using a Keyboard amp (Hartke KM60) for Bass?

baconmpanada · #1 10-02-2011, 05:17 AM

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a Hartke KM60 for bass purposes. i would like to be versatile in terms of being able to use an amp for both bass and synthesizers thus i'm thinking of buying a keyboard amp instead of the usual bass amp.

Anyone tried playing thru a keyboard amp? What should be my concerns for this?

I play not to play it too loud, just for bedroom and practice purposes.

i hope that someone can share their reviews or opinion of this approach.

Thanks a lot!

tekdiver500ft · #2 10-02-2011, 05:27 AM

It's not a problem. You'll get fairly hi-fi sound from it, but keyboard amps are designed to play just as deep as bass amps, so you won't hurt anything by doing it.

arai · #3 10-02-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

It's not a problem. You'll get fairly hi-fi sound from it, but keyboard amps are designed to play just as deep as bass amps, so you won't hurt anything by doing it.

+1
You should have no problems at all

I have done about 3 gigs through a peavey kb 60 keyboard amp, while mine was out of action. It worked very well

duderasta · #4 10-02-2011, 06:13 AM

for a long time when I started playing bass I used a peavey KB amp, served me well enough.

RickenBoogie · #5 10-02-2011, 07:58 AM

Just for reference, I play more synthesizer than bass these days, and use bass amps for both. Mesa Walkabout for bass, and Mesa M3 Carbine for synth- bass cabs connected to both.

KenHR · #6 10-02-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arai

+1
You should have no problems at all

I have done about 3 gigs through a peavey kb 60 keyboard amp, while mine was out of action. It worked very well

Yep, for small gigs, practicing at home and even recording, I really like the sound I get from my Peavey KB60. If only it was louder so I could use it with my power pop trio...I actually like the tone a bit better than what I get outta my SVT-4.

baconmpanada · #7 10-05-2011, 07:48 AM

should i be concerned if i put the amplifier to full volume?

electracoyote · #8 10-05-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baconmpanada

should i be concerned if i put the amplifier to full volume?

Yes.

The KM60 is 60 watts into a single 10" speaker.

If you are maxing everything out, there is a higher probability that eventually the amp or one of its components will fail.

In your first post you said you don't need loud. Why are you thinking of playing it at full volume?

dalahorse · #9 10-05-2011, 08:28 AM

Along the lines of what tekdiver500ft said... Keyboard amps are not voiced like bass amps. I use a Roland KC-550 keyboard amp (ported 15" + horn, 180W) for my keys and basses together. It's pretty much hi-fi sounding and fairly flat in frequency response (which is great for keys). In order to get EQ in a range appropriate for bass (plus a little warmth and soft distortion), I use a VT Bass between my basses and amp. Overall, I'm happy with my setup. It gets the sound I like for both bass and keys at a rock drummer's volume.

60W with a single 10" speaker isn't going to get loud. I have no idea how much that model costs or sounds. I can definitely say the Roland KC series amps sound nice.

**TRichardsbass** · #10 10-05-2011, 08:34 AM

You have stumbled onto the great amp secret for starting bassists. Usually, you can get an equivalently powerful keyboard amp for at least a third less in cost then a bass amp of similar power. Just check out any of the keyboard amp costs and you will see that for a 100W bass amp you typically spend $3-$5 per watt, whereas with keyboard amps you are usually around $2 per watt. And, you get additional channels, so you have built in redundancy.

I tell kids of all ages if they can't afford the big rig, go find the most powerful key amp from their favorite manufacturer. They are basically just bass amps with a few tweaks. And, they do tend to be a touch flat, so a decent pedal/preamp will give you high end bass sound for much less cost.

Go for it. Although, if you can, I'd do the 200W Hartke. What the heck, size does matter....

baconmpanada · #11 10-23-2011, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

d. Why are you thinking of playing it at full volume?

Well just in case i get in to that particular situation. but mostly it would just be for bedroom/practice purposes

DBH_Bass · #12 10-23-2011, 12:37 AM

I was at Guitar Center a few months back and they had a keyboard amp or two with the bass amps. Since I didn't wanna fight anyone over the Markbass combo or whatever Ampegs they were stacked to the ceiling with I plugged into a KB amp. I can't remember the brand but it had a 12 and was somewhere around 200 watts. It was clear, loud, and very responsive sounding. I was playing a Squire Jag through it.