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So what's the difference between standard electric guitar amps and bass amps? Why I'm asking, is a friend that plays bass has the guitar, but can't afford and amp. Now I have a small Laney solid-state amp that I ain't using, but it's for standard electrics. Can she play the bass through this without damaging it?

Obviously the bass amps are designed specifically for the lower frequencies, while the standard amps aren't. But for purposes of practicing..?
    Nooooooooo. Unless you play at very low volumes the bass is going to cause problems for the speaker cone eventually. If you are playing at drum levels it'll be a goner very soon.
    Have you guys got a PA? Put the bass through that...
      Well she's currently running it through a HiFi amp I think, has been for a year or two. We're debating which is more awkward to transport, that equipment or the drum kit ?
        Lots of people use or used base amps instead of "regular" amps because of the warmer bluesie tone, AFAIK its only a tone stack diffrence possibly more UMPH.

        Remember the Fender Bassman many player ignored the normal channel - cant damage the bass amp at all
          Attila wrote: Lots of people use or used base amps instead of "regular" amps because of the warmer bluesie tone, AFAIK its only a tone stack diffrence possibly more UMPH.

          Remember the Fender Bassman many player ignored the normal channel - cant damage the bass amp at all
          She wants to play bass through a small guitar amp...
            OOOPS my bad


            ʎlɹǝdoɹd pɐǝɹ ʇuɐɔ ı ʎɹɹos
              I often use my Twin as a Bass amp, but I wouldn't do it with a small solid state with a small speaker.

              Anyway, you can pick up some good Ashdown bass amps quite cheaply on the second hand market these days.
                Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Anyway, you can pick up some good Ashdown bass amps quite cheaply on the second hand market these days.
                Been trying to convince her of this fact for a while now, but she's apparently saving up her cash to do something silly like holiday abroad. Foolish girl, guitar equipment is more important!
                  VellaJ wrote: Been trying to convince her of this fact for a while now, but she's apparently saving up her cash to do something silly like holiday abroad.
                  Hmmm. I try make it a rule to only help those who help themselves. Seems like every time I've broken that rule I'm the one who gets bitten (like ending up owning instruments I don't/won't play myself while the bandmate who does use it is tooling around in a BMW).
                    Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
                    VellaJ wrote: Been trying to convince her of this fact for a while now, but she's apparently saving up her cash to do something silly like holiday abroad.
                    Hmmm. I try make it a rule to only help those who help themselves. Seems like every time I've broken that rule I'm the one who gets bitten (like ending up owning instruments I don't/won't play myself while the bandmate who does use it is tooling around in a BMW).
                    Point taken. Na look, I can't justify spending cash on something I myself won't use, therefore I see no reason to buy one. Just thought that if I could get away with running her bass through the amp I already have, that would be grand. But I acknowledge that I will do some damage to the speaker in the long run, it's only a 10" after all...
                      There is an Ashdown in GFSA classifieds right now... just sayin'.
                      (in no way affiliated etc. etc.)
                        Jack Flash Jr wrote: There is an Ashdown in GFSA classifieds right now... just sayin'.
                        (in no way affiliated etc. etc.)
                        Seen it, mentioned it to her... Seems anything over like R500 is too much for her ??? (despite her actually having the cash). Well, we'll see how it goes when we start having regular rehearsals. She's either gotta move all her Hi-Fi amp, speakers etc to each rehearsal, or put up with the band always practicing at her place ?
                          What does the singer sing through? Or are you guys instrumental? Otherwise the p.a. suggestion works...
                            We may slightly still be looking for a singer :-[ But yeah, it'll probably end up being that. I'm not entirely sure of the capabilities of her PA, we have yet to have a drummer play simultaneously with the PA...
                              VellaJ wrote: So what's the difference between standard electric guitar amps and bass amps? Why I'm asking, is a friend that plays bass has the guitar, but can't afford and amp. Now I have a small Laney solid-state amp that I ain't using, but it's for standard electrics. Can she play the bass through this without damaging it?

                              Obviously the bass amps are designed specifically for the lower frequencies, while the standard amps aren't. But for purposes of practicing..?
                              Almost everyone will tel 'ya NO !

                              Fair enough . . . but they keep forgetting (or they just do not know) that Lemmy of MotorHead plays his massive Rick bass guitar through 'standard' guitar heads, for decades.

                              And that fact can be backed up (ie. not sucking it outta me thumb) by a 2007 GUITARIST mag interview of the man.

                              Then you get the Orange Thunderverb 50 & 200 heads that are made for both guitar and bass guitar - killer amps that !
                                Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I often use my Twin as a Bass amp, but I wouldn't do it with a small solid state with a small speaker.

                                Anyway, you can pick up some good Ashdown bass amps quite cheaply on the second hand market these days.

                                Even some Ampeg units go for not too much money (ermmmm, sub 3K)
                                  Stoner Riff wrote: Fair enough . . . but they keep forgetting (or they just do not know) that Lemmy of MotorHead plays his massive Rick bass guitar through 'standard' guitar heads, for decades.
                                  Lemmy's one-of-a-kind (just what kind we're still trying to figure out ?) - how many other rhythm bassists do you know? And there is a little bit of difference between a 100W valve head with a couple of 4 x 12 cabs and a small solidstate practice amp with a 10" speaker. Just a bit...
                                    The whole bassists using guitar amps thing reminds me of both
                                    Clapton and Bruce running through a bunch of 100w marshalls ?
                                    And there is a little bit of difference between a 100W valve head with a couple of 4 x 12 cabs and a small solidstate practice amp with a 10" speaker. Just a bit...
                                    :roflmao:

                                      Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
                                      Stoner Riff wrote: Fair enough . . . but they keep forgetting (or they just do not know) that Lemmy of MotorHead plays his massive Rick bass guitar through 'standard' guitar heads, for decades.
                                      Lemmy's one-of-a-kind (just what kind we're still trying to figure out ?) - how many other rhythm bassists do you know? And there is a little bit of difference between a 100W valve head with a couple of 4 x 12 cabs and a small solidstate practice amp with a 10" speaker.
                                      Just a bit...
                                      Not really !

                                      The diffs between 10W and 100W is only one "0" ?

                                      OK, so the one is 10Watts of SS white noise and the other is 100Watts of pure tone.
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