I decided to buy a bass guitar so I did. However, I know nothing about instrument cabinets, amplifiers, nor bass guitars. I played an acoustic guitar around 4 decades ago and I can blow into a harmonica. So that is the extent of my instrumentation.
I have built some Class D stereo amplifier boards from Ebay. I also built a Class D amplifier kit from Class D Audio. I have built stereo speakers closed and open baffles. I do not have nor understand technical electronic jargon. I can solder wires and sweat a copper water line together. Building a Tube amp would be far out of my wheelhouse. Putting together a Class D amplifier board would not.
I am an excellent woodworker and retired shop teacher.
My last hifi stereo build was a little tube preamp board off ebay into an amp board also off ebay to my open baffle speakers built from Eminence speakers and various crossovers. So that is my background and expertise which actually would fit into a nutshell.
The default switch in my brain is always, can I build that, should I build that, or I should build that or is it even worth the effort. I love projects and don't mind learning. I am also getting to the age where the easy way out sometimes looks good as well.
So I am thinking about trying to build a speaker cabinet using an Eminence 15 bass speaker and Eminence design plans. Beer with me here. Can I just build the cabinet, insulate it, add the speaker, put speaker jacks on the back and call it done? Meaning no crossovers or special electronics beyond the speaker, box, and jacks.
I thought I might build the speaker cabinet then drive it with a BEHRINGER ULTRABASS BXD3000H
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008O516JM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_16?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
OR..................
I thought I might build an amplifier. the reason I am thinking of building an amplifier board would be to get a tube preamp for it and perhaps get some decent tube sound. Soooooo............
Can I use a Class D amplifier such as IRS2092 Mono Digital Amplifier Board 2.0 Audio Class D (DC power supply ) 350W off of Ebay as the power amplifier and add Amplifier Passive Tone Board Bass Treble Volume Control Pre-amplifier Board Kit also from Ebay?
IRS2092 Mono Digital Amplifier Board 2.0 Audio Class D (DC power supply ) 350W | eBay
Amplifier Passive Tone Board Bass Treble Volume Control Pre-amplifier Board Kits | eBay
Could I use a 6N1 Tube Tone Volume Control Preamplifier Board as a preamplifier to get a tube sound then run it into the IRS2092?
6N1 Tube Tone Volume Control Preamplifier Board | eBay
And last but not least, my other consideration is just to bag the build for a while and just buy an amplified cabinet such as the
Hartke HD50 Bass Combo and call it a day.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I35ZBIU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Frankly, I don't know if my feet are on the ground or my head in the sky on this. I am not sure if a little bit of knowledge of building stereo gear applies at all to bass guitar gear.
OK guys, can you shape these various nefarious ideas into some kind of usable form for me without directing me over the abyss?
I have built some Class D stereo amplifier boards from Ebay. I also built a Class D amplifier kit from Class D Audio. I have built stereo speakers closed and open baffles. I do not have nor understand technical electronic jargon. I can solder wires and sweat a copper water line together. Building a Tube amp would be far out of my wheelhouse. Putting together a Class D amplifier board would not.
I am an excellent woodworker and retired shop teacher.
My last hifi stereo build was a little tube preamp board off ebay into an amp board also off ebay to my open baffle speakers built from Eminence speakers and various crossovers. So that is my background and expertise which actually would fit into a nutshell.
The default switch in my brain is always, can I build that, should I build that, or I should build that or is it even worth the effort. I love projects and don't mind learning. I am also getting to the age where the easy way out sometimes looks good as well.
So I am thinking about trying to build a speaker cabinet using an Eminence 15 bass speaker and Eminence design plans. Beer with me here. Can I just build the cabinet, insulate it, add the speaker, put speaker jacks on the back and call it done? Meaning no crossovers or special electronics beyond the speaker, box, and jacks.
I thought I might build the speaker cabinet then drive it with a BEHRINGER ULTRABASS BXD3000H
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008O516JM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_16?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
OR..................
I thought I might build an amplifier. the reason I am thinking of building an amplifier board would be to get a tube preamp for it and perhaps get some decent tube sound. Soooooo............
