Bass amp combo with a guitar amp speaker

**ivo95** · 09-17-2016, 06:42 AM

I'm on a quest for a mellow,dark jazz tone and would love to get a polytone or something like that, but they are rare and overpriced in europe so... I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a bass amp lets say a Fender Rumble 40 and change the speaker for a eminence cannabis rex?? //not "if possible" more like "would it work, how would it sound"

any experiences?

**A440** · 09-17-2016, 07:17 AM

I'm sure it would sound good. I think there would be more problems if you were heading the other way, i.e. trying to adapt a guitar amp for bass use. A bass combo should at least give you a good frequency range to start off with.

**ivo95** · 09-17-2016, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the reply! I thought it would be possible, but if I'd change the bass speaker for a guitar speaker, would it still sound different (less treble, smoother) than a normal guitar amp? So if I understand correctly the bass amps circuit is actually "the thing" that makes the significant change in sound regardless of the speaker?

**Greentone** · 09-17-2016, 09:30 AM

FWIW, frequency response in bass and guitar amps is generally the same...at least in the electronics. Cabinet and speaker design differ...but not always.

Some iconic bass amps--Ampeg B15--are great guitar amps. Surprise, it was the basis for Tommy Gumina's solid-state update when he devised the MiniBrute. Works for bass or guitar.

I run a guitar speaker in an old Yamaha bass amp. Sounds fine for jazz guitar.

**MaxTwang** · 09-17-2016, 09:38 AM

Have you tried a bass amp with a bass speaker? Guitar speakers are usually better for high end chime, but that doesn't sound like what you're looking for. A bass amp with stock speaker might work for you.

**ivo95** · 09-17-2016, 11:33 AM

I haven't tried one yet, I hope it will be what I expect. I've got a Gibson 57 neck pickup in my archtop, might be a bit too bassy with it. But you don't know if you don't try.. If it won't be satisfying I'll just buy a guitar amp.. a bit off-topic, any suggestions on what SS amp to buy on a 400$ budget? For the cleans of course.. Roland Cube, DV Mark.. something used?

**A440** · 09-17-2016, 02:06 PM

MaxTwang - yes, I was going to say the same thing.
ivo95 - Amps which are aimed at guitar (electric rather than acoustic) often have a presence control to boost the high mids. Similarly, guitar speakers often have a stiffer edge to the cone which suppresses the bass (this is necessary for open-backed cabs) and a metal centre dome to boost the 'presence'. Basically, the more acoustic a guitar is, the more it will benefit from a smoother and wider frequency response from your amp/speaker setup.
I use both a Roland Cube 60 and a DV Mark, depending on the situation. The Cube really is a multi-purpose amp; the DV Mark is not as powerful but is smoother and has a good bass end, more suitable for an archtop - and it's so easy to carry!
Hope this helps.

**Jim Soloway** · 09-17-2016, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by ivo95

I haven't tried one yet, I hope it will be what I expect. I've got a Gibson 57 neck pickup in my archtop, might be a bit too bassy with it. But you don't know if you don't try.. If it won't be satisfying I'll just buy a guitar amp.. a bit off-topic, any suggestions on what SS amp to buy on a 400$ budget? For the cleans of course.. Roland Cube, DV Mark.. something used?

Check out an Gallien Krueger MB 112. $399 brand new. It's a bit bulky but it sounds great.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MB112-II

**pingu** · 09-17-2016, 07:23 PM

I've played through a few bass combos
They work great for me , clean , no dirt and a mellow
Warm type sound , yeah great...

If you want a bluesy edgy sound with a bit of hair
It won't work ...

Fender rumble is good bang for the buck

**ivo95** · 09-18-2016, 04:48 AM

Thanks everybody, any piece of advice is helpful. So first I'm gonna try a bass amp (Gallien Krueger, Fender Rumble.. I'll see what they have in store) just to get the idea of what it sounds like.. and if I like it, I'll buy it.. otherwise I'll get the DV Mark 12.. eatherway I'll let you know what I decide. Thanks again!

**Thumpalumpacus** · 09-18-2016, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by MaxTwang

Have you tried a bass amp with a bass speaker? Guitar speakers are usually better for high end chime, but that doesn't sound like what you're looking for. A bass amp with stock speaker might work for you.

At times in SoCal I did open-mics with a flat-topped acoustic, soundhole pickup, going into a Peavey bass amp with a 15" Black Widow bass speaker. Wasn't the best sound, but it was serviceable, and the fact that the amp had a 7-band GEQ helped shape tone and adjust to the room, too. The parametric mid-EQ was useful for zapping feedback.

**ivo95** · 09-19-2016, 09:32 AM

Hey guys, another option opened up.. might sound funny but here it goes.. So I've got a Sheraton that I'm selling for 300€(335US$) and I could trade it for a laney lc30 II (made in usa).. I know it's supposed to be a very bright amp, not what I was originaly looking for but still.. is it any good for jazz? maybe with some tweeking? wouldn't want to travel just to try it and return empty handed..

