Will a Super Reverb handle a VI Live?

[Unicorn Warrior]

Got a VI on the way and was just wondering. My only amp is a Super and was wondering is it could handle it. I've read that people play them through princetons. I only have one amp at the moment and can't really afford another at this time.

Don't want to damage it, but also want to utilize this vi live.

[cestlamort]

I would think so. It won't be clean if you push it most likely (nor will a guitar).

Please feel free to correct here, but I've always viewed a SR as an update of a 4x10 bassman, so it shouldn't be an issue. Will you be able to peel paint with volume? Probably not.

[rumfoord]

For a while I had an Aims behemoth (Personalized Guitar Sound System) that was 120w, 6x10, closed back, and two 6550 tubes. It sounded pretty great, but I expected it to be more versatile with bass. That's not really why I sold it, but I was kind of shocked to feel like it sounded too mushy with bass. Maybe better speakers?? But it still didn't sound that great to me through my bandmate's bass cab---not terrible, but nowhere near as good as with guitar. And nowhere near as good with bass as her HD-130. The speakers were 4 70s eminence alnicos, and 2 replacement weber 10a150s.

Right now I have a 100w 60s Danelectro DS-100 that I play through a 2x15 that sounds really tight but the speakers in the cabinet also sound massive. To me, it sounds spectacular on bass and baritone guitars. With regular guitar it of course doesn't have the top end that a guitar amp does (my guitar amp is close to a Pro Reverb: an Alessandro Working Dog Rottweiler, a 40w, 6L6, 2x12 combo), but at it's worst the Dano still just sounds like a different kind of amp that sounds great in a different way.

Anyway, I might expect that a VI through your super reverb could be fine, or might sound mushy but you could happen to still love whatever that tone ends up being, or you might end up yearning for a little tighter bass. But probably you'll just have to see. Sorry for the no-help! I bet at worst it will still sound really awesome, but there's a small chance you could find it lacking depending on volume, speakers, taste, weather, etc.

[rumfoord]

Oh, do you mean can the speakers handle it? Probably not the best idea, if the VI is tuned an octave lower than a guitar.

[garyfanclub]

The only thing I'd worry about are the speakers. Otherwise, there's no reason why that circuit wouldn't sound excellent with a Bass VI.

I routinely use mine through a 70's Twin at low volumes, with the bass turned way down, and it sounds excellent. Add some vibrato and it'll do the spooky Morricone type stuff really well.

[Unicorn Warrior]

The only thing I'd worry about are the speakers. Otherwise, there's no reason why that circuit wouldn't sound excellent with a Bass VI

Yeah, that's the main reason I'm asking. I feel like I saw a thread where people were playing their VI's through princetons which are also 10", but with less power obviously. I'll test it out and we shall see I guess

[StevenO]

I don't have a Bass VI but I have a Danelectro Baritone tuned the same way and yeah... No, I wouldn't risk it with guitar speakers. Even at moderate volumes, I can hear my (rather robust and efficient) speaker in my guitar amps start to flub. I play it through a little Fender Rumble bass amp instead and just EQ accordingly.

[garyfanclub]

I don't have a Bass VI but I have a Danelectro Baritone tuned the same way and yeah... No, I wouldn't risk it with guitar speakers. Even at moderate volumes, I can hear my (rather robust and efficient) speaker in my guitar amps start to flub. I play it through a little Fender Rumble bass amp instead and just EQ accordingly.

Yeah, this is the safest bet. Also, those little Rumble bass amps sounds really good and don't break the bank. Considering getting the little 40W one for recording and keyboards. Might need to buy a Mustang bass too, you know, just because...

[StevenO]

Not a bad idea... I have an old Musicmaster bass and I play keys through my Rumble amp
Sounds good.

[mijmog]

Depends on how loud you're gonna play...

I'd get the Super, its always good to have one around and they are the most versatile amp you could wish for. Take out the 4x10 baffle (reversible mod) with speakers and keep to one side, make a new baffle for a single 15" high efficiency speaker like this. Would sound great. You could even try upgrading the PT to help tame the flub.

Or buy a Bandmaster head (essentially a SR in head form) and run through a 2x12" or 2x15". You get the best of both worlds then, and you can tailor the cabs at your heart's content. You can't beat the 40w Fenders IMHO.

Having said all that, efficient 10" speakers can handle the bass and power. There's a reason why Ampeg 8x10s and 4x10s exist. I once put 4 Eminence Red Coat 10" speakers in a '62 Fender Concert and it never flubbed out, the speakers were so efficient they didn't break up and it actually sounded a little nasty for guitar, but for a baritone it could be perfect...

[Unicorn Warrior]

My guitar rig with it is usually never above 5 and mostly hangs out at 3 or 4. Will be using mostly for ambient/post rock stuff. Will be primarily be playing D, G, B, e strings.

[eggwheat]

You'll be fine..I use VI's with supers and now a vibrolux.. If you want to use it as a bass then, in terms of hearing all the bottom end, you would be better off with a bass amp.

[garyfanclub]

Depends on how loud you're gonna play...

I'd get the Super, its always good to have one around and they are the most versatile amp you could wish for. Take out the 4x10 baffle (reversible mod) with speakers and keep to one side, make a new baffle for a single 15" high efficiency speaker like this. Would sound great. You could even try upgrading the PT to help tame the flub.

Or buy a Bandmaster head (essentially a SR in head form) and run through a 2x12" or 2x15". You get the best of both worlds then, and you can tailor the cabs at your heart's content. You can't beat the 40w Fenders IMHO.

Having said all that, efficient 10" speakers can handle the bass and power. There's a reason why Ampeg 8x10s and 4x10s exist. I once put 4 Eminence Red Coat 10" speakers in a '62 Fender Concert and it never flubbed out, the speakers were so efficient they didn't break up and it actually sounded a little nasty for guitar, but for a baritone it could be perfect...

Nailed it, a 15" speaker baffle is a great suggestion. Sidenote, I love how the answer here is always "This will sound great, but you know, while you're at it, you should probably also just get another amp that will also sound good!" We're terrible enablers.

I'll fuel the fire and suggest you look into the mid-60's Ampeg Gemini II, has a 15" speaker and would probably sound excellent for your applications. A little mellower than the Fender stuff, but a classic tone nonetheless.

[Unicorn Warrior]

So after getting the VI I have came to a conclusion. The Super Reverb sounds pretty good with it. I haven't had the volume past 3-4 yet but, would likely mic for most live uses. Definitely would be able to use it in studio because the tone is really good. I thank you guys for the 15 inch speaker recommendation. Once I get a new amp for my guitar rig, I like the idea of switching to the 15 for the bass vi alone. Unless it sounds killer with guitar too.

Other than the speaker change, it doesn't sound like a very expensive mod. Anyone know what an amp tech would typically charge for that? I am amp illiterate

[FightingPlankton]

you could always just get an extension cab and disconnect the internal speakers when switching to bass vi. probably significantly easier than modding the amp.