If you're looking for a small, session-friendly bass amp, you may find that there's one closer than you think. My PC came with the usual multimedia speaker configuration; two tweeter satellites and a mains-powered subwoofer.

See where this one's going?

Some amateurish soldering got me a short lead to convert the 1/4" instrument cable to a 1/8" plug. I originally used one of those little converter plugs from Tandy, but I reckon it put far too much weight on the tiny socket in the amp. The short lead is much safer.

Because it's a SUBwoofer, it doesn't do high notes at all. The top G on a bass guitar is very quiet compared to the low E, so playing requires a dynamic style to smooth it out. But I'm just putting down a foundation under the other instruments, not playing "Jazz Odyssey", so that's fine. In fact, because it doesn't do the high overtones of a low note, it's extremely friendly to other instruments - there's very little clutter in their way (so long as you're not just booming away as loud as you can, like a clod). Bodhran and cello need consideration, for example, or drop guitar tunings, but mostly it's plain sailing.

I can now carry my P-bass on my back and this little beauty in a small shoulder bag. It beats a double bass (aka bull fiddle) for portability any time. Also takes up less room in a tight session.

Of course, it's great for quiet rehearsals with acoustic instruments too. No more squeezing a bass cab through your mate's kitchen door.

The only drawback is that because it's cream-coloured and has slats on the front, people endlessly assume it's a heater or a dehumidifier, with hilarious consequences etc etc. A small price to pay. I may paint it black and put a death's head on it.

It might eventually disintegrate. It's had a lot of abuse over the years, and has developed a slight, flabby overtone of its own. So be sensible - consider whether you're using it outside its intended output level.

If this one does disintegrate, I'm going to get a new one that's a bit bigger and do exactly the same. That's how much I've enjoyed using it.

Has anyone else come across this approach? If not, I'd like to claim the right to choose a name for it: the "Fat Boy's Friend". This is in homage (that's French for "cheese", by the way) to a Sheffield stalwart whose inconvenient Thursday session got me thinking this way.

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