A question of volume?

[BurningSkies]

Watts are a bit subjective with amp makers. And there are many variables to perceived volume that were already mentioned...speaker surface area and efficiency, eq voicing of the amp, and even location---if the Fender was up against a wall but the Ampeg was in the middle of the room, etc.

That being said, Fender Rumble amps get a lot louder at their rated watts than a lot of other brands.

Um...only if you're reading the sales materials. Watts are a calculated/measured number rather than anything subjective...you need measured voltage from the amp's output before clipping and impedance load. Nothing subjective about it.

If you said that volume is subjective, that's another story.

 

[Square]

Well You guys have to remember I'm new to the "Bass world". I drug my little Ampeg out into the walkway that surrounds my second floor (two story entry way) so I could get away from the amp. My longest cord is about 20' so that was as far as I could go. I also played with the EQ a bit putting mid and bass about 2 o'clock and treble about 1 o'clock or so. Gain at 1 o'clock and volume at 3 o'clock. Remember my bass has a pre so the -16db button is in. I started with the eq flat (middle detente) on the guitar and adjusted for taste from there.

I'm a bit more convinced that I have all the volume I need or should have for my set up. My wife was away and returned while I was playing/testing. She said she could here it as soon as she got out of the car so I guess it's loud.

Thnx again to all for the great discussion.

 

[will33]

The second cab in that chart is a Fitzmaurice horn loaded subwoofer. Of course it outperforms that 810 in the lows...with a single 12....it's supposed to.

 

[chriscrob]

The frequencies accented by speakers/cabs and by your eq'ing will make a huge difference in perceived volume, particularly relative to other noises (a band or even conversation). In a band, mids are super-important to cutting through. That mid-scoop button that sounds so great when you're alone won't sound the same way when there are other sounds to compete with.

Also, if you want more volume you don't have to depress the -16db button. It is literally just -16db. You won't hurt anything by not using it---just adjust your eq/preamp knob so you're not clipping. Lots of "active" inputs/buttons take too much away IMO.

 

[JimmyM]

Well You guys have to remember I'm new to the "Bass world". I drug my little Ampeg out into the walkway that surrounds my second floor (two story entry way) so I could get away from the amp. My longest cord is about 20' so that was as far as I could go. I also played with the EQ a bit putting mid and bass about 2 o'clock and treble about 1 o'clock or so. Gain at 1 o'clock and volume at 3 o'clock. Remember my bass has a pre so the -16db button is in. I started with the eq flat (middle detente) on the guitar and adjusted for taste from there.

I'm a bit more convinced that I have all the volume I need or should have for my set up. My wife was away and returned while I was playing/testing. She said she could here it as soon as she got out of the car so I guess it's loud.

Thnx again to all for the great discussion.

Bass players often have zero clue how loud they are. I like a present mix on the bass too, but past a certain point and it gets grossly excessive and not at all fun. Rather than trying to hear yourself above all else, try to get a good mix with everyone in the band. Play to the drummer's volume and coordinate your levels with everyone else so it sounds more like you're listening to an album than you playing over your albums.

 

[Truktek2]

Unless you can prove that something is actually wrong with your amp, I will have to say that the volume taper of the ampegs doesn't allow these things to get rocking until way past half way up on the knob. Also, the gain setting of this amp really needs to be tweaked because it will allow you to turn the level down to nothing, or up to clipping. This is what drives the final master volume. You should set the gain as hot as you can without it clipping, and that will give you more signal to amplify. Even after that, I'm at 2 or 3 o'clock compared to 9 or 10 o'clock on my GKs. It's loud there though. That amp should be getting plenty loud for you.

Yep. What he said.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Well You guys have to remember I'm new to the "Bass world". I drug my little Ampeg out into the walkway that surrounds my second floor (two story entry way) so I could get away from the amp. My longest cord is about 20' so that was as far as I could go. I also played with the EQ a bit putting mid and bass about 2 o'clock and treble about 1 o'clock or so. Gain at 1 o'clock and volume at 3 o'clock. Remember my bass has a pre so the -16db button is in. I started with the eq flat (middle detente) on the guitar and adjusted for taste from there.

I'm a bit more convinced that I have all the volume I need or should have for my set up. My wife was away and returned while I was playing/testing. She said she could here it as soon as she got out of the car so I guess it's loud.

Thnx again to all for the great discussion.

No need to engage the pad unless it's absolutely necessary. Just use the gain control on the amp to set your level, and forget about the "active" switch on the amp. Honest, they are not needed unless your bass is so hot you clip the preamp with a very low gain setting.