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Yes? No? Can it be done without damaging the amp?
And, actually, I'm not all that concerned if it will damage the amp. I would use my cheap starter amp that Santa brought me years ago when I started.
But here is why I want to know. My 10 year old grandson started on drums. But a couple years (and a divorce) later the drum kit got sold. And he, his father and his sisters moved in with us. So he hasn't pursued the drum lessons and he, completely out of the blue, has informed us he is interested in bass.
There is no room now, given the crowded living conditions, for a kit. I didn't pursue whether it was a legitimate option or not, but I suggested to him we just get a snare drum for now and he could continue lessons, working on timing and rhythms, etc. Maybe any drummers on here can tell me if that is even viable.
But he thought about that for a very short time and informed us, "No. I want to learn bass guitar".
So I have my little Yamaha GA-15 practice amp that I got with my Yamaha Pacifica when I started. I thought we could find a cheap starter bass for him to try out learning. Will the low frequencies of a bass damage it? At beginning learning volume levels I wouldn't think he would damage it.
Posted : August 18, 2020 11:11
Ron, if the amp is run at, say less than 50% output, and the bass on the amp is less than 50% you should be ok. It won't have that great bass tone but what the heck, he a beginner.
Depending on his size, you could try a short scale 30" bass and some extra light gauge strings to make it easy.
Posted : August 18, 2020 12:27
Tonyflora and matonanjin reacted
Topic starter
@clayton thanks. I didn't think about short scale. good idea.
Posted : August 18, 2020 16:10
I'm with Clayton - low volume and it should be ok.
Maybe consider one of these - https://amzn.to/3haYUxW
Posted : August 19, 2020 10:31
Clayton reacted
If this catches on and you do look for an amp, the old Fender BXR series (pre-rumble) was a very reliable and classic Fender tone circuit with both aux input and headphone jacks. I still use my 1998 BXR 25w for practice and recording. (Ms. Clayton does not care for me to fire up the 3000watt bridged QSC Amp driven SWR 410 and 15" Bertha cabs in the house. 🤨)
Now if you want ALL the Bass Tone and ability to use headphones out and an aux in for playing along with tracks, the AMPEG PREAMP pedal or similar SansAmp is the ticket. Now everybody in the house does not have to hear the bass practice.
How good a tone? I use the SansAmp RBBI driver on that monster rig mentioned above at live shows and recording (yes it has a nice DI output too), and the variety of tones are pro and addictive.
Posted : August 19, 2020 10:58