Can you play a bass through a cab without a head?

FBS1996 · #1 06-09-2011, 04:31 PM

As in, is there a mono jack input on the cab so you can just play straight from the bass?

bikeplate · #2 06-09-2011, 04:32 PM

HI

You need an amplifier and a preamp to have volume

Rob

kgoszyk · #3 06-09-2011, 04:33 PM

If there is no amplified present, you wont hear the bass through the cab. It takes a lot of power (watts) to drive the speakers in a cab. Your bass, active or passive, does not even come close to have enough power to drive speakers.

bassgod0dmw · #4 06-09-2011, 04:33 PM

Yeah, no

gjbassist · #5 06-09-2011, 04:37 PM

Only if it is the Mothman!

**jbybj** · #6 06-09-2011, 04:37 PM

Wow, whats happening to TB?!? All these replies have been civil and polite. Way to go folks.

JBY

FBS1996 · #7 06-09-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbybj

Wow, whats happening to TB?!? All these replies have been civil and polite. Way to go folks.

JBY

maybe people want to be helpful, instead of being trolls

Mr-Wunderful · #8 06-09-2011, 04:40 PM

It'll work if you use a Monster cable.

MNAirHead · #9 06-09-2011, 04:50 PM

um...

If your mixer is powered it will work.. you're plugging into the mixer.

Trick answer

s_mcsleazy · #10 06-09-2011, 04:58 PM

no. however ehx does something that means you can. i hink its called the caliber or somthing

dmrogers · #11 06-09-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBS1996

maybe people want to be helpful, instead of being trolls

Hey, I do think the majority of members here on TB really want to be helpful. And your question has been answered quickly and politely, but I just gotta ask, are you confusing bass cabinets with combos?

In any event, check out this link. I think it will help.

Honestly, I'm trying to be helpful, not rude.

elgecko · #12 06-09-2011, 05:05 PM

It'll only work if your bass is active!

FBS1996 · #13 06-09-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmrogers

Hey, I do think the majority of members here on TB really want to be helpful. And your question has been answered quickly and politely, but I just gotta ask, are you confusing bass cabinets with combos?

In any event, check out this link. I think it will help.

Honestly, I'm trying to be helpful, not rude.

Oh I know, most people in this thread have been extremely helpful, but someone was surprised that people were being polite to me, implying that it was a stupid question. Thanks for the post btw

rpsands · #14 06-09-2011, 05:10 PM

Bass Amp Basics

Luckie · #15 06-09-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

um...

If your mixer is powered it will work.. you're plugging into the mixer.

Trick answer

Lol

**jbybj** · #16 06-16-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBS1996

Oh I know, most people in this thread have been extremely helpful, but someone was surprised that people were being polite to me, implying that it was a stupid question. Thanks for the post btw

No such implication was intended. I work in a very technical field, and have always asked about things I didn't understand. It has always benefitted me, personally and professionally. Still, some would take my desire to understand as a failing.

There are no stupid questions, if you really want to know the answer. Your question simply points to a lack of experience, that typically, seems to get trounced on in a condescending way, here on the interwebs. It was genuinely refreshing to see earnest answers offered up.

I would guess that by asking your "stoopid" question, you have gained a better understanding how cabs and amps work.

**fuzzy beard** · #17 06-16-2011, 09:00 PM

Could you do it with a powered cab or does that need a line level input?

Dethrats · #18 06-16-2011, 09:02 PM

all you need is a DI > speaker, works every time

will33 · #19 06-16-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

Could you do it with a powered cab or does that need a line level input?

A powered cab is the same as a power amp + cab built into one box. You still need a preamp to boost the millivolts of signal your pickups make up to the 1.4 volts or whatever the poweramp needs as input.

There are some powered PA speaker jobs that you can plug mics or instruments right in the back. That's like having a little mixer + poweramp + speaker all in one box. Kinda like a combo amp for PA use.

Munjibunga · #20 06-16-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBS1996

Oh I know, most people in this thread have been extremely helpful, but someone was surprised that people were being polite to me, implying that it was a stupid question. Thanks for the post btw

Naw ... we'll jack you around whether your question was stupid or not.

For a while, Jim Bergantino (and maybe some others) built cabinets with built-in power amps. You could plug a preamp into them, or just plug your bass into them. They were quite expensive but worth it. He doesn't make them any more. You can look for used ones. They're called the IP series.