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How do I tell a bass amp

S

Stevej66

Feb 23, 2020
57
21
Lancashire
#1
Hi everyone

Sorry, beginner's daft question. How do I know if an amp is for bass or guitar, if it doesn't appear in the description/title?

I'm looking to buy a bass amp, I've seen two this morning that would fit the budget and ease of obtaining it. Both Marshalls, an MGCD10 and a 30DFX.

The CD10 doesn't have a bass adjust, just Gain and Volume, so I guess that's a good clue. But the 30DFX has the usual full range of tonal controls. I looked on the Marshall site and the manual, doesn't give it.

I realise the speaker will probably be bigger, but on the amount I'm spending it's not likely to be that big anyway?

Thanks

Steve
 
#3
Generally speaking, if a manufacturer makes both guitar and bass amps, they will separate them into different sections on their websites. Retailers also usually list guitar and bass gear in separate sections. If you're buying used, it's probably worthwhile doing a quick search on the specific model to find the manufacturer's information and specifications or to find out whether that model is shown in the guitar or bass section.

I believe both of the amps you mentioned are guitar amps. Marshall hasn't made any new bass gear for a few years now ... since acquiring Eden.
 
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#5
Marshall as a brand didn't make a lot of models for bass. In fact, they don't have any bass amps in their current catalog.
Both models you mention are open back guitar amps. Open back cabinets don't reproduce bass well.
Spend some time in this forum to acquaint yourself with brands and models of bass amplifiers. I'd also assume that if it doesn't say bass (or something bass-related) it's not for bass.
 
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#7
^^^Yes, that is a good visual clue. Many guitar amps are open in the back. Some type of distortion and maybe reverb is common on most guitar amps, not 100%. You really don't want a guitar amp for bass, not made to support the lower end so you can damage guitar speakers. It will work, just not loud and won't last.
But for the price of those guitar amps you should be able to find something for bass.
 
#9
wow, that MGCD10 is a teeeny, tiny little thing. if you're looking for small in a bass amp, i'd highly recommend the hartke HD15. it's also tiny, but it has an almost miraculous amount of bass for its size - we tried one, was blown away and bought one Hartke HD15 1x6.5" 15-watt Bass Combo Amp another option might be the fender rumble 25. it's a bit bigger. both are good and great for practice as well as louder than i'd have expected, although you won't be able to keep up with a rock drummer or a guitar player who doesn't keep their volume low. you're more likely to find the rumble used, i'd guess, or the ampeg BA108.

btw, i wouldn't recommend an amp without at least bass, mids and treble to adjust your tone.
 
#12
Stevej66 said:
Hi everyone

Sorry, beginner's daft question. How do I know if an amp is for bass or guitar, if it doesn't appear in the description/title?

I'm looking to buy a bass amp, I've seen two this morning that would fit the budget and ease of obtaining it. Both Marshalls, an MGCD10 and a 30DFX.

The CD10 doesn't have a bass adjust, just Gain and Volume, so I guess that's a good clue. But the 30DFX has the usual full range of tonal controls. I looked on the Marshall site and the manual, doesn't give it.

I realise the speaker will probably be bigger, but on the amount I'm spending it's not likely to be that big anyway?

Thanks

Steve
Click to expand...

Generally speaking, open back cabs will not be for bass.

Other than that, the short version would be to ask us. :D

We're all a bunch of gear dorks. And we're happy to help.

Another way to get where you want to be is to perhaps start another thread asking for advice as to which amp to choose. Give your general location. (Answers for Texas will be different from answers for the UK... which I think is where you are.) Give us your budget. And tell us kind of what sound you're looking for.
 
#15
Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated.

I'm in a bit of weird situation at the moment. My only music source is an iPod so it needs to take both bass input and an Aux port for that as well. Having lost all other sources at present, I'm hoping to get this new one fairly quickly as I'm getting bored just playing unaccompanied. And I'm on a very limited budget at the moment too sadly.

Also as a just-leaving-complete beginner, I don't envisage being good enough to play with other people any time soon. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to, just don't know anyone else round here who might be interested, and I'd certainly want to be more competent than I currently am before I subject them to that particular torture.

My friend, an experienced musician who I bought my gear off, despairs. He hopes I'll see the bigger picture and get something a bit dearer, with a bit more oomph, so that come the day I can play somewhere other than my own home and with other people, I'll have something appropriate.

I get that, false economy and all, and a big part of me wishes I could get a better one. But realistically, I only need a practice amp with a limited output so that I can improve, second hand, that meets the budget and is available quickly so I can crack on. And who knows, in a year or so, with a different wind, I might be able to get a better one and justify its expense by improved ability.

So I guess I'm looking at some makes that some of you might consider a lower quality build than you'd use. Again, get that completely. Not really sure what are poor makes in this area. As a comparison, in my stereo/CD unit years I always aimed for Phillips/JVC/Sony level quality, and steered clear of the likes of Bush/Goodman etc. But for a cheap lowish output amp that meets the multiple input requirements, I can't be too choosy at the moment, just need to get playing.

Strangely I was looking at a Hartke this week, as the owner only lives in the next town to me, but it didn't do the Aux In thing. The Rumbles seem a good option, they're generally right at the top end of what I can afford right now but there's plenty of them around, so ones to keep an eye on. Someone else mentioned an Ampeg, but they don't seem quite as common round here at the moment.

Thanks again, I have a couple of Ebay bids in for this weekend so hopefully one will come off.

Steve
 
#16
Stevej66 said:
Hi everyone

Sorry, beginner's daft question. How do I know if an amp is for bass or guitar, if it doesn't appear in the description/title?

I'm looking to buy a bass amp, I've seen two this morning that would fit the budget and ease of obtaining it. Both Marshalls, an MGCD10 and a 30DFX.

The CD10 doesn't have a bass adjust, just Gain and Volume, so I guess that's a good clue. But the 30DFX has the usual full range of tonal controls. I looked on the Marshall site and the manual, doesn't give it.

I realise the speaker will probably be bigger, but on the amount I'm spending it's not likely to be that big anyway?

Thanks

Steve
Click to expand...
Plenty of bassists use guitar amps. Plenty of guitarists use bass amps. Never know if you dont try it. But chances are, a bass amp will yeild better results for bass. Google the models, and find out. Then, make a decision.
 
#19
As you're in the UK, I'll use Andertons as a resource, sorted from low to high price. Finding these same models on the used market will save you money.
Bass Amp Combos - Andertons Music Co.

Top of the list would be any of the Fender Rumble series, followed by the Ashdowns. Orange Crush and Ampeg BA models are reputable in this range, and I'm surprised to see an EBS entry in the midst. Unfortunately, I have no experience or opinion on the Laney products: they just aren't popular in the USA. Gallien-Krueger and Markbass are very popular brands but do cost more. All of these appear to have the Aux In option. Hartke HD series combos have them but not their Kickback or HyDrive.

Get as large an amp as you can afford. There will come a time when you will want to play with others, as that's really the role of the bass, to have something for other musicians to congeal with.
 
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