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bass amps vs regular guitar amps
bass amps vs regular guitar amps
I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
On Apr 9, 3:28 pm, "Robert Riddle" <captinlo...@gmail . com > wrote:
> I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
> Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
you using? Ed S.
On Apr 9, 3:28 pm, "Robert Riddle" <captinlo...@gmail . com > wrote:
> I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
> Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
you using? Ed S.
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
> You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
> you using? Ed S.
A Kustom Dart 10 watter. This one here:
* w w w .musiciansfriend . com /product/Kustom-66Dart-Guitar-Amplifier-?sku=480088
> You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
> you using? Ed S.
A Kustom Dart 10 watter. This one here:
* w w w .musiciansfriend . com /product/Kustom-66Dart-Guitar-Amplifier-?sku=480088
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
Robert Riddle wrote:
>>You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
>>you using? Ed S.
>
> A Kustom Dart 10 watter. This one here:
> * w w w .musiciansfriend . com /product/Kustom-66Dart-Guitar-Amplifier-?sku=480088
>
>
>
>
My thoughts on your amp:
That 6.5" speaker in a small combo isn't going to sound very good, and if you
push it, you might either pull the voice coil out of the gap, or burn the voice
coil.
10W RMS is very wimpy for bass, even for practice, in this situation. Why? The
speaker won't have the bottom end response that you want to hear, you'll turn it
up, and you'll clip the amp. That can burn the speaker voice coil, or even burn
the output chip in the amp if it overheats and doesn't have a really good
protection circuit.
My thoughts on using guitar amps for bass: Fine, but use a BASS CAB if you plan
to play at moderate to high volumes.
My thoughts for your situation:
A) I'd look at ebay by distance for a local deal, or craigslist, for a used
bass or keyboard amp. If you happen to find one, don't ignore the old Peavey
KB300 model.
B) If you think you're going to be a guitar player that picks up a bass once in
a while, you might want to upgrade on your guitar amp, and get both a bass and a
guitar cab. Guitar amp > bass cab is fine (EQ's are different, but you won't
hurt anything).
Robert Riddle wrote:
>>You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
>>you using? Ed S.
>
> A Kustom Dart 10 watter. This one here:
> * w w w .musiciansfriend . com /product/Kustom-66Dart-Guitar-Amplifier-?sku=480088
>
>
>
>
My thoughts on your amp:
That 6.5" speaker in a small combo isn't going to sound very good, and if you
push it, you might either pull the voice coil out of the gap, or burn the voice
coil.
10W RMS is very wimpy for bass, even for practice, in this situation. Why? The
speaker won't have the bottom end response that you want to hear, you'll turn it
up, and you'll clip the amp. That can burn the speaker voice coil, or even burn
the output chip in the amp if it overheats and doesn't have a really good
protection circuit.
My thoughts on using guitar amps for bass: Fine, but use a BASS CAB if you plan
to play at moderate to high volumes.
My thoughts for your situation:
A) I'd look at ebay by distance for a local deal, or craigslist, for a used
bass or keyboard amp. If you happen to find one, don't ignore the old Peavey
KB300 model.
B) If you think you're going to be a guitar player that picks up a bass once in
a while, you might want to upgrade on your guitar amp, and get both a bass and a
guitar cab. Guitar amp > bass cab is fine (EQ's are different, but you won't
hurt anything).
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
On Apr 9, 4:34 pm, ed s <esham...@yahoo . com > wrote:
> You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
> you using? Ed S.
I've heard this from everyone I've asked, but could someone explain
why?
One GC sales guy told me it was because the signal levels from a bass
were much higher than from a guitar. This sounded plausible, until I
got to thinking about how much higher the levels are from guitars with
active pickups... Is it because the speaker is inefficient at low
frequencies (smaller magnet) and draws too much current?
Thanks,
--Cliff (US)
On Apr 9, 4:34 pm, ed s <esham...@yahoo . com > wrote:
> You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
> you using? Ed S.
I've heard this from everyone I've asked, but could someone explain
why?
One GC sales guy told me it was because the signal levels from a bass
were much higher than from a guitar. This sounded plausible, until I
got to thinking about how much higher the levels are from guitars with
active pickups... Is it because the speaker is inefficient at low
frequencies (smaller magnet) and draws too much current?
Thanks,
--Cliff (US)
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
On 09 Apr 2008, hcbowman <hcbowman@gmail . com > wrote in
alt.guitar.beginner:
> One GC sales guy told me it was because the signal levels from a
> bass were much higher than from a guitar. This sounded plausible,
> until I got to thinking about how much higher the levels are from
> guitars with active pickups... Is it because the speaker is
> inefficient at low frequencies (smaller magnet) and draws too much
> current?
