MrBen Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Have found a bass now - so I need something to play through but I'm a bit lost with all the options. I'd like to keep it cheap for now - under £60 ideally. I don't need something to jam with others yet - once I've got back in to it we can hire a rehearsal space somewhere with amps and/or I'll buy something with a bit of umph if required I know that I will want a fuzz box at some point (as I always wanted one as a kid but never had one!) - not sure if that would effect the choice. Its going to be used to practice in our flat and I have a decent set of headphones so whatever I have it will be used with headphones most the time, even if its a full combo amp. So my options as I see it are: iRig http://www.thomann.de/gb/ik_multimedia_amplitube_irig.htm iRig HD http://www.thomann.de/gb/ik_multimedia_irig_hd.htm Sonic Port http://www.thomann.de/gb/line6_sonic_port.htm Vox AmPlug Bass http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_amps_detail.asp?stock=14090412170432 Vox RhythmBox http://www.gak.co.uk/en/vox-ac1-rhythmvox-bass/57570 Any idea what would be my best option? Anything better? Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) Personally, I'd prefer a second hand combo with aux in and headphones out, as I dislike being forced to always use headphones. As for the linked solutions, I've tried the Vox Amplug and strongly disliked it for its lacking sound quality, but many on here love it and say its sound is good. The iRig is loved by some, disliked by others. Dunno why, but a search should help. I use an iRiffPort into my iPad using the 30 pin Apple dock connector (because back then there was an article explaining how much better the sound was from that way of doing it), and I love it. One must be sure the dock plug is safe though, either by being careful or for example by mounting the i-machine onto a base plate that sticks out where the pluck is connected. There are enough amp apps that are free or cheap and that come with some free effects of the in-app-purchase type. Personally, I use AmpKit+, and am very satisfied with it, but reportedly there are better ones out there. BTW, if you do happen to have an Apple phone or pad already, you can still plug that into a combo and still get the app's effects that way, but this solution would be above budget as you'd need the iRiffPort or similar in addition to the combo. Edit: I originally stated I use the iRig. It appears I use the iRiffPort. Sorry! Edited October 8, 2014 by BassTractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) If the OP is going to play with headphones, then wouldn't a bass effects box do everything that the Vox Amplug or other headphone amp does? And have a lot more as well. I often use a Zoom B2 for headphone practice. Second hand it cost me £20 + p&p. But I wouldn't recommend a second hand B2 as they have problems with the microswitches becoming non-functional over time. Nowdays, wouldn't a Zoom B1xon be a good option for someone looking for headphone practice? And of course if the OP buys an amp later on, the B1xon would still be useful as an effects box. http://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-b1xon-bass-effects-pedal/104733?gclid=CJKnmYTFnMECFW3JtAodOmcAeg Edited October 8, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Good call, AT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1412762507' post='2571669'] Good call, AT! [/quote] I may have just backed this up this advice with action. I noted that a local music store was selling the G1Xon for £65. I emailed to ask them if the would sell the B1Xon for the same price, they will, and they're getting one for me. I will be using it for the same purpose as the OP of this thread. Does this prove that I'm prepared to put my wallet where my mouth is? Or that I'm freakishly lazy given that I've already gotten around to buying switches for my faulty (can't edit presets) Zoom B2, and buying the B1Xon avoids that issue? I did really want aux. input for practice though, so that's a step forward. I keep on ending up using my Roland Microcube (the guitar one not a bass one) as a headphone amp as it has an aux in. The modulation effects work OK on bass, but it can't get anywhere near the sounds I get out of my Zoom B2. I have sat in Birmingham station for an hour playing a Rickenfaker through my battery powered B2. I wondered if I would get noticed by any BC'ers. BTW: I Have a Vox AmPlug, albeit not the bass one. I find it useful, but pedals are IMHO much better for giving you tone options and as a headphone amp. It sits on my work desk so that I can occasionally plug it into the bass I keep here for a quick practice in an off-minute. Edited October 8, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBen Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Cheers for the input guys! Really helpful. Is the B1Xon (http://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_b1xon.htm) worth the extra over the B1on (http://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_b1on.htm)? Have a slight prejudice against multi-effects from my youth - they use to always sounds a bit rubbish compared to individual boxes - I take it this isn't the case any more? Also spotted the Vox Pathfinder Bass: http://www.gak.co.uk/en/vox-pathfinder-10/24074?gclid=CMf8-82vncECFUPLtAodjTgA0w which looks pretty good from there reviews I've seen + plus it looks good too To much choice! Suspect they will all be fine so should just but 1 of them and get on with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) The B1Xon has a pedal, and the B1on has not. If you decide that you want to practice using a pedal, then you need the B1Xon. I wouldn't want to be without one. My current headphone practice things is a Zoom B2, and I miss not having a pedal even if I wouldn't do much with it. Just having the pedal as an easy volume adjust would be useful, as you can do that without taking your hands off the bass. The reviews of the B1(X)on's effects are mostly complimentary. There are youtube videos, but not as comprehensive as those available for the G1(X)on. BTW: It's cheaper on Thomann that GAK or my local shop, but I buy so little from my local shops I want to buy something occasionally I'm surprised there isn't more discussion of the B1Xon on here. There's a massive thread on Talkbass, but you have to ignore seeing how much less they pay for them on that side of the Atlantic. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/zoom-b1on-new-fx-unit.1049766/page-6 Edited October 8, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBen Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Thanks AT! More choice! Really appreciate the feedback from you guys. I'm still mincing about which route to take as they all have their own pros/cons thought the b1xon is winning atm - and GuitarGuitar in Birmingham as showing them in stock which is 10 mins walk away from me so that might be a deciding factor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmallDawg Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I use an iRig plugged in to the headphone port of my Macbook Pro which I run Ampltiude on. Works a treat. I also have the David Ellefson Rock Shop app on my iPhone if i can't be bothered to set up my Macbook. Again, i just plug the iRig in to it. I want to get that AmpKit app as it has cool Ashdown, Trace Elliot, Gallien Krueger and Ampeg sims on it (Ashdown and TE ones are licensed with real names) that sound awesome but it's too expensive. The David Ellefson one is free and has a couple of cool options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 SmallDawg, the trick with AmpKit is to wait for their special offers. IMS these amps can often be had for one fourth of the price or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I now have the B1Xon, and I think it's certainly a very good tool for headphone practice. Sometime soon I'll plug it into some speakers to see what it sounds like through them. But, there are a very wide range of sounds possible through this device. And, the drum patterns are useful. I haven't yet really tried the aux in or the looper, but will give those a go soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samfordia Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1412896000' post='2573202'] I now have the B1Xon, and I think it's certainly a very good tool for headphone practice. Sometime soon I'll plug it into some speakers to see what it sounds like through them. But, there are a very wide range of sounds possible through this device. And, the drum patterns are useful. I haven't yet really tried the aux in or the looper, but will give those a go soon. [/quote] I have one of these. Do share any settings for sounds that you particularly like. Would be fun to see what else people get out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 [quote name='Samfordia' timestamp='1412898452' post='2573213'] I have one of these. Do share any settings for sounds that you particularly like. Would be fun to see what else people get out of them. [/quote] And vice-versa. There's a bit thread on Talkbass for sharing B1Xon settings, but hardly anyone has posted any settings in it. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/zoom-b1xon-settings-thread-omg.1080224/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970 Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 big fan of the vox amplug - I've never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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