Bass Talkbox

[bassdude911]

Does any one have any tips on making a talkbox for bass???

[Atomicant]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9EIQxwotn3k

And use a super distorted signal.

[bassdude911]

thanks atomicant but ive seen that alraedy.

[rustynuts]

That's really pretty much all there is to them.....A signal splitter to split the signal from your bass to the amp and talkbox, a small amplifier (it doesn't have to be a powered speaker) and then a speaker modified to attach the tube.

Years ago I made one from a small practice amp, an old horn speaker with the horn removed and some plastic fittings to go over the output of the speaker and accept the tubing. Worked like a charm.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by rustynuts

That's really pretty much all there is to them.....A signal splitter to split the signal from your bass to the amp and talkbox, a small amplifier (it doesn't have to be a powered speaker) and then a speaker modified to attach the tube.

Years ago I made one from a small practice amp, an old horn speaker with the horn removed and some plastic fittings to go over the output of the speaker and accept the tubing. Worked like a charm.

So if it's so simple, why do the commercial versions for live use risk blowing your amp?

[lug]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

So if it's so simple, why do the commercial versions for live use risk blowing your amp?

The traditional talkbox replaces your speaker box with a small driver hooked to a tube. With bass, the talkbox is in danger due to the low frequencies (had one a friend blew up just like this). The only way I can see it being bad for your amp is if you ran it parallel with the regular speakerbox and didn't account for the load drop or if it shorted out somehow.

[rustynuts]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

So if it's so simple, why do the commercial versions for live use risk blowing your amp?

Probably because people try to plug it back through the amp. Talkboxes don't plug directly into anything, but rather get mic'ed and sent through the PA.

[niftydog]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

So if it's so simple, why do the commercial versions for live use risk blowing your amp?

Because they physically switch the amp signal away from the speaker cab and connect it to the talkbox. Do this while cranked to 11 and ringing out a massive power chord and it's not surprising some amps get their knickers in a knot.