Good tone for small apartment dwellers

[zebra]

Anyone have any ideas on getting a good tone at low volumes in the bedroom of a small apartment with thin walls?  More specifically, mostly playing single notes as opposed to chords, and cleaner, but sometimes on the edge of break-up (but not high gain). 

I'm willing to hear anything anyone has to offer, as that's really the only place I play (and I hate wearing headphones...makes me feel like...a cat on a leash).

 

[stratamania]

If all else fails you can get wireless headphones. Set your cat free.

For the rest your not going to be able to use a tube amp really. Even a 5 watt Blackstar can be fairly loud. They do a 1 watt version.

Other than tube amps you are then into things such as Line 6 amplifi, Yamaha THR, Blackstar ID series etc.

Other options might be computer or iPad based.

 

[rapfohl09]

I just got a Blackstar ID:Core 10 and I literally couldn't be any happier. For 100 dollars you get an amp with really great sounds and plenty of versatility, along with some nice effects. Plug it up to your computer and you can really control the sound you are getting.

It also comes with a Aux in and Headphone out, which I always use to think was just a gimmick, but I find that I have been using the Aux in quite a bit, and you would obviously like the Headphone out.

It can get pretty load for 10 watts, but it also sounds great at low volumes. It has two small speakers in series, which I like.

Anyways, I would have paid twice as much for this amp easily knowing what I know now. Blackstars are great just in general, check it out.

 

[Tonar8352]

I am using a 1964 Fender Champ almost exclusively at home. Turn it up to 11 , plug in, adjust your tone and volume and you can go any where from SRV clean to Billy Gibbons scream. It is one of my favorite amps!

 

[Wolfie351]

My practice setup is a POD HD through a pair of quality studio monitors. 

 

[sixstringsamurai]

If you don't care if it's solid state, I keep a Roland Micro Cube in my living room.
Perfect size and volume.

 

[mark1178]

Yamaha THR so far to my ears are the best sounding small modeling amps I've ever heard. Never been a fan of any of the Line 6 amps.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

In my condo-dwelling days, I had a Tech21 Trademark 10 that made wonderful sounds at bedroom levels. It's essentially an analog modeling amp. Cool stuff.

 

[BigSteve22]

I use a Fender Mustang I for low level, living room playing and the ability to program the presets from my laptop. Sound wise, it's really hard to beat in the $100 range. But I have to admit, I've never tried the Blackstar that  rapfohl09 mentioned.

 

[rgand]

If all else fails you can get wireless headphones. Set your cat free.

You also won't get to the end of the cable if you go across the room for another pick or something. :icon_biggrin:

I use a Peavey Blazer 158 when I want to keep it down. It does have reverb which the Rage 158 doesn't. You can find them under $100 on ebay. If you do want to crank it up, you'll still get calls from the neighbors.

 

[Vallhagen]

I have an Orange Micro Terror for bedroom playing. Cheap and good, and it has a tube.

I have a fairly complete DAW studio too, with POD and stuff, but i prefer playing a real amp, and the Micro Terror is.

Cheerio

 

[Fat Pete]

Yamaha THR so far to my ears are the best sounding small modeling amps I've ever heard. Never been a fan of any of the Line 6 amps.

I'll add a +1 to this. I'm not sure they're really the most authentic-sounding little amps, but they give a good range of sounds and sound big at tiny volumes - lots of fun.

 

[bagman67]

I'm fond of my Mustang III, as a practice amp, but I am also really crazy for my Vox AC4TV. Switches between 1/4, 1, and 4 watts for three very different kinds of sounds.  The 1/4 watt setting gets you some good snarly grind at an acceptable volume, and your guitar volume knob really comes into its own as well.

 

[musicispeace]

I have pretty similar challenges. A 350 or so square foot studio apartment with neighbors. My current fix (which I am presently happy with) is a small modeling amp.  I would have to tell you I have had the best luck with low volume satisfaction using a Fender Mustang 1 or 2 modeling amp. I go between the twin reverb preset and the gain preset that most pleases me. Never had any neighbor issues and have not been unhappy with the tone at a volume that reflects my situation. And I've played ZZ Top stuff in my apartment with it. I also tried a Vox Valvetronix which is a pretty nice modeling amp. Its a little louder so doesn't get as much play for me and I am still exploring the gain settings but I like the tone I get from it. But overall I have been happy with the Fender Mustang.

 

[sixstringsamurai]

Not the "Best" tone, but if you happen to have "THAT" neighbor who's the type to complain if you breath too loud...
there are these as an option. I have a set of the AC-30 Amphones, and the are great for travel.
Because they are not just a headphone amp, but a mid level set of Audio Technica monitoring phones too.
The response is flat, so you can EQ from your listening device, and for 100 bones... a great deal.

 

[fdesalvo]

You guys have grown soft.  This gentleman has figured out a solution:

 

[pabloman]

Does anyone have any experience with the Hotone amps?

 

[musicispeace]

You guys have grown soft.  This gentleman has figured out a solution:

I don't think the foundation of the building I live in is secure enough for this option, all four floors would vibrate right off it.  :laughing7:

 

[fdesalvo]

Ha I was thinking the benefit was not hearin your neighbor's complain while you were playing.

 

[swarfrat]

I've done that in my youth. It was fun.