whats the difference between a bass amp and an electric amp?

Answer 1

A bass guitar amp generally amplifies the lower frequencies made by bass guitars.
Electric Guitar Amps amplify midrange frequencies made by 6-string guitars.
The frequency response of the amp is determined by the electronic circuitry, and the speakers.

So, if you play a guitar through a bass amp, you won't get the high frequency response in the upper notes. The notes will sound muddy and hollow because the electronics filter-out the high notes, and a bass speaker is not designed to reproduce high notes either.
If you play a bass through a guitar amp, the same thing will happen. The electronics filter-out the low frequencies, and accentuate the midrange, and guitar speakers aren't generally capable of throwing very low notes.

Much more power is needed to amplify low frequencies without distortion. That's why bass amps are usually 200+ watts, while a guitar amp might only need to be 20-100 watts to be just as loud.

Some blues/rock guitar players enjoy the tone of the Fender Bassman. It's not a fantastic bass amp (1940's technology - 50 Watts of power) but it distorts quite nicely, giving a good rock tone.

The choice of speakers plays an equally important role in the tone of any amp. A large 15-inch bass speaker will give better low-frequency response than a whole bunch of 8-inch speakers. Different manufacturers have different speakers, and changing from one to another can significantly alter the tone.

Answer 2

They're both electric. Plug a guitar into a bass amp, like I did a couple days ago, and see the sound difference. One has a larger speaker to handle lower frequencies and a different EQ band.

Answer 3

Bass amps are specially designed for the low range frequencies from a bass guitar. You'd probably blow your electric amp if you used it with a bass guitar.