**rob taft** · 09-19-2016, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by ivo95

Thanks everybody, any piece of advice is helpful. So first I'm gonna try a bass amp (Gallien Krueger, Fender Rumble.. I'll see what they have in store) just to get the idea of what it sounds like.. and if I like it, I'll buy it.. otherwise I'll get the DV Mark 12.. eatherway I'll let you know what I decide. Thanks again!

ivo, I'm interested in your observations about the Fender Rumble. I have a Genz Benz Shenandoah cabinet 85 watt that has been empty since the amp fried (another company that Fender ruined). The Rumble will fit nicely in the same spot and I like the idea that it has an effects loop. Please post your findings. rob

**Headshot** · 09-20-2016, 11:20 PM

I have posted here many times...I run the new version Fender Rumble 100w with a 12" speaker, and I cannot find any faults. VERY light, you can change the character of the voice with the Vintage, Contour, and Bright buttons, and the Overdrive can give you a little hair if you want/need it. All you do is run your reverb unit of choice through the effects loop, and instant 20lbs of jazz amp heaven.

**A440** · 09-21-2016, 06:37 AM

Interesting advice Headshot. I'm also interested in the Fender Rumble. I work with a bass player who has the 200W version with 15" speaker; it looks so big and heavy, but when I lifted it up (with one hand) I just couldn't believe how light it was! I think the power ratings are a bit optimistic, but you certainly get a good sound out of that generously large cab. I'm going to try plugging my guitar into it, next time we meet up.

**agentsmith** · 09-21-2016, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Greentone

FWIW, frequency response in bass and guitar amps is generally the same...at least in the electronics. Cabinet and speaker design differ...but not always.

Tone controls are completely different on a bass and guitar. One of the reasons that many of the newer SS guitar amps don't sound guitaristic is that they share tone controls from the bass amps they also sell. You need the guitar treble control to be around 4-5k. Totally different tone stack in a bass amp.

**pingu** · 09-21-2016, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Headshot

I have posted here many times...I run the new version Fender Rumble 100w with a 12" speaker, and I cannot find any faults. VERY light, you can change the character of the voice with the Vintage, Contour, and Bright buttons, and the Overdrive can give you a little hair if you want/need it. All you do is run your reverb unit of choice through the effects loop, and instant 20lbs of jazz amp heaven.

Cheap too !

**pingu** · 09-21-2016, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

Tone controls are completely different on a bass and guitar. One of the reasons that many of the newer SS guitar amps don't sound guitaristic is that they share tone controls from the bass amps they also sell. You need the guitar treble control to be around 4-5k. Totally different tone stack in a bass amp.

Thats true agent .... although I don't find that to
Be an issue with the setup /sound I'm after
(Lam archtop ... Warm type sound)
Indeed I don't generally need to eq much at all

I believe there are a few players here
Going straight into a Rumble ,mb200 ,etc
bass head etc without missing the
Guitar type tone controls

So it can be ok

**medblues** · 09-21-2016, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

Tone controls are completely different on a bass and guitar. One of the reasons that many of the newer SS guitar amps don't sound guitaristic is that they share tone controls from the bass amps they also sell. You need the guitar treble control to be around 4-5k. Totally different tone stack in a bass amp.

for $1300 used this amp will cover that :-)

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-21-2016, 12:15 PM

Besides EQing, I've tried bass amps that are just "too clean" for guitar, to my tastes anyway. Of course, there are pedals to fix this!

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-21-2016, 12:16 PM

On lightweight rigs: I just weighed my newest rig. 88lbs.

**medblues** · 09-21-2016, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

On lightweight rigs: I just weighed my newest rig. 88lbs.

Yes, by the way that Phil Jones head weighs 41 lbs.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-21-2016, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by medblues

Yes, by the way that Phil Jones head weighs 41 lbs.

My new rig is a Music Man 112 RD Fifty upgraded to a EVM-12L speaker. Plus an oversized extension cabinet with a second EVM-12L speaker. Each unit weighs 44lbs. Just the two speakers weight close to 40lbs!

I didn't really need the extension cabinet today, but I've been hankering after one so that I could hook up to one of the cool new SS heads (Mambo or Quilter). A neo speaker may have been more in line with those lightweight class D amps, oh well...

Next purchase: folding dolly!

**iainduncan** · 03-05-2017, 02:17 PM

I just got a rumble 200 myself, I went looking for the 100 and came home with the 200, but I'm not positive on my decision. The 200 has a dedicated compression tweeter that you can turn on and off, and the option of running out to another cab, so I figured it would be better in the long run for both bass and guitar duties. But... the speaker is a 15" instead of a 12". I'm new to this amp stuff, are 15"s considered ok for archtops and clean sounds? I have a few axes to use through it, the shorts-cale squier bass, a cheapo Hondo 335 clone, and a Cort Yorktown archtop.

Pros so far on the rumble 200:
- tons of volume for the price, whoah!
- lifting looks like a magic trick. It's so light!
- tweeter
- you can add on a 2x10, 1x12, or 1x15 extra cab.

Cons vs 100:
- maybe the 15" speaker too bassy?
- bit bulkier
- $150 more (here in Canada where we overpay on American gear, less diff in the states)

Is there anything folks would recommend you run on your signal before the amp to improve such a rig? A tube pre or anything? I'm after the Kenny Burrell sound myself.

thanks!

**iainduncan** · 03-05-2017, 02:18 PM

BTW, in case people play keys too, my organist LOVES his rumble as the goto replacement when there wont be three people there who feel like lifting a leslie. ;-)