How to play bass in a condo? Please help!

[mellowgerman]

I'm sure these pointers have been mentioned already - but a sealed and/or small-driver cab, on a stand, and a high-pass filter, should allow for good bass tone without driving the neighbors crazy. Of course, every building responds differently to bass frequency and headphones or an acoustic bass may end up being the only good solution here. For an acoustic bass, I can't say enough nice things about a Guild B-30e if you can get your arm around the massive body comfortably!

Regarding ear-pods, the basic corded $20 Apple set is my favorite for late-night practicing in the living room. At least with my basses, I feel like they do a decent job preserving tone, but also allow me to still understand my wife if she comes through and has questions/comments/directions for me. They're also very comfortable... I've noticed my ears tend to start hurting a bit if I leave some other types of ear-pods in for more than 30minutes or so, but not the case with these Apple ones

 

[scottm]

I live in a condo, and you will definitely get yelled at if you play your bass amplified at all, even if it isn't as loud as your neighbor's microwave. It is frustrating.

In fact, if they simply see you moving your gear in and out of that place your neighbors will start thinking they hear you using it even when you aren't.

Couple tips:

1) if they don't already exist in the bylaws, discuss "quiet hours" being agreed upon times when you don't amplify your bass (and they don't hammer nails in the wall at 6 am)
2) get a good mixer and set up a practice rig you can amplify with headphones... for me that is my usual pedalboard into my Axe-Fx (modeled to sound like my gigging amp), my Vocal Mic, and Garageband running into a 6 channel yamaha mixer into Audio Technica ATH-M50x headphones. Even though I gig with in-ears I find the over-the-ears superior for home practice, especially with nothing in the room (drums, etc.)

I am leaning toward your second option after talking with everyone.
I think I am going to get something like a little powered 110 Bag End cab, then get a mixer and send things into computer using garage band and maybe sometimes the Bag End. I definitely want to get a large pedal board with a few preamp pedals to use as well over amps.

It sounds like I might def try out some good headphones and see which ones I like.
Thanks for the input.

Again, this might not be an issue at all since my office will be in a separate wing of the unit. The place is almost 2,000 square feet and is all one floor, so this section only has a downstairs neighbor for the most part.
It is pretty nice, so I'll see how much I can get away with.

Plus, most of these units are used by millionaires to come in and stay when the PGA Golf tournament comes through. I believe that there is a chance that is what the one under mine is used for at the moment.
I am not a millionaire, this will be my retirement/permanent vacation home.
At least it will be paid off.

Just getting fun ideas at the moment.
-ScottM

 

[bucephylus]

Thanks! This is what I was thinking of.

-ScottM

Caution: The Gramma Pad actually increases the coupling into the floor.

Elevating a small cab further, ca. 24", will decouple about as effectively as can be done. Which will still probably not be sufficient, excepting agreed upon noises times with your neighbors.

Finding a great set of headphones, and using one of the many headphone amps, or amps designed for dual use is the solution. I believe your Mesa amps can do this; so, you wouldn't have to buy anything other than a set of headphones, and correct patch cables to go from your mp3 player to the Aux input. There are comfortable open air headphones with great audio qualities. Sennheiser has them as one example.

BTW, great headphones actually sound pretty outstanding. So, you don't have to give up a lot.

 

[txhawaii]

a low pass filter helps tame the boom

edit: I also use an attenuator that can drop to -20db. also low watt amps can be a big hit. Ashdown makes a 15w tube amp and ampeg makes their 20t.

 

[bucephylus]

Anyone have suggestions that do not include headphones? My cardiologist does not want anything magnetic anywhere near my shoulders since he put a pacemaker in me.

The Phil jones stuff is noted. I think that'd be my only option. At the moment I have very understanding neighbors in my duplex. But people move out now and then, and it's only a matter of time until someone less friendly comes along.

Def consult with your cardiologist.

I highly doubt the magnetic field from headphone drivers would be sufficient to cause issues. Your cardiologist would be the correct reference and would have encountered this before.

 

[silky smoove]

Which is? I'm thinking it's not South Texas College or many other things Google suggests that are definitely not relevant.

Edit: Sound Transmission Class.

In layman's terms it's a generalized rating of transmission loss focused on a range of frequencies associated with human speech.

 

[silky smoove]

a low pass filter helps tame the boom

High pass filter

 

[texaspirate]

I got a WAZA Air Bass Headphone amp and wireless... it changed my world... for a very reasonable price I got studio quality sound with direct feed from my phone... it has two blue tooths.. one for the Bass and one for the headphones and all I can say is WOW!!! Bass and music sounds better than ever and its dead quiet.

