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Pluging A Power Amp Into A Bass Cab

S

sporks

Jan 4, 2012
1
0
#1
I'm looking into buying a Mesa Boogie m180 Baron power amp. I'd be running it into a Sunn 2x15 or a Mesa Boogie 6x10. Before today, I didn't really know anything about power amps. I've asked a few poeple about this and its raised some concerns. I don't own a preamp. I'm really worried about blowing speakers and poping tubes. Are these concerns justified? Are power amps alright?
Also: I like playing REALLY loud. Like, favorite bands include Lightning Bolt and Sunn.
Thanks for the help
- sporkss
 
#3
You're gonna need a pre-amp. I have the BBE BMax pre-amp (non tube)
version and it really works for me. I finally have the sound I want and the
price of the BMax is around $300. Couple that with a good power amp and
good speakers and you're on your way.

BTW, you might look into the QSC power amps. I just got the QX7 model
and it rocks with 725W per side into 8 ohms. If you wanna play loud, this
thing will do it, and very clean too.
 
#4
Eric Moesle said:
Bass -> preamp -> power amp -> speaker cabinet
Click to expand...

This is pretty much it. Most bass amps are a combination of pre-amp with power amp.

That said, you can get by if your choice of power amp has moderate input voltage requirements, and/or if you play through some effects processors that can put out a moderate voltage (0.750 or so).

Some power amps (think Crown XLS Drivecore) need around 1.5V on the input to derive the maximum output. I didn't scour the 'net, but didn't find specs for the Mesa you mentioned.

About blowing speakers/stuff, 2x150w shouldn't even make the speaker cabinets you mentioned sweat... (or did I look up the wrong amp?)

Dekker
 
#5
i'm using a BBE BMAX preamp (the bit with the knobs on it, your tone controls etc), this is used for my DI to the front of house mixer and output to a PA power amp (in mono mode) to drive my fearful cabs, power amps these days can be quite a cheap way of getting alot of power behind you, im using up to 2 x 590 watts, its enough for me XD
 
#11
anyway, yeah, using a straight power amp is a totally normal way to build a bass rig.
sporks said:
Also: I like playing REALLY loud. Like, favorite bands include Lightning Bolt and Sunn.
Click to expand...
then this is not the amp for you.

180 watts of tube power equals a fuzzy grungy sound at moderate rock volume for bass; the guitar player's marshalls will crush you.

if it's tube boogies you're after, wrangle yourself a 400+ and you might have something.
 
#13
walterw said:
180 watts of tube power equals a fuzzy grungy sound at moderate rock volume for bass; the guitar player's marshalls will crush you.

if it's tube boogies you're after, wrangle yourself a 400+ and you might have something.
Click to expand...

I don't know, both Sunn and Lightning Bolt are known for playing very, very overdriven to the point where the bass doesn't really sound much like what you'd expect a bass to sound like. This might actually be a great choice!

If it does turn out that the head will only run in stereo and can't be bridged, it won't be too hard to rewire a 2x15 so that you can plug into each 15 separately. You can buy Marshall-style switchable jackplates that make the wiring pretty simple and will allow you to go back to mono mode easily.

As far as the preamp thing goes, I'll second whoever said that with the right pedal you can sometimes do without one (although you'll have a lot less control over EQ and stuff since this would normally be part of the preamp). I had a friend who used to run a big muff right into the power section of a V-4b. He was actually into bands in the same general ballpark we're talking about here (loved Harvey Milk as I recall), so it might not be a terrible idea in this case...
 
#14
I just picked up a QSC GX3, going to be running it to a GK 115mbe-II(400W@8OHMs). Haven't purchased a preamp yet, but that's next on the list. Anything that I'm missing? I'm going to want another cab at some point. But after purchasing a decent preamp to go with this, I should be alright to plug in and play, no?
 
#17
Eschaton said:
I'm not hip to the subtle nuances of forum etiquette I suppose. People always make a fuss about using the search bar before posting a new thread. I figured a new thread was a little much for such a menial question... Lesson learned :facepalm:
Click to expand...

Don't worry, you can't win when it comes to search vs. thread resurrection. Yes it sounds like you'll be fine, just get a good preamp and play away!
 

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