Time to start again and need a small amp - Suggestions?

[goldenglory18]

Welp, its time to dust off the old bass and get back to it. This time around I'm a lot more limited on my amp possibilities and am completely tied to headphone-only play/rehearsal/writing (I'm in a Los Angeles apartment now and will need to play exclusively through headphones (this project will be 99% remote.)

Background: I'm an originals rock and roll player. Pick 90% of the time or grindy finger play for the balance. I love big rigs, and am accustomed to the tone that large cabs powered by all-tube rigs or larger amps designed for that tube growl with solid state reliability can provide. Unfortunately, that's just not in the cards anymore, and now I feel like I'm in a totally new universe of gear.

I do have experience with the Walkabout and LOVED the one I used to have. But whats out there now that compares and can help me get the tone I'm used to with a post-preamp DI/emulated output? Ideally I'd like to stay in the sub $500 range, but am flexible if the right thing comes along.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[two fingers]

I got nutn....


But Welcome back!!!!!

 

[Stumbo]

I got nutn....


But Welcome back!!!!!

Amp/cab simulators have come a long ways. Might be something to check out.

 

[Kro]

Seems to me like you might want to check out the VT Bass 500. I don't use one personally (though I do use the VT DI preamp into my GK and love it); it seems like it might be right up your alley.

 

[Linnin]

ZOOM B3n or used B3

 

[NickFromNY]

Is this for home practice only or for gigging possibly also?

 

[goldenglory18]

I got nutn....but Welcome back!!!!!

:high five:

Amp/cab simulators have come a long ways. Might be something to check out.

I'm trying to avoid getting too complicated. Bass > amp > headphone/line out > input device > macbook would be most ideal.

Seems to me like you might want to check out the VT Bass 500. I don't use one personally (though I do use the VT DI preamp into my GK and love it); it seems like it might be right up your alley.

Oh awesome. I had no idea Tech21 got into the amp game. I've always loved their DI's and preamps, so I'll definitely check it out. Thanks!

ZOOM B3n or used B3

Need more amp and less effect, but thanks for the recommendation!

Is this for home practice only or for gigging possibly also?

Both? No gigs planned, but if so I could rent/borrow a quality backline. If anything, there might be some limited practice/pre-production sessions that require amplification, so that's why I'm leaning more towards "small amp" and less "digital simulator." 90-95% of this gig is going to be remote writing/recording scratch tracks, and 5-10% will be in person/live recording.

 

[NickFromNY]

If you don't need a speaker there are a ton of preamp options that will get you what you want tonally. Any of the Sansamp stuff (I use a Paradriver), Mesa Subway DI, Aguilar Tonehammer DI, Ampeg Scrambler... Plug in bass, out to MacBook and you are off. Any of the current class D bass heads have DI and can run without a cab attached too... All of those DI have powered bass head versions. If you get a gig, just find a cab to add.

 

[goldenglory18]

If you don't need a speaker there are a ton of preamp options that will get you what you want tonally...Any of the current class D bass heads have DI and can run without a cab attached too... All of those DI have powered bass head versions. If you get a gig, just find a cab to add.

That's EXACTLY my thought. A good DI for the majority of my needs, and the amplifier to back it up when needed.

 

[BlushResponse]

If big rig tube goodness is your thing, maybe the Ampeg PF-50T is your thing? You can run this amp without a speaker with no worries, so using it as a headphone amp will be fine.

 

[drpepper]

ZOOM B3n or used B3

Need more amp and less effect, but thanks for the recommendation!

It seems unfortunate that you'd dismiss it as "just effects". The B3 has a dozen each of amp and cabinet simulations, and it can serve as a computer interface. I think the software works great on the Mac...as a matter of fact, if I had to depend on fiddling with the buttons on the B3, I'd probably get a bit lost. I've used mine as a DI (w and wo amp sims), a pre-amp with a power amp, with a powered speaker, headphone practice amp, and as a recording interface, and it's always done well. And I only occasionally use effects.

I don't vouch for anything about this video, but it seems to just focus on the amp sims

 

[Kro]

It seems unfortunate that you'd dismiss it as "just effects".

I don't know... given that one of the requirements of the OP's request is that the amp in question be, you know, an amp, this does seem like one instance where the Zoom falls short, no?

In fact, one could say that the Zoom is infinitely more effects than it is amp in this case. Because... its level of amp is zero. Zero amp.

 

[goldenglory18]

It seems unfortunate that you'd dismiss it as "just effects"....