It's because guitar amp speakers aren't designed to reproduce those
very low frequencies. Forcing them to play those frequencies can make
the speaker's voice coils travel too far and pop out of their channel.
The cone could even tear. IOW, you could blow out the speakers. Even if
you don't, the sound is likely to be thinner and treblier than you
might want.
A guitar amp can do in a pinch, if you're careful to keep the volume
low.
On 09 Apr 2008, hcbowman <hcbowman@gmail . com > wrote in
alt.guitar.beginner:
> One GC sales guy told me it was because the signal levels from a
> bass were much higher than from a guitar. This sounded plausible,
> until I got to thinking about how much higher the levels are from
> guitars with active pickups... Is it because the speaker is
> inefficient at low frequencies (smaller magnet) and draws too much
> current?
It's because guitar amp speakers aren't designed to reproduce those
very low frequencies. Forcing them to play those frequencies can make
the speaker's voice coils travel too far and pop out of their channel.
The cone could even tear. IOW, you could blow out the speakers. Even if
you don't, the sound is likely to be thinner and treblier than you
might want.
A guitar amp can do in a pinch, if you're careful to keep the volume
low.
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
"hcbowman" <hcbowman@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:085a2b8a-6266-4bfa-b455-2298cb001ea7@p25g2000hsf.googlegroups . com ...
> On Apr 9, 4:34 pm, ed s <esham...@yahoo . com > wrote:
>
>> You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
>> you using? Ed S.
>
> I've heard this from everyone I've asked, but could someone explain
> why?
>
> One GC sales guy told me it was because the signal levels from a bass
> were much higher than from a guitar.
That's rubbish.
This sounded plausible, until I
> got to thinking about how much higher the levels are from guitars with
> active pickups... Is it because the speaker is inefficient at low
> frequencies (smaller magnet) and draws too much current?
Nope.
It's because the bass produces low frequencies at reasonably high levels, so
the speakers have to move a longish way rather slowly, and guitar speakers
are not designed to do that.
It requires a specially designed transponder.
However...
If you're operating well under the power limit of the speaker you shouldn't
have any problems.
Turn it down...
--
William Black
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.
>
> Thanks,
>
> --Cliff (US)
>
"hcbowman" <hcbowman@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:085a2b8a-6266-4bfa-b455-2298cb001ea7@p25g2000hsf.googlegroups . com ...
> On Apr 9, 4:34 pm, ed s <esham...@yahoo . com > wrote:
>
>> You may blow out the speaker if you turn it up to much. What amp are
>> you using? Ed S.
>
> I've heard this from everyone I've asked, but could someone explain
> why?
>
> One GC sales guy told me it was because the signal levels from a bass
> were much higher than from a guitar.
That's rubbish.
This sounded plausible, until I
> got to thinking about how much higher the levels are from guitars with
> active pickups... Is it because the speaker is inefficient at low
> frequencies (smaller magnet) and draws too much current?
Nope.
It's because the bass produces low frequencies at reasonably high levels, so
the speakers have to move a longish way rather slowly, and guitar speakers
are not designed to do that.
It requires a specially designed transponder.
However...
If you're operating well under the power limit of the speaker you shouldn't
have any problems.
Turn it down...
--
William Black
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.
>
> Thanks,
>
> --Cliff (US)
>
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
On Wed, 9 Apr 2008 15:28:59 -0500, "Robert Riddle"
<captinlogic@gmail . com > wrote:
>I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
>Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
>
Generally you would be OK if you keep the volume low, an alternative
is to replace the speake with a bass speaker...or just hook up a bass
cabinet. Good luck.
*********The softer side of JTees4*******
* w w w .soundclick . com /bands/default.cfm?bandID=819923
On Wed, 9 Apr 2008 15:28:59 -0500, "Robert Riddle"
<captinlogic@gmail . com > wrote:
>I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
>Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
>
Generally you would be OK if you keep the volume low, an alternative
is to replace the speake with a bass speaker...or just hook up a bass
cabinet. Good luck.
*********The softer side of JTees4*******
* w w w .soundclick . com /bands/default.cfm?bandID=819923
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
Robert,
It's possible that they bass will damage the amp. I also think you'll be
very disappointed in the sound.
Ok, you're going to try it anyway so here's some advice. Volume all the
way off on the amp and the tone controls set to 12 o'clock. Start plunking
on the bass and bring the volume up so you can hear the bass. Now adjust the
tone controls to suit your taste. Now slowly bring up the volume while
listening for problems. I'd listen for rattle, your amp may begin to rattle.
