Amp Wattage

Cypherus · #1 08-23-2010, 07:52 AM

Hi all
I'm looking for a new amp but i can only afford a 20-30 watt amp well.. anything cheap XD around $500 in my currency which is kinda moderate compared 2 others.

The reason is my band mates and I are planning to stop going to the studio and wasting our money for practice and just jam at the drummers house.So is a 20-30 watt amp enough to play with drums? i don't really mind putting the settings to around 75% max

TylerE · #2 08-23-2010, 08:02 AM

Through what? 20 watts into a single 10" is nothing. 20 watts into a pair of 8x10"s still isn't much, but might be audible. Not sure where you are but you should be able to pick up more wattage for 500 whatevers, unless the exchange rate is 5:1 or worse with USD. Check pawn shops, etc.7

Cypherus · #3 08-24-2010, 05:25 AM

well rm500 < my currency is about 159.82usd so yea it kinda sucks...
and i've don't really have any idea what you just said but its just a amp without the cabinet or whatever cause currently were jamming with my training amp at max volume (max volume bass trebble and middle)

BassmanPaul · #4 08-24-2010, 10:10 AM

How do you expect a recommendation when we don't know where you live? Fill out your profile and see if you get a better response.

Paul

mulchor · #5 08-24-2010, 10:31 AM

should prob'ly say if/what cabs you have, too

Matt R. · #6 08-24-2010, 10:33 AM

And what do you mean by "cheap XD" ?

joeyl · #7 08-24-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt R.

And what do you mean by "cheap XD" ?

I think he is sticking out his tongue, and closing his eyes hard, or laughing I can't tell for sure

BassmanPaul · #8 08-24-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt R.

And what do you mean by "cheap XD" ?

It's a letter that was D at one time but is now no longer so.

Paul

WhoSeyes · #9 08-24-2010, 10:46 AM

I've managed to rehearse for years with a 35watt combo with a 1x12 speaker (Orange Crush 35B). The sound wasn't awesome when you cranked it, thought.

Anyway, 20watts may not be enough.

Cypherus · #10 08-24-2010, 07:14 PM

well i live in malaysia (I've got a feeling most of you will have to google it to find out where it is :/ ) and I'm fairly new to bass so~ i've got no cabs jus a amp.cant afford a cab.

The other thing is that when we go to my drummers house to jam I usually end up picking my 2 guitarist up and it gets cramped in a car considering I cant drive so my dad sends us.which is this 1> http://www.1rooz.com/media/list/list...dua_Kancil.jpg

So far the amps i've seen are marshall,fender,sx and orange amps

But! the main question is.. is a 20-30 watt amp good enough to play with drums? it doesnt really have 2 overtake the drums just a moderate level

*is a 25watt orange amp enough? cause I found one thats perfect for my budget

Please and Thank you

kuys · #11 08-24-2010, 07:19 PM

I'm confused.

An amp head with out a cab will do no good. I mean seriously, that's pretty basic, you need the amp to amplify the signal then the speaker cabinet to make the "sound".

Do you mean a combo amp where the speakers and amp are in one box?

jazzblade · #12 08-24-2010, 07:34 PM

Lives in malaysia!

Just so you know I looked and a fender RUMBLE 100 is around RM1850

hes looking to spend RM500, that's is what a 25 watter goes for new

MAN! isn't the interweb AMAZING?????

I suggest you look around for something used/secondhand. at least a 15 or 2 10s and at least 100 watts you MIGH be able to pull it off but if your drummer is loud it might not.

dmusic148 · #13 08-24-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypherus

well i live in malaysia (I've got a feeling most of you will have to google it to find out where it is :/ )

Well, THAT'S a nice way to introduce yourself. I would have made a helpful suggestion but, Good Luck..: /

jazzblade · #14 08-24-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbarber

You need to stop thinking watts and start thinking SPL (Sound Pressure Level). Thinking in watts is like asking how big your gas tank needs to be to go 400 miles. You need to know the MPG.

So, here's how it's done. Look up the Senstivity of speaker cabinets you are considering, it will be in dB at 1 watt at one meter. Basically, this means how loud the sound is one meter from the cab with a one watt signal (sine wave at 1000 Hz, is what the standard is I think).

Then, you determine what the power output of the amplifiers you are considering are at the impedance of the cabinet. (Solid state amps might list something like: "1000 watts @ 2,7 ohms (3x8 ohms), 750 watts @ 4 ohms, 400 watts @ 8 ohms" (Taken from Glockenklang Heart Rock II).

To get the total SPL you need to take the Sensitivity and add 3 dB every time you double the power, from one watt up to the power output into the cab. So if you were looking at an 8 Ohm Glockenklang Quattro its Sensitivity is 103dB/w/m. The Glock head above wil produce 400 watts into the 8 ohm load. Now to get from 1 to 400 you have to double the wattage 8.65 times. So the total SPL would be = 103 + 3*8.65 = 128.95 dB (at one meter). That's pretty loud.

Now if you were to pair that head with a 2.67 ohm Glockenklang 6-Box with a sensitivity of 104.5 dB, then your head would be capable of delivering 1000 watts. To get from 1 watt to 1000 watts you have to double the wattage 10 times. So the total SPL would be = 104.5 + 3*10 = 134.5. This is quite a bit louder, in fact, it's technically known as F-ing loud.

If you're trying to figure out how loud something needs to be, you should be thinking of a loudness metric. Not watts, a power metric.

Now it's true that the SPL and wattage ratings are not 100% reliable, because they are measured differently from manufacturer to manufacturer. But it is the best you're going to do.

FWIW,

hope this helps,

Jim

That's great! but what he really needs is about RM1572 Malaysian Ringgita bout $500 American

Cypherus · #15 08-24-2010, 08:36 PM

lol thanks for all the help guys ^^ but somehow i feel screwed over.. thanks to currency =.=the thing is so far my practice amp i've got that came with the set i bought is almos enough its jus that only i can ehar it so i'm wondering if i max out everything on a 30 watt amp will that do the trick *ps i cant afford a cab*

Cypherus · #16 08-24-2010, 08:45 PM

OK! is this by itself enough? http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1381725 the Crush PiX CR25BX
and what if i max everything should that be enough? i called them and they said the speaker is 10' not 8'

will33 · #17 08-24-2010, 10:12 PM

You need to find something that has at least 100 watts, (or 50 if it's a tube amp) and a 15" speaker. Forget how great it sounds and just get whatever's the loudest. I do know where Maylasia is but have no idea what the economy's like there. Figure out exchange rates and shipping costs to get something there. Best bet is to find something used that fits your needs in your local economy if that's possible.

Cypherus · #18 08-24-2010, 11:05 PM

I dont really need the sound to be that great.. as long as it can be heard
I just need it to be atleast like background sound to support the drum and guitar it doesnt have to overtake them all :x so is a 20-30 watt amp enough? simple yes or no please :x this question hasnt really been answered yet lol

and if so will this amp suffice?If not is it still a good amp?(cause its the only thing that i can afford XD)
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1381725 the Crush PiX CR25BX

will33 · #19 08-24-2010, 11:17 PM

20-30 watts is for practicing in your room. 100 watts and a decent speaker will keep up with a sane dummer and guitar player. That much will cover a gig at your small local bar/club. And I mean small....like 30 people looks packed, 50 is a helluva night.

ThisisCraigP · #20 08-24-2010, 11:40 PM