guitar vs. bass combos

punisher911 · #1 07-14-2010, 08:08 PM

What is the big difference in guitar combos vs. bass combos? Is it just the speakers? I mean the amps should reproduce what ever freq is pushed into them right? So if I can get a good deal on a used guitar combo, then replace the speakers with bass freq appropriate ones, it should sound good right? The only thing I can find good deals on in my area, are used guitar combos.

billfitzmaurice · #2 07-14-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punisher911

So if I can get a good deal on a used guitar combo, then replace the speakers with bass freq appropriate ones, it should sound good right? .

No. The speaker cabinet must be properly sized and acoustically tuned to work with a bass driver.

gjbassist · #3 07-14-2010, 08:17 PM

You will not be happy with what you get trying to play bass through a guitar amp! Like Bill said the cabinets are designed to work specifically with bass drivers.

punisher911 · #4 07-14-2010, 08:18 PM

What it it's an open back cab and the bass drivers are designed for open? I know, I'm drawing straws here. I'm having a hard time finding a used amp around here. Damn Hell Paso, Texas....

So the bottom line is still the speakers? The amp section is fine? So even finding a cheap used guitar head is fine as long as I have a dedicated bass cab?

JimmyM · #5 07-14-2010, 09:29 PM

there are no bass speakers designed for open back cabs, only sealed or ported. if you play bass through an open back cab, you will either have to play extremely quiet or you will shred your speakers in short order.

it's obvious you're trying to save money here, dude. i can relate, but you'll spend way more money replacing speakers all the time, then you'll eventually get frustrated and buy a bass combo anyway. just suck it up and buy a bass combo.

as for the head, that varies from head to head. some guitar heads do ok with bass, some don't. but it's strictly a case by case basis.

RickenBoogie · #6 07-15-2010, 05:38 PM

+1, just suck it up and get a bass combo. In the end, you'll thank us all, and actually be happy. Your life will become meaningful, and trails of colorful flowers will follow you everywhere you go, AND, your bass will be loud, and sound like a bass.

punisher911 · #7 07-15-2010, 06:02 PM

I actually did. I ordered a Hartke HM5210 combo this morning.

JimmyM · #8 07-15-2010, 06:06 PM

that's a great little combo. i am a fan of the hydrives.

countrybass007 · #9 07-15-2010, 08:36 PM

Good call, that will do the job for you.

steve_rolfeca · #10 07-15-2010, 10:44 PM

+1 on the opinion that you wouldn't have been happy with a guitar combo.

This thread focused on the differences in drivers, but the EQ and the amount of give and distortion in a guitar amp are also at the opposite end of the spectrum from what most people need in a bass amp.

Even an SVT, which is thought of as a pretty dirty bass amp, is quite hi-fi compared to most guitar amps. Guitarists use a LOT more distortion to shape their tone.

Guitar players also want a certain amount of sag and give in the power supply, or they complain that an amp sounds too "spiky". For bass, that amount of sag sounds underpowered and lacks punch.

They also favour a narrower bandpass in the eq. The "bass" control on a typical guitar amp is voiced at a frequency that would make it a midbass control on a real bass amp.