Will the extra 300w make or break it?

tubaman2 · #1 01-15-2011, 10:53 AM

So I'm looking at getting a new amp, but my funds are severely limited. Waiting for a gig and some then for some other money to get paid to me. I'm considering 3 heads right now. The GK MB Fusion, The Little Mark tube, and the Little Mark Tube 800. Basically my question is, will the extra 300 watts be worth the money of getting the tube 800. Conversely, if I can't get enough money for the 800, is it gonna be that big of a deal.

As a side note I'm running a GK Backline 600 right now through An acoustic 4x10 and a peavey tour 1x15. I'll be using the same cabs and they both go at 8 ohms, so it isn't actually 300 more watts, but the same principle applies. I'm basically looking for plenty of headroom, and wondering if the 500 watt heads will give me a decent amount.

Rumblefisher · #2 01-15-2011, 11:45 AM

Well, it'll give you a decent amount till you push the amp or speakers past their capabilities. The question becomes how loud do you want to maintain a crisp sound? Enough for a coffee house? Stadium?

wvbass · #3 01-15-2011, 12:18 PM

If you were debating between a 200 watt amp and a 500 watt amp, then, yes, the extra 300 watts might be really important.

I find it quite surprising just how loud my little LMII actually can be through two 112 cabs. Same thing with the MB2-500. Both are 500W amps.

I really have to wonder just how loud these guys that need more than 500 watts are trying to be. With PA support, I have trouble imagining the situation where you'd ever need more than that. Without PA support, I can still handle a decent sized room with 2 112 cabs. If I need more, I move to my 810e, not to a more powerful amp.

christw · #4 01-15-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvbass

If you were debating between a 200 watt amp and a 500 watt amp, then, yes, the extra 300 watts might be really important.

I find it quite surprising just how loud my little LMII actually can be through two 112 cabs. Same thing with the MB2-500. Both are 500W amps.

I really have to wonder just how loud these guys that need more than 500 watts are trying to be. With PA support, I have trouble imagining the situation where you'd ever need more than that. Without PA support, I can still handle a decent sized room with 2 112 cabs. If I need more, I move to my 810e, not to a more powerful amp.

People tend to mistakenly equate more watts with more volume where as speaker mass is most important. Like you, I switch cabs based on volume requirements, not amps. 300w will be almost negligible when it's 500w vs 800w. 25w vs 325 is another story.

iiipopes · #5 01-15-2011, 12:42 PM

Assuming the same speaker effiency, it takes about ten times the watts to get a perceived doubling of volume.

What is really important is a well designed amp that has the headroom to stay clean when you need it. In this case, if properly designed, an larger amp can be beneficial.

One overlooked component is the volume knob. Regardless of how many watts you have, you will seldom use them all. So the volume knob needs have the right taper so when you back it off it is usable for whatever volume you need or desire for the situation, not just an "all or nothing" knob.

Bass_Pounder · #6 01-15-2011, 01:09 PM

+1 to everything above.

Want to add that if *I were you*, I would stick with the 500 watt amp, and then sell that 1X15 and buy another matching 4X10

THAT is where your volume is going to come from.

christw · #7 01-15-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

+1 to everything above.

Want to add that if *I were you*, I would stick with the 500 watt amp, and then sell that 1X15 and buy another matching 4X10

THAT is where your volume is going to come from.

Sound advice. The 115 will usually be the weak link of a 410+115 rig with regard to power handling and excursion plus a 15" speaker will only move about as much as two 10's so another 410 will sound louder.

tubaman2 · #8 01-15-2011, 03:29 PM

Thanks guys for the advice. I can get a good volume out of what I have, it just doesn't sound good that loud. Now I can save myself some money. I'll probably keep the 1x15 just because I like how it affects my sound, and with a better/ more powerful amp, it should retain that or give me an even more desired effect. I'll definitely take the advice on only getting the 500 though.

lazyone2 · #9 01-15-2011, 05:25 PM

Just a thought , why not consider better speakers. Acoustic 4x10 not the best not even close. They will effect your sound more then a new amp will.

tubaman2 · #10 01-15-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazyone2

Just a thought , why not consider better speakers. Acoustic 4x10 not the best not even close. They will effect your sound more then a new amp will.

That is what i would like to do eventually, but for now I mostly just need more headroom because my amp's sound starts getting really nasty at high volumes. When I am on a less tight budget I'll be able to get better cabs.