How much power do ya use on stage?

[Marko5657]

How much power do ya use on stage?

My big rig, six-space Grundorf rack full of stuff (not relevant to the thread) powered with a QSC GX5 into two Fender Pro 410 cabs, total 1,000 solid-state watts.

I rarely use all this on an actual gig, but used half of it a few times before getting the smaller rig…

Smaller bar rig, most used for gigging - Line6 Lowdown 400 (only chosen because I don’t want anything on the floor, and it has a tuner and compressor), maybe 280 watts, into a ‘90s GK 410, 8ohm cab, and sounds great!

You?

[jnewmark]

I use either 500 watts, or 1000 watts into a 4 ohm load, depending on the size of the gig and/or PA support.

[Marko5657]

I should add that lately, I always go direct, so my rig it just my stage monitor.

That’s the way the new band works it, everything miced into the PA, and I’m cool with that, but in the past I’ve done little gigs where only vocals were in the PA, maybe a bit of kick drum.

I guess that’s relevant.

[HATe410]

2 channel Crown XLS1500......can use 1 CH 300w to a GK 210BLX or 1 CH 525w to a MarkBass 104HF......or stereo the 2 ......or INPUT-Y the 2 cabs for a 2.67Ohm 775w 6x10.........or bridged 1550w to the MB 104HF.....

[Munjibunga]

I usually use my DB750 or Heart-Rock with a corresponding 410 cab (GS-410 or Quattro), so 750 watts. If it's a big outdoor venue without PA support, I'll lug the WT-800 with a D-410XLT and D-210XLT for 1,100 watts.

[Gibbsalot]

500watt MarkBass SA450 into 2x210s vertical stack

[poorbassist15]

Peavey Windsor 100 tube watts into a Peavey 2x15, which I will soon put Eminence Beta15s in, increasing my max power handling to 1200 watts. Then I will upsize, maybe get a Crown or Peavey power amp, with a SansAmp. As it is, it's stupid loud.

[smogg]

small/low volume stuff: 150w 112 combo
reg bar gigs: 500w micro head into 4ohm 212 (this rig sees the most action)
big rooms/outdoors: 3x12 vertical array w/1000w power amp

[ChrisAlan]

An early 90's Randall RB-2000 bi-amp head rated at 505 watts but tested on the bench as 550 watts running at 4 ohms. Active crossover set at 300 Hz.

1 Avatar 2x10 on hi channel
2 Custom built 1x15's loaded with Eminence Legend CB158's on the low channel

It makes my clothes move and vibrate on my back within 10 feet of it at stage volume.

[Jazzman]

With electric bass only gigs I use a 200W amp. If I am doing an electric & double bass gig a 500W micro amp gets used (not for the power, for dual channels and an HPF).

[bassplayer8953]

Carvin BX600, pushing 600 watts @ 2 ohms into Carvin BR series 2 x 10 & 1 x 15 cabs.

or...

Carvin R1000, puching 700 watts (350/350) @ 4 ohms ea into R series 2 x 10 & 1 x 15 cabs.

If I ever require more power the R1000 can run 1000 watts, but I'd have to bring 2 extra cabinets, which obviously I'd rather not do. And I've never run into a situation requiring that many watts/speakers anyway.

...it's called headroom, having more power than you need. The amp isn't overworked, the speakers aren't overworked, everything's in cruise mode, even though all hell might be breaking loose on stage...

[JimmyM]

i've used as much as 500w before, but the volume never came close to hitting that mark. but i have to have to be able to reach a certain volume, and that's why i never use less than 25w and even then i still have clean headroom a lot of the time.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by ChrisAlan

An early 90's Randall RB-2000 bi-amp head rated at 505 watts but tested on the bench as 550 watts running at 4 ohms. Active crossover set at 300 Hz.

1 Avatar 2x10 on hi channel
2 Custom built 1x15's loaded with Eminence Legend CB158's on the low channel

It makes my clothes move and vibrate on my back within 10 feet of it at stage volume.

Bi amped… cool.

I know (feel, imho) better not having different sized speakers producing the same signal, so you rig must sounds pretty awesome.



You seem to know what you're doing!

[bigboote]

er...gk400rb, 200watts. not feeling inadequate. really. not.

[chuck3]

outdoor gig Sunday, 600W into 4 ohms (2x12)

usually for indoors, 300W into 8 ohms (1x12 or 2x10)

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bigboote

er...gk400rb, 200watts. not feeling inadequate. really. not.

why should you feel inadequate? 200w is plenty for most gigs.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by bigboote

er...gk400rb, 200watts. not feeling inadequate. really. not.

Omg… if you hear yourself, you’re all-good!!!

If my guitard would turn down, I could go direct with no rig and put myself in a friggin’ HotSpot and be happy.

[tom once dead]

Anywhere from 100 watts to 1200 watts, running from a single 15 to an 810 and a 215.

When I use my own rig 300 watts into a 410 or 450 into two 410's

[Codger]

LM2 into 8 ohm LSx1503. No PA support but we are not a loud band (RnB/Horns).

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

why should you feel inadequate? 200w is plenty for most gigs.

Yep !!!