Practice amp rec's

[ThreeDrones]

Hello~

 

I'm returning to playing electric bass after 15 years off (played acoustic only for a few years). I am looking to pick up a good practice amp but I am waaay behind the times on what's out there. I would like something I could play along to CDs or my iPod.

 

Thanks for your input...

[moot]

Welcome to the forum ThreeDrones.

There have been more than a few threads on this subject recently and the search feature might show them.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

 

Also, post on the Introduction thread so we can get to know you better.

[lug]

I really like the little Ampeg BA112.

[jeremy c]

Hello and welcome.

 

A Fender Rumble would be an option.

 

There are some practice amps out there which have drum machines and all kinds of bells and whistles built in. Keep searching or maybe someone else will pop in and give you that answer.

[Graham56]

Make sure you have something with headphone output so you can practise late without annoying the family or neighbours.

 

For solo practice at home you might also consider something like a Korg Pandora or a Pod. I use a Korg, which provides headphone output, a selection of tones, a selection of metronome beats and an auxiliary input for CD players, iPods and the like.

 

For 'play-along' practice I feed in tracks using iTunes from the PC rather than from the iPod itself. The reason being that iTunes comes complete with a multi-band EQ which allows you to drop most of the bass out and replace it with your own sparkling lines.

 

Cheers

 

Graham

[Mr. Bizarro]

I'm with these guys. The Ampeg BA series or Fender Rumble would both be very nice, unless you wanted something with those fancy features. Go ahead and try the search function, but I've heard it's been acting up for quite a while.

 

Oh yes, welcome to the forum! Stick around, because there are lots of really great players on here (I'm not one of them ) who will have you up and playing again in no time.

[kenfxj]

Welcome 3D!

 

I have a Fender B-DEC. Great little practice amp with several nice built-in features.

[saxofunk]

I really like the new Acoustic B20. But then that's just an opinion.

[jeremy c]

Welcome 3D!

 

I have a Fender B-DEC. Great little practice amp with several nice built-in features.

 

That amp has a lot of nice features. But it's $400! For that amount of money, you could actually buy something that you could use on a gig. You can always listen to your iPod or Walkman on headphones while you practice with an amp turned on softly.

[rizzo9247]

+1 on the Acoustic B20. Nice tone out of that guy. If your looking for more power, give the line 6 lowdown110 a try. Loud for its size, and has the requirements you seek.

[Rocky McDougall]

I always recommend the TASCAM Bass Trainer and some headphones. Your neighbors and family will love it.

Rocky

[ThreeDrones]

Welcome 3D!

 

I have a Fender B-DEC. Great little practice amp with several nice built-in features.

 

That amp has a lot of nice features. But it's $400! For that amount of money, you could actually buy something that you could use on a gig. You can always listen to your iPod or Walkman on headphones while you practice with an amp turned on softly.

 

That's what I was thinking! Looks like a neat little amp but, damn, $400 is a bit more than I had in mind. I don't mind dropping $1500 on a bass or *gigging* amp but that's just me.

 

Good suggestions though, thanks!

[Bottom End]

I have a B-DEC, and only paid about $300, from Musician's Friend.

 

I really like it, the features it has are invaluable for keeping me in the mood to play.

[kenfxj]

I don't think I paid much more than $300 for mine either. That little amp gives you a lot for your money, IMHO.

[Luke73]

Warwick Blue Cab 30.

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Warwick-Blue-Cab-30-30W-Bass-Combo?sku=483055

 

Great combo - affordable, excellent tone, and compact.

 

Wanna plug in an iPod to jam with it? Go ahead - the combo has two inputs. Plug your bass into one, and the iPod into another. All you need is a 1/4"-3.5mm adaptor to plug an instrument cable into your iPod. No need for separate RCA Aux inputs.

 

It has line out for recording, and headphone out too.

 

 

Need more volume than the Blue cab 30 (I don't see why you would for a practice amp though)? Get the Blue Cab 60.

 

[SteveC]

I played a Roland MicroCube yesterday. It was a nice little amp. The built in metronome/rhythm thing was nice. Nothing fancy, but good enough for practice.

[jcadmus]

I've always been a fan of the Peavey Combo 115 -- great little* amp, with plenty of power, and a nice onboard compressor.

 

When it's time to play a show, add a second four-ohm cab and you've got a 300-watt gig-ready rig.

 

Or, if you can find one, the Peavey Combo 210TXF is a nice choice -- they don't make 'em anymore, but there are plenty of used ones around. Same amp as the Combo 115, but with 2 10s instead of the 15-inch speaker.

 

*Little being a relative term here - this sucker weighs about 90 lbs.

[Bottom End]

 

That's what I was thinking! Looks like a neat little amp but, damn, $400 is a bit more than I had in mind. I don't mind dropping $1500 on a bass or *gigging* amp but that's just me.

 

Good suggestions though, thanks!

 

Well, if the B-DEC was just a box with input jack, a volume knob, and 30 watts out of a 10" speaker, I'd feel the same way as you do, and I paid $320, shipping included. The B-DEC is a lot more than that. (Disclaimer: I wish Fender was paying me for this endorsement, but it's not).

 

Some features:

3 band tone control.

Built in Tuner.

You can plug in MP3 player into RCA jacks and play along.

MIDI-capable.

Headphone, Aux-In and Line Out jacks.

Tempo Creep: just like that drummer who plays a little faster as the song progresses, this will push up the tempo by the BPM you select.

Key change: Play a scale/pattern in E, next time around it's in A, cycle of fifths, whatever you like, for as long as you want to play. Add that to the Tempo Creep, and you are in for a workout.

ca. 40 Rhythm tracks; you decide if you want only the drums, bass, or keys, all or none as you like.

FX and amp modelling, both presets and user defined.

Record a rhythm track or a bassline, then overdub if you wish.

About 20 Play along learning exercises, can use tempo and key changes.

Method Book detailling all the basslines and lessons.

 

All in all, the B-Dec is a lot more than a low power amp that won't break your lease while you practice. It's very loud if necessary, though I haven't used it while playing with others.

 

I don't know what your level of experience is, or what you want to accomplish in a practice session, but one of the best features is that it challenges me to learn something new, breaks me out of a rut, simulates a "band rehearsal" environment, and allows me to play around with ideas. I have only been playing for two years after a 20 year hiatus, and I find that having the resources this amp has really makes me want to practice more than I did when I didn't have this amp.

 

Also, I have the Tascam Bass Trainer, excellent piece of gear for learning tunes by ear.

[davio]

I survive off of my Korg Pandora PX4D while practicing by myself.

 

http://www.guitarcenter.com/ToneWorks-Pandora-PX4D-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor-103381554-i1124641.gc

 

They also have a newer PX5D that have more perks including USB interface for recording but it's another $80.

 

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Korg-Pandora-PX5D-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor-104821715-i1387080.gc

 

That paired with a decent set of headphones (I use my Sony studio cans) and you'll be set.

 

If you want to spend money on an amp for practicing with other people it's an entirely different story.

[saxofunk]

I've always been a fan of the Peavey Combo 115 -- great little* amp, with plenty of power, and a nice onboard compressor.

 

Oh yeah, I sort of forgot about Peavey. I have enjoyed a few of their practice amps at GC. First impressions have been good.

[Davo-London]

Roland's cube is great fun and worthy of a short-list. Nice tone too. I fancy an Orange crush. But then I'm like that.

 

Davo