Using Guitar Amps for Keys:

[meTrex]

OK, this must be a good example of a newbie question. I seek advise from some of you experianced ones.

Background:

I am a drummer building a sound studio that is in the "purchase equipment mode" right now.

The question...

I have recently aquired a Fender M80 Guitar Amp for a reasonable cost. For a non-tube amp, I am fairly happy with it's raw sound (considering my budget). However, I also have a Line 6 75 watt Spider II amp for my guitars. Being fairly reluctant to get rid of either amp....can I possibly use one for my keyboards? (midi melotron, Microkorg, Roland digital synth ect).

I am aware that I will not achieve the frequencies that the synths deliver and I am willing to compromise on sound, but will it hurt my guitar amps running keyboard signals through them? I worry they could get damaged and cannot afford burning equiptment out.

Any comments welcomed!

Thanks!

 

[noisewreck]

The only thing you'll need to concern yourself (other than sound) is that synths output line level signals while guitar amps expect a Hi-Z input. You could use a passive DI box in reverse or something like this to convert the signal into something that the amp expects.

Might actually sound cool, makes me think of some possibilities next time I get together with one of my geetarist friends.

[edit]... my 420th post! Too bad I've gone clean for the past several years now, or I'd roll a...

 

[Loyct]

Also, check the wattage and electrical signals before you do it.

I once lent my amp to another band for keys during an audition and the fuse blew.

 

[ericlingus]

I connect my Triton in the slave in or Aux in(I forget) on the back of my amp and it sounds fine and doesn't do any harm.

 

[meTrex]

Thanks alot for the advise everyone. This is enough to go with at this junction! Noisewreck.....I will look into a little box like that!

Take care for now!

 

[peritus]

Would the following work?

KEYS > this > this > this > AMP

 

[meTrex]

As a matter of fact....yes!!! A lower cost option!

Ya gotta love it....thanks! It is now good to know (thanks to you all) that I have some options.

 

[SKYflyer]

i put keys into many guitar amps with no extra devices/precautions and it works fine. That doesnt mean it's safe though, maybe i just got lucky hehe.

 

[meTrex]

ya, doesnt hurt if ya watch the old volume I suppose!

 

[Dani Pace]

The lower notes run a greater risk of doing damage to the speaker than to the amp, otherwise you shouldn't have a problem other than tonal response. A keyboard amp with extended bass will give you a much fuller sound.

 

[bendbones]

Isn't the spider one of those digital amp modelling systems?, in which case it probably has a decent speaker sim and a DI out. You may find it easier in some scenarios to use this to record your guitar tones, as opposed to micing up either...

Ben.