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Basses, Into Guitar Amps?
- Thread starter JoeyM
- Start date
A Celestion guitar speaker in an open backed cab isn't going to live long at any volume above "barely perceptible." This is what was in the video above. Some speakers fare better, in the right cab. EVM 12Ls can sound great with a standard tuned 4 string.
I have been told that distorted guitar will blow out tweeters in bass cabs. Maybe someone with more tweeter knowledge can comment on the accuracy of that statement. I don't use the things myself.
I have been told that distorted guitar will blow out tweeters in bass cabs. Maybe someone with more tweeter knowledge can comment on the accuracy of that statement. I don't use the things myself.
Hey guys. New around here.. I've decided to fill in the shoes of the Bass for a friend's band, and I've never played it before. Now, I have at home an small study Orange Crush 20W Guitar amp.
I've read the thread and got mixed opinions. It seems that at really low volumes it'd be safe for the amp for a couple of months?
I've read the thread and got mixed opinions. It seems that at really low volumes it'd be safe for the amp for a couple of months?
Not necessarily true. VOX made a "bass" version of the AC30: The AC30B. I too used one back in the day.
Which specific video were you referring to? I see a bunch on there.
To be fair, the V4 and V4B are almost identical amps.
In answer to the OP's question... the actual amp is not really that different between bass and guitar heads. Guitar amps are voiced slightly differently, but you won't damage anything, and if you like the tone, go for it.
The speaker cabs however can be very different. Typically guitar drivers do not stand up as well to low frequencies at high volumes as bass drivers, especially if they're in an open back cab.
As a guitar,and bass player I often play bass into a guitar amp. I have a Super Reverb I built maybe 10 years ago, currently it has 2 Fender branded 10" and 2 WGS 10". I've played a reasonably loud volumes, not if stage loud, but keep up with the drummer loud, no problems. I also have a Bassman I gutted and converted to a single channel combo with 2 Eminence 10", can't remember off hand the models but one red coat and one patriot. It also sounds great with bass, maybe a tad warmer than the super, but not quite as loud.
It's not much of a problem for speakers as many think. As long as you don't over extrude the voice coil it's fine.
Don't forget that the early bass amps didn't have purpose built speakers, just stock Jensen speakers. Fender used Jensen P10Q in the 4x10 bassman, CTS and Oxford in the 2x12 bassman piggyback, neither of them were built as bass speakers. Fender did have trouble when they first used Jensen 15s in the bass amps, but the amps were 30 watts and the speakers were about the same. The cones would flap around causing uneven voice coil movement.
Many concerts I went to in the 60s had bass players using guitar amps. The dual showman was used a lot, vanilla fudge, amboy dukes, Yes, beach boys, and others used guitar amps. Tim Bogart used dual showmans and twin reverbs in vanilla fudge, Mountain used matching Sunn rigs when they started.
Bottom line IMHO, just don't push too hard and you'll be fine.
It's not much of a problem for speakers as many think. As long as you don't over extrude the voice coil it's fine.
Don't forget that the early bass amps didn't have purpose built speakers, just stock Jensen speakers. Fender used Jensen P10Q in the 4x10 bassman, CTS and Oxford in the 2x12 bassman piggyback, neither of them were built as bass speakers. Fender did have trouble when they first used Jensen 15s in the bass amps, but the amps were 30 watts and the speakers were about the same. The cones would flap around causing uneven voice coil movement.
Many concerts I went to in the 60s had bass players using guitar amps. The dual showman was used a lot, vanilla fudge, amboy dukes, Yes, beach boys, and others used guitar amps. Tim Bogart used dual showmans and twin reverbs in vanilla fudge, Mountain used matching Sunn rigs when they started.
Bottom line IMHO, just don't push too hard and you'll be fine.
It %100 depends on the amp. I had 1 tiny guitar amp that I would plug a bass into and turn it up to "11" and it would sound great and be plenty loud. Other amps (my Fender and Marshall guitar amps) work terribly with bass.
I recently picked up a 1963 Ampeg M-15 guitar amp I've been using as a practice bass amp. Sounds great.
Wot Jimmy said. Unless you meant practicing solo at home. You're better off starting your own standin bassist thread so we can set you right, without all the OP noise.
Lol
I mean home practice...
WIth the band I'll be rehearsing in studio.. and when in tour, i'll have to buy a real amp
I'll do that!
