Bass amp for guitar?


SPL
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SPL
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11/12/2004 6:00 pm
Does anyone here have experience using a bass amplifier for guitar? Does it work well?

I don't need a guitar pre-amp, since I'd be getting my sounds out of either my V-amp or Korg pandora. Would a bass amp do the trick frequency wise?

ps: the reason I want a bass amp is because I also play bass, and I know playing bass through a guitar amp is a no no.
# 1
Dr_simon
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Dr_simon
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11/12/2004 6:30 pm
Fender bassman, as used by the greats !!

You should be fine !!
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
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# 2
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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11/12/2004 6:34 pm
[font=trebuchet ms]Relax! :)

Bass amps work very well for guitar. The Fender Bassman is still highly prized by guitar players. And the Rolling Stones made Ampeg history when they used SVTs on their tour. Yes, for guitar! You might be happier with different speakers for bass and guitar, but the amps have no problems at all. And yes, you can use a guitar amp for bass, provided that you hook up speakers that can handle bass frquencies at full amp output. I rebuilt my Ampeg VT-40 with a single 15" speaker instead of the original 4x10" configuration, and it handles anything I care to plug into it. [/font]
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# 3
SPL
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SPL
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11/12/2004 6:39 pm
The Bassman looks good.

How about this one? => http://www.music123.com/Hartke-A35-Combo-Amp-i91127.music

I'm only looking for a small practise amp kind of dealio, and I love the kick back option.
# 4
SPL
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SPL
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11/12/2004 6:42 pm
Originally Posted by: LordathestringsYou might be happier with different speakers for bass and guitar, but the amps have no problems at all.[/font]


Yeah, the amps by itself aren't a problem, just the drivers. I just wonder wether a driver designed for bass will have a frequency response that works well on a regular guitar.

Thanks for the response guys, it is much appreciated. :-)
# 5
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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11/12/2004 6:53 pm
[font=trebuchet ms]My first experience with this issue was when the bass player in my band (this was back in '70) bought a brand-new Garnet BTO with a pair of Lansing 2x15" cabs. During breaks, me and the lead guitarist used to fight over who would get to plug in and wail. That setup was just frickin' devastating! If you like what you hear, it must be sounding good, right?[/font]
Lordathestrings
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# 6
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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11/12/2004 6:57 pm
Originally Posted by: SPLThe Bassman looks good.

How about this one? => http://www.music123.com/Hartke-A35-Combo-Amp-i91127.music

I'm only looking for a small practise amp kind of dealio, and I love the kick back option.
[font=trebuchet ms]I'd want to try that particular combo out before putting any money on it. The aluminum cone speaker may sound harsh at the higher frequencies generated by a guitar. I've only ever played cabs with paper cone speakers, not even aluminum voice-coil covers.[/font]
Lordathestrings
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# 7
SPL
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SPL
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11/12/2004 7:00 pm
Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms]If you like what you hear, it must be sounding good, right?[/font]


Right. :-)

I was pretty sure it'd work, but I figured I'd go ahead and ask just to make sure.

Thanks for the help.
# 8
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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11/12/2004 7:05 pm
[font=trebuchet ms]Just remember the First Rule of Gear Buying - Try before you buy![/font]
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# 9
Jolly McJollyson
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Jolly McJollyson
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11/12/2004 7:49 pm
Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms]I rebuilt my Ampeg VT-40 with a single 15" speaker instead of the original 4x10" configuration, and it handles anything I care to plug into it. [/font]

Can I, like, live in your basement so I can be your apprentice? I mean, dude, you're friggin' MacGyver or something! :eek:
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# 10
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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11/14/2004 7:18 pm
Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonCan I, like, live in your basement so I can be your apprentice? I mean, dude, you're friggin' MacGyver or something! :eek:
[font=trebuchet ms]Necessity is a Mother!.. or something like that...

I bought the 1977 VT-40 from Torres Engineering in an online scratch'n'dent sale. It was so badly flood-damaged that the speakers were trashed, and the cab was litteraly falling apart at the seams! The closest replacement speakers I could find were about $60 each, but one WeberVST 15" California Ceramic only cost $96. And I had to build a new cab anyway, right? I started with the cab set up open-back, but I just finished fitting new panels to seal it up and I like it even better this way. Now I can get on with applying the Tolex and the grille cloth.[/font]
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# 11

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