Can a bass amp be used for guitar?

ausf · #1 05-26-2010, 06:38 AM

I know, I shudder too, but there's a reason:

My two sons (8 and 10) play upright, but aren't overly motivated for electric since they can't play together. I just ordered a 3/4 strat, hoping that they'll trade off and jam together. Simple stuff, 1-5s, just so they get the idea.

Will a Fender Bassman 100 provide a usable signal? I'm not asking for a lot tone quality-wise, just enough for two kids to play together get a sense of jamming.

Of course this means one will get to plug their bass into the GK, so I'm sure many fights will ensue.

WhoSeyes · #2 05-26-2010, 06:41 AM

Yes, in theory there is no problem.

In fact, I've heard some people recommend to use bass amps for acoustic guitars (I know its not the same as an electric, but more or less).

Oren Hudson · #3 05-26-2010, 06:43 AM

Based upon your usage, no problem. I have often used bass amps for guitar. They normally give you a bunch of bottom that you don't get in some guitar amps. Of course, no reverb and effects, but you can use an inexpensive pedal as I've done. Good luck with your project.

PaulWarning · #4 05-26-2010, 06:45 AM

I go through a Marshall Jackhammer into my my Marshall MB 4210 with surprisingly good results, sound ok with the guitar plugged straight in as well, the amp has got a tweeter though

ducknturtle · #5 05-26-2010, 07:12 AM

might actually sound good.

ausf · #6 05-26-2010, 07:59 AM

Cool.

This amp has a horn and semi-para EQ for mid so it might be good.

I'm not an effects hound, but what I have should be good too. My Boss AW-3 has guitar in, Q-Tron has high and mid passes and the ODB-3 might provide some interesting distortion.

Sweet.

AltGrendel · #7 05-26-2010, 08:02 AM

You may actually like the tone of the guitar better. I remember reading that Stevie Ray used bass cabs for his strat all the time.

Sonicfrog · #8 05-26-2010, 08:07 AM

My guitarists used that amp in one of my recent former bands. It sounded fine. Gave a nice round tone.

**JxBass** · #9 05-26-2010, 08:27 AM

The '59 Fender Bassman became more popular as a guitar amp than bass amp, so much so that it was reissued in the 90's with guitarists in mind. I seem to recall GE Smith using one on Saturday Night Live for awhile: http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=2171000010

Jazzdogg · #10 05-26-2010, 08:42 AM

My guitarist knows nothing about bass or bass gear, and is very particular about his guitars and amps. But, there have been three occasions when he's played through bass amps of mine, and all three times, he couldn't stop talking about how great his guitar sounded through them. The three amps in question are:
'64 Fender Bassman with 2x12
'65 Ampeg Fliptop 15"
Newer EA iAmp800 through a Wizzy 12M

groooooove · #11 05-26-2010, 08:45 AM

it will work, just might not sound great.

on the contrary, i've had bass amps that i liked more for guitar than bass (GK backline 112 was a killer guitar combo.)

MonetBass · #12 05-26-2010, 08:49 AM

I use my bass amp for guitar as well. It DOES sound great, but I'd suggest running the EQ flat for best results.

Scottgun · #13 05-26-2010, 09:00 AM

I plug my Jackson DXMG into my Sunn 300T and there are no survivors from the metal onslaught. I have to back down the bass, crank the highs, and I have to rely on external units for reverb and decent distortion, but otherwise it pwns faces.

mpdd · #14 05-26-2010, 10:55 AM

jam away

my friend uses a bassman 100 for his les paul, and my other friend uses my marshall 3450 for his les paul (both sound good)

ausf · #15 05-26-2010, 11:13 AM

Sweet.

I just finished soldering up some cables and the got the ship notice, so they'll be good to go soon enough.

Now I'll just need to some flowers for the wife (maybe the neighbors too).

SevenPrime · #16 05-26-2010, 11:25 AM

Heck, the guitarist in my former band used a Fender Bassman (not sure what model) with a Carvin cab. Absolutely killer tone, though he had to provide his own effects/distortion.

I guess a word of warning is, since bass amps don't have a gain stage, if your kids want to play overdriven, you'll want to invest in a distortion pedal or a tube screamer. If they ever fall in love with distortion without one, you're neighbors are going to hate you.

ThunderV · #17 05-26-2010, 11:37 AM

I use a behringer practice bass amp for my guitar at home. It sounds fine. I will even note that it sounds killer with my bass big muff pedal (in normal mode of course).

mulchor · #18 05-26-2010, 12:16 PM

In my family, a Bassman Ten serves for both. It's better on guitar.

If your boys are like mine, they'll really enjoy even a cheapo digital processor with an expression pedal.

Ours is a DIGITECH RP80 Guitar Modeling Processor (with a built-in pedal), which I think has been discontinued. Drum machine and tuner built in, some usable presets. I don't think of it as a professional quality tool, but it can be used to get an approximation of any guitar sound in a single pedal.

The drawbacks are that it's easy to get distracted by the bells & whistles (and auto-wah into a flanger with slap-back echo). That and you get to listen to them being distracted.