I’m chugging my way through module 11 currently and honestly having a a great time.
In recent weeks I’ve been playing along to alot of my old favourite songs playing fairly simple root note lines. Now I’m looking at a couple of those songs and working on some simplified tab versions. Walk of life - Root and 5ths with a couple of walk up / turnarounds in.
I currently play through a Boss GX10 that models all manner of fancy! I use a simple clean Studio Bass Amp, a bit of eq and compression into a pair of studio headphones . It makes my eBay bargain £30 Harley Benton P sound great!
My dilema - I have no way of producing sound other than the headphones now I’m playing along it would be nice to have an “in the room” sound.
I’ll be keeping the GX10 for its options later but am after some ideas for now. As far as I can tell I have 3 options
Bass Amp Combo - bulky but if I didnt have the GX10 I’d go this way
5” Monitor Speakers - Nice in the room sound will fit in my current desk setup. This is relatively expensing and does have the limitation that if I ever venture out to play with anyone then I’ll still need something else
Powered PA - There are several options for a 12 or even 18” powered PA speaker that as I understand it will work like a guitar FRFR - they appear to hit the Bass range. A little harder to test and also bulky.
Cost is a consideration as I have also promised myself a ‘nice’ bass as a reward when I finish the course.
What would you all suggest ? Am I missing something or over thinking it ?
If you anticipate that it’s going to be awhile before you’re playing with others, I’d go with buying a DAI and a set of studio monitors. They sound fantastic and will work better with the amp /cabs you have set up on the GX-10. For home practice, I go bass to Helix to mixer to JBL 305s (really great studio monitors that you won’t pay a ton for, especially if you can find a set used).
If you want something thats going to be more versatile, I’d go with a PA. You said price is a consideration and nice PA’s that can handle playing with a group are going to be a lot. Worth it though if the budget allows. Both of these will allow you to run the sound of whatever you’re playing through them as well and it’ll sound good.
For combo amps, with the Boss multi effect, I’d look at something like a GK amp. They tend to be more tone nuetral than Fender’s or Ampeg’s so will play nicer with that Studio amp. You can still play lessons / music from your computer through most combo amps but they’ll sound bass-y because bass amp.
To be honest, if needs be I’d spend more for a good sound setup now and save up for another bass later on. You’re going to play all of your basses through this amp / monitor / PA so it’ll have more of an effect on your sound and workflow than buying a single bass. Your HB will serve you well for awhile before you genuinely need an upgrade.
I’ve been looking at monitors myself, but can’t justify the $200-300 each ones. I’ve always like JBL for regular PC speakers, and it sounds like you dig these, so they may be an option. How are they on bass response without a separate subwoofer? And do you add one somehow? I’ve seen some monitors with a sub out but most don’t. And does your mixer double as a DAI to PC for recording?
I think i picked mine up used for $200 or so. The bass response is great, even without a sub. Nice crisp lows, even downtunimg the B on my 5 string. The 305s (five inch speakers) are loud enough that my wife can hear me playing from the basement to the second floor with the speakers set at about 70%. My mixer is also my DAI. It’s the Mackie 10 port mixer.
Yep, I upgraded from a GX10 to my Helix. I love that thing. If I just played bass 100% of the time, it’d be all I really need. I am finding that I like a pretty simple sound setup for bass. Amp / cab, some chorus or reverb, maybe a little fuzz. Usually though, I can turn on the effect for an entire song so a single footswitch is fine.
For some of the complex guitar patches that I run, the Boss just can’t keep up. Too few footswitches and I can set up groups of effects to work pff of one foot tap.
I’d skipped the 18” actually my max would be 12” for bass. I liked 10” personally. Anything more than 12” would be for outdoor event as the bass flutter or bass trap would be a nightmare to address for the room acoustic. Don’t ask me how I know,
Lol. I spent soo much time chasing tones when i tried to learn guitar. I have a full 10 switch midi pedal that pairs nicely with the Gx1xx and Katana ranges.
Trying to take a slighly simpler approach with bass. So far its paying dividends im playing way more and having fun.
on the JBL’s. I picked up a pair of JBL306’s for under $300 new on sale.
