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Vibration sound in amp and objects on low notes. Help

spintop90

spintop90

Mar 2, 2018
105
176
South Florida
Disclosures
New to bass guitar
#1
Everytime I play on the bass, I'd noticed that Everytime id play on the low notes like an open E or C in the A string, not only would the amp vibrate but the whole room would too.

I have a Hartke HD15.
I'm not sure if that's a good amp, or if I should just trade it with samash for a more better amp.
 
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#6
That is normal. My whole house goes at the low G, everything that is glass in cabinets like, plates, figurines and such start dancing.
That is what bass does. If you do not like a particular vibrating sound move whatever item is vibrating the loudest making that offending sound is the best you can do.

Enjoy your new earthquake machine. :thumbsup:

We just had a thread about what note makes your house go best but I could not find it.
 
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#11
I mentioned in another thread that I moved my amp/cab from one side of my practice space to the other and suddenly everything started rattling, where it hadn't before. Seems that in the new spot it was sitting on a floor joist that was connected to other parts of the house in a way that seemed more "responsive". Moving it again fixed the problem. YMMV, but worth trying a few different spots around the room to see if it makes any difference.
 
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#12
spintop90 said:
Everytime I play on the bass, I'd noticed that Everytime id play on the low notes like an open E or C in the A string, not only would the amp vibrate but the whole room would too.

I have a Hartke HD15.
I'm not sure if that's a good amp, or if I should just trade it with samash for a more better amp.
Click to expand...
How is your EQ set? Before doing anything drastic like getting rid of the amp, I'd try cutting some bass out of the EQ if you've not already tried it. Since the room resonance seems to pick up on and enhance certain low frequencies naturally, you could compensate by cutting some bass with the EQ. :)
 
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#16
it's called acoustic coupling.. your amp in coupling with the floor, effectively turning it into an extension of the speaker enclosure.. figure out a way to get the amp off of the floor, and most of your problem will go away.. try setting the amp on a plastic milk crate.

the only problem with decoupling a small practice amp is, you'll lose some of that super low end that you get from the floor
 
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#18
Tommy V said:
it's called acoustic coupling.. your amp in coupling with the floor, effectively turning it into an extension of the speaker enclosure.. figure out a way to get the amp off of the floor, and most of your problem will go away.. try setting the amp on a plastic milk crate.

the only problem with decoupling a small practice amp is, you'll lose some of that super low end that you get from the floor
Click to expand...

I have found this to be true.

I have my Acme Low B 112FR on a four leg wooden stool same as I sit on when practicing (that is, when I'm not practicing in a standing position!). So my tail feathers and the bottom of the cab are both 24" off the floor. I will sit pretty close to the cab which is to one side of me, and this permits me to practice even into the early hours of the morning in my condo without disturbing anyone. Of course, I'm not playing at anywhere near the volume levels some of you guys / gals apparently are! Rock on!

I do find practicing at low to moderate volume with the cab pretty close to me makes it easier to work on subtleties in tone with the fingers, and especially, playing the frets and not the fret board. To do this, though, on the rig I described requires compensation to the Fletcher Munson curve using the tone controls. The Ampeg bass and hi boost switches and a touch of the bass control does the trick at low volume with a Fender 5 string P bass and LaBella flats. Of course, as soon as you give the amp some gas, you have to cut that out! For me, when I'm practicing, I think it's very helpful to have the loudspeaker close by or at least pointing at my head so I'm not serenading my knees.
 
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#20
Tommy V said:
it's called acoustic coupling.. your amp in coupling with the floor, effectively turning it into an extension of the speaker enclosure.. figure out a way to get the amp off of the floor, and most of your problem will go away.. try setting the amp on a plastic milk crate.

the only problem with decoupling a small practice amp is, you'll lose some of that super low end that you get from the floor
Click to expand...

Edit: If your going to try the above (Message #18), leave enough space between the cab / bass head and your music stand for the neck and head stock. You have to be careful not to smash the head stock / tuning keys into the bass head or into the side of the cab. Otherwise, crashing into the cab / head with your bass will distract you from the music you are preparing to perform! It kind of wrecks the mood.
 
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