Converting guitar amp to bass amp

[Mark Le Comte]

Hi, a strange question. I have a cheap 2 12ax7 2 EL84 1x10 combo amp that I am thinking about converting for use for a bass practise amp.

Do I just need to change the speaker for a bass speaker and change some of the components in the tone stack, or is there more to it than that?

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

I've played bass through plenty of little 1x10 and 1x12 little guitar amps. You don't need to change anything. Just don't crank them up real loud and you'll be fine.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

+1 and if you do.......you won't be playing through it long! lol....

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

Thanks, I am a bit worried about the speaker. It is one of the little 10 inch greenbacks so does not handle a lot of power and was not that cheap.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

You're going to be using it for practice. There's really no need to be cranking it up loud enough to blow the speaker if you're just practicing anyways. You'll be fine.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

Well to do it you'd basically put in a bass speaker and change the 12ax7's to something like 12ay7's or maybe even something lower gain depending on how clean you like your bass tone, but other than that there's nothing you have to change. Even the tubes aren't necessary, it'd just clean it up more like bass amps usually are

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

^just the speaker, run an extension cab

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

I know this isn't the answer to your question, but why don't you just buy a cheap bass amp?

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

I know this isn't the answer to your question, but why don't you just buy a cheap bass amp?

Good point, and I am thinking about that too. Realistically, that is probably the value for money option, but I am keen experiment on amps.

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

but tube tone...

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Converting guitar amp to bass amp

Trawl Craiglist and the pawnshops for a Fender Musicmaster Bass combo. You might find a vendor who has no idea how much those fetch nowadays.