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Minimum to Support Low B String

ii7-V7

ii7-V7

Aug 4, 2002
748
257
Baltimore, MD
thedukeandduchesspodcast.com
#1
I did a search but didn't quite see what I was looking for.

I am currently playing in two groups off and on. For one I'm using my cousins huge 350w 115 combo. It's a beast to lug around. The other group is an acoustic only ensemble where I don't need anywhere near that power. So, I'm looking for something much smaller. But here's the kicker. I need it to be able to get a decent sound on the low B string (We play alot in Eb and D). Also, I'm the sole provider for a family of six. So, cheap is important.

What's the minimum size amp, and the minimum investment I can make and still get a decent sounding B string? Also, keep it simple for me as I'm basically illiterate when it comes to amps.

Thanks,
Chad
 
#4
Decent is pretty relative term. If you want to reproduce it that can be done with less, but if you want it to have any oomph behind it that's another story. Lower notes require more power to reproduce at volume. That's why guitarists have 30, 50, 100 watt amps and bassists have 300, 500, 1000 watt amps. But the big limiter in low B is typically finding a cabinet/speaker combo designed to handle it well. Not just any old speaker cabinet puts out a nice solid low B. Welcome to a difficult and (likely) expensive journey my friend.
 
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#6
Blame the designer of the human hearing.

56660.jpg


Note: The lower the line, the less intensity (loudness) is needed to be perceived.
 
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#7
Not quite sure how loud you need to go, but my GK MB112 combo handles B fine. It is not the loudest of amps, and it does struggle when playing with a loud drummer and loud guitarist, but if the bands level is normal, then it should be fine.

Mine is the older version, you can probably pick one up pretty cheap (mine cost around $350 new when they were just changing to the newer model).
 
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#10
elgecko said:
If you play quietly enough, any amp will do.
Click to expand...


Absolutely right. Even the little practice amps will do it (or at least the first harmonic). Getting the fundamental, or more importantly a fundamental with sufficient volume to hang in with a drummer, that's where the slightly special (read costly) equipment comes in.

It's a tough balance between amp, speaker, and cabinet. Each one needs to be doing the right things to make it happen. If you're on a tight budget just deal with having a weak B. It's considerably cheaper in the long run. :P
 
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#17
I wouldnt stress too much about the amp "supporting" low B. It depends on how you dial it in. If you run your low frequencies massive and are trying to boom out a big room with no PA support, you might want more amp. If you keep your lows relatively tight and use a healthy amount of low mids instead then you can get by with just about any amp and it will probably help your clarity in that range as well.
 
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#18
You may want to look into running a HPF as part of your rig. By cutting out sub 60hz stuff, you have more headroom left in your amp to produce notes you can actually hear.

Our very own Dr. Francis Deck* @fdeck has created a very easy to use HPF that he sells on his website. I haven't tried one yet, but they are highly esteemed here.

Since I'm kinda a GK mark, I'd recommend a MB112, but I'd try the competing Fender, Ampeg, and Hartke products and swing which one speaks to you.

*may or may not be his actual last name
 

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