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small and affordable rig for a small apartment

itp

itp

Feb 20, 2021
7
6
#1
I haven't been playing bass for 5 years, but I'm back!
Meanwhile I moved from a house to a small apartment, so I'm looking for a really small rig. My purpose is to practice, playing for my pleasure and music development, and to not bother my neighbors nor my boyfriend.

Rig size preferences: something that would fit on/under desk or in a drawer
Practice preferences: with headphones and without them (50/50). It would be nice to have possibility of hearing backing track
Tone preferences: bright and punchy (P basses and Ampeg fan here)
Music preferences: funk, punk, rock and metal


I'm not sure what kind of gear I really need, my first types were:
  • Nux Mighty Plug (I'm stoked by its possibilities!)
  • Zoom B1 Four (same)
  • Hotone Thunder Bass (looks adorable and promising)
but I don't want to play only on headphones, so sooner or later I will have to buy a cab. For me it's not affordable solution for now (are there any nice sounding and tiny cabs anyway?)
I'm also thinking of a small combo (Ampeg BA108 v2, Fender Rumble 25, Hartke HD25, Warwick BC20).

What would you recommend and which silent practice solution do you think is the best?
Please don't recommend PJ Double 4 - I love its size, but not the price.
 
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#4
I love both my Blackstar Amplug, as well as my Rumble 25. I don’t like being tied to a desk otherwise I’d just use my USB interface (I use my phone for practice.)

The Hotone has been on my list but I recently read here on TB the aux in was noisy, so that was a turn off.

oh, and welcome back to bass!
 
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#8
CallMeAl said:
I love both my Blackstar Amplug, as well as my Rumble 25. I don’t like being tied to a desk otherwise I’d just use my USB interface (I use my phone for practice.)

The Hotone has been on my list but I recently read here on TB the aux in was noisy, so that was a turn off.
Click to expand...

So there are situations when you prefer to use Amplug even though rumble has a headphone output?

Thanks for the info about Hotone, I had to miss that.
 
#9
What’s your budget? There’s GK MB108 but they’re quite expensive and kind of hard to find used for around $100. (EDIT: just found an online listing from GC [Invalid or Expired Link Removed])

Since you mentioned Ampeg, that’s also an option, I personally think you should go with the Ampeg!!! I loved mine when I had it before it blew up on me due to my negligence of rocking too hard with an active bass :smug:
 
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#11
I'm very fond of my BA108. I started out with a cheapo headphone amp. Can't bear to look at it anymore. It's incredibly 'hissy' compared to the Ampeg. I thought the inclusion of the AUX volume control on the Ampeg was the deal-maker for me compared to the Rumble. Turns out I never use it. My phone (which is playing metronome/drum loop/mp3) is right next to my left hand so that's the volume control that gets used.

I'm finding that the 1/8" cables used for both AUX and headphone might last 3-4 months. I always play standing up and generally with headphones. 100 times a week stepping on the cables and they start getting crackly. Buy a few.
 
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#12
Another option is a Line 6 Pod or HX Stomp, or maybe another brands modelling/multifx unit. You could plug headphones into one and have several amp and cab simulations + effects to play with.. and at any point you could add a pair of powered studio monitors for external sounds that likely surpass what I can get out of my little Rumble 15w by itself.
 
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#13
TC Electronic BG250-210
Headphone jack, aux in, built in tuner, 2 TonePrint slots, light and can get loud enough to play with other people when the time comes!
They come up for sale as low as $200
I have one and it’s great for taking to jam sessions when I don’t need to bring the big guns! The tone prints are cool for getting a lot more out of the head, such as loading a tube overdrive into one slot and leave it low to get a warm tube amp vibe with a little break up.
 
#14
I have amps, cabs, combos, headphone amps, interface & computer.. use them all. But the one gets most use when I need to stay quiet is the B1 four. Great tool for plug & play practice. Not only tuner and effects etc, but the drum machine and looper are great tools for practice. I power it with a power bank, so can carry around as well.
 
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#15
itp said:
So there are situations when you prefer to use Amplug even though rumble has a headphone output?

Thanks for the info about Hotone, I had to miss that.
Click to expand...
The Amplug is just simpler, less chords. Nice to practice standing up, more portable. I used to use it exclusively when my son was little, cause you can just stick it in a drawer. Now he’s 4, better with boundaries, and I find I can just leave the Rumble set up and I’m using that more nowadays. PS I’m really happy with the Rumble’s tone for what it is. Surprisingly full (and loud!)
 
#18
Check out a new or used Ampeg PF-350 or 500. They both have headphones jacks and can be played without cabs connected. Play with that and save up for a cab. You could get matching portaflex cabs or go with something else entirely when you're ready.

You'll hear about some faulty PF heads on here but you'll also here that the issue was resolved long ago. Do some research and go with what you feel is the best value - this would be my vote though!
 
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#19
colicchio said:
Check out a new or used Ampeg PF-350 or 500. They both have headphones jacks and can be played without cabs connected. Play with that and save up for a cab. You could get matching portaflex cabs or go with something else entirely when you're ready.

You'll hear about some faulty PF heads on here but you'll also here that the issue was resolved long ago. Do some research and go with what you feel is the best value - this would be my vote though!
Click to expand...

This, if you can afford it. Or a small amp with headphone out that's expandable by adding a second cab later.

If you really want to keep it cheap for now, a small headphone amp. I use the old Boss TU-88, which has a tuner, metronome, aux input and headphone out. Great little practice tool. There are several other options as well.
 

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