Why are bass amps hairy?

[tim098]

LOL at the hairy indian parts. Shyamraj speaks the truth!

 

[KeDraiv]

uh,
i don't get how bass amps are hairy.
and if hairy, which part is hairy?


does anyone have a pic of a hairy bass amp?

 

[vernplum]

A typical hairy bass amp: http://www.swrsound.com/products/search.php?partno=4420500010


"Anodized Blue Face Plate with Dark Blue Carpeting, Heavy Duty Corners and Chrome Stamped Steel Vibration-Free Grille"

 

[Cheez]

This is a very good question! I've never asked myself why before!

 

[gsonique]

"Bass instrument speakers are typically mounted in more rigidly-constructed and heavily-braced cabinets than speakers for non-bass instrument amplification, because speaker cabinets for bass produce much more vibration." WIKI


"When a bass speaker is built into a completely sealed cabinet, the cabinets use the trapped volume of air to act as a 'spring' or cushion for the bass speaker. These designs require more amplifier power to produce low-frequency sounds, because the speaker has to overcome the force of the air pressure in the cabinet and there is no reinforcement of the output of the speaker cones. This design is less common due to the need for very high output in live music venues. As well, some cabinet manufacturers claim that sealed bass cabinets can exhibit faster transient response and produce a more precise sound."WIKI

 

[Yaz]

But still.... it doesnt specifically state why bass amps has to be hairy. Mines got skin tho(leather). I meant my bass amp :mrgreen:

 

[rottenramone]

But still.... it doesnt specifically state why bass amps has to be hairy. Mines got skin tho(leather). I meant my bass amp :mrgreen:

yours could be shaved prior to display?

 

[AEnimic]

Here comes the sexual innuendos.

 

[visa]

followed by the lock and ban!

 

[AEnimic]

We all used to play in bans and lock out what.

Anyone here play lockben for PS3?

/thread hijacked

 

[teokiatuan]

"Bass instrument speakers are typically mounted in more rigidly-constructed and heavily-braced cabinets than speakers for non-bass instrument amplification, because speaker cabinets for bass produce much more vibration." WIKI


"When a bass speaker is built into a completely sealed cabinet, the cabinets use the trapped volume of air to act as a 'spring' or cushion for the bass speaker. These designs require more amplifier power to produce low-frequency sounds, because the speaker has to overcome the force of the air pressure in the cabinet and there is no reinforcement of the output of the speaker cones. This design is less common due to the need for very high output in live music venues. As well, some cabinet manufacturers claim that sealed bass cabinets can exhibit faster transient response and produce a more precise sound."WIKI

???

what's the link?

lol

 

[theunknown]

yeah Goose, it says about rigidness, not hairyness. maybe it's just cosmetic?

friction? bass amps are heavy enough to withstand the vibration thus won't move. though the stacking part makes sense, but guitar amps stack too, no?

i INITIALLY thought that they are hairy cause they produce so much vibration that they need the hair to cushion it so the cabinet won't break. hahaha. but then i thought, the hair should inside what.

side note: my johnson amp is hairy.

 

[Ris]

my Ashdown is hairy too.

*wooo*

 

[AEnimic]

Maybe it's for the bassist to lie down/rest their head when they're keeping the groove while a lead guitar wanks off every single note on their guitar?

 

[ahkiatt]

It's supposed to emulate the slightly hairy bodies of us bassists' girlfriends. When we feel lonely(which is very often) we like to hug our bass amps to sleep to remind us of our darlings.

 

[syed_zack]

It's supposed to emulate the slightly hairy bodies of us bassists' girlfriends. When we feel lonely(which is very often) we like to hug our bass amps to sleep to remind us of our darlings.

lol nice one!

 

[jkambing]

Wow, four pages over this?

I seriously don't think there's a real reason for the "hair". I think its mainly a cosmetic finish, at most its there to portray a "vintage" vibe. I may not know the answers, but I seriously doubt there's a technical reason..

Also, not all bass amps are hairy. Some have tolex covering, or other materials too.

 

[davin]

My Fender's Hairyyy tooo!

 

[vernplum]

Wow, four pages over this?

I seriously don't think there's a real reason for the "hair". I think its mainly a cosmetic finish, at most its there to portray a "vintage" vibe. I may not know the answers, but I seriously doubt there's a technical reason..

Also, not all bass amps are hairy. Some have tolex covering, or other materials too.

What are you saying? That this isn't a topic that should be worth discussing? It got *your* attention and a reply from you didn't it?

Anyway - yes, I know not all bass amps are hairy, but more are than are not. Vintage Vibe? I don't think so. What vintage? Point me to a vintage bass amp that is hairy, or any other amplification or PA equipment from the Golden Past.

There has to be some reason why som many bass amp manufacturers have chosen to cover their amps in what they call 'carpet' and I have strong feeling that the answer is not because of cosmetics - in fact I find them more unattractive because they are hairy and honestly (and I know I'm shallow for saying this) I wouldn't consider taking up the bass because I might have to own a hairy bass amp! (a bit like a lady who might not want to date someone who is hairy [no races mentioned] for a similar reason).

Seriously, although I put it flippantly as the OP, I really want to know the answer to this and so far, nobody has given a convincing one, and frankly, I don't think anyone really knows.

Peace.

 

[jkambing]

What are you saying? That this isn't a topic that should be worth discussing? It got *your* attention and a reply from you didn't it? Anyway - yes, I know not all bass amps are hairy, but more are than are not. Vintage Vibe? I don't think so. What vintage? Point me to a vintage bass amp that is hairy, or any other amplification or PA equipment from the Golden Past.

Actually, I'm not saying anything.. Haha. I just found it amusing that something which, IMO, I find quite trivial caused such a stir. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but that's how I felt.

Like I said dude, I don't necessarily know the answers. That was just my guess, since carpet reminds me of vintage vibe.

There has to be some reason why som many bass amp manufacturers have chosen to cover their amps in what they call 'carpet' and I have strong feeling that the answer is not because of cosmetics - in fact I find them more unattractive because they are hairy and honestly (and I know I'm shallow for saying this) I wouldn't consider taking up the bass because I might have to own a hairy bass amp! (a bit like a lady who might not want to date someone who is hairy [no races mentioned] for a similar reason).

Well, that's your opinion, if you think it's ugly. I'm sure there're a bunch of people who like the carpet. To each man his own, yes? Try reading this, it might answer your question.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442174

Its a popular online bass guitar forum. These guys say its cosmetic, and its cheaper. And I have to agree with one guy who said that carpet looks great when its brand new. Check out post number 28, that's an interesting viewpoint too.

Seriously, although I put it flippantly as the OP, I really want to know the answer to this and so far, nobody has given a convincing one, and frankly, I don't think anyone really knows.

You might be right, but hey, what the heck. Haha. Seems like we may have gotten off on the wrong foot, vernplum. I'm known to be straightforward to the point its blunt, so I hope I didn't come off as an ass, because that's not what I was trying to be. I hope I was helpful to you this time. Peace to you, too.