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100 watts tube sufficient?

#61
I use a 100 watt Univox (sort of a super bass clone) through a 2x15 with three guitarists playing through 2x12s and a 4x12. I like a dirty tone, but by the time I get enough volume from it for any grit I'm in trouble with the sound guy for bleeding into the drum mics, and my band mates because nobody else can hear themselves on stage.

I know that people like different tones than I do, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around why so much wattage is needed, unless you're playing without support outside.
 
#62
lfmn16 said:
If you are maxing out a 100 watt tube amp you are probably playing too loud. ;)
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Uh, no. :bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist:
3404B191-225D-443C-BFC6-41597AA8B929.jpeg
 
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#65
It's very context-specific. I've played gigs on a 50-watt Bassman 10, and the bass player for my (loud punkish rock) band played many a show on that. Later on she played a V4B through a generic 2x15. We never had any trouble with the bass being loud enough, or unduly distorted, and she played loud and aggressively enough that she occasionally blew out other people's gear.For most rock or punk, various kinds of old-school R&B and blues, etc., in standard tuning, 50-100 tube watts with the right cabinet has plenty of authority. If you want a really loud, clean, punchy sound or you have an extended low range, not so much.
 
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#67
A 100 watt tube amp can be more than enough, but it depends on 2 variables - the efficiency of your speakers, and what kind of volume you need to keep up with. I've used a V4B with a pair of SVT-210AV's in a 2 guitar, keyboard, harmonica, (loudish) drummer, +vocals blues band. But there were no stacks of Marshalls. Everyone used a combo of some sort, with FOH support. I don't think I ever had the volume and gain knobs turned up past 10 o'clock
 
#68
I recently used a Marshall JTM 45/100 into a 4x12 for a show, and I could only get the amp to about 3 on the volume knob before it was blasting the place out. Could have easily buried the guitar and drums, and that's only 70w before distortion. Most places I can only get the Sunn 2000s with matching cab to about 3 or so on the dial or it would get too loud (granted that's a conservative 120w). In neither case would the amp be overdriving. It really depends on the space, who you're playing with, and the efficiency of the cab.
 
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#69
logdrum said:
Thanks @Stumbo. My SWR which has been my mainstay was repaired recently and now operating like it was new and the peavey + preamp tube setup keeps up. It is rated at 40 Hz on the low end so open B string may not be as good on the SWR but mid wise using the same pre it cuts better. Aslo the tube clips nicely when pushed at high volumes. I think I'll keep this setup
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Sure, keep your setup AND add an HPF to get more clean headroom and get that B string sounding strong. You'll definitely hear a change for the better. :-)
 
#70
logdrum said:
I submitted a thread about how I accidently found a reversed hybrid amp setup. Basically a tech 21 "British/Marshall" character pedal into a Peavey classic 50/50 stereo power amp bridge mono. But I finally got to test other solid state and tube preamps, Radial, PJ, preamp of my SWR 350, Alembic F2b, ARTs and Demeter H2. I am getting in a couple of days an older Demeter VTB201 (old as in the labels are handmade a label maker)

The cabs will be 2 EA Whizzy 12s. Of course I'll have a Carvin B1000 for backup.

For those that use an Ampeg V4B or a similar wattage tube amp, how are you getting along in your gigs?
Do you have to mic it or send the DI signal to FOH?
Stage volume for you and the band?
Do you use it for power tube distortion and the stage volume is miced or controlled by the sound guys?

I am more of a clean player. I also play the upright.

I had a jam in a July 4th party(big house lots of people) and the power amp held pretty well. I brought a JBL powered 10 just in case but did not have to use that. This time I just used an ART tube preamp (with a NOS RCA Grey Plate 12ax7 and used the preset bass EQ). I really dug the sound. Smoother than my Prodigy when set to flat. My bass is active (Pope pre) and I just used the bass EQ for additional EQ. Only needed a bass boost for same reggae lines. The power amp was set below 5. Controlled drummer and keys and guitar. No one asked me to play louder.

But this was a jam inside and not sure how it would work outside or in bar with a dance floor.

I am a sucker for tube amplification though. I originally got the 50/50 planning on bypassing the presence and resonance and use it for another home stereo.
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Smoother than your "prodigy" as in a Mesa Kt88 head? There's one on here for sale for 1100, it's a great head and a good price. It's over 2 grand new. Prodigy Eight:kt88 is a killer like the trace elliot V8. Over 4 grand new. If you want a good tubey head, Try an Eden WT800 or even a 500. A Aguilar DP750/751 is a killer Tube/ss head. A v-Type Preamp and any TE Kt88 power amp you can find will give you an equivalent of a v4 or v6. Some bass players are using Kempers to get any sound you want. They should be making a bass head but apparently they work great.
 
