Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What has been a game changer for you for convenience?
- Thread starter TheKillersFan
- Start date
Years ago now, but my game changer was to switch to EMG full actives for better tone, expanded bandwidth, increased dynamics, and most importantly, >-100dB noise floor so I am dead quiet on stage with my band's Behringer digital board. I have used this setup for over a decade, with many more years of gigging anticipated.
Sansamp bass VT and an mxr compressor have been game changers for me. I'll never not have them on my pedalboard again.
I missed the "convenience" part of your post. I don't think of a compressor as having anything to do with convenience, but it sure sweetens up the sound of a bass, which can be inspiring for practice. Or maybe a headphone bass amp and some nice Sennheiser headphones?
Earplugs - Do this now.
Those same people won't be able to hear you in a few years when you tell them how wrong they were.
This:
Although I quit Facebook 3 years ago, whenever I'm confused about our gig schedule I type "Acme Trio Facebook" and the band page comes up.
Yeah, I'm Wile E Coyote.
Super genius.
Although I quit Facebook 3 years ago, whenever I'm confused about our gig schedule I type "Acme Trio Facebook" and the band page comes up.
Yeah, I'm Wile E Coyote.
Super genius.
Lightweight amps that sound great and are powerful enough to play shows with like Fender Rumbles and the Trace Elliot Elf (I have both), have been the answers to all my prayers to the bass gods. Heaven sent, I tell you!
If you play with a pick at all (im in a cover band so i switch from fingers to pick depending on song and tone im going for) this is a complete game changer for me:
A hip hip flask.
Keeps ya from having to run downstairs at home, or to the bar itself at tavern gigs, and then ya only gotta tip when ya re-fill.
Keeps ya from having to run downstairs at home, or to the bar itself at tavern gigs, and then ya only gotta tip when ya re-fill.
Oh yes. As a fellow owner of that fantastic cab, I agree totally. Powerful, almost impossibly light and my bass just sounds fantastic through it. I use mine with my Flyrig as mentioned above and a GR Bass Pure 800 head.
The convenience game changer for me was going ampless with an HX Stomp. I know that’s not in your $200 budget, though. Lol!
Yup. I wish I could describe it. Buy at a place where you can return it, Guitar Ctr, Sweetwater is what I did. But…. I waited until a used one came around. I just didn’t want so many “knobs” or colour options. And, I’ll say again just a bit made it worth the $$.
I bought the Fender Custom Shop set when it was on sale, yea, full price and I don’t see eye to eye!
Made by groove tools maybe ??
This: https://www.amazon.com/Hercules-GS455B-Universal-Guitar-Stand/dp/B0055BZLCQ
It accommodates 6-string necks and offset bodies, and it can be extended high enough to hold either my Emerald Balor or my solidbodies. I have three of them, but I don't think you can get them any more.
It accommodates 6-string necks and offset bodies, and it can be extended high enough to hold either my Emerald Balor or my solidbodies. I have three of them, but I don't think you can get them any more.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
One of the biggest game changers for me has been an acoustic bass (a five-string Tacoma Thunderchief). I really enjoy its tone, seeing it as its own instrument and not as a wannabe electric or upright bass. It has brought a lot of convenience to practicing and teaching where I travel to the student, as I needn't waste any time setting up an amplifier and can get right to it. It is also less forgiving of sloppy playing, which is great for practice. Some techniques are still best practiced on an electric though. It's more than $200, and discontinued, but I'm sure that any acoustic bass can have the same benefits. Being used to South African prices, which are always higher than US prices for musical instruments, I'm not sure whether one can get an acoustic bass below $200 (perhaps a second-hand one).
Below $200, the Warwick Gnome has also been somewhat of a game changer. It's a great-sounding, minimal amplifier which I can fit into the accessory compartment of my bass' case if I want to travel light with a minimal setup. I don't currently play in any high-volume settings without PA support, so it is more than sufficient power-wise for me. I often also use it as a preamp and DI out at the end of my pedalboard if I'm using IEMs. It was also one of the most affordable bass amp heads on Thomann. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again if anything ever happened to mine.
Below $200, the Warwick Gnome has also been somewhat of a game changer. It's a great-sounding, minimal amplifier which I can fit into the accessory compartment of my bass' case if I want to travel light with a minimal setup. I don't currently play in any high-volume settings without PA support, so it is more than sufficient power-wise for me. I often also use it as a preamp and DI out at the end of my pedalboard if I'm using IEMs. It was also one of the most affordable bass amp heads on Thomann. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again if anything ever happened to mine.
