software

Would I damage my (tube) guitar amp if i plug a bass into it?

Thanks


Originally Posted by spudsWould I damage my (tube) guitar amp if i plug a bass into it?

Thanksit is not impossible to damage the speakers (what are the speakers), but the amp will be fine.

I would not recommend this; I've heard horror stories about this sort of thing.

When I was younger and borrowed a bass guitar to do a side thing with a few friends, I plugged the bass into my Vibrolux Reverb. It couldn't get very loud, but it worked and my amp hasn't shown any problems. However, other people haven't been so lucky so I say to stick with an amp that you know can handle the proper low end that a bass delivers. Guitar speakers aren't made to handle the low end that a bass throws out.

Hmmm not a good idea eh?
Thanks for the warning.

Well, I'll using my Marshall DSL 401... whatever those speakers are. =)

I guess i'd better stop.

Jack Bruce
Tim Bogert
Les Claypool
Chris Novoselic
Nole Redding
Felix Pappalardi
Alen Woody
J Mascis
Paul Macartney

I know thqt is a small list but those guys all play bass through guitar amps...not to mention most bass players form the 60's and 70's that played bass through Marshalls were using the guitar versions...it will not hurt the amp at all...if it is a small amp that uses small speakers the speakers could be damaged, but other that that the amp does not care what you plug into it.

Thanks for that.
So you think my marshall would be fine? (12quot; speaker)

I would go for it.


Originally Posted by spudsThanks for that.
So you think my marshall would be fine? (12quot; speaker)I think with a 12 you'll be fine...just dont try to tune down, don't try a 5 string bass, and pound the living hell out of the low notes and you should be alright...I wouldn't gig with it, but in your house...no biggie.

Ideally, you really shouldn't do this. Guitar amps, and especially guitar speakers, weren't designed to handle the low end frequencies from a bass. You can probably get away with it, but if it were me, I'd just practice unplugged until I could get my hands on a bass amp.

Ryan


Originally Posted by rspst14Ideally, you really shouldn't do this. Guitar amps, and especially guitar speakers, weren't designed to handle the low end frequencies from a bass. You can probably get away with it, but if it were me, I'd just practice unplugged until I could get my hands on a bass amp.

Ryan

Thank you, someone agrees with me. It's one of those things where it has been done and in certain cases, it hasn't caused problems, but why even take that chance in the first place? It's like hooking up a guitar head to a different impedance cabinet than what the transformers are tapped for.


Originally Posted by rspst14Ideally, you really shouldn't do this. Guitar amps, and especially guitar speakers, weren't designed to handle the low end frequencies from a bass. You can probably get away with it, but if it were me, I'd just practice unplugged until I could get my hands on a bass amp.

Ryan

I agree completely. Some guitar amps can take it fine. But a bass guitar WILL mess up some guitar amps.


Originally Posted by HolyDirtBut a bass guitar WILL mess up some guitar amps.How? The amps does not know the difference.

it wont damage an amp, thats silly, stupidest thing ive heard, it will damage the speakers, and could kill them altogether, they arent designed for the type of frequencies


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireHow? The amps does not know the difference.

Maybe not, but guitar amps were not designed for the lower frequencies of a bass. Like I said, you might be able to get away with it, but why take the chance?

Ryan

a guitar amp will not get damaged by a bass guitar, the speakers will, for that im sure.


Originally Posted by BigBazzit wont damage an amp, thats silly, stupidest thing ive heard,

thank you

1

I don't think it's a very good idea. Why would they make BASS AMPS if it was just fine and dandy to run a bass through a guitar amp? Anyone who thinks just the speakers would be affected is a moron. The amp DOES know the difference because it's not like it doesn't quot;transportquot; the frequencies from the bass and its pickups THROUGH TO THE SPEAKER. If guitar amps could talk I'm sure they would tell you that they can feel the difference between a bass and a guitar, that's like HEARING the difference between a bass and tenor in real life.

Long story short buddy, only use the bass through a bass amp because you never know what could happen. And I trust The Chris's experience on this.


Originally Posted by Metalman_666I don't think it's a very good idea. Why would they make BASS AMPS if it was just fine and dandy to run a bass through a guitar amp? Anyone who thinks just the speakers would be affected is a moron. The amp DOES know the difference because it's not like it doesn't quot;transportquot; the frequencies from the bass and its pickups THROUGH TO THE SPEAKER. If guitar amps could talk I'm sure they would tell you that they can feel the difference between a bass and a guitar, that's like HEARING the difference between a bass and tenor in real life.

Long story short buddy, only use the bass through a bass amp because you never know what could happen. And I trust The Chris's experience on this.

idiot

Many people have used guitaramps for bass, and bass amps for guitar, a bass guitar simply sends a small electrical signal into the amp which then eventually pushes it out into the speakers, only the frequency range of the speaker will effect whether it can handle bass or not. bass amps are made because thier designed to sound better with bass and guitar amps designed to sound better with guitars, theres no rule, just make sure if you are going to use a guitar amp that you use a cab designed for bass.