Why don't bass amps have reverb?

[flameworker]

Most guitar amps, even cheap ones usually come with reverb.

Is there a reason bass amps don't?

I like a little reverb on my bass, i have a little boss half rack digital reverb I use sometimes, but makes me wonder if that sounds muddy out front tho.

 

[BazzTard]

reverb ruins the bass in the mix live, I don't think it's suited to bass imho

 

[GKon]

I had an old Kustom head that had built in spring reverb. I remember I'd hit the top of the head and it would make
these crazy sounds

 

[JimmyM]

I used to like putting reverb on bass, but I don't anymore and the vast majority of bassists don't want it, either. But guitarists usually could use a little reverb.

 

[Poncherello]

I usually use reverb, more as effect than as part of the tone. It really is a bit risky, but can be used in the bass, above 4 or 5K. A few bass amps have reverb, as the Rolands for example.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Most amps don't add to the price by adding effects, since many players play dry, and those who do can add what they want. Not like guitar, since, especially inthe 50s/60s, when Fender set the blueprint for amps, reverb was used by most, if not all, guitarists.

 

[Pilgrim]

I use reverb fairly often, but as you can see from responses above, not as many bass players as guitar players use it.

I find that it fills the sound out in a pleasant way, and I also play some surf tunes. Personally, I think reverb on bass for surf tunes is a nice addition.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Reverb effects the higher mid frequencies so it is good for guitar that sits in that region. Most manufacturers probably feel that for bass, it would be best to provide it with an outboard device for those that want it rather than make it a feature that everyone will pay for.

I'm more of a fan of echo rather than reverb. Fender makes a nice tube based stand alone reverb unit. The Roland Space Echo is great, as is the El Capistan pedal. My point is, ther are a lot of alternatives that can do it a lot better than a built in reverb.

 

[beans-on-toast]

You can't argue with a touch of reverb though as the O'Jays had in the mix in For the Love of Money. How often would you want it use it though.

​

 

[Mystic Michael]

The question is: Why should bass amps have reverb?

MM

 

[nostatic]

You can't argue with a touch of reverb though as the O'Jays had in the mix in For the Love of Money. How often would you want it use it though.

If you listen though, the reverb is taken off for most of the tune. Plus he's playing with a pick which helps with note attack. When the bass is exposed, reverb can be a cool effect. Once you add other instruments into the mix, it can become problematic. Reverb is taking away attack and definition (by design), and with low frequencies that leans towards mud and/or disappearing in the mix.

I use delay a fair amount but that is usually for doubling/call-response. I've used reverb in the studio as an effect and to tie instruments together into the same "room", but live I'd only end up using it for solo/duet or really open parts. But ymmv.

 

[Johnny Crab]

Bass heads avoid reverb to save $$$ IMO. In a studio setting, the engineer/producer usually wants complete control over what gets wetted with reverb or other effects.

I use reverb when the song calls for it OR if I need to add more "space" in a dead place when we're doing 3 piece songs. Then you have the occasional song where the bass was recorded with reverb(arena rock bands). We don't cover this song featuring the late Scott Smith but doing a play-along with reverb added to your bass gives you the exact tone.


In headphones, reverb is very fun to play with to hear what a lonely bass sounds like in a large room or auditorium.

 

[Bassmec]

This reverb unit is a very suitable non muddy add on to any bass guitar rig.
http://vintageking.com/bricasti-design-m7

how much you pay for a reverb might have some bearing on the outcome.
What about tacking a quality tube compressor on the front end of all bass amps then.
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[Bobthedog]

My old Roland Bass Cube had reverb in it. I think the new ones still do. On the other hand they charge a pretty penny for their power output.

 

[beans-on-toast]

If you listen though, the reverb is taken off for most of the tune. Plus he's playing with a pick which helps with note attack. When the bass is exposed, reverb can be a cool effect. Once you add other instruments into the mix, it can become problematic. Reverb is taking away attack and definition (by design), and with low frequencies that leans towards mud and/or disappearing in the mix.

I use delay a fair amount but that is usually for doubling/call-response. I've used reverb in the studio as an effect and to tie instruments together into the same "room", but live I'd only end up using it for solo/duet or really open parts. But ymmv.

I feel the same. A solo'ed bass can have an effect to thicken the sound but it has to have its place in the mix. Even active basses, alone they are fine, but they can have difficulty finding a place in the mix. A double bass can have echo on it in the right context. But it has to be used judiciously.

 

[Lonnybass]

In a live setting, I have rarely used reverb as it can easily clutter up a stage and house mix and needs a LOT of dialing in to get right based on the room and what the rest of the band is playing at the time you're using it.

At home is a completely different story! Especially if you're running your signal through a headphone/studio rig, a carefully tailored reverb signal can really add a lot of ambient "air" and life to an otherwise dry mix.

Lonnybass

 

[beans-on-toast]

What about tacking a quality tube compressor on the front end of all bass amps then.
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I keep wanting to build a 670 but eventually come to my senses and put it off. Just when I though I was out, I keep getting pulled back in.

 

[BurningSkies]

I don't need no stinkin' reverb.

 

[Jim Carr]

@flameworker —> Reverb == Your own portable gymnasium sound stage simulator.

 

[Batmensch]

In an attempt to be succint, I'd say cost effectiveness and general lack of interest amongst most bassists.