JTM45 for bass?

[johnnyreece]

So, I've recently picked up a gig playing bass with some local musicians. Being pretty new to the bass world, my gear is pretty limited. What I DO have is a JTM45 clone. Unfortunately, I have no suitable cabinet. Is it worth pairing a cabinet with this, or will it still not be gig-worthy? If I have to, I can look into a full-time bass rig, but I need another amp like I need another hole in the head (and I may just get another hole in the head if my wife catches me bringing more gear in the house).

What I'm running into is, I seem to be able to find 4x10, 2x10, or 1x15 cabinets in the same price range as a few 1x15 combo amps. Any thoughts?

[Colossal]

4x10 sounds killer. Punchy and piano-like.

[johnnyreece]

Man, that's what I wanted to hear! Will it be suitable for small club-type gigs, volume-wise?

[Colossal]

Man, that's what I wanted to hear! Will it be suitable for small club-type gigs, volume-wise?

Had a buddy back in the day that played a P-Bass into an SWR head into an SWR 4x10 cab. PLENTY of volume for a small club. If you played a chord, it had a nice clear "thrrunnnggg" sound. Plenty of low end. But, that was a 400W head. Tube preamp but solid state power section.

[johnnyreece]

I suppose that's my concern...will my JTM get lout enough with out distorting (too much) to keep up? It's not a particularly loud band that I'm playing with (actually, just a drummer and an acoustic through the PA). If I need to get a new amp, too, I will. I'd really just like to make use of what I have, if possible...

[vibratoking]

IME, there will not be near enough headroom no matter what speakers you pair it with. That rig will never stay tight/defined and keep up with a drummer...at least any drummer I've ever played with.

[johnnyreece]

I figured that was the case. I was hopeful that, with enough speakers, I could do what needed done. This drummer isn't particularly loud, but I don't want the bass to just turn to mush. If I had a 4x10, I'd give it a shot and see what happens, but I don't feel like buying a cab only to find out I don't need it. Time to do some shopping...

[Phil_S]

Try Craig's list for a used solid state bass amp?

[johnnyreece]

Craigslist is kind of a crapshoot around here. Everyone wants too much for their crap, and most of it is low powered. Believe it or not, guitar center has better deals than CL usually.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Is the PA substantial enough to give you some additional volume? if so, a mic or DI to the PA might keep the JTM in the ring...

[M Fowler]

Mojotone uses a JTM45 for their bass amp but run 3k4 OT and some changes to the circuit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hy6UCA0jcw

Mark

[andyfromdenver]

I do synth bass duties with a jcm800 on the lo channel with the master maxed and the pre as a single vol control. Running into a MBoogie Thiele style 1x15. It sounds really good, but is not enough power for a big stage.
For a big stage I use a Bassman 135 and the same cab and it holds it's own.

I had an idea (which will require you to build another amp!)
have two jtm45s and two cabs and an aby pedal and spread the love... I'll bet that would sound nice.

[johnnyreece]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've got a line on an Ampeg SVT-350. If I can't make that work out, I may go the conversion route. Trying to decide if I'm going to cheap out on a cab or not. I'm thinking I'll probably go 4x10, but that doesn't fit in my car well.

I know for at least one place I'll be able to line out to the PA, but some of our stuff won't have a house PA, and we're pretty limited on equipment, so I'll want to be sure I can keep up (at least volume-wise. Skill wise...).

[Leo_Gnardo]

I suppose that's my concern...will my JTM get lout enough with out distorting (too much) to keep up? It's not a particularly loud band that I'm playing with (actually, just a drummer and an acoustic through the PA). If I need to get a new amp, too, I will. I'd really just like to make use of what I have, if possible...

All the 45's I've seen start to clip at about 30 watts, same power level as an Ampeg B15. IF your drummer is really playing with controlled volume you may be able to do OK as long as you have an efficient speaker. Lots of bass speakers out there aren't very efficient because they expect you'll be powering them with 300, 400, 600 watts. Andyfromdenver mentioned the Mesa thiele-style cab (Diesel and RoadReady were the model names) - I have Mesa Diesel loaded with an EV speaker, plenty efficient & very satisfactory for most gigs. Mate your 45 to a cab with a good EV, JBL, or Altec speaker and get all the volume you're paying for. Modern cheaper speaker that also does well: Eminence Kappa Pro, in 10, 12, 15 or 18 inch varieties. Their Delta series, a little lighter, also do very well.

A lot depends on your drummer. If he can keep the volume under control, he's gold.

[johnnyreece]

Thanks again for the input. I ended up getting a Hartke VX3500. I think it's going to be a winner. I'm thinking about using the JTM for practice, though, because wow, is the Hartke heavy.