Using my bass rig for a house party?

hjones010 · #1 02-09-2011, 04:11 AM

Hi guys,

I'm gonna be having a house party in a few days, and the only speakers I have is my bass amp. I was just thinking of running an ipod through the line-in, and using my cab to blast out the tunes.

I'm currently running a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0, through a Warwick 211 Pro cab.

The amp is rated at 500W at 8ohms, and the cab is rated at 350-400W. I've been using this combination for my bass-playing without any problem.

So, got a few questions:

1. Could I do any damage to either the amp or the cab by running loud music through it for a long period of time? Could it burn something out?

2. The Shuttle has a limit light that flashes if the power amp starts clipping. Could this be damaging to the amp itself, or just the cab?

3. Kinda unrelated, but the master volume and preamp volume knobs are very 'scratchy' when I turn them, are there any instructions or tips about how to clean the pots?

Many thanks for any help given!

s_mcsleazy · #2 02-09-2011, 04:27 AM

i think if the pad is on you should be ok. just dont expect it to sound good

crack-boom · #3 02-09-2011, 04:30 AM

It should be fine, just wont sound that great I think.

tom once dead · #4 02-09-2011, 04:33 AM

Just guard the amp all night, people will always go over and turn it up.

craig.p · #5 02-09-2011, 04:44 AM

Don't forget this part of it (from the manual):

It is recommended to use a cable with left and right signals connected to a “Y” jack, summing the signal into the aux.
input jack. Adjust the level of the playback source to balance with the bass guitar’s volume.

Or else I'd expect you'd get only one channel.

Cleaning pots: plenty of info on that here and elsewhere.

Plays_For_Dog · #6 02-09-2011, 04:46 AM

They sell cleaner you can spray in your pots. This normally fixes the problem. Just make sure the amp is off (unplugged would be a good idea) when you do it.

hjones010 · #7 02-09-2011, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

i think if the pad is on you should be ok. just dont expect it to sound good

By pad do you mean -14db active/passive switch? The Shuttle doesn't have one of those.

I've tested the ipod through it, sounds fine to me, the same as it does through headphones but with more bass.

The guy who will be controlling the music has a mixer, so I proposed that he max's out all the levels, then adjust the amp's master volume accordingly. Technically, my rig should never be overpowered.

craig.p · #8 02-09-2011, 08:21 AM

There'll be no safety in that whatsoever. Volume controls are only gain controls; they're not output-power limiters.

Absentia · #9 02-09-2011, 08:24 AM

Just keep an eye on it make sure nobody touches it.

I use my markbass 210 combo for alot events at work like speeches, presentations, music, I've had no problems it's a lot easier than trying to set up the big PA.

KramerBassFan · #10 02-09-2011, 08:37 AM

It will work just fine.

If they can handle bass guitar, then a compressed MP3 or something like that ought to be no problem.

eastcoasteddie · #11 02-09-2011, 09:01 AM

I use my bass rig to play my iPod and even hook it up to the TV sometimes. Sounds great and no problems.

The Best was when I used it when playing shoot-em-up video games (that was a long time ago, though....I have no time for games anymore.)

Martin89 · #12 02-09-2011, 09:19 AM

Yeah, it should not be a problem as long as you or someone very trustworthy is in control.

PSPookie · #13 02-09-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin89

Yeah, it should not be a problem as long as you or someone very trustworthy is in control.

+1

Typically, the demands placed on an amp & cab when playing a musical instrument are significantly greater than when reproducing recorded music.

Think about it. You would have no problem using a similarly spec'd home stereo for the same purpose (music at party) but you would probably never even consider trying to gig with it.

jeff7bass · #14 02-09-2011, 09:33 AM

That’s expensive gear.. Can’t you go to Wal-Mart and get a decent boom box for 50 bucks? Just saying.

Drifta · #15 02-09-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

That’s expensive gear.. Can’t you go to Wal-Mart and get a decent boom box for 50 bucks? Just saying.

When you spend all your money on gear, have bills and have to eat, 50 bucks for a boom box is expensive... Just sayin'.

Burlington · #16 02-09-2011, 09:49 AM

Do it, you won't hurt it.

THUNDERGODX · #17 02-09-2011, 09:50 AM

Your guests should have no troulbe finding your house.

hjones010 · #18 02-09-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

That’s expensive gear.. Can’t you go to Wal-Mart and get a decent boom box for 50 bucks? Just saying.

It's a real big house and the music needs to be heard at least on the ground floor, so it's gotta be something powerful

Bassmec · #19 02-09-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absentia

Just keep an eye on it make sure nobody touches it.

I use my markbass 210 combo for alot events at work like speeches, presentations, music, I've had no problems it's a lot easier than trying to set up the big PA.

You might help me out a bit and give my boss a ring then mate!:

hjones010 · #20 02-09-2011, 04:58 PM

I just tested it out, and with the master on half volume, the speakers were properly bouncing in and out, more than i'd ever seen them do. Could this damage them? I know speakers are meant to do that but I'm worried i'm over-working them..