More watts = louder sound?

[SPAZ5446]

My friend (a guitarist) has always told me the higher the watts the more power and the louder an amp or cabinet is. I'm looking to buy a new amp and was wondering if this is the case? Also how does speaker size contribute? And this already a newbie question but I'll add this, what to ohms mean when it comes to bass? I just need a good explanation and also can a combo amp do the same job as a cabinet? Sorry for being such a newb when it comes to amps but I'd rather ask experienced bassists than make stupid choices with amps.

[bgmww]

read everything in this post.
AMPS FAQ!! Info on OHMS, Allsize RIGS-OverUnderPowerCabs DIY TechTalk-Links

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by SPAZ5446

My friend (a guitarist) has always told me the higher the watts the more power and the louder an amp or cabinet is. I'm looking to buy a new amp and was wondering if this is the case? .

Yes, and no. Assuming you have speakers that can make use of more watts they will go louder, but to go twice as loud takes ten times the watts. Most players don't have adequate speakers to make use of the watts they already have, and would benefit more from adding another cab than getting a more powerful amp.
Suggest you spend a few days, or weeks, reading the FAQs.

[SPAZ5446]

I'm going to rephrase this question to suit my style. What would be best for slap style, reggae bass lines, and louder metal bass lines paired with loud distorted guitars. And be able to gig from small to large rooms. How much wattage would I need, and speaker size, and head. Or could a combo amp like this Fender Rumble cut it?
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....Amp?sku=584203

[Son of Bovril]

I would recommend a head that is at least 300watts into a 212 or a 410 cabinet just because you said the word Reggae which implies deep full low end and then you said loud distorted guitars which means you need a fair amount of speaker coverage for volume.

I would consider this the minimum for average gigging. You may be able to cut it with a smaller combo but thats more the exception than the rule IME

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by SPAZ5446

I'm going to rephrase this question to suit my style. What would be best for slap style, reggae bass lines, and louder metal bass lines paired with loud distorted guitars. And be able to gig from small to large rooms. How much wattage would I need, and speaker size, and head. Or could a combo amp like this Fender Rumble cut it?
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....Amp?sku=584203

If you would read some of the stickies as suggested you will realize it is impossible for anyone to answer those questions. it sounds to me like you need a decent powerful pro rig, but there are a zillion ways to get your sounds out there and what's right for one of us won't be for another.

I would start by doing some reading, and then you can ask more defined questions and start playing through different rigs at shops to find out what all those words mean in terms of SOUND, and what appeals to you.

Honest.