So you're asking cheap low volume amps not to distort at low volumes and they do? Big shocker there
Cheap crappy little amps will always sound like cheap crappy little amps.
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How to play through a practice amp
- Thread starter Kmay
- Start date
Cheap crappy little amps will always sound like cheap crappy little amps.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
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Good 5-string sound at modest volume means an actual amp. Find a used GK 112 combo.
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MM basses put out a decent amount of output. They usually sound pretty growly which could sound like distortion if you're not used to it. Couple that with:
It's possible that the batteries were dying (in all of them)
Pickup height could have been too high
Setup could have been low giving it lots of growl
Simply put they should not have been distorting under normal circumstances.
How loud is your guitarist?? In my experience with a cheap little 15 watt 8 inch speaker, like 7 pound combo I used for a long time (with a hard rock band, 2 guitarists!) (mic'd of course) you should easily be heard. Maybe its the acoustics of guitar centers big room?
Are you playing in a noisy GC environment where every 18 year old rock star wanna be is cranking out power chords and trying to hear what you are doing?
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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Purpose. Yes, to take money from young and or naive buyers, and put it in the pocket of the seller.
It's the nature of the beast. The vast majority of combos aren't meant to do much more than make your bass loud enough to practice by yourself. If you get into the bigger combos you can expect more, but even then they are often pretty limited. The problem becomes even more noticeable if you like a super clean bass heavy tone. To put that kind of tone out at loud volumes requires more substantial equipment. If you like a grindy mid-heavy sound then the small combos can cut it for more situations.
Also, with many of the smaller combos the speakers aren't even capable of reproducing fundamentals with any volume. They put out the harmonic so you hear something, but it's definitely not the whole picture.
Also, with many of the smaller combos the speakers aren't even capable of reproducing fundamentals with any volume. They put out the harmonic so you hear something, but it's definitely not the whole picture.
You cant expect much from them or you'll be disappointed. I do believe, however, that they have a purpose, they did for me for a long time. The situation you're telling us about seems like an appropriate use. You might be plucking your strings too strongly while your basses volume is high or your pickups just might be very hot. Is the amp unusable for your needs at low volumes?
If you're looking for a good "living room" practice amp, then you were in the right direction with Peavey. I have a 1x8 little guy that does the job quite well. With substantial volume and boom from such a small amp. The Peavey is consistent with both low and high volumes. As well as low and high frequencies. My guitarist has started using it as a separate PA for his Hail TalkBox, (Because it has an external speaker jack) and it works quite well, and sounds awesome too. Its funny to see a TalkBox run through a practice BASS amp. But it's funnier to hear how good it sounds.
You don't need to spend a lot of money, I think I only paid $100 for it. Its only an 8" but its suitable for small gigs even. I use it gigging once a week, right beside a singer/cajon-ist(?) and my guitarist, who is running his pedals and guitar through our PA. (his electric guitar) ((and its a lunch gig)) (((with pedals)))
But, nonetheless, the Peavey is able to hold its own against all that, and sounds great doing so. Its a beast. PLUS, it can handle a friggin TalkBox like it's nothing!!
You don't need to spend a lot of money, I think I only paid $100 for it. Its only an 8" but its suitable for small gigs even. I use it gigging once a week, right beside a singer/cajon-ist(?) and my guitarist, who is running his pedals and guitar through our PA. (his electric guitar) ((and its a lunch gig)) (((with pedals)))
But, nonetheless, the Peavey is able to hold its own against all that, and sounds great doing so. Its a beast. PLUS, it can handle a friggin TalkBox like it's nothing!!
OP, i can't explain it, but i've played through all the small practice amps without any notable distortion, and i did it with multiple basses. the exception were playing with lots of attack, in which case i could make 'em all distort. that or turning them up too high, whether volume/master/gain or cranking the bass waaay up and playing loudly. for normal songwriting and practice volume, i had no problems with any i tried.
Idk,
I'll go back this evening and try again.
I maxed the volume on the bass itself...maybe turning that down and a lighter touch.
I am used to stingray growl (the reason I own one) so i know what it sounds like. It wasn't that.
It was pretty much a clipping issue.
Maybe I'll ask the GC guys to hook up some new, un-played ones to make sure they aren't destroyed from everyone coming in and playing on them.
I'll update this evening...after round two.
I'll go back this evening and try again.
I maxed the volume on the bass itself...maybe turning that down and a lighter touch.
I am used to stingray growl (the reason I own one) so i know what it sounds like. It wasn't that.
It was pretty much a clipping issue.
Maybe I'll ask the GC guys to hook up some new, un-played ones to make sure they aren't destroyed from everyone coming in and playing on them.
I'll update this evening...after round two.
Make sure you're setting your gain properly. Just do a quick Google search on that.
If that doesn't work, then I'm guessing that you prefer a tone that is cleaner than most people prefer. It makes sense that PA gear is going to be as clean as anything gets, but most people prefer some compression out of their guitar/bass amps, and so it isn't surprising that bass amps won't have as much clean headroom as PAs.
