Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

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Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by jimi »

Hi,

Its been a few years since I sold my bass rig, but I still have my Jazz bass and was thinking about taking it along for a jam, but no amp.

I do have a couple of powered PA speakers though and figure I could run the bass into one of those, should be loud enough for a casual jam. They only have balanced inputs though, so do I need some sort of DI box in between? Is that what a Sansamp does? (never had one) Is it worth getting something with a bit of amp stuff on there too? Are there any good budget options - Joyo or whatever for that? Or anyone here got something to flick?


Cheers!

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Conway »

Sansamp, Ampeg and EHX do bass DI boxes with EQ and drive.

I looked into it when I got the Ash bass from you.
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by jimi »

mmhmm... bass selling regret. Still haven't actually gone out and played any bass yet, so will wait till I have before plotting how to buy that back off you.


Looking at the tard this looks the closest https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrum ... e13ac1-005

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Conway »

To be honest after initially playing around with it, it’s just sat in the case. I had grand schemes of recording and getting one of those bass DI boxes for the job but that hasn’t eventuated... so you’re welcome to buy it back.
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Conway »

That pedal thing looks pretty handy. You should give it a try!
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by TmcB »

If you’re doing the bass pedal thing, get this https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 2641304194

I go direct into the board for every gig so I have amp sim things out the wazoo to make it sound good through PA speakers
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by jeremyb »

Budget option, Joyo American sound and a DI box, that's my setup for recording but equally good for live uses! Plenty of demos on the tube :)
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by TmcB »

jeremyb wrote:Budget option, Joyo American sound and a DI box, that's my setup for recording but equally good for live uses! Plenty of demos on the tube :)
Yeah, I endorse this - the Joyo is great on bass
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Kris »

i blew up the tweeter in one of my pa speakers playing bass thru it (helix as preamp).Totally sucked for rehearsals but is fine for dithering around at home.
I'd disconnect the horn for obvs reasons.PA speakers arent the best but it will do the job,bonus of full range speakers is it will be helped from some nursing via IR's/cab sim

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Kris »

Sorry,just ACTUALLY read the OP.Powered speakers......what model? i also had a mackie thump,and that was a bit naff as well.It did the job but not well.

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by jimi »

Pair of Proel TPR-15A 320w that I got off Grant in a tardme bargain of the year. They’re Proper scare the neighbours loud and solid.

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Bg »

Kris wrote:i blew up the tweeter in one of my pa speakers playing bass thru it (helix as preamp).Totally sucked for rehearsals but is fine for dithering around at home.
I'd disconnect the horn for obvs reasons.PA speakers arent the best but it will do the job,bonus of full range speakers is it will be helped from some nursing via IR's/cab sim
WTF happened to blow a tweeter with a bass?

I blew both of mine in the Headrush frfr's but that was a random blast of white noise from the helix - that fucked them good and proper. But Bass should be nowhere near the tweeter if the crossover is working?

I'm not doubting you just surprised is all :)
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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Kris »

yeah i was surprised too,prob as i was running a guitar cab and a bass cab in the helix smashing all sorts of distorted noise.And the pa cabs were phonics- 2x15's but still the cheapest brand no longer carried by retailers.(i should fact check that eh)

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Bg »

Kris wrote:yeah i was surprised too,prob as i was running a guitar cab and a bass cab in the helix smashing all sorts of distorted noise.And the pa cabs were phonics- 2x15's but still the cheapest brand no longer carried by retailers.(i should fact check that eh)
yeah, that would probably be it :lol: they don't make gear to last nowadays.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Bass guitar through a PA speaker?

Post by Bg »

so I think we can assume, bass into PA won't usually cause a problem ;)
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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