I'd listen for distortion. If you hear these problems lower the volume.
Dave M.
Robert,
It's possible that they bass will damage the amp. I also think you'll be
very disappointed in the sound.
Ok, you're going to try it anyway so here's some advice. Volume all the
way off on the amp and the tone controls set to 12 o'clock. Start plunking
on the bass and bring the volume up so you can hear the bass. Now adjust the
tone controls to suit your taste. Now slowly bring up the volume while
listening for problems. I'd listen for rattle, your amp may begin to rattle.
I'd listen for distortion. If you hear these problems lower the volume.
Dave M.
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
"David L. Martel" <marte005@earthlink . net > wrote in message
news:mIadnbzDdJ6PzWDanZ2dnUVZ_o3inZ2d@earthlink . com ...
> Robert,
>
> It's possible that they bass will damage the amp. I also think you'll be
> very disappointed in the sound.
> Ok, you're going to try it anyway so here's some advice. Volume all the
> way off on the amp and the tone controls set to 12 o'clock. Start plunking
> on the bass and bring the volume up so you can hear the bass. Now adjust
> the tone controls to suit your taste. Now slowly bring up the volume while
> listening for problems. I'd listen for rattle, your amp may begin to
> rattle. I'd listen for distortion. If you hear these problems lower the
> volume.
>
> Dave M.
>
That's pretty much what I planned to do. I've been watching the other bass
amp thread with interest as well. Is there anything wrong with hooking hte
bass up to a stereo system? I've got a mixing board already so I could plug
the bass into that and the board into the stereo system. Anything wrong with
that?
"David L. Martel" <marte005@earthlink . net > wrote in message
news:mIadnbzDdJ6PzWDanZ2dnUVZ_o3inZ2d@earthlink . com ...
> Robert,
>
> It's possible that they bass will damage the amp. I also think you'll be
> very disappointed in the sound.
> Ok, you're going to try it anyway so here's some advice. Volume all the
> way off on the amp and the tone controls set to 12 o'clock. Start plunking
> on the bass and bring the volume up so you can hear the bass. Now adjust
> the tone controls to suit your taste. Now slowly bring up the volume while
> listening for problems. I'd listen for rattle, your amp may begin to
> rattle. I'd listen for distortion. If you hear these problems lower the
> volume.
>
> Dave M.
>
That's pretty much what I planned to do. I've been watching the other bass
amp thread with interest as well. Is there anything wrong with hooking hte
bass up to a stereo system? I've got a mixing board already so I could plug
the bass into that and the board into the stereo system. Anything wrong with
that?
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
Robert,
You face the same problems. Plus the speakers are likely to have
mid-range and tweeter components that really aren't meant for bass guitar.
Plus the stereo is hard to take and set up at a gig.
If you are careful you can use the stereo just like you can use the
guitar amp. But I think you'll be disappointed. Bass guitars require a lot
of power. And the sound goes everywhere so your neighbors may be displeased.
Dave M.
Robert,
You face the same problems. Plus the speakers are likely to have
mid-range and tweeter components that really aren't meant for bass guitar.
Plus the stereo is hard to take and set up at a gig.
If you are careful you can use the stereo just like you can use the
guitar amp. But I think you'll be disappointed. Bass guitars require a lot
of power. And the sound goes everywhere so your neighbors may be displeased.
Dave M.
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
"David L. Martel" <marte005@earthlink . net > wrote in message
news:E76dnQ8sw_YMomPanZ2dnUVZ_vOlnZ2d@earthlink . com ...
> Robert,
>
> You face the same problems. Plus the speakers are likely to have
> mid-range and tweeter components that really aren't meant for bass guitar.
> Plus the stereo is hard to take and set up at a gig.
> If you are careful you can use the stereo just like you can use the
> guitar amp. But I think you'll be disappointed. Bass guitars require a lot
> of power. And the sound goes everywhere so your neighbors may be
displeased.
>
>
> Dave M.
>
>
Ok, well good news is the nearest neighbours will be a mile away. I'm gonna
bite the bullet and buty a real bass amp next weekend. Thanks Dave and all.
"David L. Martel" <marte005@earthlink . net > wrote in message
news:E76dnQ8sw_YMomPanZ2dnUVZ_vOlnZ2d@earthlink . com ...
> Robert,
>
> You face the same problems. Plus the speakers are likely to have
> mid-range and tweeter components that really aren't meant for bass guitar.
