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Any alternatives to the Tech 21 Power Engine 60?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by mypetduck, Dec 27, 2014.

  1. Dec 27, 2014 #1
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    I'm considering getting a Tech 21 Power Engine 60 to use with a Tech 21 bass pedal, but wanted to see if there are alternatives before I commit to purchasing one.

    So far I've come across a Yamaha DS60-112. Are there others? Does the quality of such amps center around whichever speaker they have?
     
  2. Dec 27, 2014 #2
    Passinwind

    Passinwind I know nothing. Commercial User

    Dec 3, 2003
    Columbia River Gorge, WA.
    Owner/Designer &Toaster Tech Passinwind Electronics
    Are you planning on using this with bass, guitar, or both? Open-backed cabs have pretty limited utility for bass, but I guess you already realize that?
     
  3. Dec 27, 2014 #3
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    Bass to start, for home/practice use. I hadn't thought about the limitations of the open back, actually.
     
  4. Dec 27, 2014 #4
    Jazz Ad

    Jazz Ad Mi la ré sol

    Mar 16, 2002
    Langueux, Brittany, France
    It is a guitar slave amp. Pretty much any bass combo at the same price will sound better and louder.
    There also is a high risk of quickly destroying the speaker.
     
  5. Dec 27, 2014 #5
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    Yet Tech 21 is pushing these as usable with any Sansamp or similar guitar or bass emulator pedal/preamp/etc. That's what I've been going on; is there something inaccurate about this sales pitch?

    EDIT: Their web copy does not specify guitar or bass, it simply says "any," which to me means (or at least did mean) that it would work with either.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2014
  6. Dec 27, 2014 #6
    FretNoMore

    FretNoMore * Cooking with GAS *

    Jan 25, 2002
    The frozen north
    I have a Power Engine, it does not work with bass other than at quite low volume. Get a bass combo instead.
     
  7. Dec 27, 2014 #7
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    How low is low volume? I'm not looking to perform, just to practice at home.
     
  8. Dec 27, 2014 #8
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    I just did a bit more Googling and found something I hadn't previously come across -- some years ago, Tech 21 apparently did make a bass version of this long ago. But to read their web copy, which does say "any" SansAmp can be used with the current Power Engine 60, I didn't think it would matter whether bass or guitar.

    Disappointing that their copy would be so imprecise, because I already ordered a pedal off eBay. Good thing I didn't yet order a Power Engine.
     
  9. Dec 28, 2014 #9
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    You can use any Sansamp with it, but that's not the instrument.
     
  10. Dec 28, 2014 #10
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    A SansAmp is not the instrument, true, but there are bass SansAmps.
     
  11. Dec 28, 2014 #11
    Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott Rickenbacker guru..........

    Apr 11, 2006
    Out there!
    But that has nothing to do with the PE60, which very much is NOT for bass. You can certain run a VT Bass (for example) into the PE60 but do so using a guitar with it, not a bass.
     
  12. Dec 28, 2014 #12
    mypetduck

    mypetduck

    Dec 17, 2013
    Idyllwild, California
    Thank you for the clarification.