Can I use a Class D amplifier such as IRS2092 Mono Digital Amplifier Board 2.0 Audio Class D (DC power supply ) 350W off of Ebay as the power amplifier and add Amplifier Passive Tone Board Bass Treble Volume Control Pre-amplifier Board Kit also from Ebay?
IRS2092 Mono Digital Amplifier Board 2.0 Audio Class D (DC power supply ) 350W | eBay
Amplifier Passive Tone Board Bass Treble Volume Control Pre-amplifier Board Kits | eBay
Could I use a 6N1 Tube Tone Volume Control Preamplifier Board as a preamplifier to get a tube sound then run it into the IRS2092?
6N1 Tube Tone Volume Control Preamplifier Board | eBay
And last but not least, my other consideration is just to bag the build for a while and just buy an amplified cabinet such as the
Hartke HD50 Bass Combo and call it a day.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I35ZBIU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Frankly, I don't know if my feet are on the ground or my head in the sky on this. I am not sure if a little bit of knowledge of building stereo gear applies at all to bass guitar gear.
OK guys, can you shape these various nefarious ideas into some kind of usable form for me without directing me over the abyss?
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You just bought a bass, and know nothing about it you say. I think I might just get a commercial amp and speaker or a combo, for at least six months to play and get used to the instrument. That will give you an idea what you like and dislike about the gear.
Go to a music store and audition some amps and speakers. That Hartke is pretty much a practice amp, low in power and the single 10" in a small box will not have a deep bottom fullness.
If you want a project, great. Building your own rarely saves money though Me, for bass I want at least a 15" speaker or two, or four 10" in a cab. Or a 1x15 and a 2x10. Power is not so much about loudness as it is effortless smooth bottom end. Think of it like towing a trailer down the highway. Both a tiny Datsun, and a large Chevy Suburban SUV can tow it along, but one will purr along, while the other works its little heart out to keep up.
Go to a music store and audition some amps and speakers. That Hartke is pretty much a practice amp, low in power and the single 10" in a small box will not have a deep bottom fullness.
If you want a project, great. Building your own rarely saves money though Me, for bass I want at least a 15" speaker or two, or four 10" in a cab. Or a 1x15 and a 2x10. Power is not so much about loudness as it is effortless smooth bottom end. Think of it like towing a trailer down the highway. Both a tiny Datsun, and a large Chevy Suburban SUV can tow it along, but one will purr along, while the other works its little heart out to keep up.
Maybe
You are probably right. I noticed the Ampeg combos come with a 100 dollar rebate on Amazon. That might be a deal breaker. I could also pick something up off craigslist to get going.
You are probably right. I noticed the Ampeg combos come with a 100 dollar rebate on Amazon. That might be a deal breaker. I could also pick something up off craigslist to get going.
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I practice music more than I build. You need something to build up your music hand skills; some used amp is a great start. You can learn songs while you plan your next move.
Then you know how your electronics project needs to exceed your craigslist bargain. I like how bass notes sound through 15" speakers. But I wouldn't want to tote my big heavy speakers to house practice sessions. I play piano and organ: the H100 has nice electric bass simulation on 15" driver, at a cost of a 300 lb enclosure.
Then you know how your electronics project needs to exceed your craigslist bargain. I like how bass notes sound through 15" speakers. But I wouldn't want to tote my big heavy speakers to house practice sessions. I play piano and organ: the H100 has nice electric bass simulation on 15" driver, at a cost of a 300 lb enclosure.
If you are going to get a used amp, I like the Craigslist idea because it's try before you buy. Don't meet them somewhere; insist on an audition of the amp. And you usually get a better amp for the price. Here in the Minneapolis area at least, a comparable amp on CL is cheaper than Ebay or Amazon, so you can get a decent amp to see if bass is really what you want to play. As Indianajo said, practice, get better and see if this is your thing or not. If not, you don't have a lot invested.
And if after a trial period you discover the bass is not your thing, a used commercial amp is a lot easier to sell and recoup the expense than some home made thing.
Yes, you can just put the Eminence driver in a box with no crossover. The Eminence box plans are decent and they make drivers that are specifically designed for bass guitar.
Keep practizing!
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