Time for a new amp?

I am often asked for advice buying a bass amp. Although there are many resources online and elsewhere, I'll throw in my thoughts on the subject. We hope to obtain valuable information.

First you need to consider the budget. This problem can greatly impact on your purchases.

You need a better amp soon, or it can wait a while 'until you can afford what you want?

Portability – Transport and mobility areimportant factors to consider. I prefer to take smaller and lighter items such as large, heavy objects, in contrast – been there, done. (If you have always roadies, portability is not a problem for you.)

Sound – This is a very important factor and depends on kinds of styles and techniques that you play. If you have found your (current) sounds like, then check what equipment to use the bass player. Remember, however, as Jaco said: "The sound is, in myMani. "

Solid state, tubes (valves) or a combination of these and other technologies?
The forms are pre-amp your sound and a stand-alone unit. It can also be integrated with an amplifier and / or a speaker. The latter is usually a "combo" called.

Watt – This is a common misconception that the speakers should have more power amp much more than the RMS power. Often the bass player and inexperienced sellers believe that a 150W amplifier combined with 300W Speakeris a good combination, safe and powerful. It is not necessarily so.

Ohm – 150W 8 ohm amp running a 300W 8 ohm speakers run. 80W power – not because of the low. Bass requires freedom. When you press the volume and do not have the ability to distortion and speaker amplifier and damage can be.

My advice: how many watts is unreasonable Get Amp 500W – 800W is not. This also works with a 300W speaker cab to work. Why? Without being technical, here is aAnalogy: A large machine with a V8 engine is purring comfortably at 80MPH, while a small car is half the size of the engine much more difficult to work with the same speed. The loudspeaker is driven very hard with the amp is not small at all with the amp with more space, because the charge amplifier is pushed.

If you are not satisfied, go to your local music store, plug a speaker in a 50W and 500W amplifier to control the bass sound. Then connect an amplifier speaker 100W 1000Wto compare. (Now we're playing again.)

Also check out the sound of 8 ohm speakers, compared with 4 Ohm cabs as well as combinations approved by the manufacturer. As always, let your ears decide. I prefer the more saturated sound speakers 8 ohms.

combinations – EQ graphic equalizer, parametric, semi-parametric or a variety. What suits you? Usually the store employees are aware and supportive.

Compression – The most high-end bass amplifiers have a good compressor. ATouch of compression is not to be overlooked in your sound. All recordings have a degree of compression and the bass is to play a great resource for living. (All my classes are recorded with low compression. Have you noticed? If not, fine.)

If you separate preamplifier, amplifier and speakers Now, you can always combine. This is a great way to reach your final sound. You can try, tube / solid state amp combinations with the speakers and speaker boxes in various sizesand quality.

Many leaders now have the option of mixing tube and solid state preamp. Some do amp simulation (from well known and successful combinations) a. Sun can find out what works best.

My current setup (for the last 14 years) is a head with two 250W power amplifiers, as well as all other shbang DI output control, a good compressor, semi-parametric EQ, shelving (graphic) EQ, headphone jack, tuner and effects in / out and much more.And very important: a tube pre-amp. This makes the amp sound better as it warms. I have both amplifiers in a bridge circuit that gives me 600W RMS 350W RMS into a 2×10 cabinet with a horn attenuateable. The car can handle peaks of up to 800 watts.

A note on the speaker boxes – 2×10 has about the same size as the 1×15 speakers. Therefore, the 2×10 has a similar amount of deep bass as the 1×15, even better, faster, clearer answer, so it is good for 5-string bass.

Although theThe above information may, in depth, is not as deep. Many issues were not mentioned, and I suggest you continue your search.

Bass good luck!