Choosing a Bass Amp
Playing bass guitar in a rock band can often be a thankless job. Thankless mostly, because bass players often go unheard beneath the screaming vocalists, the squealing lead guitarists, and the thunderous beatings of overzealous drummers. As a bass player, it is your right and responsibility to take your volume into your own hands. Allowing for enough volume, independent of PA amplification should be a primary concern. If included in the PA mix as well, so much the better, but an effort on your part to insure cut and volume is often a necessity.
The most important measure of volume for a bass player should be as compared to your fellow timekeeper, the drummer. The bassist and drummer can be viewed as a two-headed monster in a band, providing the integral rhythms upon which guitarists, vocalists, and keyboard players may build melodies and riffs. Drummer and bassist should have a nice mix between the two, allowing for clear articulation of the kick drum and of fingered bass strings in the lower registers. Bass players need much higher wattage than guitarists in order to produce a tight and cutting low end. As a rule, bass needs at least 150 watts to keep up with the 60 or so watts of a lead or rhythm guitarist and an un-miked drummer. If the drummer is amplified, another 50 to 100 watts is desirable to ensure your presence in the mix. The size of your speaker cabinet should be of special attention as well (Yes, size does matter!). A couple of 10 inch speakers are advantageous for their ability to carry the high end and provide the punch of trebles and mid-range frequencies. 10 inch speakers have less mass allowing their cones to move very quickly, providing punch and attack articulation. For low frequencies, especially the lower kilohertz provided by the B string on 5 and 6 string basses, a larger speaker should be considered. The larger amount of air that is moved by a 15 or 18 inch speaker will allow the large waves of the lowest frequencies to be heard and felt. A combination of both size speakers would be preferable, with many bass players opting for a couple of 10 inch and a 15 incher running in tandem to provide warmth and accuracy across the entire sound spectrum. Many bass cabinets also include a driver or horn that help provide well defined high frequencies by ensuring higher partials and overtones of notes cut through.
The best way to find the amplification you need is by trying all the many types and combinations that are made available at local music shops. Take your favorite bass down and play through a few setups and ask questions of the salespeople on hand. Local shops like Austin’s Strait Music Company stock all the major brands and have a friendly, knowledgeable staff that are willing to give you the straight low-down when comes to producing your deepest and baddest low end!
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of electric guitars and guitar accessories to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
The most important measure of volume for a bass player should be as compared to your fellow timekeeper, the drummer. The bassist and drummer can be viewed as a two-headed monster in a band, providing the integral rhythms upon which guitarists, vocalists, and keyboard players may build melodies and riffs. Drummer and bassist should have a nice mix between the two, allowing for clear articulation of the kick drum and of fingered bass strings in the lower registers. Bass players need much higher wattage than guitarists in order to produce a tight and cutting low end. As a rule, bass needs at least 150 watts to keep up with the 60 or so watts of a lead or rhythm guitarist and an un-miked drummer. If the drummer is amplified, another 50 to 100 watts is desirable to ensure your presence in the mix. The size of your speaker cabinet should be of special attention as well (Yes, size does matter!). A couple of 10 inch speakers are advantageous for their ability to carry the high end and provide the punch of trebles and mid-range frequencies. 10 inch speakers have less mass allowing their cones to move very quickly, providing punch and attack articulation. For low frequencies, especially the lower kilohertz provided by the B string on 5 and 6 string basses, a larger speaker should be considered. The larger amount of air that is moved by a 15 or 18 inch speaker will allow the large waves of the lowest frequencies to be heard and felt. A combination of both size speakers would be preferable, with many bass players opting for a couple of 10 inch and a 15 incher running in tandem to provide warmth and accuracy across the entire sound spectrum. Many bass cabinets also include a driver or horn that help provide well defined high frequencies by ensuring higher partials and overtones of notes cut through.
The best way to find the amplification you need is by trying all the many types and combinations that are made available at local music shops. Take your favorite bass down and play through a few setups and ask questions of the salespeople on hand. Local shops like Austin’s Strait Music Company stock all the major brands and have a friendly, knowledgeable staff that are willing to give you the straight low-down when comes to producing your deepest and baddest low end!
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of electric guitars and guitar accessories to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
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