 

[scottm]

I got a WAZA Air Bass Headphone amp and wireless... it changed my world... for a very reasonable price I got studio quality sound with direct feed from my phone... it has two blue tooths.. one for the Bass and one for the headphones and all I can say is WOW!!! Bass and music sounds better than ever and its dead quiet.

That's really cool to hear.
I am going to order a pair of them once we get moved.

I am also going to try garage band with my son's Apple airpods when he isn't looking. lol

-ScottM

 

[juancaminos]

I feel for ya. I currently use Sterling 5400 headphones. Some will not hold up to bass guitar but these have so far.

 

[Jeff Scott]

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

I watch TV while playing my basses (one at a time! ) unplugged.

As to headphone options, it really comes down to what you find gives you the sound you like most. I mostly use AKG K401 (an older, discontinued model) and I also have a pair of Sennheiser HD280Pro headphones that I occasionally use.

 

[bigjames]

Sorry, but what is an "ABG"?

-ScottM

Acoustic Bass Guitar.

 

[Mark Karwan]

Of course headphones are a good option, as others have said. Beyerdynamic DT770 (probably the 80 ohm version) is an easy recommendation. Great bass sound, and unless you're a dedicated headfi nut (and maybe even then), you will find them wonderful for listening to recorded music as well as monitoring. They are going to have better bass sound then most of the other recs I've seen here; I've used most of them. They will sound "pleasing" but still "accurate." Waza airbass looks awesome, but won't give you the same flexibility? Not sure.
Many small amps have headphone outs and aux ins to make it easy to jam to music. I've been using a Phil Jones bass cub for that and the headphone out (with my Beyers) sounds really good. I love it. Phil Jones has a bunch of products that include an aux and headphone section. A bass cub, double 4, any of their amps with two little drivers will also be a great thing to noodle on while you watch TV.

That said, for your open-air rig (and I believe it's totally doable to keep/use one, just can't CRANK it) I would suggest you keep one of your larger speakers rather than downsize to a 110. At lower volumes the big speaker is probably going to feel more satisfying. In my experience, a 110 isn't going to kick in "bass" until you start to crank it more. Think of the "loudness" control on old receivers- they bump up lows to simulate a fuller sound at lower volume. It's like a slice of aged cheddar vs a big pile of fat-free diet cheese. Better.
Having it elevated off the ground may also help. Since you already have a pile of top-notch gear, I would keep the subway 112 and one of the subway 115s, the one will act as the "stand" for the other, and you have two flavors to choose from (or three if you dare combine them

 

[bigjames]

I am in the same boat as you and headphones was the only solution that would guarantee no noise complaints. If I want to do something else while playing, I simply use one headphone (I use Sure 535s). Depending on the construction of your building (i.e. wood-framed vs concrete) your options using an actual cab may be very limited. In my place, even the lowest volume would at least travel down and sideways. Even small bluetooth speakers for music off a phone can travel to adjacent units and they are not nearly as bassy as a cab.

Headphones is my vote!

 

[staurosjohn]

I moved into a condo 7yrs ago & (already had) a Markbass Micromark 801 (8" driver)… it also has line-in (for mp3 player, etc) and headphones-out (for practicing whilst listening).

These have been recommended - but I've never tried them: Waza-Air Bass Guitar Wireless Headphone Amp - Sweetwater

MB Micromark 801: Markbass Micromark 801 60W 1x8 Bass Combo Amp

 

[Jeff Scott]

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.
View attachment 5341592

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

Dibs on the 1-12 Subway cab (if it hasn't already been spoken for!).

 

[Jeff Scott]

All the apartments I lived in over the years I played bass through my various amps/cabs. Once we moved into our house I mostly use my headphones. Go figure!

 

[antfarm]

Sorry for being off topic, but is that on the right side of the picture an American Pro II Precision in the Dark Night color with a tortoise pickguard? Would you mind posting a picture of that combination?

 

[ravlin]

I hate headphones, seems I have to turn up too loud to get a decent sound but that might be the headphones I've used. As others have said, sealed + elevated cab + aggressive HPF + gain reduction in the effects loop. I don't live in a condo but I've made a lot more sound in an appartment with my TV.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Back when I lived in my gfs apartment

id use a imac with a Behringer UMC204HD
And then plug my bass into it

monitor in logic and use A gk bass plugin

and then monitor out


The headphone out went into headphone amplifier and then I used whatever headphones