Quiet Practice/Home Amp

[Adam Tracksler]

I got a small 25-watt Drive Bass Amp from a musician's friend. It is just wayyyyyyyyyyyy too loud for home use. Anything over 2 is PA volume.

I want to replace it.

Looking for something quiet and smooth. The Drive amp is just brash.

Wondering what you folks use for a home situation. I'm a guy that doesn't play out - if I did - I would probably just run a DI into the PA.

Thanks for your sage wizard advice.

[Jack Hanson]

Roland Mobile Cube

[Stephen Cowell]

Roland Mobile Cube

+1 on the Mobile Cube. Battery power option, stereo reverb. Try one and be amazed. Even a mic stand adapter on bottom.

[Donny Hinson]

I got a small 25-watt Drive Bass Amp from a musician's friend. It is just wayyyyyyyyyyyy too loud for home use. Anything over 2 is PA volume.

You should start using a volume pedal. That way, you can have full control of the volume with your foot, and not have to worry about how high the amp volume is set. It may take a little time, but soon you'll be able to play quietly, even when using a powerful amp at full volume.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Some amps, Have an earphone plug in on the back of the amp. The plug-in has a built in contact switch. When you insert the earphone plug, It disconnects the speaker in the amp. I have an Evans amp with this setup.

Wish I had that kind of amp. When I was married to the Witch. And worked night shift.

[Jim Pollard]

I use a Quilter US Superblock into a cabinet I built with an 8 inch Warehouse speaker. I find it to be just right for home and small gigs plus has a direct out. Also a headphone connection for totally silent playing. When I play out it's with a Quilter Micro Pro 8 but I'm not totally happy with the sound when the volume is very very low.

[Tim Sergent]

If you're not opposed to using headphones, you might check out the Line 6 POD Express. I'm gonna get one

[John Larson]

I wonder how well something like this would work for pedal steel.
https://www.boss.info/global/products/waza-air/

[Mark Evans]

I scored a Yamaha THR-10 amp for this purpose. A few kicking around, second hand on Craigslist. Really sweet ‘lunch box’ sized amp. Can run on batteries or DC. USB into a pc/Mac nd you can easily edit and sculpt tones. Really cool sound at low vol levels.

https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/revi ... amp-review

Positive Grid Spark/Mini Spark look cool too.

[Tony Prior]

well for me its the 7 W Boss Katana Mini, $99. Over 5 hours on batteries or plug it in . If its too loud, use the phones out. I picked this one because it has 3 EQ knobs that work.

No reverb but it does have a delay .

A few weeks back my bandmate was over and we were messing around, I was playing Steel. After a bit he says, "What are you playing thru, I don't see an amp " ? I pointed to the K mini sitting next to me. He then says " Wow that thing sounds great. For Guitar or Steel, I haven't turned on a bigger amp at home in almost a year now !

[Curt Langston]

How about the Spark amp?

[Adam Tracksler]

I have a spark, but keep forgetting to use it. I’ve been using Bias FX through a headphone/USB interface with my iPad.

[Jack Hanson]

well for me its the 7 W Boss Katana Mini, $99.

Tony, out of curiosity, have you compared the sound of the Katana Mini to the Roland Mobile Cube?

[David Farrell]

Try the Fender Mustang Micro.
You can use it with headphones & bluetooth music to it from your phone, etc. I love mine.

[Bruce Bjork]

Spark, I use it with my Tele, Guild D-40 and my Pedal Steel, great practice amp and I also use it for band practice, much lighter than my 45 pound steel amp.

[Tony Prior]

well for me its the 7 W Boss Katana Mini, $99.

Tony, out of curiosity, have you compared the sound of the Katana Mini to the Roland Mobile Cube?

Jack, I did not. I decided on something around $100. I selected the K Mini because it sounds pretty good and has 3 EQ knobs that actually do something .