Need special power amp for bass rig?

[BassMan7530]

Today I picked up my Eden WP-100 preamplifier and my 410XST that I had specially ordered for me. I had intended on getting a QSC RMX 1450, since it could put out 800 watts in bridged mono into my 410 cab rated at 1,000w RMS.

I didn't see one out, so I asked the salesman, and he started explaining to me that I DEFINITELY SHOULDN'T be using "pro audio" power amps (QSC, Crown, etc), since bass cabinets are optimized much more for lower frequencies. He suggested I look into power amplifiers from bass amp manufacturers, such as SWR, Fender, etc.

This is strange, because I was talking to the sales rep who helped me special order my gear, and he never spoke of this at all. I was under the assurance that any power amp in the store (with proper wattage of course) would be compatible with my bass rig; I was never informed of needing a specialized "bass" power amp until I'd talked to this second guy.

Also, the first guy tells me I need a power amp with matching wattage or a bit more wattage than my cab's RMS rating to ensure the cabinet will operate efficiently, the second guy tells me I want to meet that rating or be somewhere under it otherwise I run the risk of blowing speakers, so there are plenty of contradictions between these two employees (don't mean to open another can of worms here; I'll likely be going for something with just less wattage than my cab's RMS rating).

Can someone help me out here? I've never been aware that most power amps are not meant to be used on bass guitar rigs, I would imagine it would be perfectly harmless as long as I match my watts, etc. Can someone shed some light on this please?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[JimmyM]

Any power amp will work. Tons of bassists use pro audio power amps. Just tell the guy to pipe down and sell you what you want.

 

[4-string]

Also, the first guy tells me I need a power amp with matching wattage or a bit more wattage than my cab's RMS rating to ensure the cabinet will operate efficiently, the second guy tells me I want to meet that rating or be somewhere under it otherwise I run the risk of blowing speakers, so there are plenty of contradictions between these two employees (don't mean to open another can of worms here; I'll likely be going for something with just less wattage than my cab's RMS rating).

Both guitar players, no doubt.

:

 

[bongomania]

An important detail: wattage ratings, on both amps and cabs, are just vague guideposts, not to be taken literally. There are many, many factors that affect both the actual amount of wattage coming out of the amp, and the amount that can be safely or usefully fed into the cab. The rating is a convenience only, so you can make a broad guess about which pieces will be likely to work well together.

 

[5StringFool]

Any power amp will work. Tons of bassists use pro audio power amps. Just tell the guy to pipe down and sell you what you want.

+1

I didn't see one out, so I asked the salesman, and he started explaining to me that I DEFINITELY SHOULDN'T be using "pro audio" power amps (QSC, Crown, etc), since bass cabinets are optimized much more for lower frequencies. He suggested I look into power amplifiers from bass amp manufacturers, such as SWR, Fender, etc.

I guess I should quit using "pro audio" power amps like my QSC USA 900 to power my sub-woofer since it only handles the lowest of the lows.

The sales guy obviously doesn't understand what he's talking about. My guess is that he's either parroting something he's heard, or just making a half-baked assumption. Either way disregard his advice, you'd be just fine with the 1450.

 

[Five String]

All of the above. I use an ancient battered boat anchor Peavey CS-800. There's one other point, a debatable one, different power amps sound different. Sure, you have the power and the specs, but do you like the way it sounds.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Can someone shed some light on this please?

The salesman is a moron.

the first guy tells me I need a power amp with matching wattage or a bit more wattage than my cab's RMS rating to ensure the cabinet will operate efficiently, the second guy tells me I want to meet that rating or be somewhere under it otherwise I run the risk of blowing speakers, so there are plenty of contradictions between these two employees

They're both morons. :scowl:
An amp power rating of anywhere between 500w and 2,000w is appropriate for a 1,000w rated cab.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

Probably should note you can use a 30w amp into the 1000w rated amp perfectly happily, just won't go as loud as having more power.

 

[alembicguy]

I've been using a Stewart World 1.6 without incident.

 

[Dave W]

They're both morons. :scowl:

This.

You can use any power amp you want.

Have a looksee at the FAQ at the top of the page, it's got tons of info on this stuff that will point you int he right direction.

 

[johnpbass]

I've used a Crest CA6 with both an Eden Navigator and Demeter VTBP 201 with great results! The Sales guys are wrong.

 

[bassmeknik]

An amp power rating of anywhere between 500w and 2,000w is appropriate for a 1,000w rated cab.

+1

 

[johnpbass]

P.S. OP, the combination you are putting together should kill IMO!

 

[MrLenny1]

Ah, the wonders of Talkbass in action.
Gotta love this site for great info all the time.

 

[JimWasHere]

Both guitar players, no doubt.

:

Or audio school dropouts


OP, you might check out Crown XLS 1000 | Sweetwater.com it being 100w less, $230 less, and 1/4 the weight.

 

[lomo]

Sales guy is a DB (not double bass)

 

[Mulebagger]

I run my DB750 into two BagEnd 15's: 750 watts into 200 watts each cabinet. They aren't perfectly matched in wattage ratings.
Of course I'm not pegging the gain and master, but then again if I did, I'd probably go deaf.

Like many here have stated, the salesmen are not the most informed and probably have no business suggesting gear to people.

I've seen just as many power amp/ preamp setups as I've seen bass heads being used.

A local guy here plays his 6 string through a Mackie HD 1521. It sounds pretty good to me and louder than you probably would ever need.

good luck with your search.

 

[JimWasHere]

Like many here have stated, the salesmen are not the most informed and probably have no business suggesting gear to people.

You know, it's funny. I've been going back to the same salesman for 10 years now... He's the guy that doesn't try to sell me stuff, he just suggests new stuff for me to check out, and gets me what I ask for.

 

[korngold]

You will be fine with the combo you picked. If you're looking at QSC, you may want to take a look at PLX amps--they are lighter and just as powerful. If you want bridged mono, any of the PLX-XX02 amps should work.

I have two 1602 and one 2502 in my PA rig, and an 1804 with an Ampeg SVP-Pro as my main "rock" bass rig right now.

With the PLX amps, I've never noticed any "coloring" to the sound, and they can easily/comfortably push plenty of bass out of a decent bass cab. I used the 1602 amps in bridged mode (1600w @ 4 ohms) to push my bass cabs which are only rated at 600w. As long as you're careful with your volume dial, you should be fine.

From what I've read, cranking a lower wattage (SS) amp will blow your speaker quicker than using a high power amp on a lower volume setting. I'm not 100% sure of the truth to this theory, but it makes sense because your signal is a lot cleaner at 3-4 on the dial than it is at 10, and SS amps don't get that warm, speaker-friendly "overdrive" like tube amps.

<In the interest of full disclosure, I have a PLX amp for sale. But, I stand by my statement--and, I'll still own 3 PLX amps that I have no intention of selling, even after my current listing sells.>

 

[JimWasHere]

From what I've read, cranking a lower wattage (SS) amp will blow your speaker quicker than using a high power amp on a lower volume setting. I'm not 100% sure of the truth to this theory, but it makes sense because your signal is a lot cleaner at 3-4 on the dial than it is at 10, and SS amps don't get that warm, speaker-friendly "overdrive" like tube amps.

Sort of... If you overdrive your solid state power amp severely it creates a lot of mid and high frequency distortion, and in the PA world, that can fairly reliably blow high range drivers, because of the exponential increase of signal in the top end. You most likely would not be able to get that to happen in the format of a bass rig, but the technical possibility is there. And it takes really cranking into it to make that happen.