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Quality Quiet Sound, Loud Already Covered

ddarrell2

ddarrell2

Nov 25, 2017
59
32
#1
I have been looking through forums for "best bedroom amps," but it seems like everyone is still talking about how much volume they can get from a little amp. I have a Rumble 200 with a 210 cab, so high volume is covered. I'm trying to find something that sounds great dialed below 1.

I was thinking something small from Markbass might be a high quality option, but not finding much locally for a listen. The smaller speaker Rumbles seemed kinda thin, so I'm open to other options. Thanks!
 
#2
It all depends on how much you want to spend and if it is a practice amp only, I'd keep it under $200. In fact, for around a hundred you can get excellent performance from a bedroom amp. Offerings from Ampeg, Fender, Hartke and others will satisfy.
 
#3
sb106.jpg


^^^ Traynor SB106. 200 watt head does 50 watts into it's 6" speaker.

mod.jpg


I use this ^^^ Re-issue YBA-1 Mod-1 40 watt head set to 2 watts when it's late. These aren't really common or available but the attenuator works really well so you might consider a load box of some sort.
Apologies for the Canadian only content but hey, the factory is 15 min from home.
 
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#5
There are a myriad or amps on the market that will work well. If the amp is to be used for recording purposes (ie. mic), then I would generally suggest getting something with a single driver. The theory that I understand is that multiple drivers have the possibility of causing a degree of phase cancellation, but that may be debatable.

Personally, I used a GK MB112-II for my quiet stuff and recording. It has amazing tone at low (and higher) volumes.
 
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#7
btmpancake said:
Did you check out the Rumble 40-110speaker combo? The one I own I cannot turn up over 5 with plenty of thunder in my garage.
Click to expand...

I did, but I'm looking for tonal quality versus thunder--how low [volume] can I go--when trying to play at home after bedtime of a newborn and toddler.

I'm using big over-the-ear headphones now, but wondering about an option that's low enough were I could could feel comfortable without the headphones. Using headphones might be my only option though.
 
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#9
ddarrell2 said:
I did, but I'm looking for tonal quality versus thunder--how low [volume] can I go--when trying to play at home after bedtime of a newborn and toddler.

I'm using big over-the-ear headphones now, but wondering about an option that's low enough were I could could feel comfortable without the headphones. Using headphones might be my only option though.
Click to expand...
Ok-happy shopping big bro...the hunt is sometimes as much fun as the kill.
 
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#11
Even the amps that sound ok at low volumes will sound thin at very low volumes IMO. Partly because how amps/speaker work (lows need more power) and partly because of how our ears work (less sensitive to lows at low volumes, see Fletcher Munson curve). I honestly don't think anything will sound much better dialed below 1 than the Rumble you've already got. Or do you need an ADDITIONAL amp for low volumes? Even so, I don't think you will find anything that sounds significantly better than your Rumble below 1 so at least that should give you an idea of what to expect.

But even if you should find a small amp that allows you to crank the lows into sub-heaven at bedroom level you probably wouldn't want that, would you? At least not if "bedroom levels" means that you don't want to disturb anyone. I mean, it wouldn't be bedroom level if everyone in the same building can hear/feel your lows, would it? That's just the physics of low frequencies. Guitar at low volume can sound great. Bass at low volume is always a compromise.

Powerful bass sound at bedroom levels = quality headphones IMO. But I can understand 100% if that's not what you want and you would still need something to feed those headphones. I just don't see any better options if you want to avoid "thin" and really stay at bedroom levels. At least not MY definition of "bedroom levels" (meaning something I wouldn't go nuts over if the neighbour did it). A full bass sound WILL spread through the building unless you hire an acoustician and re-build your bedroom.
 
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#12
ddarrell2 said:
Oh! The Double Four also looks interesting.

Does anyone have any experience with the tiny Blackstar amps?
Click to expand...

I have two Blackstar guitar amps - a 40 watt 1 x 12 tube combo and a solid state Stereo 40 with two 6 inch speakers. Both of them are great but different. The stereo amp has a basic DSP processor built in and with its delay, it produces a huge sound that’s much bigger than its box. The point I’m trying to make is that Blackstar makes great sounding, well built stuff that are pretty good values. I think I paid less than $100 for the stereo amp brand new and it sounds spectacular.
 
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#13
in my very subjective and non scientific opinion, a lot of bedroom amps are no fun to play because they have one tiny speaker that doesn't produce bass very well.

So to me, good practice amp tone is mostly about the cab/speaker it comes with, and whether or not it can reproduce anything lower than midrange frequencies.

If it were me, I’d be looking for something with a single 12, a pair of 10s. A combo like that might have more capability than you need, but it will produce sweet fat tones at low volumes.
 
#14
I use a Peavey VYPYR modeling amp. Cost about $125 new. Could probably find one on the used market for around $75. Mine actually sounds like a bass amp. Small, light and very portable. Plus if someone needs a small guitar amp, you will have it covered.
 
#16
I have heard a Jazz Bass sound really great at softly-strummed acoustic guitar levels through a silverface Fender Deluxe Reverb. At very low volumes, I wonder if an open-back guitar amp configuration works in your favor, or if that was just a happy accident?
 
#18
mexicanyella said:
I have heard a Jazz Bass sound really great at softly-strummed acoustic guitar levels through a silverface Fender Deluxe Reverb. At very low volumes, I wonder if an open-back guitar amp configuration works in your favor, or if that was just a happy accident?
Click to expand...

Maybe not an accident at all. I’ll use my SO’s Fender Lead 75 combo guitar amp for low volume bass. Sounds great too. And back in the 70s I used an Acoustic 150 guitar head as my small bass amp.

I’ve found it’s often less about the amp and more about the cab when it comes to bass. YMMV.
 

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