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How much is too much for a bedroom amp?

#62
I'm 180 degree from suggestions, but my home rig is an EV ZLX12P powered speaker with an Ampeg SCR-DI.
Sounds great at low volume and at medium volume. The SCR-DI has an headphone out + an aux-in for when the kids are sleeping, and runs on 9v battery so I don't have to play near a power outlet.

I like equipments where they can serve multiple duties, so that PA cab is as good as a bass practice amp (I think it's way better), but I can use it for backyard party, for jamming with friends, for karaoke, for vocals PA, etc... This is a real nice multi-purpose solution. Then get the amp you need for gigging, when it happens. But as already said, a TE Elf + 2x10" cab is a nice bedroom rig.
 
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#63
1723263209212_0_357949-9d94002c125ddc12bb5127160bc3a3a3.jpg


😎
 
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#69
ChiliKeys said:
I've been playing casually for a couple of years using a Rumble 25. I'm taking things a bit more seriously lately and decided it's time for an upgrade. Although I quite like the tone I've dialed in on my budget setup, I've been told I haven't heard my bass yet because the 8" speaker on the Rumble 25 doesn't cut it for lower frequencies. I feel like a very minor upgrade to a 40 might be underwhelming. I was hoping to purchase something with an obvious tonal improvement. I felt maybe moving away from Fender might also make the upgrade more worthwhile. I worry spending a significant amount on a Rumble 500-800 just to sound very similar to the 25 would be a bit of a downer (is there a significant tonal improvement between these models beyond improved bass and volume? Excuse my naivety).

After some research, I think I'm leaning towards something Gallien-Krueger. For simplicity, I was going to stick with a combo. I've had my eye on the MB 210 or 212 V2's. They are a fair bit pricier than even a Fender Rumble 800W combo where I'm from, but my heroes use GK (albeit 2001RB heads) and I like the tones I've heard. However, I imagine I'll usually only ever need a fraction of that power in the foreseeable future. I usually only play with a guitarist playing through a 100W Katana, which is never turned up too loud anyway. I typically play with the volume around 9 o'clock on the Rumble 25. I have no immediate plans on gigging.

Would purchasing a 500W GK be an absolute waste, or can I expect the tonal improvements to be very noticable even playing at very low volume on a GK combo? I hear that even many solid-state amps won't sound particuarly good until they've reached a minimum volume threshold, but I have no idea how true this is. Would a GK 112 v2 200W be a smarter investment? I just read it doesn't have a horn, so I figured the 210 or 212 would sound better along with the two speakers. I just don't know if I'll be able to hear the difference at the volumes I'd be playing at.

I'd appreciate your thoughts and suggestions!
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100% get the MB212ii.
Beast of an amp.
I have one in my bedroom.
Go for it!
 
#70
ChiliKeys said:
I posted this, my first post here at TB, before bed last night hoping for one or two replies. Haven't had the chance to read through everything, but I'm super appreciative of all the replies and suggestions and will have a good read through soon. Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard!

If you want to get a zillion replies to a thread around here, all you have to do ask us how to spend your money. :smug:
 
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#72
500W and 2x anything is a complete waste for a bedroom. Get a GK MB112. It's enough to do a band practice with, and will give you enough manly feeling if you push the volume in your bedroom. Anything past that is just for your ego. 500W and 2x12 can play an outdoor gig.
 
#75
ChiliKeys said:
I've been playing casually for a couple of years using a Rumble 25. I'm taking things a bit more seriously lately and decided it's time for an upgrade. Although I quite like the tone I've dialed in on my budget setup, I've been told I haven't heard my bass yet because the 8" speaker on the Rumble 25 doesn't cut it for lower frequencies. I feel like a very minor upgrade to a 40 might be underwhelming. I was hoping to purchase something with an obvious tonal improvement. I felt maybe moving away from Fender might also make the upgrade more worthwhile. I worry spending a significant amount on a Rumble 500-800 just to sound very similar to the 25 would be a bit of a downer (is there a significant tonal improvement between these models beyond improved bass and volume? Excuse my naivety).

After some research, I think I'm leaning towards something Gallien-Krueger. For simplicity, I was going to stick with a combo. I've had my eye on the MB 210 or 212 V2's. They are a fair bit pricier than even a Fender Rumble 800W combo where I'm from, but my heroes use GK (albeit 2001RB heads) and I like the tones I've heard. However, I imagine I'll usually only ever need a fraction of that power in the foreseeable future. I usually only play with a guitarist playing through a 100W Katana, which is never turned up too loud anyway. I typically play with the volume around 9 o'clock on the Rumble 25. I have no immediate plans on gigging.

Would purchasing a 500W GK be an absolute waste, or can I expect the tonal improvements to be very noticable even playing at very low volume on a GK combo? I hear that even many solid-state amps won't sound particuarly good until they've reached a minimum volume threshold, but I have no idea how true this is. Would a GK 112 v2 200W be a smarter investment? I just read it doesn't have a horn, so I figured the 210 or 212 would sound better along with the two speakers. I just don't know if I'll be able to hear the difference at the volumes I'd be playing at.

