It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:38 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 29 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 10:51 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 12:45 pm
Posts: 1169
Anyone use a bass amp with guitar? I've heard that a good quality bass amp it better than a guitar amp if you goal is clean tone.

My understanding is that bass amps usually have a wider range frequency response than what most guitar amps are capable of.

Maybe I'll go to a music store and try it. Although I'm not sure my 53 year old ears would notice a difference. I can't even distinguish tube sound from solid state.

Cheers,

_________________
In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 12:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:00 am
Posts: 68
Location: East Tennessee
I have played an acoustic guitar through my bass amp. It had a nice sound. I didn't turn it up too loud, I was afraid of messing up the speaker. Whether it is better than a guitar amp depends on your style and the sound that you want.

_________________
When all else fails, crank up the bass


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 4:21 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
Back in the old tube days that was true. With todays advances in solid state electronics along with digital simulations, you're much better off with a specialized guitar amp. Especially so if it is for home practice and the occaisional impromptu jam session.

The very inexpensive Fender Champion 40 is true $180 gem. I love these guys from the Rock Garage in Oz.

They did this blind shootout between a $330 Mustang III and an uber-expensive $2K Eric Clapton Tremolux. The Mustang actually sounded too good. LOL :lol:

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 10:45 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 12:45 pm
Posts: 1169
I like the Oz guys. They do some comparisons that seriously bring into question a lot conventional wisdom about tube tone.

I decided years ago that I couldn't detect any significant difference between tube and solid state (provided the comparison is between quality amps). I don't debate it too much. If I am wrong then blame my feeble ears. :P

There's a youtube video from Scott Grove where he is advocating the advantages of a bass amp provided one is wanting a strong clean tone. I like Scott Grove for his attitude but don't believe half of what he says. :lol:

Cheers,

_________________
In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:38 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 7998
Location: ʎɹʇunoɔ ǝsoɹ pןıʍ
The Bassman was originally a bass amp .....
:idea:

_________________
Image
Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:12 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
BMW-KTM wrote:
The Bassman was originally a bass amp .....
:idea:


This is true, especially so with the early incarnations (ie: the tweeds). There was nothing truly distinguishing about the circuit that relegated it to a bass-only platform, the cabinet was an open-back variety which provided no LF damping, and the speakers themselves were full-range Jensen drivers in contrast with today's specially-formulated equipment. In truth, the 5F6-A and its earlier brethren were actually mediocre bass amps at best. Their redemption occurred only when guitarists discovered their remarkable sonic capabilities.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:33 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:18 pm
Posts: 1921
Location: Upstate, NY
Snag an old 70's Bassman 10 or a late 60's Bassman 70 and throw it over a guitar cab. As far as modelling vs tube tone. If you can't hear the difference then it's not worth it. However, there is a difference. A very big one. Especially when you are in the same room and you play with a wide range of dynamics. In a side by side comparison you can certainly play in a way to make the difference negligible. I guess if that's your thing. Maybe those guys make a lot of money moving low end gear. The response from tubes and the texture of the tone is simply different. Anyone who can't hear it should definitely skip it, though. I honestly can't imagine playing an instrument and not being able to tell the difference. That's just me, though.

_________________
http://www.reverbnation.com/casanovafrankensteinandthevoodoomachine
https://www.facebook.com/CFandtheVM

2012 Fender Custom Shop 55 Precision Bass
2012 Fender American Vintage 57 Precision Bass RI
2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:18 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Retroverbial wrote:
....Their redemption occurred only when guitarists discovered their remarkable sonic capabilities.

Arjay


...and harp players. They really are not a great bass amp but better than what was available previously.

Steve Miller used several real 59 Fender Bassmans when he toured.

Modern day bass amps are inherently cleaner while modern day guitar amps have more distortion....on purpose. Modern bass amps make good amps for an acoustic electric guitar or ukulele because they are so clean. You have to watch out about the eq settings though because the FLAT settings on a bass amp are often NOT really flat.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:50 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 12:45 pm
Posts: 1169
TheKingofPain wrote:
Snag an old 70's Bassman 10 or a late 60's Bassman 70 and throw it over a guitar cab. As far as modelling vs tube tone. If you can't hear the difference then it's not worth it. However, there is a difference. A very big one. Especially when you are in the same room and you play with a wide range of dynamics. In a side by side comparison you can certainly play in a way to make the difference negligible. I guess if that's your thing. Maybe those guys make a lot of money moving low end gear. The response from tubes and the texture of the tone is simply different. Anyone who can't hear it should definitely skip it, though. I honestly can't imagine playing an instrument and not being able to tell the difference. That's just me, though.

I agree with you 100%. If you hear a difference and tubes are your thing then you should never settle for anything else. The added expense is probably worth it and if you're a professional then there is no question about it.

I should clarify. I do hear differences in amps. But I don't hear anything definitive that would allow me to close my eyes and know for certain one amp is tube and the other is SS. I've also played good and bad amps from both sides of the SS/Tube world.

I do play with a lot of dynamics. I use a finger pick on my index finger with a light touch but dig in on occasion and do pinch harmonics with my bare middle finger. I also strum with and without the pick so my playing is very dynamic. It's a sound man's nightmare sometimes.

Cheers,

_________________
In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
If you find a transistorized amp that can produce the squawk and squeal of a 5E3 Deluxe Amp on "12" without stompboxes, on-board OD effects, or digital modeling circuitry, you better buy it.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:56 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 12:45 pm
Posts: 1169
Retroverbial wrote:
If you find a transistorized amp that can produce the squawk and squeal of a 5E3 Deluxe Amp on "12" without stompboxes, on-board OD effects, or digital modeling circuitry, you better buy it.

Arjay

There ain't no such beast. However, without all the constraints I bet I could get close enough for my feeble ears.

_________________
In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:06 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
What "constraints"?

Guitar Cable Amp

It doesn't get much simpler than that.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:13 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
Fender Mustangs are the very best DSP solid state g'amps on the world market. They kill the competition dead. Make excellent lightweight and reliable gig-rigs. Possess great tonal flexability and are incredibly affordable.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:20 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
linnin wrote:
Fender Mustangs are the very best DSP solid state g'amps on the world market. They kill the competition dead. Make excellent lightweight and reliable gig-rigs. Possess great tonal flexability and are incredibly affordable.


PFFFFFFFFT!

Five years from now, nobody will even remember them.

:lol:

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Bass amp for guitar
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:39 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
Retroverbial wrote:
linnin wrote:
Fender Mustangs are the very best DSP solid state g'amps on the world market. They kill the competition dead. Make excellent lightweight and reliable gig-rigs. Possess great tonal flexability and are incredibly affordable.


PFFFFFFFFT!

Five years from now, nobody will even remember them.

:lol:

Arjay


They're already five years old (or close to it)! Version 2's are out. No signs of slowing down. Let us hope & pray they are as popular/lucrative for Fender as Mustangs are for Ford! :)

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 29 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: