rashkov

This discussion is being taken on the Technical Questions forum.

Well, I hope I'll be able to hear it without an amp, but I'll wait and see about that. As for the DC, I think this might be mistaken, because as the string moves back and forth, the current reverses in the pickup coils at a frequency equal to the vibration of the string. This alternating current is then sent to the speaker cone, which is made to vibrate at this same frequency, thus reproducing the sound after some amplification. As for getting a bass teacher -- you're right, I'll look into this.

While it's true that the pickups contribute plenty to the sound, you must consider what they do: they pick up the waves already produced by the strings, so it's the strings that originally make the sound. I'll admit it's hard as it is to hear a bass playing in a club or on some songs, but that's exactly what a bass player should learn to do. Then again, I'm rather fresh at this instrument, so I'll reserve judgement and just try it out. Worst comes to worst, I'll get a cheapo practice amp -- maybe my folks will foot the bill since the bass was my own purchase. Mike

I've played around on my suitemate's electric guitar without plugging into the amp, and I can definitely hear the different notes on the low E string. I was planning to go on in this fashion without an amp, but I won't have the bass in my hands until Tuesday and a few people have suggested that one can't even practice without an amp. I'm glad to hear that this isn't so off-base (pun not intended) afterall. Thanks for the words, fellas. Mike

You seem pretty experienced on these boards, so I'll take your word for it. Thanks Ben.

Hello. I recently got a Fender Bass guitar. I'd like to take advantage of my Klipsch Promedia 4.1 system by plugging the guitar in to use the woofer like a bass guitar amplifier. There seem to be several ways to do this, which include getting an external amplifier or simply getting a guitar 1/4" to soundcard 1/8" cable. I'm thinking the preamp on the promedias will give the guitar signal enough of a boost. However, I've heard some talk of "impedence" issues at the soundcard jack. Would anyone be able to shed more light on this, or perhaps offer some of their own experience? I'd like to take advantage of the great tone my bass guitar provides, without having to get a dedicated guitar amplifier. Thanks! Mike ps. My soundcard is a simple SoundBlaster Live

Hello. I recently got a Fender Bass guitar. I'd like to take advantage of my Klipsch Promedia 4.1 system by plugging the guitar in to use the woofer like a bass guitar amplifier. There seem to be several ways to do this, which include getting an external amplifier or simply getting a guitar 1/4" to soundcard 1/8" cable. I'm thinking the preamp on the promedias will give the guitar signal enough of a boost. However, I've heard some talk of "impedence" issues at the soundcard jack. Would anyone be able to shed more light on this, or perhaps offer some of their own experience? I'd like to take advantage of the great tone my bass guitar provides, without having to get a dedicated guitar amplifier. Thanks! Mike ps. My soundcard is a simple SoundBlaster Live