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Amp for Bass and Keys?


Bob O'Brian

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I primarily play bass in my band but over the past year have started to use a stage piano more and more, probably on about a quarter of our set these days. The piano goes through the PA (1200w mixer amp with one 15" sub and two 12" tops) and I tend to struggle to get enough bass from it.

My bass goes through a Markbass 12" combo.

I've been thinking about adding a 15" cab to the bass amp to get a bit more thump, but it crossed my mind that I should be spending my money on something that'll benefit the keys too. So I had two thoughts:

 

- Use the two inputs (XLR and jack) on my bass amp for the two instruments, running the combo plus an extension cab.

 

- Spend the money on another sub for the PA instead.

 

Thoughts?

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I primarily play bass in my band but over the past year have started to use a stage piano more and more, probably on about a quarter of our set these days. The piano goes through the PA (1200w mixer amp with one 15" sub and two 12" tops) and I tend to struggle to get enough bass from it.

My bass goes through a Markbass 12" combo.

I've been thinking about adding a 15" cab to the bass amp to get a bit more thump, but it crossed my mind that I should be spending my money on something that'll benefit the keys too. So I had two thoughts:


- Use the two inputs (XLR and jack) on my bass amp for the two instruments, running the combo plus an extension cab.


- Spend the money on another sub for the PA instead.


Thoughts?

 

It kinda depends... What do you mean by your not getting enough bass from it? You can't personally hear enough bass? Then go with your bass rig and/or monitor mix... The audience isnt getting enough bass... Go with the sub for the PA.

 

:cool:

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I'd invest in the PA.

 

A few years back when I needed my cabs to pull double duty, I found Acme bass cabs. They were fantastic as stage/rehearsal monitors for both keys and bass. However, if your band could use a better PA setup, I expect that's the best investment.

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Hmmm, what I really meant was, using my existing amp (Markbass CMD121p combo), is it worth trying to use its two inputs for the two instruments? And if so, will this affect my choice of extension cab? Or should I spend the extension cab money on the PA?

 

Actually that last choice is a bit unrealistic; I run a monitor off one side of my PA and the 4 ohm sub + tops off the other. The money I could set aside for the bass extension speaker will no way in hell cover a second (active) sub for the PA. Unless I get a powered monitor and a passive sub which could be marginally cheaper. Hmm.

 

The extra rumble that I'm after is more of an on-stage thing. The bass can be heard just fine out in the room but the drummer loves feeling the bass through the stage. The 12" Markbass sits up on a table so just doesn;t rock his world.

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The markbass combo shbould be excellent for keys too. Perhaps get another one and then you can run stereo for keys and bass. Stereo will most benefit the keys. Add second cab if thats your pref, but Id go for 2nd markbass stereo rig.

 

Yeah I hope it'll work for keys. Can't tell at the mo cos it's away for repair :(

Unfortunately a second one would be totally out of the question, I bought mine a couple of years ago when the Euro was weaker; they now retail at

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