hearing nothing much is correct indeed. the frequency is too low to be extremely audible to the human ear. nothing wrong with practicing without an amp, but having an amp wouldn't do much harm
if money is an issue, i'd personally recommend the Timbre TB-15 which is available at Standard Value. i can't remember how much exactly it costs (for sure >SGD$100), but you can always call them to check. Plenty of punch and clarity considering the size of the amp. i never recommend/suggest products without having first trying it out, so i say it's definitely worth a shot.
Clever boy! I usually practice when it's quiet though it's not much mojo as compared to playing with an amp :\ but what to do... Gas then no money for amp : (
for me the bass sounds dead when it's nt played with the amp lah
but i still play it without the amps at night lah. like around 1am 2am like that?
don't wan to wake up my sis and my parents
lol...
but i hear somewhere that if you play without the amps then you'll sound more forceful when you play with amps lah.
cause without amp u'll play louder/ use more force to let the bass be heard.
haha