Evil Undead Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I would love to be able to play my bass through my amp when I'm at home, I get so much more enjoyment out of hearing my bass out loud rather than through headphones. But, I live on the top floor of an apartment building, and don't think my neighbours would be very pleased Is there anything I can put under my cab to absorb any sound or vibrations going through the floor? Or is that a silly question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 You dont have to play it loud yer know, I play through the amp and its no higher than a normal stereo system and nobody ever complains. Unless of course you want to do a '[u]Back to the future'[/u] on it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1350561667' post='1840485'] But, I live on the top floor of an apartment building, . . . . [/quote] Do you have access to the roof . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Im the same. Ive never been able to use a amp at home. In fact we dont even have a sub for our home cinema set up :-( I have heard putting a paving stone underneath might help but its not something ive ever tired (or fancied carrying). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I use either a Roland Micro Cube or more recently a Roland JC-50 combo. Never had any complaints from the neighbours (some from my girlfriend though), but then again it's a solidly built 1930s apartment block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musophilr Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I sympathise. I used to live in a flat. The kids upstairs were allowed to run around and thump through the ceiling all night & day, but if I got a guitar out the police would be round before I'd tuned it. Would the Gramma Pad help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 [quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1350563310' post='1840518'] but if I got a guitar out the [b]Jazz police[/b] would be round before I'd tuned it. [/quote] [quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1350563310' post='1840518'] Would the Gramma Pad help? [/quote] Maybe even just putting the cab on a bed might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the boy Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Sheet of thick styrofoam under your cab. It will still sound loud in your flat bit it won't reverberate around the building as much. Don't whack it up too loud though and play at considerate sensible times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1350562815' post='1840507'] Do you have access to the roof . . . [/quote] I'm afraid not [quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1350563040' post='1840514'] I use either a Roland Micro Cube or more recently a Roland JC-50 combo. Never had any complaints from the neighbours (some from my girlfriend though), but then again it's a solidly built 1930s apartment block. [/quote] [quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1350563310' post='1840518'] I sympathise. I used to live in a flat. The kids upstairs were allowed to run around and thump through the ceiling all night & day, but if I got a guitar out the police would be round before I'd tuned it. Would the Gramma Pad help? [/quote] [quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1350562077' post='1840496'] You dont have to play it loud yer know, I play through the amp and its no higher than a normal stereo system and nobody ever complains. Unless of course you want to do a '[u]Back to the future'[/u] on it!! [/quote] I used to live in the flat downstairs, and unfortunately, you could hear a mouse fart through the floorboards. I used to be able to hear the guy who used to live in my current flat snoring at night. I thought of the gramma pad... wonder how I could find out if it would do the trick? Edited October 18, 2012 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 It's not just a problem with flats - if you live in a terraced house it's the same. The best place I ever lived for being able to play was a flat actually - it had a solid concrete floor & underneath was a library that was only open a few hours a day. No neighbours on either side too, it was fantastic. I can't remember the last time I played through an amp at home, which is another reason why I've just sold it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chest Rockwell Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 i have my own house and still don't play loud at home. just don't wanna bother my neighbours. I don't want them to bother me, i like the peace and quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I remember doing a rehearsal in a council flat in south London years ago. It was right in the middle of an estate, right in the middle of a block. Full band rehearsal with loud drummer. The owner/tenant had even turned the kitchen in to a control room for recording purposes. Glad i wasn't one of his neighbours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I take it you already have carpet , if you're in an upstairs flat. Essential. A small combo is handy at times like this. Never put amp on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 In my last flat where I had upstairs neighbours the landlord had put acoustic insulation between the floors and we never heard a dickie bird from them. When they moved out they said 'Oh we won't be annoying you with our loud music any more' and I was surprised because I'd never heard a thing. Would probably cost a couple hundred quid to sort out your bass-playing room though. :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I only got one complaint in 4 years in a top floor flat. I got compliments on my playing from people down the road though Elevate the cab but don't use something rigid, if you can feel the bass through the floor they'll be able to hear it more. (hey that rhymes ) I ended up having a 2 cab system and only using the top one at home but I know you're downsizing at the mo. The other option is to get some good monitors if you have a fairly good DI / computer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I suggest the Gramma. I'm in a large apartment but on the groundfloor. I often play along to tracks quite loud, but always in the day and usually the weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I came home from work once to find my son having a band practise in his room; he's the drummer The bassist had his small rig going; it was still loud but the vibration he'd dealt with by stacking all of the cushions off the two couches and putting the amp on top, a bit precarious but it worked to a fair point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I live in a first-floor maisonette. I never play earleir than 10am, and no later than 9.30pm. When the people downstairs moved in, I told them I play bass/guitar, and that if it was ever too loud to just let me know, and that it wouldn`t offend me. To date, they never have, and my playing is probably no louder than their continual laughter when watching tv, or their closing (think slamming) doors. It`s all give & take. So long as it`s not overbearingly loud, or at unscociable times, there shouldn`t be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassdriver Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Like Lozz says, it's just give and take. Hopefully your neighbours will be as considerate as you obviously are. Presumably you have a stereo of some kind and play music on that. If you keep the bass amp down to a similar level, keep your playing to sociable hours and maybe take some precautionary measures to isolate vibrations you'll probably be ok. I forget how fortunate I am. I have my own house, terraced semi detatched, My neighbour has a drum kit and we operate on a live and let live basis. It's only a shame she can't play it better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobVbass Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 [quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I thought of the gramma pad... wonder how I could find out if it would do the trick?[/font][/color][/quote] have a word with Alex Claber (on here) he gave me some of the same foam that Gramma Pad use when I bought my Super T - he might still have some or be able to tell you where you can get some a lot cheaper than an Auralex. If I can remember where the hell I've put mine you;re more than welcome to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 You can get strips of the foam they use from Studiospares, its called Platfoam IIR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 small amps can help - i use a behringer thunderfunk for most of my home practice, and its tiny speaker doesn't exactly pump out the low end ! and as others have said, some kind of foam does help - i have a bit of upholstery foam i found in the street which seems to help if i want a bit more volume. i've never had any complaints about my bass - i put this down to being sensible with volume. or as we used to call it...consideration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 [quote name='Bassdriver' timestamp='1350569565' post='1840641'] I forget how fortunate I am. I have my own house, terraced semi detatched, My neighbour has a drum kit and we operate on a live and let live basis. It's only a shame she can't play it better. [/quote] Do you Jam throught the walls? I've always lived next to noisy kids who play dance music all night long (no matter where i move to apparently) so we take it as read that we cannot complain about each others noise. It is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassdriver Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1350573311' post='1840748'] Do you Jam throught the walls? I've always lived next to noisy kids who play dance music all night long (no matter where i move to apparently) so we take it as read that we cannot complain about each others noise. It is good. [/quote] I'd take my gear next door and jam there if she was any good. Sadly though she's not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyBiskit Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Simply this-my next door neighbours-I live in a semi,play recorders and sing,I play Bass,my son plays drums-I dont play beyond 10pm,he doesnt play after 7.30pm. they dont bother me,I dont bother them-we have been doing this for over 20 odd years never had a complaint. Not a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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