PSG through bass amp?

[Henry Birdsey]

Hey y'all,

Apologies if there's a relevant thread already going, but I'm curious if anyone has any advice/opinions about playing pedal steel through a smaller size bass combo amplifier. In particular, I'm curious about the Gallien Krueger MB150s (1x12). They're famously tough and loud amps for their size, but I'm interested to know how it might deal with the PSG tone.

Thanks.

- Henry

[Ian Rae]

There have been other threads, but in a nutshell, bass amps work. They handle the low-frequency difference tones cleanly.

[Ken Pippus]

And are generally designed looking for headroom and flat response curves. Usually make really good pedal steel amps.

[Jerry Overstreet]

No experience with the GK model, but generally bass amps have the power you want. However, they are eq'ed to suit a bass guitar frequency, have a closed back and no reverb.

You might like it, you might not.

I used a Peavey TKO combo bass amp for a while several years ago. It was OK.

[K Maul]

I tried a GK combo bass amp once and it didn’t work well for me.

[Bob Carlucci]

Depends on the bass amp of course.. Fender Bassman amps are among the best tube amps for steel.. with the right speakers, and enclosures.. bass amps are fine.. the cabinets and speakers???.. maybe.. maybe not..
I used single 15 guitar speakers of various brands in a few different cabs over the years.. Typically, I did NOT use bass cabs.. Too boomy... bob

[Erv Niehaus]

I played through a Fender bass amp for several years.
I added Fender's reverb unit to it and I really liked the sound I was getting. It got to be a little too much to haul around so I traded it for a Twin Reverb.
Not that's getting to be too much to haul around.
Erv

[Barry Coker]

My back up amp is a Trace Eliot ELF very small and compact 200 Watts and very clean. Add Wet reverb, Good Delay and a speaker cab. and your set. My whole rig weighs just over 20 lbs.

[Erv Niehaus]

I used to exercise with bar bells, now I just use my Fender Twin Reverb!
Erv

[Barry Coker]

Irv do you do like I do? Roll it around and remember fondly when you could lift it.



Barry

[Erv Niehaus]

Good idea!
Erv

[Ron Hogan]

Hey y'all,

Apologies if there's a relevant thread already going, but I'm curious if anyone has any advice/opinions about playing pedal steel through a smaller size bass combo amplifier. In particular, I'm curious about the Gallien Krueger MB150s (1x12). They're famously tough and loud amps for their size, but I'm interested to know how it might deal with the PSG tone.

Thanks.

- Henry

Henry,
I've had very luck with this Peavey bass head amp.

CLICK HERE

Ron

[Joe Rouse]

Erv, you do make me laugh....often....Thanks....jr

[Joe Rouse]

I also will correct my own spelling Irv....jr

[Erv Niehaus]

Joe,
Thank you!
Erv

[George Kimery]

I'm with Barry. I carry a Trace Elliott Elf in my gig bag for a backup amp. It measures about 5 x 7 x 1-1/2 inches and weighs 1.6 lb. it sounds real good with my JBL speaker cabinet. I use a Black Box and a Wet Reverb.
If you use a combo amp, just carry a speaker cord with alligator clips at one end. You can quickly hook up to your combo speaker if your amp dies but the speaker is OK.

[Greg Lambert]

I have an old Ampeg bass amp that I tried steel through. Never could dial in the sound I wanted. I guess peavey has spoiled me.

[Henry Birdsey]

Thanks everyone for the input. Really appreciate it.

Henry

[Billy Carr]

I use GK power amps in three of my amp cabinets. I just add any effects I want. Very simple. I use PF400 15" speakers in two Tommy Huff cabinets. A little heavier than the 8 lb. Neo speakers that came w/amps. Mb200 and Mb500 in the TH cabs. NV-112 I just rebuilt has a Mb200 also. Just plug in the effects board and go. Also have a Session 400 I'm getting ready to lighten up with a 8 lb. Neo speaker and a GK power amp.

[Mike Bacciarini]

I'm using a Fender Rumble 200 w/single 15". Sounds great, nice and light.

[Harold Dye]

I have 2 MM bass heads that I use. One is a 150 watt the other is a 65 watt. Both amps have a normal input and a bass input and a high and low switch for each input. I use them in a cab with a BW 1502 and a BW 1501 speaker. Since they are bass heads they don't have reverb so I have to use a reverb/delay. These are really good sounding amps.

[Christopher Blood]

I'm using a Fender Rumble 200 w/single 15". Sounds great, nice and light.

Mike I have the same amp for my bass. Just got my lap steel today and am playing through it. Have to admit it sounds good. I would like to have some reverb though. are you using any effects?
I have thought about getting a small guitar combo like the Fender Champion 20 which has effects. I could use that for practice and run the pre amp through my Rumble 2oo when needed

[Doug Taylor]

I have the Gallien Krueger MB150, I tried it with my pedal steel and thought it sounded fine. I wound up using my Fender Rumble 500, I thought it was a better fit. The MB150 is one fine amp and my main bass amp.

[Christopher Blood]

I have the Gallien Krueger MB150, I tried it with my pedal steel and thought it sounded fine. I wound up using my Fender Rumble 500, I thought it was a better fit. The MB150 is one fine amp and my main bass amp.

Are you using reverb with it? If so what kind.
I'm thinking about just using my rumble 200 and putting a reverb unit between the steel and amp.

[Doug Taylor]

I use an Avid Eleven Rack in front of the amp for effects. Works pretty well. Also had a Holy Grail reverb pedal which worked good too, but do not have it anymore.