Do I need another amp?

[arcaidy]

I’m a newbie and want to make sure I’m not hurting anything. I just started playing the bass and use an Ampeg B-15N (1966). This is currently the only bass amp I have. I have another Ampeg (R-12R) and an old Leslie cabinet, but read playing a bass through amps not designed for the instrument can damage the drivers. I bought the B-15 because of a conversation I had with a friend before I even thought of really playing the bass. Now that I am learning to play, I am wondering if I should pick up something else to practice on. I don’t have any set times I practice and will pick up and play when I have the urge and time. This can be once a day to several. Will continuously powering up and down the amp cause more wear? It is original and has not been modified with a three prong plug so I have some worry there. I read making that modification can change the tone so I wonder if I should do it or leave it be.

Should I pick up something else or will the B-15 be ok as my only bass amp.

 

[WookieeForLife]

I say if you don't max it out then you'll be fine. Keep the sound moderate. I blew my bass amp that was 15 watts.

 

[Stumbo]

Hold on to all the old stuff you have, their classics.

As far as powering up your tube amp several times a day, you might think about getting a Dragon Fly non-powered practice "amp" as an alternative: Link Removed

 

[PaulNYC]

drop $50 and get a headphone amp

 

[JimmyM]

congrats on owning one of the greatest amps known to man. listen, you bought that sucker to play it, and if i were you, i'd play the crap out of it, and have it fixed when it breaks and not worry about it till it does. that is, if it breaks down...some of those old amps have gone a long long time without needing any repairs at all, even tube replacement.

i would, however, get it fixed for a 3 prong outlet. the sound does not change and it will not affect collector's value (even collectors don't like things that can kill you).

for turning it on and off, i have a 2 hour rule. if i'm not planning on using it for 2 hours or more, i'll turn it off. if i'm playing off and on for a while and taking shorter breaks from it, i'll leave it on. i used to leave it on standby but i was told that could shorten tube life so i just turn the volume down now. it won't really hurt the amp to be turned on and off occasionally, but it is a good idea to avoid doing it a lot throughout the day.

 

[johnk_10]

when i worked in music stores (1973-1984) and had my own guitar/amp shop (from 1985-2005) i generally dealt with tube amps. i would power them up/down multiple times a day for guitar/bass or amp demos and never experienced any problems doing so. when powering it up, as long as you let it warm up for 30-60 secs before you take it off of standby, you're good to go. and when you're finished playing, just turn both off at the same time.

BTW, i agree with Jimmy. that amp was built to be used and enjoyed. and i'd also recommend installing a 3 prong AC cord on it.

 

[arcaidy]

Thanks for the info! I'll look in to the dragonfly and a headphone amp. I have some old 7 - 15 watt mono tube amps I could turn in to a headphone amp. Never thought of that...

I'll look in to getting the 3 prong change done. Thanks again all!