But is it an amplifier? That's why I "dismissed it" earlier (and politely at that.) As useful as the tool might be to some, it's not worth the $$ to me when it doesn't cover the bases that I need it to.

 

[goldenglory18]

I don't know... given that one of the requirements of the OP's request is that the amp in question be, you know, an amp, this does seem like one instance where the Zoom falls short, no?

In fact, one could say that the Zoom is infinitely more effects than it is amp in this case. Because... its level of amp is zero. Zero amp.

Great call on the Tech 21 VT 500. The more I read about it, the more I think that might be the winner. Thanks again for the recommendation!

Now to find one in person somewhere here in Los Angeles.....

 

[BassAndReeds]

ZOOM B3n or used B3

I really think you should consider this Zoom "Pedal". It has amp sims and other things. You don't need to use the effects. I don't. But I can take it anywhere, and sounds great. And it's cheap.

 

[goldenglory18]

Hahaha..... I just watched this:

and my tone is 100% in there. I think I'm sold on this unit.

But like any respectable youtube viewer, that video led me to this:


Dear lord, look at that wall in the background.

"I dont do soft."

 

[Nephilymbass]

Welp, its time to dust off the old bass and get back to it. This time around I'm a lot more limited on my amp possibilities and am completely tied to headphone-only play/rehearsal/writing (I'm in a Los Angeles apartment now and will need to play exclusively through headphones (this project will be 99% remote.)

Background: I'm an originals rock and roll player. Pick 90% of the time or grindy finger play for the balance. I love big rigs, and am accustomed to the tone that large cabs powered by all-tube rigs or larger amps designed for that tube growl with solid state reliability can provide. Unfortunately, that's just not in the cards anymore, and now I feel like I'm in a totally new universe of gear.

I do have experience with the Walkabout and LOVED the one I used to have. But whats out there now that compares and can help me get the tone I'm used to with a post-preamp DI/emulated output? Ideally I'd like to stay in the sub $500 range, but am flexible if the right thing comes along.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I run a little pedalboard into an Avalon u5. Picked mine up used off eBay for $350 which seemed about average. The Avalon is super clean and transparent with really nice low end. For dirt I use two Darkglass electronics pedals (alpha/omega and Duality) but I used sans amps for many years before I discovered DG.

Not the best sound but one easy way to jam along to music at home is a line 6 pod HD. It’s not the be all end all but considering it doubles as a USB audio interface you can can use it to connect you bass to the computer and jam with headphones.

 

[drpepper]

But is it an amplifier? That's why I "dismissed it" earlier (and politely at that.) As useful as the tool might be to some, it's not worth the $$ to me when it doesn't cover the bases that I need it to.

Hey, I don’t know what you read into what I wrote that made you find it necessary to point out that you were polite and shoot me the rhetorical, “But is it an amplifier?” - which I read as pejorative and a lil combative, as though I’ve somehow bothered you.

As a matter of passing interest, as I said, it seemed unfortunate to me to see someone who “will need to play exclusively through headphones” eliminate a potential solution from consideration out of not fully understanding its capabilities. If you did fully understand the B3’s capabilities, and I misunderstood what you are looking for, then I beg your pardon.

I’m certainly not looking to argue with you. What you ultimately do doesn’t affect me.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Welp, its time to dust off the old bass and get back to it. This time around I'm a lot more limited on my amp possibilities and am completely tied to headphone-only play/rehearsal/writing (I'm in a Los Angeles apartment now and will need to play exclusively through headphones (this project will be 99% remote.)

Background: I'm an originals rock and roll player. Pick 90% of the time or grindy finger play for the balance. I love big rigs, and am accustomed to the tone that large cabs powered by all-tube rigs or larger amps designed for that tube growl with solid state reliability can provide. Unfortunately, that's just not in the cards anymore, and now I feel like I'm in a totally new universe of gear.

I do have experience with the Walkabout and LOVED the one I used to have. But whats out there now that compares and can help me get the tone I'm used to with a post-preamp DI/emulated output? Ideally I'd like to stay in the sub $500 range, but am flexible if the right thing comes along.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Markbass Jeff Berlin combo. Used GC online. 500 out the door. Really great amp

 

[drpepper]

I really think you should consider this Zoom "Pedal". It has amp sims and other things. You don't need to use the effects. I don't. But I can take it anywhere, and sounds great. And it's cheap.

Hey, hey, heeeeey!!!! It's not an amp! You have to read ALL of the OPs "requirements". Apparently, somewhere in here it says that if you're not suggesting an amp, then your input is unwelcome.