Playing bass at LOW volume through a guitar amp

[garrettendi]

As part of my getting back into the studio, I have MODO Bass 2 CS which works great, got a bass wah and amp in the Tukan Studio Bass Station S2 plugin in Reaper and it sounds great, but I'd like when playing around with it in the MIDI keyboard to connect my Vox AC-1 RhythmVox battery amp's aux in to the headphone out of my laptop at relatively low volume just to play around. This worked great for my piano VST.

When I say, "low" I basically mean a comfortable listening volume, definitely nothing approaching "loud", if that makes sense.

I get the impression low volume bass won't hurt the speakers in the amp, and I've used the aux-in to listen to fairly loud music (I particularly like nu-metal/rap-metal when doing the dishes ) and it's not broken anything yet. Am I correct?

[BigRedX]

At low volumes you should be fine.

For several years the only amp I owned was a Carlsbro Wasp 10W practice amp that I used for both guitar and bass. I even used it live, mic'ing up the speaker and going through the PA. However I did prefer a quite trebly sound and play in a Peter Hook style when I did my bass parts.

[adrian_k]

All I can say is I’ve used a guitar amp at rehearsal for playing bass on several occasions with no ill effects. This is using a clean channel, playing with keyboard, acoustic guitar, amplified vocal. So not super low volume but you could hear conversation above it.

[Wonks]

There is a bass version of the AC1RV, which looks exactly the same and has the same 3" speakers in it. Only difference appears to be a bright switch instead of an overdrive switch. The tone knob might have a slightly different roll-off to it, but probably not.

[Wonks]

All I can say is I’ve used a guitar amp at rehearsal for playing bass on several occasions with no ill effects. This is using a clean channel, playing with keyboard, acoustic guitar, amplified vocal. So not super low volume but you could hear conversation above it.

This is a 1W practice amp with two 3" speakers, so unlikely to reach even quiet rehearsal levels!

[garrettendi]

All I can say is I’ve used a guitar amp at rehearsal for playing bass on several occasions with no ill effects. This is using a clean channel, playing with keyboard, acoustic guitar, amplified vocal. So not super low volume but you could hear conversation above it.

This is a 1W practice amp with two 3" speakers, so unlikely to reach even quiet rehearsal levels!

Yes, I used it at Mrs Endi's Christmas photoshoots last year for background music and it failed to fill the whole scout hut! I only want to use it as an alternative to on-board laptop speakers.

As an aside by the way, this is not for serious studio stuff. Just for when I want to play with the virtual bass guitar.

[adrian_k]

All I can say is I’ve used a guitar amp at rehearsal for playing bass on several occasions with no ill effects. This is using a clean channel, playing with keyboard, acoustic guitar, amplified vocal. So not super low volume but you could hear conversation above it.

This is a 1W practice amp with two 3" speakers, so unlikely to reach even quiet rehearsal levels!

Ah! Mine was a 5W amp battery amp so a bit louder. Depending on how power is being specified by the manufacturer

Edit: might been used in 10 watt mode

[Wonks]

If you are in any doubt, stick the virtual bass through a gentle high-pass filter to roll off the very low bass end a bit.

[ef37a]

You'll be fine G, I have just looked at a dozen 3" speakers and can find none rated at less than 3W. The average, "honest" rating is 5W with one at 200W!
I do not believe that!

The Vox has two speakers and just 1W "rms" output so go for it. Gently

Dave.

[garrettendi]

Cheers, everyone!