> Plus the stereo is hard to take and set up at a gig.
> If you are careful you can use the stereo just like you can use the
> guitar amp. But I think you'll be disappointed. Bass guitars require a lot
> of power. And the sound goes everywhere so your neighbors may be
displeased.
>
>
> Dave M.
>
>
Ok, well good news is the nearest neighbours will be a mile away. I'm gonna
bite the bullet and buty a real bass amp next weekend. Thanks Dave and all.
Re: bass amps vs regular guitar amps
Robert Riddle wrote:
> "David L. Martel" <marte005@earthlink . net > wrote in message
> news:mIadnbzDdJ6PzWDanZ2dnUVZ_o3inZ2d@earthlink . com ...
>
>>Robert,
>>
>> It's possible that they bass will damage the amp. I also think you'll be
>>very disappointed in the sound.
>> Ok, you're going to try it anyway so here's some advice. Volume all the
>>way off on the amp and the tone controls set to 12 o'clock. Start plunking
>>on the bass and bring the volume up so you can hear the bass. Now adjust
>>the tone controls to suit your taste. Now slowly bring up the volume while
>>listening for problems. I'd listen for rattle, your amp may begin to
>>rattle. I'd listen for distortion. If you hear these problems lower the
>>volume.
>>
>>Dave M.
>>
>
> That's pretty much what I planned to do. I've been watching the other bass
> amp thread with interest as well. Is there anything wrong with hooking hte
> bass up to a stereo system? I've got a mixing board already so I could plug
> the bass into that and the board into the stereo system. Anything wrong with
> that?
>
>
If you have a mixer with enough gain for the guitar, and a power amp (if
patching through a stereo, you want to watch it for a while for excessive heat
and DO NOT clip it), then get yourself a used 2x10 with a horn bass cab
(although on the used market, 4x10's are more popular and might even be a better
deal).
Don't expect a modern small stereo to like being driven by a bass, though. Low
practice levels, fine.
On using stereo speakers: Pop a string hard, and you've got WAY, WAY more
dynamic range than recorded music (higher peaks). It's risky. A compressor
would help, but if I loved my speakers, I wouldn't do it.
Robert Riddle wrote:
> "David L. Martel" <marte005@earthlink . net > wrote in message
> news:mIadnbzDdJ6PzWDanZ2dnUVZ_o3inZ2d@earthlink . com ...
>
>>Robert,
>>
>> It's possible that they bass will damage the amp. I also think you'll be
>>very disappointed in the sound.
>> Ok, you're going to try it anyway so here's some advice. Volume all the
>>way off on the amp and the tone controls set to 12 o'clock. Start plunking
>>on the bass and bring the volume up so you can hear the bass. Now adjust
>>the tone controls to suit your taste. Now slowly bring up the volume while
>>listening for problems. I'd listen for rattle, your amp may begin to
>>rattle. I'd listen for distortion. If you hear these problems lower the
>>volume.
>>
>>Dave M.
>>
>
> That's pretty much what I planned to do. I've been watching the other bass
> amp thread with interest as well. Is there anything wrong with hooking hte
> bass up to a stereo system? I've got a mixing board already so I could plug
> the bass into that and the board into the stereo system. Anything wrong with
> that?
>
>
If you have a mixer with enough gain for the guitar, and a power amp (if
patching through a stereo, you want to watch it for a while for excessive heat
and DO NOT clip it), then get yourself a used 2x10 with a horn bass cab
(although on the used market, 4x10's are more popular and might even be a better
deal).
Don't expect a modern small stereo to like being driven by a bass, though. Low
practice levels, fine.
On using stereo speakers: Pop a string hard, and you've got WAY, WAY more
dynamic range than recorded music (higher peaks). It's risky. A compressor
would help, but if I loved my speakers, I wouldn't do it.
Using guitar with bass amp
Robert Riddle wrote:
> I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
> Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
>
>
I read somewhere that using a bass amp with a guitar would be a good
choice. Is that right?
Robert Riddle wrote:
> I've got a regular guitar amp, and fixing maybe to get a bass guitar today.
> Can I use my guitar amp with it? Or will the bass blow it out?
>
>
I read somewhere that using a bass amp with a guitar would be a good
choice. Is that right?
Re: Using guitar with bass amp
tenplay wrote:
> I read somewhere that using a bass amp
> with a guitar would be a good
> choice. Is that right?
Define "good choice"?
Lumpy
In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com
tenplay wrote:
> I read somewhere that using a bass amp
> with a guitar would be a good
> choice. Is that right?
Define "good choice"?
Lumpy
In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com
