Bass through guitar amp?

[rocketman768]

Ok, so I have an Ibanez SRX-705 (active, humbucker) and I have been running it through a compressor and cab modeler out to a Marshall MG100DFX (100 Watt, 10in diameter cone) at volume 3 gain 5 for practice only. I usually run it through the PA's when the band plays. I told this to a guy in the music store, and he freaked out. He said that is the quickest way to blow the electronics "to hell and back" in the amp. I didn't really understand...the setup sounded awesome. He says the two guys that repair amps in the shop claim the low frequencies mess up the electronics or something.

I am not concerned about blowing the cone, since like I said, it's at pretty low volume, but I want to know the real scoop on the electronics. Is it true, or is it just an urban myth? Sounds like crap to me.

 

[KaBudokan]

I say it's crap too. Chris Squire from Yes used to say that he got his great bass tone in the studio by playing through guitar amps. The low frequencies aren't going to mess up the electronics...

 

[StudioMxpx]

i blew out my speakers on my fender stage 100 twice from playing a bass through it..so i dunno..i wouldnt tho

 

[ggunn]

Ok, so I have an Ibanez SRX-705 (active, humbucker) and I have been running it through a compressor and cab modeler out to a Marshall MG100DFX (100 Watt, 10in diameter cone) at volume 3 gain 5 for practice only. I usually run it through the PA's when the band plays. I told this to a guy in the music store, and he freaked out. He said that is the quickest way to blow the electronics "to hell and back" in the amp. I didn't really understand...the setup sounded awesome. He says the two guys that repair amps in the shop claim the low frequencies mess up the electronics or something.

I am not concerned about blowing the cone, since like I said, it's at pretty low volume, but I want to know the real scoop on the electronics. Is it true, or is it just an urban myth? Sounds like crap to me.

It's BS; the electronics will be just fine, and I doubt the techs said anything of the kind. I think it's probably a case of the clerk trying to sound like he knows what he is talking about when he really doesn't. You can, obviously, damage the speakers but as long as you keep the volume low enough to where you don't hear distortion or speaker slap, you'll most likely be OK.

 

[rocketman768]

Ok, you guys believe the same thing I do. Can anybody that maybe works on amps give me a yes or no, and a reason? I like details...

 

[ScreamingHead69]

It might wear your amp down in 10 years or so, but you're not about to blow your face off.

 

[danny.guitar]

I can see how playing a bass through a guitar amp might damage the speaker at high volumes, but I don't see how it could possibly damage the electronics.

 

[OhSh1rt]

At practice my bassist uses one of my guitar amps every time.


It works perfectly still.


-jeffrey

 

[ocnor]

Playing a bass through a guitar amp sounds like ass and there is a very good chance that you will blow the speaker. As far as causing damage to the electronics that is just a big steaming pile.

 

[rocketman768]

Playing a bass through a guitar amp sounds like ass and there is a very good chance that you will blow the speaker.

Did you even read my first post?

 

[Unsprung]

I'd bought my Fender AmpCan (when I was able to) after having played a Fender Standard Precision Bass through one...and the amp didn't even "complain." I thought, if this amp can handle a P-bass just fine, it'll be able to handle any guitar I throw at it.

Matt