Off Topic Car Stereo idea?

[Russel]

I hate amplifiers. Like, I really hate them.

too many options, I don't know how much power I need, not enough money, this that and blah blah blah.

currently, I'm ampless, and I just had an idea.

What about something more like a car stereo system? I could put the thing together myself, build the box the way I like it, etc.

here's what I've got in mind: A decent pre-amp, then basically a rigged up system in whatever kind of box I can find.

So, I'm asking you folks, who seem to know a great deal more about amplification than I do, for suggestions and thoughts and etc.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Bear in mind that the car stereo units that are advertised as "400 watts of pulsating bottom end" are in reality only something like, say, 25 watts, if you're lucky, before they break up into a distorted cacophany that sounds like arse. What sounds passable in the driver's seat of your car while you cruise the highway at 55mph will not cut it on stage competing with a drummer and two guitarists with Marshall stacks.

What you propose might be ok as a practice amp in your bedroom at home, but you can buy a little practice amp for less than $100 that is purpose built, so why go to the trouble of DIY?

 

[Psycho Ward]

Aussie Johnson's right and I experimented with the idea myself a few years ago, less than favorable results and the cheapest of bass amps will yield better results.

 

[Russel]

Back to the drawing board then.

 

[Elad_E]

I hate amplifiers. Like, I really hate them.

too many options, I don't know how much power I need, not enough money, this that and blah blah blah.

I'll make it easy - get a used Markbass CMD102P combo. shouldnt be too expansive, will get you covered for anything from bedroom noodling to bar gigs and you can always pair it with another cab to squeeze maximum juice and volume.

 

[LowDownDave]

The first time I walked into rehearsal with my Little Mark II my bandmates laughed and said they thought it WAS my car stereo! After I started playing it, the laughing soon stopped.

What would it be like going the other way round, and installing the LMII in a car, ha-ha. I often thought about the possibility of hooking up my Markbass 15" cab to the car stereo, but I have a feeling something wouldn't work out electronically. Be interesting to find out if it were possible though, seeing as it's small enough to easily move in and out of the trunk/boot.

 

[mynan]

Why not just use a PA amp?

 

[mmbassplayer]

Why not just use a PA amp?

I was going to recommend the same thing... if you are already getting a preamp... pair it with a low cost power amp (carvins are going quite cheap on the bay right now). Then build you box the way you want it. JOSH

 

[strummer]

I have to respectfully disagree with the previous posters, at least about car amplifiers not actually being up to spec.
If you have a huge 12 V power supply, a modern car amp will give you power, as much as you pay for. The problem is that you don't want to lug a couple car batteries and a charger around, much less a 12 V power supply big enough to drive a decent size amp.

 

[five7]

I am selling a behringer bx 4500 with 450 watts for $150. It pushes my svt easily. That is roughly $.30/watt. A car stereo is going to cost you more than that and it won't have near the tone or sub octave features of my amp.