10W guitar combo - knob settings

[vroum]

Hello,

If things go well, I'll buy a bass tomorrow! I can't wait!

I'll get a Vox Amplug bass, so I can learn to play the instrument without bugging my family, somethimes I'll want to play without headphones at a low level in the basement. I'd like to buy a bass combo, but money doesn't grow in on trees...

I have a 10 Watts, twin-speaker guitar practice combo (Boss MG-10) who is collecting dust in the basement. The only thing to do would be to repair the plug on the cord.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/...d3e9438412.jpg

There are many knobs on it: Gain, Volume, Master Volume, Bass (can be pulled for a "warp" effect), middle, treble, presence.

Comments in similar guitar-amp threads recommend to turn down the bass knob, so the speakers won't blow up. Could I get recommendations for the other knobs, so I can prevent a catastrophe?

I am aware of how better a real bass amp would be. I'll buy a big combo when my kids will be older and play instruments as well

Thank you!

[honestjohnny]

bass and treble to 0 mid to high, volume low

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by vroum

money doesn't grow in trees...

Who told you that?

[santucci218]

yeah, the money grows on them, not in them.

[sidd_laroy]

Originally Posted by vroum

but money doesn't grow in trees...

welllllll, money is made from a mixture of cotton and linen, IIRC, sooo in a way, it kind of does.

[vroum]

Originally Posted by santucci218

yeah, the money grows on them, not in them.

You are right. Sorry. Shakespeare's tongue isn't my first language - I do my best...

[will33]

Gain is how strong the signal from your bass is going into the amp. Master is how much power is coming out of the amp and into the speaker. These two kinda work together. Gain high and master low means more grit in general, gain low and master high usually means cleaner sound. As for the tone knobs, set them all in the middle and play at lower volume. Turn each knob all the way up and all the way down to see how each affects the sound. Find something you like and then add a little volume to it. If you want to play louder but not get too raunchy, you're going to have to take the bass down as the volume goes up. If you want a bassy sound you're likely going to have to have it quieter.

If this is a 10 watt guitar amp don't expect to get very loud without a good dose of distortion in the sound. Don't expect big deep full bass either. If it's an openback combo (where you can see the speaker from the back) it might help a little to screw a piece of wood on the back to seal the box the speaker's in.

Use it for bedroom practice until she blows. It's nothing craigslist and a couple 20's can't replace.

[vroum]

@honestjohnny & will33 : thanks for your comments!
@santucci218 & al.: thanks for the English lesson!