stereo and any line/headphone level source can be used; iPod, MP3 player, computer audio, etc. The aux signal is kept in stereo at the headphone output.

The Pandora is a great practice and training tool. Using headphones, you can crank it up in the middle of night without disturbing anyone.

Yup - PX4B plus Grado SR60 headphones are very, very good...



- georgestrings

 

[TheDialog]

I own and play with Ampeg gear...in the trailer I leave an Anniversary stack for tour...in the practice room I have two 810's and a classic, however for practice in the bedroom I have an Ampeg B100R and for when it's late the Avalon u5...it's truly the best!

 

[Steve]

Doesn't somebody make something that's basically a stethoscope with a suction cup?

 

[greekorican]

I have some 20 dollar in ear headphones, I think they sound good with my mp3 player, but I thought that the headphones might be part of the problem. I still feel that the sound quality with nice headphones will not be that great plugged into my amp, so I think I am gonna look into a headphone amp too. I'm going out of town to the middle of nowhere wisconsin for a 10 day hunting trip. There's not much I can do when we aren't hunting, so I can justify this purchase. It will make those 10 days so much better.

A friend recommended these headphones to me http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8228356#post8228356. He's an audiophile, so I trust him, but what are your opinions?

As far as a headphone amp, I want something affordable, but I want quality. I was really disapointed with the amPlug, but I also didn't have good headphones. I returned it, so i can't try it with my new headphones. Should I give it another try?

 

[Bongolation]

As someone who played about 95% of the time unplugged at home, I suggest you DON'T do so.

It tends to make you play too hard, which is bad for your hands and accelerates wear on the frets. I totally messed up my hands and they took several years before they were right again...though they were never quite the same again. When I'd plug in I was astounded at how hard I was playing, beating the bass and myself to pieces.