Create a booming sound and keep the groove with these amazing Bass amps
The bass guitar goes under-appreciated all too often, as many a music lover’s attention is drawn to a band’s flashy front man or woman, or the spectacle of a lead guitarist’s shredding solos. Yet the bassline is the backbone of almost any arrangement, driving the rhythm and providing the rich, deep tones to your favourite songs. The right bass amp can make all the difference in reaching your audience and adding depth to every performance. Achieve the best sound possible and define your personal music style with a wide selection of the best Bass Amps the market has to offer.
What is the difference between a bass amp and a guitar amp?
Despite often appearing very similar from the outside, there are typically a number of differences between bass amps and guitar amps. Bass amps will generally be larger, as they require bigger speakers to produce the deeper low-end tones of a bass guitar. Larger speakers also require more power, which is why bass amps tend to operate on a higher wattage in comparison to guitar amps.
Bass amps also tend to feature closed-back cabinets, which creates a better low-end sound than the open-backed design of many guitar amps. Furthermore, they will likely incorporate tone controls more suited to the purpose of a bass guitar, as opposed to those configured with a six string guitar in mind. Why would you want controls that focus on manipulating high-end treble frequencies when playing an instrument designed specifically for bass tones?
Can I play my bass guitar through a guitar amp?
Technically, yes—an amplifier is an amplifier, and will produce sound regardless of what instrument is connected to it. However it certainly isn’t always recommended, and one should exercise caution when experimenting in substituting a regular guitar amp for the bass guitar.
As previously noted, the low-end tones produced by a bass guitar require more power, and therefore put a greater strain on an amplifier’s speaker. When playing with an amp that is not designed to compensate for this increase, you may run the risk of causing permanent damage to the amplifier.
Many modern guitar amps do incorporate a high-pass filter that will remove lower frequencies—making it safer to play with a bass guitar. However, this feature is counter-productive to the desired effect in playing a low frequency instrument like the bass, and will ultimately result in a thinner, less appealing sound regardless.
Combo amps vs. head and cabinet amps
There are generally two different configurations of bass amps. In “combo amps” the amplifier and the speaker are incorporated together in a single unit. Conversely, in a head and cabinet setup, the amplifier and the speaker are separate components, with the head serving as the amplifier, while the speaker delivers the actual sound.
Head and cabinet setups offer greater freedom in customization, allowing guitarists to swap out components and mix-and-match different brands and speaker stack configurations. Combo amps are a better all-in-one solution that provide a bit more convenience in aspects such as setup and consistency, as well as mobility.
What is the best bass amp?
There is a vast selection of amazing bass amps available on the market from the biggest brands in guitars and amplifiers, such as Fender (with their incredibly popular “Bassman” line of amps), Peavey, Orange, and many more. Often choosing the best bass amp to suit your style simply comes down to personal preference.
Keep in mind that bass amps come in a variety of sizes and speaker configurations, so it can be important to consider the size of your venue when making a decision. A smaller, more economical bass amp may be more ideal for practicing in your bedroom or with your garage band in the suburbs, while you’ll likely want something larger with a bit more power to it for performing in noisy bars or larger auditoriums.