Using a tube power amp meant for guitar with my bass?

Doodleface · #1 10-06-2011, 09:36 PM

I have a great power amp for my guitar rig, a Mesa 2:90. Mesa's flagship poweramp. Would it be possible to use with a bass preamp and bass cab?

Any ideas?

JimmyM · #2 10-06-2011, 09:56 PM

Give it a shot. It could work very well.

walterw · #3 10-06-2011, 10:00 PM

try it, sure.

to get real bass amp headroom, though, you're gonna want to get both sides of the amp pulling their weight. that means either two cabs, or one cab wired in stereo, so each side of the amp can drive half the speakers.

KramerBassFan · #4 10-06-2011, 10:02 PM

I'd imagine it'd sound quite cool.

pfschim · #5 10-06-2011, 10:04 PM

yes, of course you can use the Mesa 2:90 as a bass power amp. It does not discriminate between sources.

I used a 2:90 for several months a few years back. It sounded great. Even without a preamp, it has a switch set-up on it that will allow you to run the bass straight into it. It will work even better if you have a nice pre-amp.

Of course, it ONLY will deliver either 90w with one channel, or 2x90 driving both power sections. Still, its plenty of power for most situations.

enjoy

rodl2005 · #6 10-06-2011, 10:36 PM

I've always been interested in these for bass.
I'd like to hear how you go with it.
& yes, into 2 cabs, seems like it'd be great!

chaosMK · #7 10-06-2011, 11:33 PM

I'd use it into two efficient cabs, probably work great.

Dr. Gonzo82 · #8 10-07-2011, 12:09 AM

Try it, I used to run a vt pedal into the effects return of a marshall dsl100. It sounded great through an ampeg fridge, for practice with a drum computer it was perfect.

I never tried to keep up with a real drummer and guitar player though.

Arlekiin · #9 10-07-2011, 02:17 AM

2 good cabs and a 50W valve amp (Carvin MTS3200 which can run at 50 or 100W we ran it at 50W to get it break up earlier

)has been enough for small club situations.
It really suprised me that it could keep up with heavy hitting drummer and 2 guitars.
Club was ~100 people type venue and was a long narrow tunnel like building so that helped but still it was earth shaking bass we got out of this setup...

So I suspect that in most cases when I hear people saying stuff like "anything under 300W is worthless" I suspect its a myth and they have no idea what they are talking about.
Ofcourse stadium venues etc's are another story but then you would have awesome PA support.
Matamp main bass amp GT200 is only 120W and is a killer sounding amp and I would dare anyone to call it "weak".

Long story short, it sounds like: If it sounds good and you do not encounter problems with keeping up go for it and just use it - thats the advice I got

Son of Bovril · #10 10-07-2011, 03:13 AM

^^ I think they are referring to solid state power not tube power amps

anderbass · #11 10-07-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doodleface

Mesa 2:90. Mesa's flagship poweramp.

I always considered the Strategy 500 their flagship poweramp model, especially for bass duty.

chubrocker · #12 10-07-2011, 05:38 PM

For a time, I was playing both guitar and bass, so I had a Peavey 60/60 and 50/50. With my bass POD, it was wonderful tone tho I only used it through 15" cab.

Mr. Foxen · #13 10-08-2011, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Matamp main bass amp GT200 is only 120W and is a killer sounding amp and I would dare anyone to call it "weak".

This isn't true, pushes over 200w clean, and over 300w dirty, bench tested.

Arlekiin · #14 10-08-2011, 11:25 AM

Hmm strange it says 120W on their site

Mr. Foxen · #15 10-08-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Hmm strange it says 120W on their site

No it doesn't: Matamp® GT200 Bass Guitar Amplifier - Matamp® Bass Amplification - Welcome to the official MATAMP Amplification Factory Website

Quote:

Matamp® Amplification - GT200

Specifications

For all you bass players
Hand wired
200 watt head
Thunderous tone

bassboysam · #16 10-08-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arlekiin

Hmm strange it says 120W on their site

Definitely not 120. 200 watts clean with 4 KT88s.

Arlekiin · #17 10-09-2011, 01:27 AM

I stand Corrected and apologize for my ignorance

Son of Bovril · #18 10-10-2011, 03:05 AM

I think you were looking at the Guitar amps maybe they made the original Orange OR120 type of thing

Muziekschuur · #19 10-10-2011, 03:11 AM

I think that Mesa 2x90 is an exellent solution.

The Alembic FX-1 is a Fender dual showman preamp. And is a bass pre since the sixties. I have a Multitone 200 watt bass amp and it's pre's are fairly simple. They are usable for bass and guitar. The older showman heads and bandmaster heads were INSTRUMENT amplifiers. There were no bass amps or guitar amps at that time.

A decent preamp and two 1x15 cabs and you will own a great bass rig.

Here at home I have a Fender The twin wich is built in a head enclosure. It stands on a closed bagend box. And I use this for bass and guitar. Allways sounds good to me.

Bassmec · #20 10-10-2011, 06:35 AM

I used a marshall 9200 power amp with an SVTIIP for ages sounded utterly magnificent with a pair of old Ampeg SVT 115 cabs with the altec speaker option.
Sold the amp to a far too loud guitard in the end.
Its all in the transformers for real low end mate, I am on all partridge output transformers for my rig now, but thats cheating cos they are this big:

And Ultralinear with 671 plate volts to rock the KT88's.
I still miss the EL34 midrange brutality of the marshall sometimes.
Mesa use 6L6 stock so is there an EL34 bias option like there is in the Dual rec head on the power amp.
Cos that was utterly great with nos mullard 6ca7 tubes loaded.