I miss /r/bass a bit, but I realized when I was going through all of the things I posted there, like 90% was patiently answering the same damned questions over and over again for newbies who simply wouldn't read the FAQ or even casually search for answers to their question:
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Check the 9V.
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The Rumble 40 is the minimum viable amp for that line; the feature set is such that it's a dramatic improvement over the 25. Yes, it gets loud enough to play casually with acoustic instruments and even a drummer with dynamic control, but you will want something bigger for audiences/outdoor/more players. If you can't afford the 40, buy a headphone amp for now (which will still be useful later) and save your money.
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That IS a weird noise. Try moving your phone away from the amp/cable/pickups.
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You are already good enough to play with others and you will get better faster the sooner you do so.
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Seriously, check the 9V.
His podcast has a few recent episodes talking about the experience. Also occasional posts on mastodon as @[email protected].