Practice Without A Bass Amp - Pros and Cons!

Lesson material: www.talkingbas...
Can you practice without a bass amp? Maybe you don’t have a bass amp and you’re wondering whether you really need to buy one for practice?
Well I’m here today to tell you that yes you can, but there are a bunch of caveats you need to know about. So we’re going to look at the pros and cons of playing bass guitar without an amplifier and ensure you’re better informed when it comes to that invaluable practice time.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:03 Pro's
2:17 Con's
5:08 Final Verdict
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[@martindl9897]

A great topic nobody talk about. I've practiced un-pluggd a lot, years. After that, it's harder and harder to play lightely and with dynamics. Other downside is that you build the habit to hit or press the strings harder (reflex act), you get tired easely.

[@mmartak]

Perhaps unconsciously, this is one of the best reasons I purchased an acoustic bass. They are cheap, they sound good, and are heavily underrated in my opinion.

[@denfool902]

Completely agree with you. My first go to when walking around the house and hearing something I want to play along with is the acoustic bass. Sounds good, cheap and always ready to play.

[@mmartak]

@@xcx8646 The one I picked up was a Fender CB-60SCE. It was about $300. I was at a guitar shop in a small town where they played a lot of acoustic music on the street, and immediately loved the sound. It also has pickups and can get a good tone for certain songs. In terms of "loud," I can play it in my basement and have it still heard upstairs at the far end of the house.

[@john.K.H3ll]

I have a question, can you do things like slap or is too hard on acoustic bass?

[@mmartak]

@john.K.H3ll you can do anything on it if you put your mind to it. I'm not really a slap fellow though. But I definitely do the slap part from "Rosanna" by Toto on acoustic

[@john.K.H3ll]

@@mmartak thanks

[@Eyeballkidd]

Nothing else to add. I agree 100% with everything you said here, with muting technique probably being the biggest, or at least most noticeable flaw of all.

[@stevemcpike8809]

I prefer practicing with an amp for all the reasons that you describe, but I also regularly use a Vox amPlug 2 bass headphone amp (plugged into an iPad or iPhone). It’s a nice middle ground that provides amplified sound but is super portable and doesn’t bother anyone else in the house. 🙂

[@alanhearne6733]

Hello, I have been looking at the same Vox amp; are they any good?

[@shaunmadrid1]

@@alanhearne6733 I use one and it's really good. As Steve says above it's a good middle ground. Especially as I live in a block of flats, so no noise complaints from the neighbours. You can just plug in your headphones and go. You can feed audio in from your laptop or phone or whatever if you're playing along with music or following a KZbin tutorial. It's good value for money. The only downside I have found is that I find it eats through the batteries quite quickly, so it's good to get rechargeables! :)

[@alanhearne6733]

@@shaunmadrid1 thanks for the reply... I also did not like the idea of the batteries as other systems use built-in rechargeables. Do you know if the Fender Mustang micro amp is suitable for bass?

[@leecrooks3048]

I use the Vox and the NUX Mighty Plug. I like them both. NUX has more options, but costs more. Be careful with either. My first Vox got broken when I had it plugged directly into my bass. Bumped against an end table and broke the plug off. Now I use a cord connected to a female-to-female adapter into the Vox or NUX. Works great.

[@MarkKamoski]

This guy's videos are SO good. Long enough but not too long. Real substance. Clear. Simple. Nice. Thank you!!!

[@ryanbenting7314]

I have an interface and I have to admit that I'm lazy, I just like to pick up my bass and play unplugged. Guess I need to plug in more. Your videos are a Godsend Mark. Thank you.

[@RobR386]

I use headphones on my amp for this reason, you have to plug in to play properly and develop control over the sound 😊

[@TenFalconsMusic]

I keep a little Vox amPlug 2 in my bass case. It goes through batteries (AAA) quickly, but it's far better than nothing.

[@TheWebzilla]

Not to forget: the VOX Amplug 2 BASS has a build-in rhythm section !! and metronome !!

