Why Bass Amps?

Mark Malnes · From: Washington, USA

Hi Gang,

Please tolerate a newbie question if you may. I've just purchased my first PSG from a post in the classifieds and I will be needing to choose an amp. I notice several people use bass amps and I'm just curious as to why? I've played acoustic 6 string for about ten years and have very little knowledge when it comes to amps. Somehow it seems counter-intuitive to me that you would play an instrument with very high frequencies through an amp (I assume) designed to produce very low tones. What am I missing?

Thanks,
Mark

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Two factors--

--bass amps are about total clean headroom. While some steel styles and preferences like some distorted hair, the industry standard has been high wattage low distortion amplification that can handle rich harmonic content without crapping out .

--it is something of a misconception to think of steel as a high whiny thing (I know you didn't say that--don't worry). When I was brand new to steel, my mind's ear believed it was all about twanging to the left of the spiky telecaster. It really isn't. Attenuation of the highest highs by a bass speaker actually enhances the sweetness of a steel. It is not about the high frequencies.

Mark Malnes · From: Washington, USA

Thanks Jon, that makes a lot of sense. I happen to have an existing ART SLA2 and I'm wondering if my dollars would be better used focusing on a quality pre-amp. So far I'm really enjoying this adventure.

Thanks again,
Mark

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

A lot of decisions involve factors such as how many pieces do you want to carry to gigs? But that Art ought to work very well with a nice pre (however I have no personal experience).

FWIW, a lot of people love this older unit for a pre, the Peavey Transtubefex. And it includes delay & reverb. Again, I have no personal experience but I've certainly heard steel through it.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=302437

Yes, going with a rack with separates is a perfectly viable option. Then you need to choose a speaker cab. And a speaker.
Then you will want to investigate a combo amp just because.
And then....

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Think about it - you almost never see a single pickup straight guitar with just a bridge pickup. Steels are all about highs because we have only a bridge pickup! Therefore, the bass amp can often offset the abundance of highs and sweeten the sound.

Downside is that they're usually big and heavy.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

WORTHY OF YOUR CONSIDERATION:

I had never used a bass amp before I bought the Carvin BX-500. It has EQ controls out the ying yang and you can shape your sound any way you like it. I used this as my main amp for about a year. Two years ago, I paid $319.00 new including shipping from Carvin. I think they are up to $350.00 or more now, but they do run sales and you may be surprised if you just call them and negotiate. They pop up on the forum for sale every once in a while.

This amp is 500 watts and only weighs 5.8 LB and is very small. It does not have any reverb, so you will have to go to a stomp box or rack mount unit for that.

I am now using a Quilter Steelaire in my rack, but I still have the Carvin in my rack as a back up. There has been a lot of posting on the EQ setting on these amps on the forum. They have a 12 AX7 tube in the pre-amp section and other useful features that are unbelievable at the price the amp sells for.

Also, you can't really go wrong with a Nashville 112.

David Cook · From: Florida, USA

I have the 500 Watt version with the 12AX7. I really like it with my Telonics 15 inch and my Shobud Professional.I like better than my Twin especially uo high on the neck.

Larry Lenhart · From: Ponca City, Oklahoma

I have been looking at the Carvin BX250 I believe it is called...I know nothing about electronics, but would I be able to use this amp and my Roland Cube80 as the speaker cabinet (the amp part of the cube80 is fried).
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Zum Encore, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90,1976 Ibanez L5, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Larry, Bx250 would work fine, I have one and I like it. I have tried several speakers with it and it sounded good. Carvin makes a nice matching 15" cabinet that would be great with it. Another option would be the Carvin MB250; it's the same amp, in a combo with a 15" speaker. Very light, about 32 lbs, sounds good too. I also have this amp. I won't leave out the BX500, an excellent amp too, I also have that one. I'm a big fan of the Carvin bass amps! If you want to use the Roland as a speaker cab, you will need to install a 1/4" jack on it's speaker to connect to amp head.

Larry Lenhart · From: Ponca City, Oklahoma

Thanks Bill, I am going to check out that MB250 combo...that sounds like it might be a good way to go...I have an analog delay that I could use with it..might be the ticket for me.
Bill I checked out your web page...very cool and interesting ! Nicely put together.
I am ordering the combo tomorrow ....thanks for the tip...for that price I dont see how I can possibly go wrong. I think it will sound good with my Emmons LLII Smile

Thanks again
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Zum Encore, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90,1976 Ibanez L5, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp

Mark Malnes · From: Washington, USA

Wow, I really want to thank everyone for all this great information. As someone band new to PSG, I'm quite thankful that there are so many great people on this forum willing to share their knowledge and offer their support and encouragement.

Thanks again,
Mark

Larry Lenhart · From: Ponca City, Oklahoma

Just following up that I really like my Carvin combo bass amp. It has a 15inch speaker and the whole thing only weight 31 pounds and only cost $370 and came with a cover...to my ears, it is the best amp I have tried for steel.
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Zum Encore, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90,1976 Ibanez L5, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Another thing that a LOT of modern bass amps have is some semi-parametric adjusts available in the mid-range, just like a "real" steel amp.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Larry, I thought you would like the Carvin MB15. It gives a huge degree of control of the mid frequencies. Try an extension cabinet with it, if you have one. It will add volume and, depending on the speaker, will have some effect on the sound too. The extension speaker needs to be 8 ohms. These are great amps at an excellent price.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Walter Woods.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

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