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Topic: My Silent Practice Setup |
Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 17 Nov 2020 10:25 am |
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This has been working really well for me and lets me play anywhere, anytime.
1. Valetron Rushead Max mini amp - rechargeable, has fx and 3 amp types ($40)
2. El cheapo bluetooth receiver - rechargeable ($5)
3. Earbuds - ($1 at Walmart)
The mini amp really sounds quite good (maybe even better with decent earphones). Won't compete with a good amp, but.....
I can send backing tracks via bluetooth from my phone or laptop which makes practicing and playing feel like you're at a live gig with a great band and lots of screaming fans going absolutely wild for you! Or not  .
Anyway, I'm liking it.
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Scott Denniston
From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 4:52 am
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| That's very cool. I used to use a Tascam GB 10 to practice in some situations and I could forget it wasn't an amp once immersed in what I was doing. You can also use mp3 files in that for backing tracks. That Rushead Max looks like a nice upgrade to the GB10 idea being rechargeable. I like the bluetooth idea too. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 6:09 am
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| I like the vibe of the Nux Mighty Plug. 69.00 from most retailers and it does all the above plus a built in drum machine and an app to tweak settings. Some very cool tools becoming available lately. |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 3:56 pm
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Hi Larry,
Yeah, the Nux is awesome. The Rushead is the closest to it I could find in my price range. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Nov 2020 7:05 pm
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| Brad, what you have is cool. Are you getting a clean sound like a twin? Have you tried patching the output into a amp or speaker? I already have the Boss Micro BR 80 and a Korg Pandora px4. The Korg is versitle and does all the right stuff except a great tone. It's usable but not great. |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 19 Nov 2020 3:38 pm
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Larry - Actually the clean amp sim isn't bad. I haven't run it into anything else, this is strictly for silent practice. I've got other amps for sound, but this setup is to help preserve marital harmony.  |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 19 Nov 2020 4:03 pm
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| Brad, I agree. I like to ck the output on a decent speaker and if it's good then my earbuds are lacking. I have good headphones but can't stand wearing them. It takes getting used to on both. My wife is pretty lenient on my playing but I still try to keep it low. Keeping the peace is essential. But there are times I need to rock out. |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 20 Nov 2020 6:28 am
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| Rock on! |
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Andrew Goulet
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Posted 1 Dec 2020 6:00 am
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This is an elegant solution! I had wondered how these little plug in amps sound.
_________________
Marlen S12 pedal steel
12 string Bill Hatcher lap steel
ZT Club and Lunchbox |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 1 Dec 2020 6:46 am
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| Andrew - For me it works fine for what I want. It's not going to sound like my Bandit 65, but it's much quieter . I've got other amps and PA equip. for those times I want to rock out like Larry. Mainly when my wife is out, which has become more and more rare due to this damnable covid! |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 1 Dec 2020 6:55 am
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| Brad, I get one morning per week of solo hell raising when the wife is away. And when the virus shut down the local casino, I lost out. She goes early, 6am so it's hard to get motivated that early, and back by 10.30am By the time I begin rattling walls, it's over. Then it's Sweet Memories at a modest level. Band practice is virtually non existing. I'm looking for a solution for my pent up frustration and buying gadgets seems to work. |
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Ken Mizell
From:
Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2020 2:34 pm
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Nice setup. Happy wife = Happy Life. 
For me, I plug a Bluetooth transmitter into my Spark 40 amp, and transmit to a nice set of Bluetooth headphones. It works nicely. I could also use earbuds, if I had some.
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Steeless. |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 9 Jan 2021 10:19 am
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Valetron Rushead Max mini amp came in today, with cheap headphones makes my Lamar sound like an old Fender 400. Sounds ok for silent practice, still playing with it. I like it.
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 20 Jan 2021 2:23 pm
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Sonny, I have a Fender Mustang II that I use with headphones, just wanted another toy, for the money this little amp sounds pretty good after I played with the settings a bit.
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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