[@tomilchik]

Practicing unplugged is fine, as long as you use an instrument that is meant to sound good unplugged - like acoustic bass. If not - you’ll be practicing skills that you’ll never apply: like making a sound out of an electric bass unplugged. Completely agree with the author - a sure way to teach yourself to play too hard.

[@veliki_dlek]

I have a amp and DI and I usually plug my bass into the amp through the DI, but if I want to be quiet I can also plug my headphones into the amp, or for recording, into PC.

[@davidvitale9338]

The Fender Mustang Micro is a fantastic (but a little pricey) headphone amp. Plugs into your bass, plug in your headphones or in ears, then it bluetooths to your phone or tablet. Plus it's rechargeable. I practice all my TalkingBass lessons this way and learn my songs as well.

[@alanhearne6733]

Hello, I have looked at the Fender Mustang micro amp... No problem using a bass with it? Looks like a very versatile piece of kit 👍

[@davidvitale9338]

None - works perfectly!! Best purchase I've made in a very long time.

[@alanhearne6733]

@@davidvitale9338... Thanks for the info

[@Arnalou83]

I agree the fender mustang micro is a game changer, I orderer it in the same time I ordered a nice Fender rumble Stage 800 amp, I must confess I use the first one more, my familly thanks me I guess

[@blousug]

I practice mostly on an acoustic bass, and I’m working on not gripping it like I’m strangling it lol Just wares me out quicker.

[@foshizol]

I sold my bass amp and just practice in front of my computer DI. Sometimes I use my monitors, but most of the time I use my headphones. I use an Arturia Audio Fuse audio interface. Only because I have a lot of synths I have plugged into it also. Most people can get by with an audio interface for less then $100, and I use software to shape my sound like. Guitar Rig is a popular one, and yes they have bass amp modeling and foot pedals. It's cool because you don't have to put out all the cash to tryout different effects on your bass.... However when practicing, I like my bass clean with no effects. It's easier for me to hear my mistakes just clean through headphones.

[@Skaxarrat]

I normally play with an amp, but sometimes (specially late in the night) I pick up the bass and play a few scales or I'm trying to improve my speed playing with alternate picking and I don't want the neighbours to hate me (more).

[@pallmall7385]

This guy has some of the best bass tips on youtube.

[@zubrycky]

Great video! When I started to play bass, I didn't have an amp so I played without one and I never looked back. To this day, I play without an amp every day.

[@shawnpawlowski1436]

Do you do high quality audio recording at all? That’s where your bad habits will stand out the most

[@sagittated]

Dang it, you're right. I really do need to buy that acoustic bass.

[@bassforkids4504]

Yep I practiced unplugged for about the first year of my playing,thus playing too forceful with my plucking fingers.I would keep plucking harder and harder so I could hear the notes better.It's a hard habit to break and years later I still have some problems with my string muting.When playing I'm consciously thinking of keeping my strings quiet and sure it affects my playing.

[@airflowbeast]

I practice at home trough "Pandora" PX4D with headphones. And even so, the difference with a bass amp on a studio feels big. Unplagged practice, as for me, is a double work - you play unplugged and making mistakes, and then you play plugged an fixing it )

[@MichaelStoneham]

Cool video, like this, Note that these days you can get various headphone amps like the Vox AMPlug, Xvive etc so you can practise silently but hear yourself in your headphones, and you can plugin an external music sauce like Mp3 Player or Mobile Phone etc. Positive is they are battery powered so dont need to be plugged in and you can take them anywhere. This would make another great video for your channel.

[@miketonner3094]

I'm using an audio interface, playing through my laptop out to headphones. Let's you use Spotify or Chordify type of music apps to play with.

[@CleetusTheFish]

Been trying to practice without an amp and I’ve sucked, this is very helpful

[@TheJimboe11]

Boss WAZA Air Bass. Best thing I’ve bought in absolutely years. It’s expensive but worth it

[@Pamelamusic371]

I do both sometimes I’m too lazy to hook up amp, mostly I love my acoustic 😎❤️

[@japhtanfor2363]

Thank you sir all my bass life apart from the church I pray in, I don't practice in an amp at home and seriously all the things mentioned here are the challenge I face But thanks for this tips sir

[@TheWebzilla]

I agree with Stevemcpike8809; the VOX amplug is the max for practicing silent but with the real sound. And it sounds good! and you can add your phone/tablet/pc into it and play along.