If money is no object, try one of those tiny 2x8 or 1x12 MarkBass combos -- that'll probably run you $600 to $800.
If that doesn't work, then I'm guessing that you prefer a tone that is cleaner than most people prefer. It makes sense that PA gear is going to be as clean as anything gets, but most people prefer some compression out of their guitar/bass amps, and so it isn't surprising that bass amps won't have as much clean headroom as PAs.
If money is no object, try one of those tiny 2x8 or 1x12 MarkBass combos -- that'll probably run you $600 to $800.
Right. The proper setting for the gain is typically the highest you can set it without clipping. If all of the amps are clipping its because the gain is set too high on all of them. He's using an active bass with the volume maxed, which is sending a way-hot signal to the amps. Some of the amps don't have a gain control, in which case the gain is pre-set at a level that is much too high for the signal coming from the bass. On the ones that do have a gain control, the gain will probably have to be set to a much lower level than OP expects, especially if the amp doesn't have a separate "active" input jack.
OP, you're in danger of blowing the speakers in all these amps. On any amp that doesn't have a gain knob, turn the volume down -- a lot -- on the bass. On any amp that does have a gain knob, set the gain very low and raise it only to the point that it starts to clip, and then back it off a bit. Even for these you should probably lower the volume on the bass at least a little.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
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Something in the chain is completely wrong. Even an ultra cheapie shouldn't distort at low volume unless there is something in the chain BEFORE then. I used to have a Crate MXB-10 10 watt bass combo amp for practice. It sounded okay at best, better with headphones, while it never sounded good, it also never distorted, or sounded bad. Even with my old Ibanez 5 stringer (long gone now). That bass was an active, and I tended to run it wide open, so anything that is going on distortion wise has got to be either running the amp wide open, or something very, very wrong in the signal chain before the amp... Check the instrument, any effects pedals, input gain (is your bass an active? Turn the output volume down!). Blah blah blah, hopefully you know the drill...
I am honestly leaning toward this being likely an active bass feeding too hot into the input of the amp. If the amp doesn't have an input pad, you MUST turn the pickup / pre amp output down or you WILL distort. It's pretty simple, push the input signal too hot and it sounds like warmed over excrement.
For what it's worth, on a small combo, I personally, and mind you everyone has different tastes, but I would not go with anything smaller than a Fender Rumble 40 or equivalent. Ampeg, Ashdown, Hartke, GK, Acoustic, Behringer, Warwick etc... all have small combos under $200.00. In the $100.00 and under price point, at least new, there are loads of options, however I personally haven't find a small combo amp in that price range that I find suitable to me.
I am honestly leaning toward this being likely an active bass feeding too hot into the input of the amp. If the amp doesn't have an input pad, you MUST turn the pickup / pre amp output down or you WILL distort. It's pretty simple, push the input signal too hot and it sounds like warmed over excrement.
For what it's worth, on a small combo, I personally, and mind you everyone has different tastes, but I would not go with anything smaller than a Fender Rumble 40 or equivalent. Ampeg, Ashdown, Hartke, GK, Acoustic, Behringer, Warwick etc... all have small combos under $200.00. In the $100.00 and under price point, at least new, there are loads of options, however I personally haven't find a small combo amp in that price range that I find suitable to me.
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I use a Carvin MB210 at home, a bit more money, clean and clear at low volume, able to get pretty loud for a small amp, and you can add another 8 ohm speaker, small and not really heavy, great eq, it's only drawback is it doesn't go down really low, which would be impossible due to it's size. The Carvin's not the only good one under $400, and has everything I need for a small gig, should I need it, so much better than a $200 dollar investment, which for me, would be a waste of $200. On all small amps the input clip light is the single most important indicator, for me. (also +1 everything Dave Hostetler said)
For fun try a Markbass CMD JB Players School if they have one. If it's distorted something is amiss.
In GC the amps I tried that I deemed worthy were the Peavey Max, Fender Rumbles, Ampeg BA115 (I think that's the #), and any of the Markbass. Even the house brand (Acoustic) wasn't bad. Again, perhaps my expectations are lower....The GC here has a rather poor selection of bass amps (combo or otherwise) to try if I left someone's favorite out.....
In GC the amps I tried that I deemed worthy were the Peavey Max, Fender Rumbles, Ampeg BA115 (I think that's the #), and any of the Markbass. Even the house brand (Acoustic) wasn't bad. Again, perhaps my expectations are lower....The GC here has a rather poor selection of bass amps (combo or otherwise) to try if I left someone's favorite out.....
Is your bass active or passive? - If it is active and has a passive mode, try going passive.
How loud do you need to be for practice? - I use a Rumble 15 and it is pleanty loud for practice.
I don't think it is the amps. I think it is you causing it. Back in the day, I gigged with a 26 watt amp. But then, a Fender twin was 25watts.
How loud do you need to be for practice? - I use a Rumble 15 and it is pleanty loud for practice.
I don't think it is the amps. I think it is you causing it. Back in the day, I gigged with a 26 watt amp. But then, a Fender twin was 25watts.
