My bass setup

Yamaha bass, Fender amp, my audience

Grabbed a “starter” bass, the Yamaha BB234, and paired it with a Fender Rumble 40[1].

Added on the usual assortment of accessories, like a cable, strap, tuner, heavy picks (’cause the first song I’ve been learning is Opiate, and, well, Paul D’Amour plays with a pick). For the Fender I also picked up the 099-4049-000 foot switch to toggle between its modes, and for convenience this C14 to C13+NEMA 5-15R Y Splitter Power Plug Cord so I can plug in the NUX MG-300 Mk. II (which has some bass heads and IRs and pedals, to augment the basic massaging the Rumble 40 has built in), without running another cable back to the wall.

I’ve also been using it with headphone amps:

• Boss Katana:GO (had picked up a discounted used one to use with guitar, but it’s got a good bass mode) with a pair of AKG K92 headphones (which I already had) (cable hell, but it can also be used as an audio interface)]
• Positive Grid Spark NEO (better interface, fully wireless convenience, but the Boss has the “stage mode” and, with good headphones, edges the Spark just a bit in sound)

Anyway. I’ve had an in person lesson and will have more (same guy I’m taking guitar lessons from), and my existing Yousician subscription covers all the instruments they do, which includes bass. But I think I’m going to splurge on the BassBuzz Beginner to Badass course when next I have some spare cash.

Along the way I discovered (I get there eventually) the idea of foot pedal page turners, like this inexpensive LEKATO Wireless Page Turner Pedal, which can be used with software like the ForScore app. I already had a cheap iPad tripod.

[1] The smallest practice amp folks seem to recommend (the 10" speaker being noted as a big step up from the 8" in the Rumble 25); it also has an XLR DI output to patch into the front of  house for gigs where that’s an option). Best all-around (last updated 3 Feb 2026)? IDK, but it works well enough for me, so far. I didn’t realize how power-hungry bass playing is. If you want to keep up with a drummer with just the amp, you’re probably going to want 300W or more power, I’m learning... “Really blew me away” ...