how to get bigger sound.

Metallica865 · #1 01-06-2012, 07:33 PM

Hey i am using a crate BT-15 practice amp, its barely powerful enough to overpower my drummer, but i need to make it even louder.what is the cheapest possible way to modify my current amp or possibly hook up a speaker or cabinet to improve the volume?

spaz21387 · #2 01-06-2012, 07:37 PM

theres no options. get a new amp. unless you have a pa system then just mic it and you should be ok but id say bigger amp is always better.

DerTeufel · #3 01-06-2012, 07:37 PM

You'd be better off buying a bigger rig.

JimmyM · #4 01-06-2012, 07:39 PM

Ya, you have no other options but upgrade, dude. That amp is as good as it's ever going to be right now.

Metallica865 · #5 01-06-2012, 07:39 PM

Well i would, but i have no money for that, ive actually considered getting a guitar amp instead of a bass amp

DerTeufel · #6 01-06-2012, 07:43 PM

Don't run your bass through a guitar amp.

**pacojas** · #7 01-06-2012, 07:45 PM

personally, i make huge balls of sound with just a hint of Delay. each note comes out with that wet creamy fundamental with harmonic and over-tone richness. it sort of wideneds the notes.

before it hit the Delay unit, i push the note through with a small amount of Compression. YMMV

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 01-06-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

Well i would, but i have no money for that, ive actually considered getting a guitar amp instead of a bass amp

Yeah, that's a bad idea. The only way to get a bigger sound is to upgrade to something with more speakers (and preferably more power).

jarrhead · #9 01-06-2012, 07:47 PM

You really have no choice but to upgrade. If your band uses a PA you can plug directly into it. A lot of venues will allow you to do that as well.

boristhespider9 · #10 01-06-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

Well i would, but i have no money for that, ive actually considered getting a guitar amp instead of a bass amp

That makes no sense. How about working, saving money, saving some more money, saving a little more, and then buying a nice amp?

Sorry, but that's really your only viable option. Everything else is a waste of time and money. Good luck.

tk4207 · #11 01-06-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

Well i would, but i have no money for that, ive actually considered getting a guitar amp instead of a bass amp

Start saving, then... But really, there's not much else besides that to do. Also, although I don't recommend it at extreme volumes, you'll be pretty safe running through a guitar amp if need be.

Metallica865 · #12 01-06-2012, 07:49 PM

if i had a steady source of income i would, but im 16 and dont have a job so im screwed there, i couldnt somehow set it up to a speaker and make it louder?

jarrhead · #13 01-06-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk4207

Start saving, then... But really, there's not much else besides that to do. Also, although I don't recommend it at extreme volumes, you'll be pretty safe running through a guitar amp if need be.

Yeah but only if he keeps it at looooow volumes. You can rip a guitar cab speaker quick!

mcnach · #14 01-06-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

Well i would, but i have no money for that, ive actually considered getting a guitar amp instead of a bass amp

Don't do that.
But you can use a keyboard amp. Torque and Peavey make some decent ones you can find very cheap used.
Best if you stick to bass amps though.
A Peavey TNT combo is not the best sounding or lighter option, but it's cheap and robust and will work. If money is an issue, that's where I would look.

DerTeufel · #15 01-06-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

if i had a steady source of income i would, but im 16 and dont have a job so im screwed there, i couldnt somehow set it up to a speaker and make it louder?

If there is a PA, you could mic the cabinet.

JimmyM · #16 01-06-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

if i had a steady source of income i would, but im 16 and dont have a job so im screwed there, i couldnt somehow set it up to a speaker and make it louder?

You could but it's not going to perform any better. It's only a 15w practice amp. At best you'll get a tiny bit more volume, and that's if the cab is big.

I'm afraid it's time for you to investigate the possibility of a part time after school job, dude.

**jmattbassplaya** · #17 01-06-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metallica865

if i had a steady source of income i would, but im 16 and dont have a job so im screwed there, i couldnt somehow set it up to a speaker and make it louder?

Not to be 'that guy', but I was working by the time I was 14. You can most definitely pick up a job and start saving