QSC Amps for bass guitar ?

madmachinist · #1 11-21-2010, 10:32 AM

anyone using them? i'm considering a QSC 1700 amp
to drive a 4x10 and 1x15 cabinet .

its rated at 500wpc/4ohms , 1000w mono/8ohms , weighs 55# .

i have a variety of preamps to throw at it (BBE,ART, G-K), but would like to
hear what other players are using .

is this a bass friendly amp , or is there something i should be
worried about?

4Mal · #2 11-21-2010, 10:38 AM

Other than your back, probably not. Once you get to the level of QSC, Crown, Crest ... power amps aren't bass friendly or bass unfriendly. They just take what comes in the front and send it on out the back, just bigger ...

Given that you can buy a new GX3 / GX5 for 300 to 400 bucks, I wouldn't spend a bunch on it.

madmachinist · #3 11-21-2010, 10:51 AM

sounds like a plan. the guy is firm at $175 , so, i'm there
tomorrow. i'll report back when i've tried it out .

the biggest issue will be the preamp. i have a DOD , BBE, G-K,
and ART-tube preamps.....none of which is really spectacular.

perhaps i'll use a combination of them (bbe has a crossover,
ART has an RCA nos 12ax7a , G-k has a good EQ and front end . ....) if the cumulative noise isn't impossible to deal with.

**mikeddd** · #4 11-21-2010, 11:12 AM

Are you sure you want to go with the older QSC that's heavy and has no warranty? 55 pounds is really heavy. What kind of load are you going to put on the amp? I have a GX5 and while it is not mono-bridgeable, it does 500wpc at 8 ohms, and 700wpc at 4 ohms. Brand new ones with a 6-year warranty are only $400.

madmachinist · #5 11-21-2010, 04:45 PM

i'd love a brand new one , but my budget is <$200 , and that's
stretching it to the max . my other options would be
something like a behringer , Ampeg micro VR , fender bxr , older Peavey ,newer Acoustic , .....etc .

while OK , not much improvement over my current
rack - preamp / Peavey 150w power amp.

i need SVT / SWR / EDEN big power ( on a peavey TNT budget )

thudfromafar · #6 11-21-2010, 04:51 PM

^You can get a modern <10lbs preamp for around $200. Spend about 75 more and it's a new one.

Peavey ipr1600
Crown XLS drivecore 1000

both will bridge to get you around 1000 watts. I believe there's a drivecore 1000 in the classifieds.

**mikeddd** · #7 11-21-2010, 05:02 PM

IMO, unless you really need the amp right now, save a few more bucks for something new with a warranty. QSC amps are VERY reliable; that used amp would probably work perfectly (assuming it is working perfectly now) for many more years. But why chance it?

Again, what kind of load will you be putting on the amp? You have a 4x10 and a 1x15; I'm assuming they are 8 ohms each? If all you want is watts, a Behringer Europower 4000 will do 2,400 watts bridged at 4 ohms. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Amp?sku=582002 It's only $330. I own one. It runs two 8 ohm subs in my PA. NO complaints. Runs hot but I keep it well-ventilated. Behringer power amps have a pretty good rep for reliability. Can't say the same for all their products, but typical Class AB amps are pretty hard to screw up if you use decent components. Things weighs 37 pounds; still lighter than the old QSC you're looking at and it comes with a warranty.

That said, $330 is only $70 away from the GX5 which has a lot less power but is a much better amp with a better warranty.

Lowtonejoe · #8 11-21-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmachinist

anyone using them? i'm considering a QSC 1700 amp
to drive a 4x10 and 1x15 cabinet .

its rated at 500wpc/4ohms , 1000w mono/8ohms , weighs 55# .

i have a variety of preamps to throw at it (BBE,ART, G-K), but would like to
hear what other players are using .

is this a bass friendly amp , or is there something i should be
worried about?

Click here.

About the 1700,

you will need to use banana plugs or bare wire.

Banana plugs are cool and work great. Don't be afraid of them.

Joe.

JimmyM · #9 11-21-2010, 05:41 PM

i'm afraid of banana plugs. they're the only kind of plugs i ever had come loose from a power amp.

stiles72 · #10 11-21-2010, 07:53 PM

When we opened for Gretchen Wilson this summer, her bassist was powering an Ampeg 610 with an SVP-CL into an QSC power amp. Sounded pretty good from where we were at.

jsh008 · #11 11-21-2010, 08:34 PM

A setup like that will let you power any combination of cabs you could ever want, and not have to worried about being underpowered. QSC is top notch quality, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one used. Just make sure it works before you trade cash for qsc. And qsc has a high enough slew rate that won't affect your bass reproduction.

Johnny Crab · #12 11-21-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i'm afraid of banana plugs. they're the only kind of plugs i ever had come loose from a power amp.

+1
We used to make sure the roadies duct-taped the banana plugs in!

QSC 2402's are used here with Line 6 BassPODXTLive, SansAmp RBI, dbx 166xl.

madmachinist · #13 11-21-2010, 10:30 PM

i like banana plugs fine for speakers . especially the locking
kind . lugs are fine ,too . binding posts will also accept pin
connectors and bare wire , but i prefer bananas -especially
since i fabricate my own cables from 12 ga wire and use
whatever suits me.

locking plugs:

http://www.hdwise.com/product.php?pr...8&cat=31&page=

MikeM · #14 11-21-2010, 10:48 PM

I have been using the same banana plug cable since 1989. Now i will be paranoid of it.... gee thanks

Lowtonejoe · #15 11-21-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeM

I have been using the same banana plug cable since 1989. Now i will be paranoid of it.... gee thanks

Don't worry about it man,

If it feel loose, replace it. That's all. It's extremely easy to do.

Joe.

craig.p · #16 11-22-2010, 09:56 AM

One more QSC guy here. BDDI -> RMX1450 -> two Avatar B212 cabs w/ crossovers+tweeters bypassed. Killer rig but I almost never use it now because it's overkill for most rooms. I've downsized to G-K MB200 and BL600 heads.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #17 11-22-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsh008

And qsc has a high enough slew rate that won't affect your bass reproduction.

You mean high frequency reproduction.

JimmyM · #18 11-22-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeM

I have been using the same banana plug cable since 1989. Now i will be paranoid of it.... gee thanks

hey, don't let us wind you up. if it works for you, it works. no reason to be paranoid. i was just saying that i've not had great luck with them.

4Mal · #19 11-22-2010, 01:28 PM

Four words... strain relief ... no worries

madmachinist · #20 11-23-2010, 01:05 AM

ok, i bought the QSC 1700 today, all i can say is "WOW!"
and "HOLY CRAP" . the power is unbelievable! GOD-LIKE!

for years i thought my BBE preamp was a mistake , and
useless.... i just never had the power to appreciate its
tone and possibilities . it's amazingly sensitive and brutal
at the same time. the 600w 4x10 seems ok for now, but
my 250w 15" cabinet needs a driver upgrade fast !