Bass amplifier knowledge needed !!

[DeVinTheSaYian]

Hello everyone im new here ive been playing guitar since i was 15 I recently started playing bass and i dont know anything about pedals ive never use one ! i have this 1988 Gorilla GB70 bass/keybord amp and i want to know if i could hook up a overdrive/distortion pedal to it. Any advice on this amplifier is appreciated too thanx

 

[abarson]

Welcome to TB!

Although Gorilla labeled this as a "bass/keyboard" combo, the fact that it is an open back cabinet means that it won't have very good bass response. It is basically a guitar amp with "Slap Bass" and "Funk Bass" push buttons. I can't find a manual for it online, so I can only guess that they apply some specific EQ curves. I believe it is 70 watts output, and the "150 watts" printed on the back is how much power it draws from the electrical grid.

To answer your question, any pedal can be used between the bass guitar and the amp, just as you would if it were a skinny string guitar.

 

[Michedelic]

Hello everyone im new here ive been playing guitar since i was 15 I recently started playing bass and i dont know anything about pedals ive never use one ! i have this 1988 Gorilla GB70 bass/keybord amp and i want to know if i could hook up a overdrive/distortion pedal to it. Any advice on this amplifier is appreciated too thanxView attachment 5406516 View attachment 5406517

Do keep in mind that Gorilla is/was the cheapest of beginner's gear(aside from that open back issue), and unless you're using that particular one for bedroom practice, it's otherwise pretty worthless as a bass amp. If you are going to seriously pursue bass, and in a performance context, you should set a goal to aquire a functional, dedicated bass rig. Lots of used, affordable options now as many are loosing their ability to lift heavy things. As for pedals, while personally I am all for them, I would concentrate on learning the instrument(not just applying guitar technique to it)first, then sort out what you really need distortion or effects wise.

 

[DeVinTheSaYian]

ok i bought the gorilla amp at a pawnshop for $50 (i had a couple of screws to tighten up before i plug it in and i have a hollinger 15 watt for backup) can i get a sheet of epdm and close up the back to make it sound better

 

[Pilgrim]

ok i bought the gorilla amp at a pawnshop for $50 (i had a couple of screws to tighten up before i plug it in and i have a hollinger 15 watt for backup) can i get a sheet of epdm and close up the back to make it sound better

I know you're learning about bass, so this is a good chance to provide info. Nothing you can do to that amp will make it a better bass amp. Closing up the back will not make it more durable or sound better, nor will it increase your ability to use it at greater volume. It's a practice amp and no more than that. And for your current needs, that's perfectly OK!

 

[Al Kraft]

ok i bought the gorilla amp at a pawnshop for $50 (i had a couple of screws to tighten up before i plug it in and i have a hollinger 15 watt for backup) can i get a sheet of epdm and close up the back to make it sound better

Just use the combo as is and was said above you can use any pedals/effects after the bass and prior to the input. This should fine for home practice but will be less than adequate for gig volume use IMO.

I would not make any modifications to the combo...I'd just use it the way it is and recognize its limitations. The speaker was selected to work in the enclosure as it is now configured.

 

[pepj]

Low level practice use and thats it.
As soon as you go beyond that, you'll likely break it and need to buy a new set up for gigs. imv.

 

[DeVinTheSaYian]

Alright i took amp apart today sprayed some crc contact cleaner on all the potentiometers cause i couldn't touch the treble pot without it cutting out and if you turn up the mid pot slighty it made it sound like someone is turning up and down the volume pot i think i have to do the same to the guitar potentionmeters i think i bought someones old bass rig from the past cause i bought the guitar from the same pawnshop as the amplifier

 

[agedhorse]

Alright i took amp apart today sprayed some crc contact cleaner on all the potentiometers cause i couldn't touch the treble pot without it cutting out and if you turn up the mid pot slighty it made it sound like someone is turning up and down the volume pot i think i have to do the same to the guitar potentionmeters i think i bought someones old bass rig from the past cause i bought the guitar from the same pawnshop as the amplifier

Good, you are on your way towards ruining whatever is left of your amp. Same will apply to your guitar if you spray that stuff into those pots. Absolutely the wrong material.

 

[Parzival]

Horse anytime someone mentions DeoxIT or contact cleaner

 

[agedhorse]

Horse anytime someone mentions DeoxIT or contact cleaner

I see amps with damaged pots from such "miracle cleanings" a couple times a month. Last one needed a new set of pots which doubled the cost of the repair and then some... the pots were actually unrelated to the real problem which was simple and covered under the flat rate repair. Customer declined the repair and abandoned the amp to our boneyard. Happens a lot more than you might imagine thanks to all the "expert internet advice" out there.

I guess it's no different than the folks ending up in the ER from taking Ivermectin back in the COVID days, I have a friend who is an ER nurse and she saw some very sick people from that.

 

[DeVinTheSaYian]

thats what i always use crc contact cleaner what should i use instead and i not putting $ into the amp im just playing with it until i get a new one Ill start using some fingernail polish remover or some lighter fluid for now on Im not trusting some guy at sam ash or guitar center to work on my stuff

 

[Redbrangus]

 

[DeVinTheSaYian]

the old fuddie duddie bass amps still works i only pay $50 bucks for it i meant i wont do it to my other instruments and amplifiers

 

[eniac]

Is this still April first?

 

[DeVinTheSaYian]

Is this still April first?

Why yes it is April fools sir

 

[Redbrangus]

Ah, jocularity... I get it now. I guess the fact that the OP was posted on April 3rd was a crafty ploy to throw us off. I've deleted the considered response I wrote.

 

[DeVinTheSaYian]

Ah, jocularity... I get it now. I guess the fact that the OP was posted on April 3rd was a crafty ploy to throw us off. I've deleted the considered response I wrote.

Your find

 

[Pilgrim]

thats what i always use crc contact cleaner what should i use instead and i not putting $ into the amp im just playing with it until i get a new one Ill start using some fingernail polish remover or some lighter fluid for now on Im not trusting some guy at sam ash or guitar center to work on my stuff

My choice is Caig Labs DexIT. As far as I know it causes no adverse effects and is effective in dealing with oxidation. Note: it will stain clothing so watch the overspray.

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-D...1715043&keywords=deoxit&qid=1712335832&sr=8-2

 

[agedhorse]

My choice is Caig Labs DexIT. As far as I know it causes no adverse effects and is effective in dealing with oxidation. Note: it will stain clothing so watch the overspray.

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-D...1715043&keywords=deoxit&qid=1712335832&sr=8-2

Only the tiniest amount possible, it will damage some plastics and many guitar finishes.

CRC contact cleaner has made me a lot of money with follow-up pot replacement jobs that come through the shop. It even says that it's for metal on metal contacts only. ***, has reading comprehension fallen to this low of a level?