The "guitar through a bass amp" thread.

Discö Rice · February 09, 2011, 04:21:17 PM

So I was curious - If I had an SVT-4 Pro, could I run a guitar preamp through that thing's 1200 watt power section and play a guitar through it? If so, would it sound good?

Also, I know Verellen, Fender, and Orange make amps that are designed for both. If you know of another, please post it here.

Discö Rice · February 09, 2011, 04:37:04 PM

Where would you connect the preamp? Power in?

Lumpy · February 09, 2011, 05:47:55 PM

It's already got a preamp.

You should try it, as-is (if possible) - it might need some EQ help. Any tonal adjustments you need to make, you can make using pedals. Don't blow your speakers!

QuoteWhere would you connect the preamp? Power in?

Good guess... The manual is almost certainly available online. That might tell you.

Discö Rice · February 09, 2011, 05:59:30 PM

I know it has a preamp, I was just thinking for the sake of voicing a guitar preamp might be necessary. The speakers would be an issue for sure. I see outputs for up to four cabs, but even if that split it 300 per cab, I can't think of many that could handle that much juice.

Discö Rice · February 09, 2011, 06:03:23 PM

Actually that might be a good use for my Daddy-O - boost and EQ.

Lumpy · February 09, 2011, 06:50:35 PM

I think you could be okay with that amp - easier to remove 'too much' bass, than to add it if it's not there. Will it be capable of 'sweet vintage toanz'... probably not. It will probably sound pretty burly though.

I've seen James Plotkin play guitar through an Ampeg hybrid head (B2 maybe?) and an 8x10. It sounded thick. (Just him and a drummer, so you could really hear the tone).

(stupid spelling...)

Discö Rice · February 09, 2011, 07:00:31 PM

I know this guy plays through an 8x10 and a SS bass amp. sounds gnarly.

spookstrickland · February 09, 2011, 08:33:02 PM

If you play a Big Muff you can't go wrong with just about any bass amp. I run mine through a old peavey markIII and it's huge! Not for everyone but for some it's Tits!

zachoff · February 09, 2011, 09:13:18 PM

Not sure about an SVT, but my Fender Bassman 135 and Earth Super Bass both sound good with guitar. I don't have the Fender anymore, but Rowdy used my Earth at practice the other night and it worked pretty well.

peyotepeddler · February 09, 2011, 11:31:38 PM

oh man, this was bound to pop up ha ha

been playing geetar through a svt for around 14 years now, no issues what so ever, plenty of headroom on tap for lower tunings, eq section is great for mids of all flavors, thank you switchable mids \m/

you have a point with the wattage of that amp, looks like you could go 300x2 8ohm mono, with the appropriate cabs, but its also ss so you won't be going for tube saturation, so stay mindful of the volume knob ha ha, and school yourself on what frequency(ies) the bass knob controls, for instance my svt boost at 45hz, so i have it turned counter clockwise all the way, screw that:)

Discö Rice · February 10, 2011, 12:36:59 AM

Quote from: peyotepeddler on February 09, 2011, 11:31:38 PM
oh man, this was bound to pop up ha ha

been playing geetar through a svt for around 14 years now, no issues what so ever, plenty of headroom on tap for lower tunings, eq section is great for mids of all flavors, thank you switchable mids \m/

you have a point with the wattage of that amp, looks like you could go 300x2 8ohm mono, with the appropriate cabs, but its also ss so you won't be going for tube saturation, so stay mindful of the volume knob ha ha, and school yourself on what frequency(ies) the bass knob controls, for instance my svt boost at 45hz, so i have it turned counter clockwise all the way, screw that:)

So which amp are you using specifically, and which cabs? It's kinda sounding like I should just get a Bass VI and run this amp through an 8x10 (and maybe an 18). Heh.

peyotepeddler · February 10, 2011, 03:39:56 PM

i've got a svt classic, 300 watts courtesy of 6 6550's

played through one boogie traditional(not the over sized rectifier version)4x12 with v30's

i was on a mission to get a 2x15 to compliment it, but i love the sound i have so much with the cab when the time comes i'll just get another one

justinhedrick · February 10, 2011, 04:28:53 PM

i wouldn't think you'd have any problem running a pre-amp into this: wouldn't it just be like running a pre amp into a dedicated solid state power amp? unless i'm missing something?

i saw a clip of a band where the guitar player talks about his rig and it is was a travis bean guitar into a wah pedal set all the way open into a bass head (solid state) into 2 cab: one was the horn cabinet that peavey sold in the 70s with like 16 tweeters in it, the other was just a 4x12. the sound was pretty insane. anyone know what i'm talking about?

blackkrosses · February 10, 2011, 04:41:20 PM

Quote from: Discö Rice on February 09, 2011, 07:00:31 PM
I know this guy plays through an 8x10 and a SS bass amp. sounds gnarly.

0:46 - I see a plexi.

Discö Rice · February 10, 2011, 06:11:12 PM

That can't be what he's running through that 8x10.

blackkrosses · February 10, 2011, 06:53:42 PM

Naw, it's on top of a 4x12. Most likely a stereo rig. Looked like a rack set atop the 8x10. Not dissing the band but what is stopping the singer from nutting up and putting down a fuggin' bass line?

Lumpy · February 10, 2011, 07:30:35 PM

Guitar player does have a stereo rig, based on what I saw (live show maybe about 4-5 years ago?)

peyotepeddler · February 10, 2011, 11:01:56 PM

Quote from: blackkrosses on February 10, 2011, 04:41:20 PM
Quote from: Discö Rice on February 09, 2011, 07:00:31 PM
I know this guy plays through an 8x10 and a SS bass amp. sounds gnarly.

0:46 - I see a plexi.

forgot to mention that earlier, i saw the half stack also, i was thinking he sent that signal to the bass rig

Discö Rice · February 11, 2011, 11:33:27 AM

I don't think the plexi has the kind of power needed to push that 8x10. It'd have to be a stereo rig.

VOLVO))) · February 11, 2011, 11:52:30 AM

Oh, it does... I push an 8x10 with a beta lead, I've also pushed one with my JCM800. Sounds like god on earth. It just isn't SUPER loud.

eyeprod · February 11, 2011, 12:07:56 PM

yeah, a 100w tube head has plenty of guts to push an 8x10. I've done it with my v4 plenty of times and it sounds like thunder. Agreed that it isn't super loud, but it is loud.

hayseed · February 11, 2011, 12:33:43 PM

I used a Crate Stealth to push a 9x10 many many moons ago! Its sounded great btw and was plenty loud for all of our gigs at the time.

Discö Rice · February 11, 2011, 12:39:32 PM

I stand corrected.

Lumpy · February 11, 2011, 05:20:54 PM

I'm surprised more people aren't doing this (using bass heads)... the V4 is obviously popular (popular? people are playing guitar through it). So why not a Traynor YBA, Peavey VB-2 (both have over 200 watts and can be found for 500 dollars used) or older amps like a Fender Bassman 100 or 135 (clean but you're adding fuzz anyway, right?). More power and less expensive than guitar amps. I have an Earth Super Bass (B2000) which I use, it needs some midrange boosting, but sounds thick.

Who's going to be the first one to blow eardrums playing guitar through a Peavey VB2 or Traynor YBA?

Discö Rice · February 11, 2011, 05:55:18 PM

vb-2 900 brand new. used is the way to go.