Talk me down! (dumb idea content inside)

[trevcda]

I had an idea the other night that I need a little advise with. If even if that advise is to not do it!

A little back story: I travel a fair amount and find myself in various places. If I know I'm going to be performing, I'll bring a decent bass and arrange for back line to be provided. Other times I'm just noodling with friends and have traditionally purchased a small used amp (usually a Peavey MicroBass) for $40 and if I know I'll be returning, just left it behind for next time. Sometimes, I have no plans for performing, but just want to bring a bass, but would have no method of amplification if needed.

So my idea was to buy a beater five string bass with a bolt on neck (so I could remove it so it would fit into a carry on suitcase), get it up to snuff and install a Bluetooth transmitter so that I could use whatever Bluetooth speaker was laying about. Not trying to shake the rafters, just enough to keep up with an unplugged acoustic guitar.

I kind of let the idea go, thinking it was dumb and was ready to just move on. Until yesterday when I came across a Rogue LX205B bass for $35. Its previous owner apparently didn't want to spend the time learning a five string bass and had removed one of the tuning pegs, leaving a empty hole in the head stock. He also had a go at the electronics. It looked like he was using a branding iron for a soldering iron. Long story short, I got the bass sorted, set up and I'm now browsing the internet for Bluetooth transmitters small enough to fit or be routed into the back of the bass, along with a switch and a battery.

So what do you guys think? I very realistic expectations of the sound. I'm potentially concerned about latency. But what else am I missing here?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Sounds interesting. If you’re going to be regularly removing the neck I’d suggest installing or having installed threaded inserts and using machine screws instead of wood screws to attach the neck.

 

[ctmullins]

Latency will be an issue. If you’re just playing by yourself, well then it might not be an obstacle. But no way would I do that when playing with others.

 

[XLunacy]

It seems Bluetooth has an absolute minimum latency of ~40ms, which is about the times it takes for sound to cover 14 meters, so it will be noticeable.
This is the absolute minimum, it generally is much more.
I would not want that, even if I'm playing by myself...
Bluetooth speakers sometimes have a mini-jack input to act as headphones, so you could try that instead? I think you would need some sort of headphone amp, and a simple mini-jack cable.