Bass through guitar amp crackle noise

[Cannon1]

Hi all,
I have started playing bass, but as I have not bought a bass amp yet I am playing through a 20 watt guitar amp and a Celestion Vintage 30 loaded guitar cab. I know that this can be dangerous, so I am listening for the signs of the speaker being driven too hard. However, when I play, there is no distortion, but the amp makes a ‘crackle’ or static-type noise. It doesn’t do this when I play guitar. Is this dangerous for the amp?
Thanks for all of the help!

 

[abarson]

I don't know about dangerous, but it's not healthy.
If it doesn't happen with your guitar, check the patch cord you use with your bass and then the wiring of your bass.

 

[two fingers]

I would look to the output jack of the bass first. Have you tried the bass with another amp?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I doubt the crackle is speaker related. It sounds, as previously suggested, like a connection issue. If you are using the same cord you use for guitar, that isn't the problem. And since you hear it only on your bass, I would suspect the bass has a wiring issue. Cheap troubleshoot: Play your bass through another amp. If you don't have one available, go to a music store and try out bass amps..

 

[Bassdirty]

Are you the guy that asked about a guitar amp for bass the other day? Cuz that would be ironic..based on the responses.

I wouldn't do it.

 

[agedhorse]

The V-30 speaker is not at all suitable for bass. The mechanical limitations are very real starting at less than 20 watts. That's an expensive speaker to damage

 

[Cannon1]

I doubt the crackle is speaker related. It sounds, as previously suggested, like a connection issue. If you are using the same cord you use for guitar, that isn't the problem. And since you hear it only on your bass, I would suspect the bass has a wiring issue. Cheap troubleshoot: Play your bass through another amp. If you don't have one available, go to a music store and try out bass amps..

The crackle doesn’t happen at extremely low volumes. Does that make it less likely to be a connection issue? I am using the same cord. Also the crackle doesn’t happen playing through headphones.

 

[agedhorse]

Makes it more likely that it's the speaker.

 

[Stumbo]

...I am listening for the signs of the speaker being driven too hard. However, when I play, there is no distortion, but the amp makes a ‘crackle’ or static-type noise.

The crackle doesn’t happen at extremely low volumes... Also the crackle doesn’t happen playing through headphones...

Makes it more likely that it's the speaker.

So the crackle only happens when the bass is turned up...?

 

[agedhorse]

Yes

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

The crackle doesn’t happen at extremely low volumes. Does that make it less likely to be a connection issue? I am using the same cord. Also the crackle doesn’t happen playing through headphones.

What @agedhorse said.

 

[Wesley R]

The speaker you are using is roughly $80 or some such new correct?
save until you can buy an $80 or less used bass amp.

 

[agedhorse]

The speaker you are using is roughly $80 or some such new correct?
save until you can buy an $80 or less used bass amp.

The V-30 speaker is not quite double that amount.

 

[Wesley R]

The V-30 speaker is not quite double that amount.

Ok, I was just guessing (heck, probably will need new filter caps), yet even more so the reason to save the speaker and buy whatever sized bass amp OP needs, small bedroom/computer room/wife's sewing room amps are available at every used amp store, pawn shop, used GC, EBay, CL, just about everywhere.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Did I miss something? Why would a speaker need new filter caps?

 

[PikeoftheLake]

I had this happen with a tube preamp. It was due to the tubes not having the metal canisters over them to block out interference.

 

[JRA]

Cannon1 --- it would be a shame for you to continue to do what you're doing after all of this advice...and then come back with a new thread: "i think i blew my speaker" --- know what i mean?

good luck with your amp!

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I would just buy a BASS cab. What ever floats your boat. Then use your 20 watt amp to drive the cab. Make sure you unplug the current speaker before doing this. And be sure to plug the guitar speaker back in when switching back to guitar. And always do this with the power off on the amp!
Used cabs can be found at every pawn shop everywhere.
Fishheadjoe