Using Guitar Amp Headphone Jack for Bass Practice

[Rolling Thunder]

Hello, I just had an idea an was hoping someone with some expertise would chime in. I have a 20W Class-A guitar amp that when a headphone is plugged in mutes the speaker. I know that guitar amp speakers can't take bass guitars, but can the internal electronics? Thanks!

 

[basscooker]

It's fine. Might be hard to dial in with its eq, but shouldn't be harmful as long as you don't slam the front end too hard.

 

[Garret Graves]

If you have 100 bucks to spend(or find one used), get an Alesis 4 channel mixer, USB. Headphones in, you can jam to music online, through iPod, or phone- very versatile, good investment- has onboard effects that are decent too, such as chorus, rooms, delay- etc. also a good recording platform.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

If you have 100 bucks to spend(or find one used), get an Alesis 4 channel mixer, USB. Headphones in, you can jam to music online, through iPod, or phone- very versatile, good investment- has onboard effects that are decent too, such as chorus, rooms, delay- etc. also a good recording platform.

I guess I was hoping to use gear I already own. So would I be able to use the guitar amp's headphone output without damaging the amp?

 

[LowActionHero]

Hello, I just had an idea an was hoping someone with some expertise would chime in. I have a 20W Class-A guitar amp that when a headphone is plugged in mutes the speaker. I know that guitar amp speakers can't take bass guitars, but can the internal electronics? Thanks!

Like Basscooker said, it shouldn't hurt anything if you watch your volumes and listen for (bad) distortion in the headphones. But the preamp is voiced for a guitar so you'll have have to tweak to EQ and probably still won't get it GOOD but definitely close enough for practicing. I thought of doing this with one of mine (the Micro Terror I keep upstairs) . You've inspired me to give it a go!!

 

[Al Kraft]

If the amp was designed to be used with a headphone out and speakers off (like say one of the Blackstar guitar amps), I can't see where it would be an issue other than that the EQ might not be the best suited for bass as was mentioned above. The preamp tube itself is likely some incarnation/version of the same tube you'd find in a bass preamp (perhaps even identical), so I can't see an issue there.