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You can't handle the truth! (Or the low B string)
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
Whatever amp is used, if it can reproduce the low B without distortion, it’s fine.
IMO with a low-B five string it’s more about the cabinet you’re using and the frequency range it can efficiently reproduce rather than the amp. Most amps cover a far broader frequency range than your instrument produces and your cab can reproduce. How much power you need to drive it depends on how efficient the cab is and how much headroom you require.
I don't play live anymore, so I got rid of my stacks and larger combos. I have a rumble 40 studio and amplitube on my Mac and have no trouble with the B string on either. I also play relatively quietly so I guess it's a bit different of you're driving the amp.
I think we as humans just twiddle over gear too much because there are a billion options. Tasteful and accurate playing is more important to me personally than what I'm playing through.
Tasteful bass playing won't make plugging into a late 90's solid state Crate electric guitar practice amp sound any better than the sum of its parts, but I'm sure some of you will know what I mean.
I think we as humans just twiddle over gear too much because there are a billion options. Tasteful and accurate playing is more important to me personally than what I'm playing through.
Tasteful bass playing won't make plugging into a late 90's solid state Crate electric guitar practice amp sound any better than the sum of its parts, but I'm sure some of you will know what I mean.
Agree. lmao @ a guy a thousand miles away judging sound quality through digital transmission during virtual tele-lessons.
There are amps (the issue is the speaker cabinet, not the electronics per se) that can "handle" a low B (meaning they don't fart out), but there is only one manufacturer of commercially available bass guitar cabinets that comes close to reproducing the fundamental well - Acme. If you ever have the chance to play through a decent PA, with real subs (they can go down to 30 Hz just fine, but they would never fit in your car), you quickly realize this.
There is a tradeoff in speaker design - bass cabinets are designed to be loud (efficient) and to fit in your car. That means they don't really go low - they don't really support the low E of a 4 string bass, the low B of a 5'er is just well beyond that they do.
Home practice? Thats another kettle of fish altogether, not nearly as demanding - if it sounds OK, it is OK.
There is a tradeoff in speaker design - bass cabinets are designed to be loud (efficient) and to fit in your car. That means they don't really go low - they don't really support the low E of a 4 string bass, the low B of a 5'er is just well beyond that they do.
Home practice? Thats another kettle of fish altogether, not nearly as demanding - if it sounds OK, it is OK.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Everything/anything can take a low B. It's just a factor of if you want to feel it, or just hear it a little.
An at-home amp is for personal amplification, not for teacher impressification
If you're never leaving the house with it, it's fine. You didn't even need it over the 40.
40 to 100 isn't much of a jump in the Rumble series. IME playing these two, they're fairly interchangeable. Big jump from the 25 to the 40 – as in the 25 is very close to being complete garbage, and the 40 sounds really good, and has great controls and features. The next big jump isn't till the 200. That's when you move to an amp that can actually do most gigs, especially if you add the extension cab.
The 40 and the 200 are the amps to have in the Rumble line, IMO.
40 to 100 isn't much of a jump in the Rumble series. IME playing these two, they're fairly interchangeable. Big jump from the 25 to the 40 – as in the 25 is very close to being complete garbage, and the 40 sounds really good, and has great controls and features. The next big jump isn't till the 200. That's when you move to an amp that can actually do most gigs, especially if you add the extension cab.
The 40 and the 200 are the amps to have in the Rumble line, IMO.
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Instead of letting your teacher's GAS drive you purchasing decisions, IMHO judge for yourself. Simply use your ears.
FYI, I used to practice my 6-string bass through an old Fender Princeton. 12.5W through an open back 10" driver. The B string sounded great at low volume.
Key words are "home practice" you are right. Looking for something for gigging? 2x10 or 1x15 will be better. I practice my 5 string on my rumble 100 all the time. I use my 100 for my small coffee house gigs which works perfect with volume to spare. I do play a 4 string at these gigs. I could use my 5er just don't live on the 5th,
Remember, not every note you play is a "B" on the 5th string.
Remember, not every note you play is a "B" on the 5th string.
Gear selection is part specs, part application, and part opinion.
I agree with your teacher that 100W may not do it with assuming you may end up playing in a loud rock band. I disagree with your teacher that a 100W may not do it for home practice.
If the amplifier can reproduce the B string sound in an acceptable way in your practice environment at the volume you require, then it should work. You don't need a million watts and 18" subwoofers to do a good sounding B.
I agree with your teacher that 100W may not do it with assuming you may end up playing in a loud rock band. I disagree with your teacher that a 100W may not do it for home practice.
If the amplifier can reproduce the B string sound in an acceptable way in your practice environment at the volume you require, then it should work. You don't need a million watts and 18" subwoofers to do a good sounding B.
Depends on how many dBs you need to get from your amp and how you EQ your rig. I think there is more to this story we need to know to really help you out.
You should also look into practicing with headphones/earbuds/IEM
You can easily hear a Low B much with an adequate set of headphones.
With isolation cans, You'll also hear your own articulations of your own playing as it would come through a much larger amp or FOH situation.
You can easily hear a Low B much with an adequate set of headphones.
With isolation cans, You'll also hear your own articulations of your own playing as it would come through a much larger amp or FOH situation.
Here something you can show him....B string on a couple of 4 inch speakers.
