question re using a guitar amp

[gryhund666]

greetings. a first post from a complete newbie. I am starting to learn bass. I have a Marshall AVT 50 (50 watts, tube pre amp, 1 12 in guitar speaker). I was told generally not to use a guitar amp for bass. This will be used only for practice. At the time I was told this I should have asked why but didn't. Any thoughts?
Should I:
1 just sell the Marshall and get a bass specific rig?
2 replace the guitar 12 in with a 12 in bass speaker?
3 disconnect the guitar 12 in and buy a bass specific speaker cab?
Thanks

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by gryhund666

greetings. a first post from a complete newbie. I am starting to learn bass. I have a Marshall AVT 50 (50 watts, tube pre amp, 1 12 in guitar speaker). I was told generally not to use a guitar amp for bass. This will be used only for practice. At the time I was told this I should have asked why but didn't. Any thoughts?
Should I:
1 just sell the Marshall and get a bass specific rig?
2 replace the guitar 12 in with a 12 in bass speaker?
3 disconnect the guitar 12 in and buy a bass specific speaker cab?
Thanks

If you have the wherewithal and you are serious about bass, then yes, get a bass amp. Replacing the speaker is not an option in a combo amp; you'll need a closed back for bass, and you can't seal a combo because the amp has to "breathe" or it will overheat. Buying a bass cab and using it instead of the internal speaker is certainly an option for practice, but that amp is going to go into distortion at fairly low volume.

[gryhund666]

As a follow up to my own question, I had someone who knows how to play try the Marshall and A/B with an Acoustic B100. We were careful to set apparent volume and tone the same, same guitar of course. The Acoustic blew the Marshall away. The Marshall sounded thin and subdued on the initial transiant attack of a slap tone and the sustain didn't carry the overtones and harmonics like the Acoustic did. I'm convinced. A very interesting expirement I thought. Looks like I'll be selling the Marahall.

[skidrawk]

I can be quite a pack rat when it comes to music equipment but is there anyway you can get a bass amp without selling the Marshall?

[skidrawk]

Also please understand that I like to record and experiment in the studio and when it comes to that, all bets are off when it comes to the bass/guitars/amps rules. You never know what combination you'll need for that moment in that song.

[gryhund666]

sold the Marshall, bought the Acoustic

[JohnnyPustular]

Good call. Welcome to the deep side.