[@novadhd]

where do you get it?

[@samstinkeringaround8961]

I bought a vox mini amp for headphones 😊

[@jwsaxe]

I just jack whichever bass into my Line 6 TonePort DI, thence to my Lenovo T60 and out to my 50 year old Koss K6 cans. Yes, I live in the Museum of Forgotten Technology and I'm old and old school AF. Thanks for all you do, Mark, and what *is* that sweet sweet bass?

[@restojon1]

I am entirely 101% guilty of practicing unplugged. I've now made the move to amp sims and a DAW which in one sense can potentially make playing a bit more "vicinity friendly" but it isn't always easy to boot up the laptop, unbox the audio interface, grab the leads, plug in the headphones and route all your wires only for the kids to all of a sudden "need" seventy-12 things, all of which must happen now ORTHEYMIGHTDIIIE!!! 🙈 However, there is a "hack" as the cool kids say nowadays. I built a replica Stingray 4 string with a 3 band EQ and active electronics and if you plug your headphones straight into your guitar's output jack with a converter you can get some usable sound without the need for anything else. Lastly, may I say thank you for covering this very relevant topic. You're far better than the Jaco-Worshipping-Glove-Man

[@attilaharmath5642]

Thanks Mark for your fantastic lessons! I practice a lot unplugged or use a Vox amPlug 2 bass headphone amp . It's a very useful gadget.

[@alexl.9917]

I do love the sound of my instruments very much, one of the reasons I practice so much without an amp. It's also how I choose any new bass first, if it doesn't sound really good without an amp there's no need for checking it out further, at least for me 🤣 Addressing the caveats is mandatory, so I think a balanced approach would be best 👌

[@delilah9741]

Thanks, but what about a headphone amp or DI with a headphone jack? At least I'm hearing what the pickups are picking up.

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

I'm practicing through my cheap Behringer DI and AKG headphones and it is great.

[@joeysisk5619]

I often will practice songs I already know unplugged with the track so I can hear anything in the track that is different from what I play.

[@MJTbreww]

Builds great finger strength and makes you focus on making notes sound clear but at the same time you may miss muting slight vibrations on other strings. I practice both, not plugged in when I can’t be bothered using an amp lol

[@markiosty8748]

If I play unplugged and then plug in it's easier for me to have a lot of sound at hand to experience with !

[@jazzman0173]

Use headphones and Vox amplug!

[@Woozy.0]

Love those things!

[@willistaylor4077]

I'm always plugged in when I practice and play. I'm primarily a bedroom hobbyist. I just like it turned up to 11. 😂🎵🎵

[@gurmot]

An interesting video. I have never practiced an electric bass unplugged but will give it a go. One question - which strings give the loudest response unplugged? Heavy or light, flat or round? Thanks.

[@Arnalou83]

I think you can hear more the light strings ... For instance I don't play unplugged ( and I have a fender mustang micro) because I can't hear the E string so I guess the the thinner the string is, the more you can hear it

[@ChaweziGausi]

😊 thanks

[@melcco]

I don't have a bass amp and have been playing for around a month..

[@ajdayton101]

Would like to see some early Britt Rocker pics of Mark practicing as a teen. Mowhawk???

[@joezullo7792]

Five star video👍👍👍👍👍

[@joannmannello9158]

IT'S TRUE! I KNOW!

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

💯💯💯

[@TheWebzilla]

And if you want a real BASS sound, look for the Teufel Massive headphones !!

[@angeljlago]

can u at least do some playing so we'll know the difference?

[@jml19221]

Playing unplugged is detrimental to your technique. Once you plug in you’ll notice your playing is not as clean. You also need to practice getting your “tone”.