Bass Amps
Bass amplifiers are used to amplify lower-pitched stringed instruments like the electric bass guitar. Using electric power to boost their volume for performers and audiences to hear clearly, these amps typically include preamplifiers, tone controls and power amps driving one or more speakers located inside a cabinet.
Bass amplifiers come in two main forms – either as standalone “amp heads” paired with speaker cabinets or combination units (combos), both offering pros and cons; gigging bassists may find that combos offer greater mobility without needing to match ohmage between amp head and speaker cabinet.
Basic bass amps amplify low-frequency vibration of strings to produce clean, crunch or overdrive tones; ideal for beginners. Many buskers who play for tips use battery-powered practice amps to learn their songs faster.
More complex basses require amplifiers with enough power to “drive” their speaker cones and produce rich, deep tones at higher volumes for extended periods without distortion. These types of bass amplifiers may use either tube (“thermionic”, in the UK “valves”) or solid state transistor technology or incorporate both technologies like combining a tube preamplifier and transistor power amp in one design.
Solid-state bass amps tend to be smaller, lighter and more reliable than their valve-powered counterparts; they can often be pushed further with pedalboards to produce natural overdrive if pushed too hard, though they typically don’t offer as much warmth and harmonic complexity as their valve cousins.
By the 1980s, bass music in rock and popular music had gradually evolved from rhythmic to melodic roles, giving birth to an entirely new breed of amps designed specifically to showcase bass guitar’s rich harmonic character. One such amp was the GP11 preamp which featured 11 graphic EQ bands spanning across wide frequencies which allowed massive amounts of tonal variation as adjacent frequencies were increased or decreased in tone.
Bass Guitars
Bass guitars are long, four-stringed instruments that perform a more subdued role in musical styles than their electric guitar counterparts. Basses provide rhythmic support while helping vocals and percussive elements stand out, and can even allow composers to craft melodies when properly utilized as song writing tools.
Basses work by transmitting electrical signals from their pickups to an amplifier. The pickups can either be passive, which send the signals without pre-amplification; or active, which allow bassists to select various options to customize their sound.
Many bassists favor passive systems for their basses, which offer more natural-sounding tones and may include blend controls to give more versatility in sound creation. Whatever kind of bass it may be, it is always essential to check that the neck and frets are in good condition and smooth; run your hand along its length regularly so notes don’t sound harsh or sharp.
Size-wise, basses come in both long-scale models and short-scale versions. A longer scale length provides increased string tension that creates more lively tapping and slapping sounds; conversely shorter scale lengths may be easier for smaller bassists to handle and often preferred by beginners.
No matter if you opt for new or pre-owned, it’s always wise to ask your dealer to demonstrate its workings and test for any potential issues with it. Furthermore, it may help if you discuss with your bassist mentor what style of music you intend to play as this will likely have a strong bearing on what techniques you learn on the instrument.
Used basses can be an economical and practical way to acquire high-quality instruments at an attractive price point. Not only can buying used allow you to save money, but buying secondhand also opens up access to vintage or rare models not typically sold new; in addition, purchasing used may give you access to instruments already broken-in through regular playing – or provide access to vintage instruments not otherwise available new.
Bass Amp Heads
Bass amp heads transform the electrical signal from a guitar into mechanical energy that drives a speaker cabinet, producing sound. Many bass amp heads include multiple equalization bands and tone controls so bassists can customize their sound to their specifications.
Bassists may utilize Direct Input (DI) boxes to send clean, preamplified signals directly into a PA system without using their amplifier’s speakers. DI boxes save bassists time between songs on stage while providing more precise frequency control by enabling them to cut or boost individual frequencies.
Solid-state bass amplifiers dominate today’s market, although some manufacturers produce tube-based models as well. Most amps require an AC mains power source; inexpensive practice amps may even incorporate their supply directly into their unit; for higher priced amps with standard 1/4″ speaker cables connecting head amp to speaker cab.
Different bass amp heads provide different levels of power to meet different performance needs and requirements. Wattage rating indicates how much power an amp can deliver to loads with specific impedance (measured in ohms); higher impedance levels mean more power can be delivered to load.
Many of the most popular bass amp heads feature an onboard effects loop for connecting external pedals such as distortion, chorus and delay effects. It connects directly to the power amp via an array of shunt and parallel transistors which act as switches and manage current flow within its circuit.
Some bass amps feature an inbuilt tuner and mute switch to prevent feedback when changing tuning between songs or when leaving the stage, as well as an often available reverb function for creating unique tones.
Bassists can find an assortment of amp cabinets to complement their amplifier heads. Some models are angled for easy transport of large combo amps between gigs; others feature rack mountable components, wheels and handles; stacking amps can make them even more visually appealing; whether that means stacking Marshall B-15 all-tube heads onto their signature angled cabinets, or stacking Slayer’s SVT stack.
Bass Amp Cabinets
Bass amp cabinets are the box enclosures that house speakers used to project your bass guitar’s sound out into the world. Sometimes this combination is known as a combo amp. Other times it may require two separate units connected by cabling; for instance, full stack and half stack amps.
A bass amplifier’s power amplifier serves as the engine that transforms low voltage audio signals into large ones to drive speaker cones. Next, preamping changes its shape and coloration in order to alter tonal characteristics (for instance making brighter or murkier sounds). Many bass amplifiers are tailored towards certain genres or styles of music such as funk rock jazz.
Once a signal leaves its source amplifier, it travels into speaker cabinets where it is projected through speakers. Size of these cabinets varies; one common format includes four 10″ speakers in a 4×10 cabinet format. Some horn-loaded cabinets offer higher frequencies and better clarity.
Most bass amplifiers feature two 1/4″ jacks on the back for connecting multiple speaker cabinets at once; when multiple cabinets are used simultaneously, their total resistance load is cut in half by wiring them parallel. Some amps also offer an auxillary in jack for connecting drum machines or keyboard basses for amplification as well.
Before plugging your amp and speakers in, it is crucial that you understand their setup. Have the specifications of both your bass head and cab handy, as well as high-quality cables (worth investing in!). Also keep in mind that mismatching amplifiers with cabinets should generally be avoided; for instance if you own an 8 ohm bass head don’t connect it to 16 ohm cabinets as this could damage both components – instead try mismatching with lower impedance cabs as this should keep both components from breaking. If necessary mismatching may need be avoided altogether if necessary then ideally stick with lower impedance models instead.