Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

[TRex]

Hey guys, I currently have a Fender Gdec3 15w that I use for home practice and I'm currently waiting on parts for my P-Bass build.

I understand that a bass can destroy an speaker, so would it be best if I just use my ATH-M50S Headphones while using the bass?

And BTW, How come we don't see more broken amp stories from basses? Can they really do that much damage to a quality speaker?

I plan to buy a new amp at some point that will be able to play bass and guitar for my next amp (probably going tube), so this is just a temporary setup

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

Most of the time, you can use a guitar amp for a bass guitar. The eq controls may not be optimal. The preamp may not be designed to have enough headroom for clean playing. And using a guitar speaker in an open-back cab is just asking for trouble at any volume. The air in a closed-back acts as a cushion, keeping the cone from lethal over-excursions. Designers for bass speakers know how to meld their designs with the cabinet design to optimize frequency response and power handling.

One of the most successful guitar amps for bass was Fender's Dual Showman head into a 215 cab. Players would opt for the JBL D-140 bass speaker over the guitarists' favorite, the D-130. This is still a toneful rig, though advances in electronics and speaker designs have made it obsolete.

I would certainly try your headphones with your amp, but be aware that you can damage your headphones, or worse...your ears. Use caution. Better safe than deaf.

I can tell you that one of the best values you'll find in a modest bass amp is buying any one of the Peavey combo amps used. You can often find them for very little money, yet they are versatile and very reliable. Many models have built-in compression and a cross-over for bi-amping, and usable patch points. I have a Peavey Combo 300 from the late 1990's, and it has served me well.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Bill

 

[koshikas]

Re: Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

 

[TRex]

Re: Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

Most of the time, you can use a guitar amp for a bass guitar. The eq controls may not be optimal. The preamp may not be designed to have enough headroom for clean playing. And using a guitar speaker in an open-back cab is just asking for trouble at any volume. The air in a closed-back acts as a cushion, keeping the cone from lethal over-excursions. Designers for bass speakers know how to meld their designs with the cabinet design to optimize frequency response and power handling.

One of the most successful guitar amps for bass was Fender's Dual Showman head into a 215 cab. Players would opt for the JBL D-140 bass speaker over the guitarists' favorite, the D-130. This is still a toneful rig, though advances in electronics and speaker designs have made it obsolete.

I would certainly try your headphones with your amp, but be aware that you can damage your headphones, or worse...your ears. Use caution. Better safe than deaf.

I can tell you that one of the best values you'll find in a modest bass amp is buying any one of the Peavey combo amps used. You can often find them for very little money, yet they are versatile and very reliable. Many models have built-in compression and a cross-over for bi-amping, and usable patch points. I have a Peavey Combo 300 from the late 1990's, and it has served me well.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Bill

So basically, my current closed back speaker should be fine?

That was open back, so that's ruled out

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

Small Peavey bass amps abound on GC used

If your guitar amp is 15 watt
Then a thirty watt bass amp should be plenty

For practice
A ten or fifteen should be fine

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[TRex]

Re: Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

Small Peavey bass amps abound on GC used

If your guitar amp is 15 watt
Then a thirty watt bass amp should be plenty

For practice
A ten or fifteen should be fine

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VypyrVIP2

This was kinda what I was looking at for a new amp

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Using headphones to make my guitar amp a bass amp

That'd do it

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*