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300 watts loud enough for band?

W

williamk

Apr 2, 2008
871
28
#1
I'm going to buy a Marshall combo soon (MB4210) and it's a 300watts (or 450watts if you add a another speaker) amp. I was wondering if this amp will be loud enough to play with a band, since it's pretty much the same size as my old fender rumble 60 (60 watts) which of course is not nearly as loud enough. So does size have nothing to do with volume here? I'm not going to buy an extra speaker right away, so it's going to be a 300watts amp for the time being.
thanks
 
#4
Watts and decibels (what sound levels are measured in) have no direct correlation. Cabinet size and frequency response, however, do. To simplify, the bigger the box the lower it goes. The added power of the Marshall without a larger cab and better driver to make use of it may mean it's no louder/lower than what you have now.
 
#13
Depends, since watts doesn't always equal volume...and some companies are a little creative with their wattage ratings to boot. I'd say your volume has more to do with your cab anyway. A 210 ported might be ok, but you'd probably be better with a 410 ported for additional volume.
 
#15
I have been using a GK Backline 600 (300 watts) into a 4 ohm Avatar 212 for years with several bands and I've never had an issue with inside or outside gigs. If the venue is bigger than that can handle, there has always been PA support so it's never been a problem. Just my experience.
 
#16
Richard Lindsey said:
No offense, but why have you decided to buy this amp already if you're not sure it will do what you want it to do?
Click to expand...

because I went and tried it and love the sound, but I didn't boost the volume all the way up in the musicstore to see how loud it could get.

and guys, it's really nice of you to help, but please stop trying to suggest a bigger and louder amp, believe me if I had the money I would buy a bigger one obviously...
 
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#18
williamk said:
and guys, it's really nice of you to help, but please stop trying to suggest a bigger and louder amp, believe me if I had the money I would buy a bigger one obviously...
Click to expand...

Actually, I would encourage you to go the other way. Smaller, if your situation allows.

Namely: 1) Do you have P.A. that can carry bass, or not? And 2) what size rooms does/will your band play?

My band has a P.A. with 2 18-inch subs per side, and with bass going direct through the P.A. I have rocked 300-capacity rooms with my LowDown 150 (watt) combo amp and had absolutely no problem hearing myself onstage or in the house. And no we are not a jug band, we are three electric guitars, bass and drums doing guitar oriented rock.
 
#20
Jay is 100# right... They have a nice PA and it carrys 100# of the load. He's never lost in the mix & I've heard their band 5+ times, always good and loud in a 300+ seat room...

BUt with a small PA or vocal only you can never have enough Horse Power. BOB
 

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