How to play bass in a condo? Please help!

[scottm]

The best solution is that you give me all this gear.

Dude I might have to give away all of my Mesa stuff because it is too big for me to want to put into my new office since it will not be used anymore.

About 2 years ago in prep for this I gave away two brand new Markbass stacks. It could happen.


They were the first to fall for the great retirement purge!
-ScottM

 

[scottm]

I am in the same situation and use Helix Native and studio monitors. Works much better with bass than guitar since our acoustic noise is much lower. The monitor volume can be relatively low and still bury the bass' acoustic noise. But if you want house rattling volume... headphones

Helix Native and studio monitors? I have heard about the Helix, I will check this out.

I am taking notes, so this will be my new fun future project I try to solve.

-ScottM

 

[Chicken Wing]

Mustang micro.

 

[scottm]

Mustang micro.

Dang, that is pretty cool!
Thanks for the suggestion.

-ScottM

 

[DrBnz]

Headphones .... those become end tables

 

[bassfran]

Phil Jones Bass Cub Pro.

And nice headphones.

 

[msb]

I have a quiet practice rig at the in-laws. We look after my mother-in-law so much of our time is there. I've gone through several versions of the quiet practice rig. For quite a while it was a little GK MB200 into an Ampeg 210AV. I simply practice at a very quiet volume. These days it's a Darkglass e500 into a Phil Jones C2. I also use a Phil Jones BigHead HA-1 , the first version of their headphone amp. It will also accept a phone or tablet. Great little rig.

 

[KeepItMoving]

I live in a condo, and for the vast majority of my at-home playing I go through a Phil Jones Bass Double Four, a lunchbox-sized amp that delivers brilliant tone and bass response at low volume. I find it very satisfying, and have had no complaints to date.

And per the earlier question, an ABG is an acoustic bass guitar. Kind of a specialty item, but in the right situation they can deliver a unique and pleasing tone either acoustically or through a small amp (like, say, a Phil Jones Bass Double Four..... ).

 

[Lobster11]

Sorry, but what is an "ABG"?

-ScottM

Acoustic bass guitar. Most of them aren't loud enough for playing with other people, but they're loud enough for practicing while watching TV and won't bother the neighbors.

Otherwise, I'm with those who think the only solution for electric is headphones/earbuds. I don't see how a small combo amp solves anything better than just turning down the volume (and low frequencies) on the gear that you have.

 

[Redbrangus]

It's somewhat situational, so there may be places in the domicile that playing at a reasonable volume would work. Yes, some condos and townhomes have been constructed with some attempts made at sound isolation between adjacent places, but with widely varying effectiveness. And as mentioned, bass frequencies aren't easily suppressed. Another problem is the adjacent surfaces above and below -- floor and ceiling. Mechanically decoupling the speaker from the structure, like putting an amp on a pad or stand, will help some, but acoustic energy from a speaker that reaches your ears will also tend to couple mechanically to the structure anyway. If there is a room that doesn't share any common boundary with your neighbors, you might be able to play at a reasonable volume through an amp or through some decent monitors.

I hope you at least have some gigs where you can let some of that great gear unwind a little. Them horses needs to run sometimes.

 

[Chris Chong]

Agree to say hi to your neighbours, give them your number for them to call you if they can't stand the noise.

My neighbour downstairs complaint about my son's upright piano and I play bass through a 2x10 cab at low volume. I gave him my number, and agreed to a certain practise schedule.

for late night silent practice, headphones and in-ears would work with amp/cab sim. For simplicity, I use a spark mini.

 

[jthisdell]

I have this on my radar, any suggestions on brands/models?

While this is an option... I would like to watch TV while I play bass.... hey, I am slowing down in life so I deserve a little future laziness. Plus, I am not sure if I want to wear headphones all of the time.

Thanks!

-ScottM

Open headphones will allow you to hear what is going on in the room in addition to your bass. Good for watching TV, acknowledging the spouse, etc. The downside is if you want to learn something new/difficult and play along with an aux input then you will hear the aux, your bass and the TV, for me that is too much going on to really listen to the aux. In that case closed headphones may be better.

 

[Killing Floor]

Maybe a PJB Double Four or similar.
None of the rigs in your post will be suitable for lame volume. Getting cool neighbors may be out of your control too. Good luck.
I use headphones for both bass and guitar and sometimes other instruments but prefer to use an amp even at lame volume over headphones. Good luck.

 

[HardNHeavy]

some condo's associations or communities have a specified time you can "make noise". I lived in an apt. once upon a time in jersey city, neighbors above and below, i practiced during the day or on weekends and for a few hrs after i got off work and stopped before 8pm....But a good headphone amp is the ticket.

 

[scottm]

Agree to say hi to your neighbours, give them your number for them to call you if they can't stand the noise.

My neighbour downstairs complaint about my son's upright piano and I play bass through a 2x10 cab at low volume. I gave him my number, and agreed to a certain practise schedule.

for late night silent practice, headphones and in-ears would work with amp/cab sim. For simplicity, I use a spark mini.

Great suggestions.

Thank you all, and now I know what ABG is! lol
My son and I both have Martin AGB's, which are fantastic. I still need to play all of my custom basses.. along with some old Gibson and Fender P basses I love.

-ScottM

 

[dhagopian]

I'm in a condo and play through a 2x 1x12 setup... just keep the volume low. I'm really only practicing at home anyway not putting on a show. Never had a complaint.

 

[scottm]

I'm in a condo and play through a 2x 1x12 setup... just keep the volume low. I'm really only practicing at home anyway not putting on a show. Never had a complaint.

I think I will bring at last one stack with me and give this a try.
There is one room that is off the side of the building that I plan on giving this a try with.

There is some kind of black board that I see under people's amps some times that helps isolate sound(I think).
Does anyone know what I am speaking of? I cannot remember what they are called.

-ScottM

 

[Dynacord]

Use any preamp of your choice [mine is the Ampeg SCR-DI or SGT-DI] and use earbuds that will allow you to hear both your bass, the TV, and the wife [if necessary].

Pretty much what I do though using Shiftline Olympic MK III. As with the Ampegs, has nice tube amp character, cab sims, etc, good DI, and aux input so can connect phone, computer, etc ( or tv) and use regular open back headphones so can still hear surroundings, if someone comes in the room, if the doorbell or phone rings, etc. Would work with tv watching as well (I tend to do just one or the other). Sometimes add a Backbeat to get some kinaesthetic feel. Works well for me - though would be interested to check out the Waza ones at some point.

I still have a range of amps and cabs including smaller ones and keep the cabs on Gramma pads, but, in actual practice, can really only use them during the day (I'm in a flat built in 1895 with upstairs and downstairs neighbors - super solidly built but sound, particularly bass, really carries).

 

[Dynacord]

There is some kind of black board that I see under people's amps some times that helps isolate sound(I think).
Does anyone know what I am speaking of? I cannot remember what they are called.

Link Removed

It helps but don't expect miracles.

 

[tb-player]

My suggestion is this:
P: HA-2 | Phil Jones Bass

and this:
https://a.co/d/fuDmkof