#71
Balog said:
What kind of cabs?

I saw Om years ago (a two piece of Al Cisneros from Sleep and a drummer). IIRC Al was running a pair of 4x15's and a pair of 4x12's. I think there was one master Green tube amp and slaved tube power amps for each of the other cabs? There was at least one master and two power amps anyway. Loudest thing I've ever heard. The drummer had an enormous china symbol, and it was close mic'ed and put through the PA to keep up with the rig. So cool.
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Barefaced Super 15. I use two and two heads if I wanna be ridiculous and make people's pints in a neighbouring bar move round on their own. I also use some Green stuff sometimes.

12794947_568000023377044_8234520560146677764_o.jpg
 
#72
Bigbri said:
Smoother than your "prodigy" as in a Mesa Kt88 head? There's one on here for sale for 1100, it's a great head and a good price. It's over 2 grand new. Prodigy Eight:kt88 is a killer like the trace elliot V8. Over 4 grand new. If you want a good tubey head, Try an Eden WT800 or even a 500. A Aguilar DP750/751 is a killer Tube/ss head. A v-Type Preamp and any TE Kt88 power amp you can find will give you an equivalent of a v4 or v6. Some bass players are using Kempers to get any sound you want. They should be making a bass head but apparently they work great.
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Yeah it is with the ART MP and also with my friend's Demeter. . Compared it through the Prodigy's FX return. I have a Prodigy.
 
#73
I use an Ashdown CTM-100 and 2 Bassic 1x15 cabs. This rig has plenty of volume for every gig I have played, preamp and volume nowhere near maxed.

I have not played massive gigs in front of thousands of people and I would assume it wouldn’t be loud enough on its own for that...but in that scenario I guarantee there would be PA support.
 
#76
logdrum said:
I submitted a thread about how I accidently found a reversed hybrid amp setup. Basically a tech 21 "British/Marshall" character pedal into a Peavey classic 50/50 stereo power amp bridge mono. But I finally got to test other solid state and tube preamps, Radial, PJ, preamp of my SWR 350, Alembic F2b, ARTs and Demeter H2. I am getting in a couple of days an older Demeter VTB201 (old as in the labels are handmade a label maker)

The cabs will be 2 EA Whizzy 12s. Of course I'll have a Carvin B1000 for backup.

For those that use an Ampeg V4B or a similar wattage tube amp, how are you getting along in your gigs?
Do you have to mic it or send the DI signal to FOH?
Stage volume for you and the band?
Do you use it for power tube distortion and the stage volume is miced or controlled by the sound guys?

I am more of a clean player. I also play the upright.

I had a jam in a July 4th party(big house lots of people) and the power amp held pretty well. I brought a JBL powered 10 just in case but did not have to use that. This time I just used an ART tube preamp (with a NOS RCA Grey Plate 12ax7 and used the preset bass EQ). I really dug the sound. Smoother than my Prodigy when set to flat. My bass is active (Pope pre) and I just used the bass EQ for additional EQ. Only needed a bass boost for same reggae lines. The power amp was set below 5. Controlled drummer and keys and guitar. No one asked me to play louder.

But this was a jam inside and not sure how it would work outside or in bar with a dance floor.

I am a sucker for tube amplification though. I originally got the 50/50 planning on bypassing the presence and resonance and use it for another home stereo.
Click to expand...

If not loud enough, get more speakers, but mind the ohmage.
 
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#77
UK-built Ashdown CTM-100 w/ a NOS NEO 115H cab:
AshdownDani.jpg


(On its side apparently!:roflmao:)

Sometimes I'll choose to load in with this set-up when I'm feeling the NEED for tubes, even tho my Quilter BB does a pretty good job of sounding that way too.

I play R&B, Funk and Soul covers, usually w/ Keys and/or guitar, and drums of course.
Not Metallica-level volume, but a good solid output for the room that makes people feel the bass and DANCE.

Besides the 100 tube watts from this rig being adequate for me, this amp has a superb DI, which pretty much solves any "issues" or doubts about its capability.
 
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#79
I am still in NM and today I got a call to fill in, Reggae tunes and GD covers and Blues. So I have my radial tonebone in case I need some EQ, the ART MP and the peavey head. For cabs, the sealed Carvin 2x10 and aMesa 1X15 that they had . I also brought the Tech21 marshall character pedal and I ended up using that instead of the ART. Used the Peavey's DI

Yep loud enough, They had an Ampeg 350-H in case my setup failed. But that's a early 90's Peavey. Definitely bringing this with me to Socal to pair with the Demeter.

The feel is a bit elastic as I played louder and I kept my right hand towards the bridge to keep the thump going.
 
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