How many watts to play over loud guitars?

[miltonbbb]

I posted a threat recently, so sorry i this is a repeat but its not. I just realized my band is no becoming a 5 piece(2 guitars, 1 bass, 1 drum, 1 singer). I will now likely have to keep up with...

all maple pearl drums
50w marshall tube + 4x12
100w marshall solid state + 4x12

We play hardcore/punk music, its heavy and the guitar is loud...

How much power will I need for this? Initially I was going to go for 300 and a 4x10 but i have a feeling i will be needing more.

What you guy think?

[TortillaChip520]

It's quiet simple, actually.


Just use that formula, and you'll be golden.

f(x) tells you how many watts your head should be
a0 tells you how many watts for a cab
an tells you how many drivers you need
and bn tells you which pickguard is best for metal.

[M0ses]

I'd say 2,000 watts minimum.
And 2x8x10.

[smogg]

600 to a 1000 watts & 6 or 8 10's or 4 12's
OR
run a line to the PA

[miltonbbb]

I know how to integrate, yet your joke isn't funny.

[TortillaChip520]

Originally Posted by M0ses

I'd say 2,000 watts minimum.
And 2x8x10.

ONLY 2,000???

4x12 is 48, x 50 watts, (however it's 50 tube watts, and everyone knows that tube watts are 3 times louder than ss watss) so that x 150 watts, so total you need 7,200 watts just to keep up with that guitar.

[M0ses]

I think they've got an answer for you somewhere over here.

Oh and, 2,000 was obviously referring to tube watts. Why would even bother using SS? They're useless toneless godless amps.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

It's quiet simple, actually.


Just use that formula, and you'll be golden.

f(x) tells you how many watts your head should be
a0 tells you how many watts for a cab
an tells you how many drivers you need
and bn tells you which pickguard is best for metal.

Don't forget the equation that takes into account whether the OP's bass is equipped with a flux capacitor.

[TortillaChip520]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Don't forget the equation that takes into account whether the OP's bass is equipped with a flux capacitor.

in that case, he'll need.....

[Gopher Bob]

Don't fret someone will come with a good answer. I've been on this board for a long time and I still don't know~!

I recently got a peavey 4ohm cab and a 450 watt ampeg solid state head and it doesn't seem like enough.

Now I'm thinking I might need to go 800-1000 perhaps or maybe read more about the magical tube loudness I've read about.

[srxplayer]

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

It's quiet simple, actually.


Just use that formula, and you'll be golden.

f(x) tells you how many watts your head should be
a0 tells you how many watts for a cab
an tells you how many drivers you need
and bn tells you which pickguard is best for metal.

LOL

[TortillaChip520]

Well there is no straight answer. It's all subjective. Watts aren't an indication of loudness, and all amps sound different. There are too many variables to just say "You need 500 watts into an 8x10, no more, no less".

Originally Posted by miltonbbb

I know how to integrate, yet your joke isn't funny.

And to be fair, one of those was just a sum. so

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by Gopher Bob

Don't fret someone will come with a good answer. I've been on this board for a long time and I still don't know~!

I recently got a peavey 4ohm cab and a 450 watt ampeg solid state head and it doesn't seem like enough.

Now I'm thinking I might need to go 800-1000 perhaps or maybe read more about the magical tube loudness I've read about.

That may be because there is no one simple answer to such questions.

Even if you were to buy a head that puts out 4,000 watts, your choice of loudspeakers, equalization preferences, the environment in which you play, whether or not bass is going through the PA, your playing style, the kind of music you play, and numerous other factors would all need to be taken into account.

[SpamBot]

I'd say at least 2 watts.

[southshoreconor]

i run around around 180 watts (mesa 400) into an ampeg 8x10 and that seems to work fine in my hardcore/punk band.

however, on both my jazz bass and P bass my pickguards are black, so those numbers may be off a bit.

Edit: the head is in a Calzone road case which may add or take away from the actual perceived volume. i'm not sure.

[fourstringburn]

3000 watts and 16 -10's does the job for me! Low frequencies never seem to drown out high frequencies, but massive power can make a Marshall stack sweat!

[thedude77md]

Honestly, it depends on the amp. Manufacturers aren't so accurate with wattage rating these days. I've competed with a cranked 100 watt tube head through a 4x12 and been fine with a LMII and an Orange BT through a 2x12. I've also had a Yorkville 800 watter through a 4x10 and couldn't hear myself at all.

Part of it is also the EQ. Most guys dig the mid scoop and it sounds great on it's own but I find it next to impossible to hear in a mix. Try upping the mids a little on whatever you're using and you may find you're OK. You may also be able to get away with less watts through more speakers.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Why would You want to play over Your bandmates?

If it's an ego boost You're after, two or three SVT tube stacks might get You there.

Regards
Sam

[ReidK]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.
Why would You want to play over Your bandmates?

I was wondering if anyone else caught that...

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

That may be because there is no one simple answer to such questions.

Even if you were to buy a head that puts out 4,000 watts into a 4-Ohm load (nominal), your choice of loudspeakers, equalization preferences, the environment in which you play, whether or not bass is going through the PA, your playing style, the kind of music you play, and numerous other factors would all need to be taken into account.

+1 (though 4kW is probably enough).

Reid

[atheos]

For real, a slap in the face of the loud playing guitards should be sufficient. Slap with the body of your bass if necessary. Multiple times. Outpowering each other is plain stupid and the most common amateur mistake, no matter what genre you play. No, playing at 130dB won't make you cool or heavy. It only makes you selfish douche and eventually, deaf.

Bad idea? 4 kilowatts then, seems like fairly enough. If your tone cn be measured in Richter scale, you're good to go. Guitards can shake a few windows but how cool is an earthquake?