What position do you put your volume at?

namuxtree · #1 10-22-2011, 12:11 AM

I have this unusual paranoia to never push my amp past the 12 o' clock position because I always feel like I'm going to push my amp to failure. So I wondered what volume levels you guys would never pass. I understand that it varies from gig to gig but where do you guys draw the line?

Clammy · #2 10-22-2011, 12:30 AM

I've had my amps on 10 (flat out). No worries about blowing anything up .I wouldn't play them flat out for hours, but for reasonable amounts of time, they're good to go. BTW, my amps are early 70s Marshall Super Basses and a late 90s Marshall VBA 400 (I've only had that one dimed for a few moments, as the sound pressure was crushing my skull!

).

Oh yeah, make sure the cab(s) you're plugged into can take the output of your amp full-on before trying it!

Cheers!

Passinwind · #3 10-22-2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namuxtree

I understand that it varies from gig to gig but where do you guys draw the line?

I generally ignore where the knobs are pointing as long as it sounds good.

T-Bird · #4 10-22-2011, 12:59 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

I generally ignore where the knobs are pointing as long as it sounds good.

^The same for me.

Regards
Sam

Bongokid · #5 10-22-2011, 01:09 AM

12 o clock for me.

rodl2005 · #6 10-22-2011, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

I generally ignore where the knobs are pointing as long as it sounds good.

Same 4 me.

tekdiver500ft · #7 10-22-2011, 01:38 AM

I'll dime the volume. That really means nothing, though, as there are a ton of other knobs that will affect the amp and/or cab. For example, if your gain is at 7 o'clock (barely on), then volume won't hurt anything, and you'll barely hear the amp, even alone in your bedroom. At "stage volume," I play with gain around 2 o'clock, bass at 3, mid at 1, treble at 10, and vary volume to suit the venue. Even with those numbers, I'll dime the main. Of course, my rig is under warranty, and I'd rather find out now if there's a problem...

johnk_10 · #8 10-22-2011, 01:49 AM

every amp has a different gain structure and you can't really go by where the dial is set, so as Charley said, just go by what sounds good.
on some amps, like the old acoustic 320's, at 3-4 o'clock , or an SVT at 11 o'clock you're running full power, while on others, you don't get full power until you're at 1-2 o'clock, so actually it means very little.

JimmyM · #9 10-22-2011, 05:42 AM

Another internet "factoid" that is based on nothing but somehow became accepted as fact by a certain contingency of folks.

bassgod0dmw · #10 10-22-2011, 06:23 AM

Wherever it sounds good and is loud enough for me to hear. It's different for every room.

dbase · #11 10-22-2011, 06:38 AM

From 1 to 10 .. I leave it at 6 and adjust the volume on the bass which after 5 minutes goes all the way up.

Bassmec · #12 10-22-2011, 06:38 AM

Well there are a number of factors that are not being taken
onto consideration here, like for instance:
A) The size of knob concerned and what the knob goes up to:

Its a jolly big black knob that goes all the way up to 20!.
Also you might need to take into consideration the output level
available from the bass guitar, some have been known to be quite big in that department, see the following:

Shown here is Eigor, Johnk_10's trusty manservant delivering the new high output model from the spray shop back to the master, to have the special new design pickups and high tension electrics fitted.
You can clearly tell its Johnk_10's place by the 19" rack mount atm machine on his wall.