Guitar / Bass Amplifier Info & Education

If your primary axe is a five-string bass, you may need to take some extra care and considerations in choosing the bass rig that will help you sound your best. While most bass gear will work fine- all of Carvin Audio’s bass amp heads and cabinets, for instance, accommodate four and five string players alike- it's important to take some time to dig into the specs and features of the next rig you have in mind. While your ears will be the ultimate judge, this article will cover three simple things you could look at in your prospective rig or even your current one: the frequency response of your cabinets, the equalization options of your bass head, and the total wattage of your rig.

As we concluded Part 1 of this series, we were looking at different areas you might want to include in your rehearsal plan. Let’s look at some more focus points:

Efficiency – Steve Lukather was one of my favorite players when I was a kid. When he played fast it was like something exploded inside him! But he still had incredible control of his phrasing and his bends sounded like they were crying. One night at an LA showcase gig, I was lucky enough to be invited to play in a group jam at the end of the night, right there on the same stage with Steve! Paying close attention as he began to solo, I immediately realized he was using some kind of magic- his fingers didn’t even move!

Admit it, I caught you looking. Even though some part of your musician’s mind probably was screaming, “There are no ‘shortcuts’ to becoming a virtuoso!” And your musician’s mind was right, at least to the extent that there are no shortcuts. But if you find yourself “stuck in a rut” as a teacher friend of mine used to say, you might need to revisit the basics of your practice routine and make some adjustments.

An aggressive bass sound is a crucial component of many music genres, from punk to funk to heavy metal. While a clean tone can do just fine, a more aggressive tone can push your sound more forward in the mix and can really make your playing and the overall band mix come to life. Whether you are trying to give your bass some extra presence in your band or are trying to get the right tone for studio work, it is very useful to familiarize yourself with ways to give your bass some grind and growl.

Imagine if our amps could talk- there would be a lot less incidents of blown speakers and mismatched impedances! While no one- even the most experienced guitar techs- can immediately determine exactly what caused an amplifier to fail without taking a look under the hood, some units do give off warning signs that there is something wrong to prevent that costly replacement or trip to the repair shop. Naturally, if you are really familiar with your amp, then chances are you know when it’s being pushed past its limits or set up incorrectly. But what happens if one day you’re not paying close enough attention or using a different setup? Today, we are going to discuss an overlooked, unsung hero of your amp- the protect light. Chances are you know it’s there, but you may have never seen it come on, or you have and you’re wondering what it’s trying to tell you.

Maybe “dating” is the wrong word but then again, most musicians develop a very close bond with their equipment. There are some significant advantages we gain as we become intimately familiar with a guitar amp and discover the settings that make it come alive for us. But sometimes you may find the need to learn your way around a new amp quickly; occasionally you might want to evaluate a purchase, get to know an amplifier you just bought, or are asked to play a show where the amplifiers are ‘backlined’ or provided (and you can’t control what they give you to play through). Whatever the reason you find yourself in new territory, a simple method many amp techs use can be very useful in “finding the sweet-spot” quickly on any guitar amp.

A constant challenge in dialing in your bass sound live is finding a tone that is clear and articulate, yet maintains power and heft in the low end. This elusive sweet spot will have to be dialed in on each and every stage you play on. Carvin Audio’s bass amps come equipped with all the EQ and tone shaping tools you need to make this happen; it’s just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the controls and using them correctly. This article will give a basic rundown on addressing an important aspect of your tone: your low end, specifically around the 40Hz frequency range.

In our previous article, Five Things You Must Bring to the Gig: Part 1, we talked about your gear and an emergency bag. In this article we cover 3 more things you must bring to your gigs to ensure you have a successful performance.

Whether you are a professional musician, an aspiring student or someone who plays for fun, chances are that sooner or later you’ll want to find a gig. Perhaps you were invited to play a top venue or you were called to fill in for a pro band for the first time. Maybe you were asked to play for a friend’s wedding or lead worship for your congregation at church. Wherever you are invited to play there is always one thing that most gigs have in common: you’re expected to show up ready to play.

In addition to the ever-popular guitar/bass/drum/vocals format, many modern bands have members that double up on keyboards for a few songs, or who exclusively play the keys. The electronic keyboard is a full-range instrument that can really fill up a lot of space, and in the case of synthesizer keyboard, cover an amazingly wide range of sounds. As such, an amplifier that faithfully reproduces its entire frequency range is essential.

If you’re used to playing in small to medium indoor venues, a large outdoor gig may seem a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time playing one. For the most part, getting a great bass sound in a large outdoor venue is a different beast, although not completely so- there are a few adjustments that need to be made. Here we will cover the main differences between indoor and outdoor venues and give you a few tips to get an optimal sound outdoors.

Buying a new amp for your guitar or bass can be one of the most exciting parts of your musical experience. New sounds and options can promise new inspirations. So when you do get the opportunity to pick out a new amp it isn’t unusual to find yourself rushing home to try it out. Unfortunately we sometimes realize later on down the road that we’ve overlooked something important we should have thought through when we went shopping. In order to make sure you get the right tool for the job, stop and think about some of the following considerations.