True home rehearsal/practice combos - Yamaha THR and Roland Cube 10GX

[Musicman20]

As my foray into the world of guitar gets more and more interesting, I've realised that even a small 1x12 22w Fender combo is just TOO loud for the house.

I am still practicing before getting into bands with guitar, so home is where I play the most.


Most high end bass combos for home/very small gigs are hugely expensive and probably not something I need.

However, after checking the market for small low volume guitar practice amps, that still have good tone and more importantly allow me to test pedals and practice, it seems these two amps have bass functionality:

Roland Cube 10GX,
Yamaha THR10 (I'd opt for the 10c).

Has anyone attempted bass through these on the bass setting? I'm not expecting any kind of miracle, just a half decent very low volume bass sound that sounds like the bass, for low volume home practice etc.

Both amps, more so the Yamaha, have got very good reviews.

I wouldn't ever need a Phil Jones or micro Mark Bass amp; just too much money for such a small item which is only of use for me at home, (and I have other small options for small gigs but at the mo, even a 2x10 is proving pretty loud and transmits bass through the floor!).

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Haven't looked at the guitar versions , but the Roland cube combos look great . Btw; I think somebody on Basschat is selling guitar version really cheap . Try looking it up .

Another alternative , could be to play your guitar/bass through studio monitors and use an interface such as line 6 .

[RhysP]

22 watts for guitar isn't small, especially when you're looking at valve amps.

[Muppet]

I have the 10, not the 10C. For practice it is absolutely brilliant and I use it both for guitar and bass. In fact I don't use anything else now at home and I'm playing the 'holy trinity' of LP, Strat and Tele. Connecting to a PC via USB means there are loads more parameters (compression, reverb and delay settings) you can adjust and send to the presets on the unit. It's great to be able to adjust the level of the guitar and aux input independently.

The bass sound is remarkably good too and the effects apply equally as well to the bass sound. And, aesthetically it is very pleasing also it looks nice sitting on a shelf in my office!

Highly recommended.

steve

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1439897287' post='2846527']
I have the 10, not the 10C. For practice it is absolutely brilliant and I use it both for guitar and bass. In fact I don't use anything else now at home and I'm playing the 'holy trinity' of LP, Strat and Tele. Connecting to a PC via USB means there are loads more parameters (compression, reverb and delay settings) you can adjust and send to the presets on the unit. It's great to be able to adjust the level of the guitar and aux input independently.

The bass sound is remarkably good too and the effects apply equally as well to the bass sound. And, aesthetically it is very pleasing also it looks nice sitting on a shelf in my office!

Highly recommended.

steve
[/quote]
Great, thanks!!!

[Musicman20]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1439897180' post='2846524']
22 watts for guitar isn't small, especially when you're looking at valve amps.
[/quote]
No, definitely not. I wanted under 30, preferably under 20, but the 22 W Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb sounds SO good, and received so much praise, that I had to get one. I used to have a much larger/higher wattage Hot Rod Deville...and it sounded nowhere near and good as this 68.

I think even my Dual Terror at 7W is too loud through its matching 2x12 cab.

The two practice amps noted are both solid state and are both 10W....and smaller speakers, (especially the Yamaha). We are talking a volume that isn't intrusive at all...

[Thunderpaws]

One of these yamaha beasties is definitely on my shopping list. For home practice and doubling up as an MP3 speaker and usb interface it looks and sounds great.

[John_P]

I use my thr10 for guitar and bass. Out the 11 amps currently in the house it gets the most use - pretty much everyday it's used for practising or learning tunes, I think they are great. Hopefully Yamaha are about to announce a bigger version that could be used out of the house.

[Woodinblack]

I have a thr10 which I used to always use for bass, and it is pretty good. I had a roland cube as well, not quite as good.
But normally I use the TC BG250 combo, which is fine for the house, or play through the zoom and headphones at night

[Sonic_Groove]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1439899938' post='2846581']
No, definitely not. I wanted under 30, preferably under 20, but the 22 W Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb sounds SO good, and received so much praise, that I had to get one. I used to have a much larger/higher wattage Hot Rod Deville...and it sounded nowhere near and good as this 68.

I think even my Dual Terror at 7W is too loud through its matching 2x12 cab.

The two practice amps noted are both solid state and are both 10W....and smaller speakers, (especially the Yamaha). We are talking a volume that isn't intrusive at all...
[/quote]

Have you tried your bass through the 68 Deluxe Reverb ? Do you think it would work at as a low volume Bass & Guitar amp (out not in house) ?

Brendan

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Sonic_Groove' timestamp='1439916722' post='2846762'] Have you tried your bass through the 68 Deluxe Reverb ? Do you think it would work at as a low volume Bass & Guitar amp (out not in house) ? Brendan [/quote]

As in at a low level practice with a band? Certainly with the guitar; wouldn't dare try the bass! As fas as guitar through it at home, it is quite hard to get it really quiet. Those watts are LOUD!

[JapanAxe]

£50 buys you Blackstar Fly 3W micro-combo with onboard drive and delay, plus input for stuff to play along wit. Win win win!

[Ancient Mariner]

The THRs seem to be exceptional for a home practice amp - by reputation - though sadly I've yet to own one.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1440441537' post='2850781']
The THRs seem to be exceptional for a home practice amp - by reputation - though sadly I've yet to own one.
[/quote]

Apparently a new model is due but rumours are its more of a gigging combo.

[songofthewind]

I use a THR10 for guitar and bass at home. Very good for both purposes, surprisingly effective for bass.

[fleabag]

OMG

I use an Ampeg BA600 for home practice. I dont turn it up much though

[Thunderpaws]

[quote name='songofthewind' timestamp='1440458678' post='2851019']
I use a THR10 for guitar and bass at home. Very good for both purposes, surprisingly effective for bass.
[/quote]

Would it cope for bass if playing along with a couple of acoustic guitars in a home setting?

[Musicman20]

[quote name='songofthewind' timestamp='1440458678' post='2851019']
I use a THR10 for guitar and bass at home. Very good for both purposes, surprisingly effective for bass.
[/quote]

Sounds good to me!

[Musicman20]

OK, so the new Yamaha THR 100 HD isn't my thing, and way too loud. BUT, the THR10 is going to be revised soon apparently.

As they aren't that cheap for small home practice, I decided to go ultra small/low wattage with lots of versatility:

Roland Cube 10GX - works with bass, guitar and acoustic guitar.

It's pretty basic but the amp is small, quiet and light. Perfect for home playing/recording, and no crazy price tag, (let's face it, I'd rather have the money invested in things that are gig worthy).

£80 delivered! Arrives tomorrow (hopefully).

Edited September 7, 2015 by Musicman20

[Musicman20]

Jees, for £80 this little Roland is brilliant. Even the modelled higher gain guitar amps sound good. What a wonderful era of technology we live in.

Old 1-15 W solid state amps used to be absolutely awful and weigh twice as much as you'd expect.