I'd appreciate your thoughts and suggesti
I've been playing casually for a couple of years using a Rumble 25. I'm taking things a bit more seriously lately and decided it's time for an upgrade. Although I quite like the tone I've dialed in on my budget setup, I've been told I haven't heard my bass yet because the 8" speaker on the Rumble 25 doesn't cut it for lower frequencies. I feel like a very minor upgrade to a 40 might be underwhelming. I was hoping to purchase something with an obvious tonal improvement. I felt maybe moving away from Fender might also make the upgrade more worthwhile. I worry spending a significant amount on a Rumble 500-800 just to sound very similar to the 25 would be a bit of a downer (is there a significant tonal improvement between these models beyond improved bass and volume? Excuse my naivety).

After some research, I think I'm leaning towards something Gallien-Krueger. For simplicity, I was going to stick with a combo. I've had my eye on the MB 210 or 212 V2's. They are a fair bit pricier than even a Fender Rumble 800W combo where I'm from, but my heroes use GK (albeit 2001RB heads) and I like the tones I've heard. However, I imagine I'll usually only ever need a fraction of that power in the foreseeable future. I usually only play with a guitarist playing through a 100W Katana, which is never turned up too loud anyway. I typically play with the volume around 9 o'clock on the Rumble 25. I have no immediate plans on gigging.

Would purchasing a 500W GK be an absolute waste, or can I expect the tonal improvements to be very noticable even playing at very low volume on a GK combo? I hear that even many solid-state amps won't sound particuarly good until they've reached a minimum volume threshold, but I have no idea how true this is. Would a GK 112 v2 200W be a smarter investment? I just read it doesn't have a horn, so I figured the 210 or 212 would sound better along with the two speakers. I just don't know if I'll be able to hear the difference at the volumes I'd be playing at.

I'd appreciate your thoughts and suggestions!
Click to expand...
If you can’t get by with say 100 watts driving a good efficient cab in a bedroom, I can’t help you. That said, it’s not going to be the same experience as say 800 watts driving multiple cabs on a stage standing about 15’ from it.

Seriously, I practice most of the time with an effect pedal (Digitec BR3500) and a set of ear buds, but I also have used a WD-800 powering a 210 cab but turned down really low. I use the same rig gigging in the 12 member Motown review band.

In your case, unless you are planning to gig in the future, 50-75 watts into one speaker should get you there.
 
#76
Jeff Scott said:
OP, I'm here just to tell you that your username reminds me of a Mexican dish I get once in a while at Don Ramon.

View attachment 7002153

:drool:
Click to expand...
I tried something similar last week - de-boned/shredded a store-bought roasted chicken, added a can of whole black beans, stuffed that into flour tortillas, and topped with a can of Hot red enchilada sauce and LOTS of cheese. Easy to make and was better than I expected:

DSCN2420.JPG

ChiliKeys said:
I posted this, my first post here at TB, before bed last night hoping for one or two replies. Haven't had the chance to read through everything, but I'm super appreciative of all the replies and suggestions and will have a good read through soon. Thanks all!
Click to expand...

Welcome to TalkBass!

No Amp in the bedroom, but I'm pretty satisfied with my current gear:

Phil Jones Bass Nano X4 on the desk at work that's Bluetooth connected to the Laptop (usually streaming KSHE95).
7ender Rumble 100 in the living room that sees most of the practice duty. I passed my R40 along, but still have the R500 head and one of the R410s in the avatar photo.
Mesa Boogie Subway TT-800 with Subway 112s when I want all of my neighbors to hear it...

Cheers,
 
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#78
I live in an apartment, use a rumble 100. Don’t really get complaints unless I turn the drive up. Have even had the master volume pretty high for a while sometimes with no complaints, albeit I know they heard me. Works too if you’re gonna bring it somewhere, like 22lbs and can fit in a trunk. Loud enough for a group setting having fun as long as everyone doesn’t turn up or a small room venue like a basement if you put it on a chair. Won’t muster an outdoor area or a large hall tho without assistance. Has pedals and headphones and PA plugins. The onboard sounds aren’t too special, but you can still dial in quite a few different sounds nonetheless. Recently did this same quest a bit ago and this was my final choice. Some may disagree, and prefer fancier choices and they would be right. But for the size of the subwoofer and the price of it, plus availability (every store has one). I think it’s pushes the air around just fine. It’s not much, but it’s honest work.
 
#80
Most people use headphones or in ears in a apt, condo complex or tighter neighborhood---you can play as loud as you want!

I play straight amp, for a song or two on the occasional.....
BUT, I'd just grab some phones....love my Sennheiser HD-560S or the Meze Albas are preordering right now, for an in ear...great reviews.
 
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