Practicing Bass on a cruise ship

[BassDelGato]

Hi Everyone,

I'm an electric bass player that works on cruise ships, and I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas about what I can plug my bass into to practice out of while on the ship. We don't have access to amplifiers unless we are performing. I really like the features of the Tascam MP-BT1 bass trainer, but I've heard mixed things about it. Has anyone used it? http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-MPBT1-Portable-MP3-Bass-Trainer?sku=241198

Anyone have any other ideas? I've used a bulky/inefficient multi-effects pedal or direct input to my laptop to practice with before and found both were a pain to set up and find a location to practice in.

-Nate

 

[unclekebm]

check this out...

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-amPlug-Bass-Headphone-Amp?sku=581087

 

[HeyMikey]

A Cafe Walter with a set of headphones and you are good to go.

 

[Sandvich Hero]

Also another one is the Korg Pandora.

Lets you input an external source for phrase training or pitch shifting. Also is a small drum machine.

 

[Stinsok]

I use the Tascam regularly. Can be charged from a USB port, has pretty good battery life, can hold up to 240 songs, has a built in tuner. It's got some cheesy effects that I don't use. Money well spent for me.

 

[BassDelGato]

Thanks for all the help! I really like the mp3 player function, headphone amp, metronome, phrase looping and slowing down, and tuner functions of the TASCAM MP-BT1. Is there anything that also has these things built in?

 

[southernrocker]

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...It-S1b-Standard-Bass-Headphone-Amp?sku=151082

I own one of these and they sound great, even through the stock headphones.

 

[BurningSkies]

I love my pandora for practicing. Onboard amp and cab sims, effects, lots of metronome and drum patterns, a thru to run an iPod into it. A phrase trainer and a tuner close it out.

 

[BrennP90]

Off topic: I was thinking about trying to do the cruise ship gig for a while once I'm out of school, how do you like it?

 

[Intenzity]

Off topic: I was thinking about trying to do the cruise ship gig for a while once I'm out of school, how do you like it?

I would be interested in hearing about it also, audition, tunes etc.

 

[Biddy]

I get lots of use out of my MP-BT1... well worth the money.

 

[Hoover]

When I gigged on a cruise ship I brought a Sholtz Bass Rockman with me for practice.

Of course, after several weeks of 4 shows a night/seven days a week, I got pretty sick of practicing in my down time, so the Rockman didn't get much use...

 

[BassmanPaul]

Cheap micro mixer. Bass into one channel, MP3 player or computer into another and headphones into the 'phone jack. Practice all day long and disturb no one.

Paul

 

[bleedingfingers]

Mp bt -1 is the way to go .
I also have the cd player version for when people are nice
enough to supply me with discs of there show .

Bt-1 runs on a charge for a long time so you can practise anywhere with enough space for you and your bass.

The CD version eats battery's and needs about 8 of them at a time .

Only downside is it only plays mp-3s no wma 's or other types .

It's very easy to download tunes on and fits in the palm of your hand .

I have friends who work cruise ships and know that living space is usually cramped and shared so I think Bt-1 would be your best bet.

cheers B.

 

[chadds]

I love my pandora for practicing. Onboard amp and cab sims, effects, lots of metronome and drum patterns, a thru to run an iPod into it. A phrase trainer and a tuner close it out.

Don't you think your use of the word onboard is a little......................

 

[isisiscool]

check this out...

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-amPlug-Bass-Headphone-Amp?sku=581087

+1
This think is awesome for just this sort of thing.

 

[BassScum]

I have one of those Vox Bass headphone amps. Works great and is inexpensive. I plug my I pod into it. Can't beat it for what it does.

Edit: Didn't see the link above ^^^ But yes thats the one.

 

[esoxhntr]

Another vote for Tascam, really handy little gadget.

 

[nella]

The Korg Pandora PX5D would get my vote any day.

 

[Craig_S]

I get lots of use out of my MP-BT1... well worth the money.

Yep. Great tool. There are built in effects and a tuner as well.