Teach me a little about amps?

[Evil Undead]

Ok. I unfortunately don't have much of a clue when it comes to amps so I'm looking to learn a bit.

I've just ordered a new amp - the Ampeg SVT micro stack. Was reading through the specs and it's 150W @ 8ohms with the one 210 cab, or 200W @ 4 ohms with two of the 210 cabs.

So if I've ordered the one cab to go with the head, that means it's 150W right? What does that mean? Am I not meant to turn it up above a certain volume so I don't break the speakers or something?

Also... my current amp is a 180W combo with one 12" speaker. I use this for pub gigs but have never had it above 3/4 volume, and it's been plenty loud enough. So I assume I'll get enough sound from the micro stack, is that correct?

Sorry for all the questions, but I just find this amp business so confusing!

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Sartori]

It's a solid state head. It only puts out 150 watts (RMS) at 8 ohms. No matter how high you turn up, that is how much clean power it is capable of putting out at that impedance.

[anonymous02282011]

the micro stack will probably be loud enough for you, but if not adding a second identical cabinet will get you more volume.

As far as turning up the volume goes, if you really need to crank it keep your eyes and ears on the speaker cab. If the cones start moving in strange ways or if you hear anything that sounds like the cab is asking for a break then simply turn it down.

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by Sartori

It's a solid state head. It only puts out 150 watts (RMS) at 8 ohms. No matter how high you turn up, that is how much clean power it is capable of putting out at that impedance.

Um... huh?

Originally Posted by adbass

the micro stack will probably be loud enough for you, but if not adding a second identical cabinet will get you more volume.

As far as turning up the volume goes, if you really need to crank it keep your eyes and ears on the speaker cab. If the cones start moving in strange ways or if you hear anything that sounds like the cab is asking for a break then simply turn it down.

I hope it will be loud enough. I can't afford another of the cabs! I only play very small pub gigs at the moment, so I'm hoping that as my combo coped easily that this one will as well. I can always save for another of the cabs somewhere down the line.

So what does ohms mean? And how to tell what power amp can go with which cabs etc?

[chad.planet]

What model is your combo? Four tens (2x210's connected to the micro head) Should be loud enough. Especially over a single twelve, two cabs at 8 ohms connected to that head will create a resistance or impedance of 4 ohms, the less resistance, the more power.. So if that micro head allows an impedance of 4 ohms you could connect both 210's and get more volume, typically a solid state pushing that many watts at 8 ohms will push about 250 watts at 4 ohms. But I have not looked at the specs of that head, too lazy. But that's what I'd assume

[Balog]

There is an extensive faq at the top of the page that answers your questions.

[BigOldHarry]

a 2x10 won't be all that loud, no matter what. Given that this is a bit of bargain amp, I suspect that it will be fine for small / coffee house gigs or quiet jams - but if you're hoping to match up to your buddy's Marshall, you will be let down. Even with an extension 2x10 cab, you'll be overwhelmed.

For the same money, you can better used gear that will do a better job of filling the space with bass.

[Munjibunga]

That rig is the only Ampeg I've ever liked. I found some very usable tones in it, but it's not going to have enough volume for more than small to medium venues (maybe 100 people or so). Keep in mind that the rule of thumb for bass power is ten times your guitarist's power.

Find everything you ever wanted to know about amps here.

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by Sartori

It's a solid state head. It only puts out 150 watts (RMS) at 8 ohms. No matter how high you turn up, that is how much clean power it is capable of putting out at that impedance.

Oh... Having read this a few times, I think I get it. So I'm not going to blow the 210 by turning it up to almost full?

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Oh... Having read this a few times, I think I get it. So I'm not going to blow the 210 by turning it up to almost full?

you never know... at full-throttle, amps can have odd transients, and transients are what hose speakers.

I've always figured that if I have to turn my amp up full, I don't have enough amp.

[Evil Undead]

Hmm. I wonder whether this rig will be loud enough then.

Trouble is that I need a rig under £500, including a cab that weighs less than 30lbs. Any thoughts?

[Balog]

A cheap, <30 lb cab won't get really loud. But if a 1x12 180watt combo is working, you don't need really loud. Seriously, read the faq dude.

[Evil Undead]

I'm reading them, but there's loads, and I'm not the sharpest tool...

Ok one more question? Then I'll stop
If a head gives minimum impedance 4ohms, does that mea you can't use it with 8ohms or with 2ohms?

[RickenBoogie]

Minimum means "at the very least. 8 is greater than 4, so that's ok, 2 is LESS than 4, so that's NOT ok, ok?

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Balog

A cheap, <30 lb cab won't get really loud. But if a 1x12 180watt combo is working, you don't need really loud. Seriously, read the faq dude.

Under 30 lbs??

Oh my.

I think you need a Magic Amp!

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Minimum means "at the very least. 8 is greater than 4, so that's ok, 2 is LESS than 4, so that's NOT ok, ok?

Got it thanks!

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Under 30 lbs??

Oh my.

I think you need a Magic Amp!

Ah, if such a thing existed, my back would be thrilled!

[DanNowhere]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Hmm. I wonder whether this rig will be loud enough then.

Trouble is that I need a rig under £500, including a cab that weighs less than 30lbs. Any thoughts?

Put your cabinet up at head level so you can hear it, and mic it or run out of the DI into the PA. I'm assuming you have a PA for your gigs, right? If not, even just getting it up higher will help you hear it better. Of course, like someone else said, if you're trying to compete with Marshall stacks and a loud drummer, this rig won't win that battle.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Oh... Having read this a few times, I think I get it. So I'm not going to blow the 210 by turning it up to almost full?

Depends. The "150 watts" is only before it starts distorting. When it starts doing that depends on a variety of other factors. You may run out of headroom (volume without noticeable distorting of the sound) quite a bit before it appears to be up all the way.

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by DanNowhere

Put your cabinet up at head level so you can hear it, and mic it or run out of the DI into the PA. I'm assuming you have a PA for your gigs, right? If not, even just getting it up higher will help you hear it better. Of course, like someone else said, if you're trying to compete with Marshall stacks and a loud drummer, this rig won't win that battle.

Well, fortunately there are no stacks involved, and our drummer isn't too loud so that's all good. However, I think I've abandoned the idea of this little rig, although the size and weight is perfect, I don't honestly think it would be powerful enough with one cab.

I'm now looking at a Gallien Krueger Backline 210BLX-II paired with a Hartke 2500 head. The head is 180W into 8 ohms or 250W into 4 ohms, and the cab is 200W, 8 ohms. So it seems to me that it would be good for 180W with one cab, and if I saved for another of the same cabs further down the line, I could hook them both up for 250W.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on that.

[Evil Undead]

No one?