Guitar Help!

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   Hey guys,

I have a couple questions to give, because I'm trying to get myself
ready for my new band for which I'm the lead guitarist for.
Unfortunately I'm still stuck in the curtails of my former debunked
band where I played bass. I don't own a good guitar amp, and my bass
amp is like 250 Watts.

I was wondering, because some of you guys have more technical knowledge
than other people I've met, if it's okay to have a guitar in a bass
amp? I keep hearing if you put a bass in a guitar amp it's no good, but
the other way around is okay.

Second of all, do effects like distortion pose a threat to the bass amplifier if used? 

Finally, I need some advice on how I can get a nice distorted tone,
mostly like with pedals or effects boxes. I really want to get that
sort of crunchy high pitched tone like Steve Hackett, but also be able
to pull out gut wrenching yet somewhat clean blues guitar solos (like
early Alex Lifeson maybe?) I'm not very experienced with those kinds of
things, but I"m hoping you guys can help.

I really this band works out for me this time. We're hoping to actually
do something that actually pays homage to our symphonic prog influences.

Thanks

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Soulman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 22 2005 Status: Offline Points: 290	Topic: Guitar Help! Posted: February 18 2006 at 03:01
	Hey guys, I have a couple questions to give, because I'm trying to get myself ready for my new band for which I'm the lead guitarist for. Unfortunately I'm still stuck in the curtails of my former debunked band where I played bass. I don't own a good guitar amp, and my bass amp is like 250 Watts. I was wondering, because some of you guys have more technical knowledge than other people I've met, if it's okay to have a guitar in a bass amp? I keep hearing if you put a bass in a guitar amp it's no good, but the other way around is okay. Second of all, do effects like distortion pose a threat to the bass amplifier if used? Finally, I need some advice on how I can get a nice distorted tone, mostly like with pedals or effects boxes. I really want to get that sort of crunchy high pitched tone like Steve Hackett, but also be able to pull out gut wrenching yet somewhat clean blues guitar solos (like early Alex Lifeson maybe?) I'm not very experienced with those kinds of things, but I"m hoping you guys can help. I really this band works out for me this time. We're hoping to actually do something that actually pays homage to our symphonic prog influences. Thanks

cobb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 10 2005 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1149	Posted: February 18 2006 at 03:15
	I'll put my 2 cents in- guitar through bass amp should be fine (other guys will shoot me down if I'm wrong here), though it is built to produce a good bass sound, not a guitar sound. Effects- no threat. Early Hackett is just fuzz, I think. Alex Lifeson has an amazing sound, which many of us would like to emulate- best of luck there. [edit] and best of luck with your band. Edited by cobb

MikeEnRegalia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 22 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 21138	Posted: February 18 2006 at 03:59
	My advice: Buy a POD XT Live or a Vox ToneLab SE and use it without amp. Just plug it into the monitor system. You can also plug them into the bass amp, but there is no real need to do that.
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darren Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 31 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 452	Posted: February 18 2006 at 05:32
	From what I hear, many actually prefer to use a bass amp for guitar. You are right, bass through a guitar amp may damage the speaker (and a few other things) but guitar through a bass amp is no problem. I heard that a bass amp helps to get better bottom end tones of your guitar but I can't see how it would. I was using a bass amp myself. I've never had a problem. I also agree with going the POD XT route but I don't know if you would want to use an unknown system if you are close to gig time. You may need time to experiment. Currently, believe it or not, I'm using an old record player. It's the kind that was used in a school classroom with the speaker in the lid. It has an aux in jack. It's LOUD and the sound is unbelievably good I have no idea how much power it is. I just had to disconnect the turntable motor. Plus, I get the "what the f... ?" factor when I bring in a record player to a jam session. They stop laughing when I plug in and start playing. Many have offered to buy it from me. The best part? I payed $5 for it at a garage sale. Originally, I was just going to rip the speaker out but once I plugged in... wow.
	"they locked up a man who wanted to rule the world. the fools they locked up the wrong man." - Leonard Cohen

KoS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 17 2005 Location: Los Angeles Status: Offline Points: 16310	Posted: February 18 2006 at 14:03
	^ I guess there is a use for those old record players

chopper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 13 2005 Location: Essex, UK Status: Offline Points: 20029	Posted: February 20 2006 at 07:43
	You'll need to check that the two are compatible impedance-wise. Going the other way, I have 2 basses at home but only 1 of them works through my guitar amp. If the speaker is built to handle bass, it shouldn't have a problem with distortion.

Soulman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 22 2005 Status: Offline Points: 290	Posted: February 20 2006 at 21:51
	Thanks so much guys! Now I just wish I could find a bassist for our band