PA head as a bass amp?

[olds_cool63]

Hey, y'all.

I'm sure this has been covered and it looks like there is a current thread that's kind of similar.

I have some speakers laying around and I'm thinking of building a cab. Something small for practice and recording purposes.

Some people use PA heads for their bass amp. What's the advantage to doing this? I can pedal in some good sounds, so what would a PA head do for me?

I don't need super wattage right now. What would I look for in a PA head that's most likely never gonna leave the house? Still new to the bass here, so let's hear what ya got.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Nuff said,

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

[mellowgerman]

I use an early 70's fender PA-100 as my bass-head. 100 watts of vintage fender tube goodness (usually) for under $300. You can't beat it. Granted you only have pre, bass, treble, and master controls, but it sounds straight up amazing with my bass and my cab, so I'm set
I've owned really top of the line gear solid-state and tube, but nothing beats this amp for what I do.

[tractorpull]

I come up with ideas like this all the time, like playing basses through systems that aren't really "designed" for bass. I've played through PA systems, guitar amps, and whatnot, but in the end you just need to get a bass rig. I guess it all depends on your needs, if it's just you messing around and trying to learn technique (which it seems like), then this would be fine, but if you plan on having any sort of legitimate band practice or jam sessions, you need a real bass rig.

[olds_cool63]

Thanks for the responses and info.

Yeah, this would be just for messing around at home. I see some lower-wattage PA amps for cheap that look like they may work. 100 - 200 watts is all I need for home use, maybe less.

What should I look for in a PA amp? Anything special or something I really need to know?

Thanks!

Nuff said.

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

[mellowgerman]

Originally Posted by tractorpull

I come up with ideas like this all the time, like playing basses through systems that aren't really "designed" for bass. I've played through PA systems, guitar amps, and whatnot, but in the end you just need to get a bass rig. I guess it all depends on your needs, if it's just you messing around and trying to learn technique (which it seems like), then this would be fine, but if you plan on having any sort of legitimate band practice or jam sessions, you need a real bass rig.

disagree. if you heard my rig you'd know why. never need to push volume past 1 o'clock and have played many a show with it. all you need is a good bass cab to go with it -- PA speakers probably wouldn't do. but maybe it's all for the best that people have this type of attitude as that's probably why these are so cheap when they do turn up used
in terms of most PA's (especially solid state), you're probably right though. but do a search for the Fender PA100 and PA135 on talkbass, you'll turn up a good amount of fans on here. I don't care what the faceplate of the amp says, my ears tell me it's perfect and that's all I need.


IN OTHER WORDS: a cheap solid state PA (100-200 watts) will probably be pretty bad for jamming or gigs. but get a more powerful one or simply a tube PA around or > 100watts, pair it with a good bass cab, and you could very well be in business.

[4Mal]

Originally Posted by olds_cool63

Hey, y'all.

I'm sure this has been covered and it looks like there is a current thread that's kind of similar.

I have some speakers laying around and I'm thinking of building a cab. Something small for practice and recording purposes.

Some people use PA heads for their bass amp. What's the advantage to doing this? I can pedal in some good sounds, so what would a PA head do for me?

I don't need super wattage right now. What would I look for in a PA head that's most likely never gonna leave the house? Still new to the bass here, so let's hear what ya got.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Nuff said

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

Why ?

I mean used bass amps are a dime a dozen... You tell me, what is the advantage to a used PA head ?

In general, PA heads do not have channels with eq oriented to bass. Pretty much, they do voices ... My Yamaha will do bass OK - it has sweepable mids and a K watt on tap. Used about $500 ... Lot's of decent bass amps out there for a bunch less... Note - it isn't the power that makes my PA work, it's the sweepable mid...

If you add a $125 device to the frornt end of your PA head then you have a workable solution - but you've still spent on it...

Just go snag an older Head and get over it...

[4Mal]

Originally Posted by mellowgerman

I use an early 70's fender PA-100 as my bass-head. 100 watts of vintage fender tube goodness (usually) for under $300. You can't beat it. Granted you only have pre, bass, treble, and master controls, but it sounds straight up amazing with my bass and my cab, so I'm set
I've owned really top of the line gear solid-state and tube, but nothing beats this amp for what I do.

Rather rare, often quite expensive. Hell on earth to work on... If you get a good one, fab! You get a bad one, you will regret the experience - unless of course you are an amp tech...

[olds_cool63]

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Why ?

I mean used bass amps are a dime a dozen... You tell me, what is the advantage to a used PA head ?

In general, PA heads do not have channels with eq oriented to bass. Pretty much, they do voices ... My Yamaha will do bass OK - it has sweepable mids and a K watt on tap. Used about $500 ... Lot's of decent bass amps out there for a bunch less... Note - it isn't the power that makes my PA work, it's the sweepable mid...

If you add a $125 device to the frornt end of your PA head then you have a workable solution - but you've still spent on it...

Just go snag an older Head and get over it...

I was just thinking...

Yeah, I saw some cheap bass heads out there, so that's an option. Trying to keep costs down because I bought a lot of gear this year. Plus, I don't want used.

I was just wondering why some people go with a PA amp over a true bass amp and what the advantage would be and how that would benefit me?

Nuff said.

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Another occasional PA 100 user here. Marshall Master PA 2003 as well. Can't praise 'em highly enough.

Originally Posted by olds_cool63

I was just thinking...

Yeah, I saw some cheap bass heads out there, so that's an option. Trying to keep costs down because I bought a lot of gear this year. Plus, I don't want used.

I was just wondering why some people go with a PA amp over a true bass amp and what the advantage would be and how that would benefit me?

Nuff said.

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

If You're trying to keep the cost down and you are looking at the brand spanking new PA heads, you better stop while you're ahead. None of the budget ones I've encountered have been adequate for anything but vocals and acoustic guitars, if even those.

With Your goals in mind, a proper bass rig is way better solution in the end. IMHO anyway.

Regards
Sam

[olds_cool63]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Another occasional PA 100 user here. Marshall Master PA 2003 as well. Can't praise 'em highly enough.



If You're trying to keep the cost down and you are looking at the brand spanking new PA heads, you better stop while you're ahead. None of the budget ones I've encountered have been adequate for anything but vocals and acoustic guitars, if even those.

With Your goals in mind, a proper bass rig is way better solution in the end. IMHO anyway.

Regards
Sam

Cool...thanks, Sam.

I guess I'll keep looking around. I did see a Behringer BXR1800H for $110 brand new online that may suite my needs for now.

Appreciate all the info/responses.

Nuff saidl.

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

[lowend1]

Usually, the reason for using a PA head is that you either had it laying around at the right time, or you got it on the cheap. Nothing wrong with that, but the front end is where the problems will arise tonally. Spend a few bucks and get a bass preamp or VT pedal to drive the power amp section (PA heads usually have a line level input). With a decent cab, you should be GTG.

[RickenBoogie]

In the grand scheme of things, given the option of a bass head or PA for bass, the bass amp is always the better choice. If you were wanting to get a PA for vocals, AND wire up the whole band, a cheap PA wouldn't be suitable anyway. Again, a bass amp for bass guitar, and if you want a real PA system, that'll cost major money. Enough said?

[olds_cool63]

Cool...thanks again, everyone.

Yeah...it's coming down to a bass amp head.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!

[olds_cool63]

Well, everyone...I pulled the trigger on the Behringer BXR1800H. And yes, I have Behringer products and have not had any issues so far.

Soon as I get it, I'll post up a review.

Thanks for all the info.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63

I BASS, therefore I am!