Amp For Guitar and Bass

[cc_mac]

I find myself in a new musical situation - a trio of guitar, vocals, and percussion. We are decidedly quiet but will most likely find ourselves playing out a little. I will be covering guitar (clean jazz electric and nylon string) and occasionally electric bass. Knowing that covering all the bases with one amp will be an exercise in compramise then it becomes a matter of what is the best compromise. Currently my only amp is a mid 90s Fender Blues Jr. I suspect there may be a better comparmise out there. Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks,
Chris

[Rob22315]

If you don't push it too hard, a good keyboard amp will work. Some folks on a budget have used the old Peavey KB-300 amps as do-everything amps. We used one for a couple of years as a drum amp, worked great. Had enough thump for real bass but enough treble for the high frequencies.

I don't know enough about what might be equivalent on the high end or boutique market to make a specific recommendation. Some modeling amps claim to do bass and guitar but the bass emulations usually aren't very good.

[feet]

something roland should be sufficient to sound mediocre (or better) at both through one box, like a cube or an jc series of some kind. i've used mine for acoustic/electric guitar, vocals and as a stereo with a phone or ipod. failing that, i suppose keyboard amps and possibly acoustic guitar amps might be good bets, though i have no real reason for thinking so.

[Rob22315]

Your other issue will be that you will likely need to get some pedals to emulate amp tone and add some delay, dirt, crunch, or od to your signal.

[marcwhy]

You didn't mention budget, etc. .... Acoustic Image would be good.

[Greentone]

I do the cover all bases gigs with a Polytone Mini Brute I I I or IV. They are great bass and guitar amps, pedal friendly, etc.

[cc_mac]

I have the pedals needed covered. Price to top out at US $500 US. I will most likely be buying used.

[Greentone]

A good 100 watt Mini Brute IV can be had second hand for about $400.

[Sproox]

Try Fender Bassman.

[Klatu]

You didn't mention budget, etc. .... Acoustic Image would be good.

I'm with Marc 100% and I'd like to add that Acoustic Image Amps are often cited on this forum as the ideal amp for reproducing acoustic archtop tones, but apparently the original intent of the manufacturer was to build the ultimate string bass amp. It seems as though the Clarus model has garnered many "best in class" accolades in both the jazz guitar and string bass communities.

I use and enjoy my Acoustic Image Clarus just as much as my Heritage tube amps for archtop guitar amplification.

[Greentone]

I would certainly choose the Clarus...budget permitting. Great amp for throw and go, guitar or bass, in its price range. If you have to work within a $500 tab, however, the go to throw and go bass/guitar amp for both archtop and string bass (I've been using it for over 20 years in that capacity) is still a second-hand Mini-Brute III/IV. I gigged with one this weekend. I have two and they are simply indestructible. YMMV.

[gary mitchell]

Check out the Carvin AG 100,200,300 its an acoustic amp they claim, you can play acoustic, electric, bass guitars and sing with a mic. I have heard good reviews on it also and has some effect's built in, plus can be put on speaker stand.I would like to have one myself just to have.

[Danny W.]

Some of the bass players around here use Acoustic Image combos, which is what I've been using for guitar for many years. They are probably over your budget, but you might be able to find an older-style (carpeted) Contra or Coda for not much over.

Danny W.

[Greentone]

Another old standby is the Gallien-Krueger MB150S. It's been around forever. There are about a zillion second-hand units available, and new units aren't that expensive. It is a super, small bass combo that doubles as a pedal friendly guitar amp. String bass works well through it.

[s1track3d]

I do the cover all bases gigs with a Polytone Mini Brute I I I or IV. They are great bass and guitar amps, pedal friendly, etc.

I also have a Polytone Mini Brute III, it's 100W and has a 15" speaker, sounds great on upright and pretty good with guitar. I got it used several years ago for under $300.

[cc_mac]

I really appreciate all of the input. The AI sounds like the deal but does seem out of my price range but I will look for used ones. Polytone got good marks above and the price seems within my range. I'll not rule out Roland and I'd forgotten completely about Gallen Kruger. I'll be trolling Craigslist in my area and see what pops up. Again, thank you all for your helpfulness and insights.

[Greentone]

The Polytone MiniBrute III will work well with guitar for rock and blues gigs, too. Here, my son and I are playing a university gig in which we are covering blues, rock, 50s rock and roll, funk, country, etc. I am using a 5e3 Deluxe I built with my Stratocaster. My son is playing my old Gibson L-6S Midnight Special through a MB III, using a Tube Screamer and a TC Electronics Ditto. He got a terrific sound. He also plays bass and Danelectro baritone guitar through that amp.

[Engine Swap]

+1 on the polytone recommendations.

I've been playing around with a first generation Gallien-Kreuger 400RB with some good results on guitar. Lots of tone flexibility and it has an effects loop if you're into that.

[nopedals]

Here is what I grab if I am playing bass and guitar:

Carvin.com : MB10 MICRO BASS AMP 10 INCH

Not a guitar amp, but you can EQ it for clean jazz, and/or put a pedal in front of it (which you can buy with the money you will have left over).

[Greentone]

Nopedals,

That will get the job done.

GT

[medblues]

Here is what I grab if I am playing bass and guitar:

Carvin.com : MB10 MICRO BASS AMP 10 INCH

Not a guitar amp, but you can EQ it for clean jazz, and/or put a pedal in front of it (which you can buy with the money you will have left over).

Do you mind sharing your EQ settings on the Micro Bass for clean jazz guitar ? Thanks in advance.

[nopedals]

> Do you mind sharing your EQ settings on the Micro Bass

I am probably the wrong guy to ask. There is way too much EQ for a simple guy like me. But here goes:

I start with everything flat, dim the tweeter, and roll back the tone control on the guitar. I would consider using the parametric EQ to solve a feedback issue, but otherwise stay flat. The drive control is misnamed, it it more like a presence control. Livens up the tone a bit. Set it for the sound you want. The contour is a mid scoop, dial it up for a fender blackface tone.

[Silentwiz]

I use the carvin mentioned above for this application

[cc_mac]

Here is what I grab if I am playing bass and guitar:

Carvin.com : MB10 MICRO BASS AMP 10 INCH

Not a guitar amp, but you can EQ it for clean jazz, and/or put a pedal in front of it (which you can buy with the money you will have left over).

That looks interesting and affordable not to mention very portable.

[nopedals]

Go with the country western vinyl; very cool looking. An upcharge when I bought mine, but no extra charge, now.