Dennis1971

Ended up going a different route and picked up a Headrush 112 second hand and use a Zoom B1 four. Compact rig with all the effects I want. I don't gig just jam with a drummer and guitarist so this works well.

On 29/05/2019 at 16:03, Greg Edwards69 said:

Update. Finally had the chance to use my Headrush FRFR-112 at a band rehearsal at the weekend with the Helix LT.  Result? Very happy.

It was just a 'technical' rehearsal with three of us as one of the guitarist and both vocalists weren't available.  So just guitarist, drums and me. The drummer had a new toy he wanted to try out too (roland drum pad and sampler thing). I needed to check the headrush was going to work, so seemed like an ideal opportunity to try these things out without interference.

I've mentioned before, we're not a loud band, and I previously used a single markbass 1x12 with a Carvin head running at 300w@8ohms.  Before the Helix arrived I had issues with boom and mud I just couldn't dial out.  It was much better with the helix's hpf engaged, but now with the headrush, much better. The low end is controlled, still fat and deep enough even at high volume. I had it set a volume I felt I would normally gig at and it was fine - didn't even break a sweat. As an experiment I turned up the wick to a sort of volume I'd never play at, and where my previous rig would get 'woolly'.  Again, absolutely fine.  The natural roll-off around 50hz really helped.  In fact, I was able to turn the hpf on the Helix (which I also had set at 50hz from before) off without negatively affecting the tone.

I found I prefer the tone of the Helix amp sims without a cab sim. To my ears, they just seem to kill the tone too much and don't 'feel' right (amp in the room syndrome perhaps).  The key is a high cut instead around 3-4khz to simulate a real bass cab roll off.  This, for me, more closely represents a DI from an amp going straight to the desk. Hopefully, this will translate nicely to FOH when we try that.

FWIW, I also tried my backup preamp, a Valetone Dapper Bass straight into the headrush.  Sounded fine. Sure, it's not as refined as the Helix, but it simulates a bass amp with 3 band eq and I'm sure it will get me out of a jam if need be. It may even suffice for the odd small gig with a short set where I need to travel light.

Both of the guitarists use a Helix as well, each through a Yamaha DXR10, so I tried my bass through that as well.  Not quite as deep but again, will get me out of a jam if the headrush fails. Likewise, my Headrush will be more than adequate to share as a backup to one of the Yamahas.

Lastly, as another experiment. I remembered the smaller headrush FRFR-108 rolls of the low end around 70hz, so I set the hpf to that frequency. More than adequate for rehearsal, so I'm almost tempted to pick one up for rehearsals and small low volume gigs.

Managed to find a secondhand headrush about 10 minutes drive away. Happy  now, will have to try with the ZOOM B1 Four. 

My new compact rig, bass + multi effect + headrush 🙂

Thanks for the update, pretty much made the decision to get FRFR speaker to use with the ZOOM B1 Four. Headrush seems to be the affordable option.

Watched these on youtube...

Pretty decent for what I am thinking of and I can stretch to buying the 312.

17 hours ago, Little Dragon said:

BAM200 now appears to be available at Thomman. Not due at Gear 4music until August.

Cheers

Off to get familiar with the ZOOM, works well via USB / Mac / Guitarlab / Headphones

Nice bit of kit 

Thanks for all answers, don't need a DI box unless I want to plug into the PA. 

active Ibby Sr500 > Zoom B1 Four > FRFR Speaker 

Joyo ZGP to sort out the power supply to the Zoom

Thanks again for input. 

13 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Joyo ZGP (courtesy @operative451) to sort out noisy PSU input. Behringer DI (courtesy @jrixn1) to provide a DI out when needed. Total additional cost - around £25

Complete one-stop shop sorted (and add the X-rated wah-pedal version if you want some additional fun)! 😀

Another numpty question here, I get the Joyo to get rid of noise... will get one to be able the power supply I still having knocking around (Mooer). If I decide to go down the route of using a FRFR cabinet do I need a DI box or can use the output from the B1 Four straight into it...?

Can tell all this multi effect and FRFR speaker is new to me LOL

Thanks

32 minutes ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

I managed to pickup a used Headrush FRFR-112 on ebay last week for a good price (£229).  Yet to play it with the band, but I'm positive it'll be fine - sounds great at home so far. One of these, or its (cheaper) sister product the Alto TS312 might be fine for you to jam with a drummer and guitarist.

