DIY Inbuilt speaker in Acoustic bass

benny7770 · #1 10-27-2011, 08:19 PM

Hello

I have an old Honer 4 string electric/acoustic bass. I need some amplification out on the streets busking and I was wondering if it is visable to install a small BOSE speaker and connect it to the inbuilt EQ? would the eq produce enough power to generate sound into an speaker? or would i need to install a mini amp to give it a boost? also would the speaker create to much vibration for the inbuilt pickup?

any thoughts would be much appreciated.

kindest regards

Ben Smith

FunkMetalBass · #2 10-27-2011, 10:52 PM

The EQ doesn't produce any power as-is. You'll need to get a battery-powered speaker. I believe Fernandes makes a bass that has a speaker in it, so you might look toward their bass design.

SGD Lutherie · #3 10-27-2011, 10:58 PM

If you try this with an acoustic you will get uncontrollable feedback/wolf-tones!

Just get a small battery powered amp.

tstone · #4 10-27-2011, 11:13 PM

You definitely need a power amp between the EQ and the speaker. The easiest route would be to get a small battery-powered bass amp like the Roland Bass Microcube.

I think mounting a speaker directly on an acoustic bass guitar would be just asking for horrendous feedback problems.

**line6man** · #5 10-27-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

The EQ doesn't produce any power as-is.

Yes it does, it's a frequency-specific amplifier. It does not have the power needed to drive a low impedance speaker properly, however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

If you try this with an acoustic you will get uncontrollable feedback/wolf-tones!

Just get a small battery powered amp.

+1.

benny7770 · #6 10-28-2011, 09:20 AM

Hi guys. Thanks for the feedback. I will check out the Roland micro cube and abandon the unbuilt speaker. Though It was an exciting thought to have tidy mobile setup. Maybe I will pursue this idea with an old electric bass . Thanks again.

FunkMetalBass · #7 10-28-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Yes it does, it's a frequency-specific amplifier. It does not have the power needed to drive a low impedance speaker properly, however.

Oh you and your semantics, I had a feeling that would be pointed out.