Don't quote me on it, but you might be able to get away with the smaller Headrush FRFR-108 / Alto TS308. It should be loud enough but might lack depth at volume.

Greg if you can let me know how you get on with it playing with your band that would be great. Thanks

1 hour ago, jrixn1 said:

 

New or used?

A Trace Elf is £225 new.  If you went for head/cab, which cab to remain in budget?

As for active speakers - consider RCF 310A, about £300; or RCF 312A, about £340. How loud is your drummer?

Used - you'll get more value from buying used gear, and it's uncommon to find single active speakers for sale second-hand.  In that case, you'll have a larger selection if you go for a head/cab.
Particularly if you don't mind heavier gear, you can get a lot for your £300.
 

I know it might be a stretch buying a head and cab. I am keeping an eye out second hand and am not in a rush. Using the amp provided in the practice room but it is not my favourite (warwick thing).  I know the older stuff is very affordable but weight is also a deciding factor. Tired of lugging aroudn heavy stuff, I had a Genz Benz Contour which was not a lightweight. Hence looking into the smaller heads with a cab. Cab would primarily stay at home and just take the head to practice room.

Just keeping options open, just got back into playing.

1 hour ago, Frank Blank said:

Obviously I’m going to say yes to your question but on that budget I think it’ll be difficult to source a decent one. Where are you based @Dennis1971? You are welcome to try mine out. 

Just realised you can't see that, I'll open that up. I am near Thame (Oxfordshire) bit far from yours :-)

Thanks for the offer.

3 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

What’s a small budget in pounds?

£200-£300, I know its small

Numpty question here,

I've got an active bass  and use the new zoom B1 Four to have a bit of fun at home with headphones.  I was debating buying a small amp and cab for playing with a guitaris and drummer i.e. something relative affordable like TE Elf with small cab or TC Electroinic 250W with a small cab.

Would I be better off buying an active full range speaker and go straght from the ZOOM B1 four into that? And what would you recommned if the budget is small and I mostly jam in  small setting with a drummer and guitarist (using Kemper Amp).

Cheers

Mine arrived in the mail yesterday. Glad someone was home to reveive it.

Should have some time tomorrow to have a play with it. :-)

2 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Welcome aboard! 

Are you already a Zoom multi user?

Nope, first time using a multi. Just seems to be a nice bit of kit with the effects, drums to mess about with at home.  

Ordered Zoom B1 Four...via Zoom UK on ebay. Should ship today with Royal Mail 1st class. Better find a headphone. Bluetooth won't work I think.

Ordered Zoom B1 Four...

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I will be looking into a pedal option. Would be a good option for practising, probably still buy an amp just to be able to turn it up even if it is at home...

Just been looking at the thread on the Zoom B1 Four, would this be a good alternative to a small practice amp?

Debate I am with myself is do I buy a practice amp for home use or something to use with headphones. Advantage of the practice amp will be that you can be plugged in, play and have a video playing on youtube. 

Anyone prefer one or the other and why?

Just trying to figure out what to buy... knowing myself it will be 300W and a bit loud for at home.

Will look into these options. cheers

1 hour ago, basskit_case said:

Where are you, can we do a meet up?

 

Bit too far, near Oxford. 

Have a bump.... if only you were a bit closer.

After having blown to much of the budget on the bass I am still in need to buy an amp... so here it goes.

I was thinking  of just buying a small combo for home use  (40-60 Watt) but have been tempted by the latest offerings in small amp heads. I play with a drummer and a single guitar player in a small studio (previously used a Genz Benz Contour 300W/2x10")  and toying with the idea of buying one of these small heads with a cabinet for home use and just take the head to the studio and plugin what ever they have or take the cabinet if it doesn't weigh too much.

The models I was looking into are the TE Elf and the TEC BAM200, both are 200 Watt into 8 Ohm. But the latter is about half the price? Any opinions why?

Thoman: Elf = £232 and TEC = £112

Dennis

Sorted, bought an Ibanez SR500 of a fellow BC member. Thanks Stuart!!

Off to find an amp!!

Played one at PMT in Oxford, when I was looking for a bass and liked it. Sounded better than the GSR200 in my opinion, colours are a bit much but that is personal.  

Didn't have much time 'was on a DIY run', would want to compare it with some other medium scale basses