Does anybody really need more than 500 watts?

[DJ Bebop]

Thanks for the reminder. I did 10 years of The Nerve, in just about every venue imaginable lest arenas (and MSG ), and never used anything outside of my Peavey TKO, which I'm pretty sure was only 150 watts. I think that memory settled this for me.

I may have missed this but, what cabinet are you going to be using?
For me, it's really about what I need behind me, as most small coffee shops, small dinner things, and venues I can get by with a 1x12 cab, even though my head (WD-800) can put out 800 watts, I run it at 300 watts. Anything bigger, there's usually PA support with some sort of monitor system and again, I only need to worry about my own sound comforts and the Mesa head and 1x12 are enough.

If your cabinet can hang and you've got the scrilla, go for more just because, if not, that'll do

 

[MegaSwing]

Power is one of the most important tone-shaping features of them all. But like any ingredient, it must be used wisely. Otherwise you just have a mess.

 

[mrcbass]

My 500 watt GK MB500 barely keeps up with my rehearsal volume needs - in a one car garage. Gig without a sub to pump through? Fuggtetaboutit.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

For me its size not power. My 800w GK head is the size of a hardcover book. Do I need 800w? Nope! But it's so compact so why not?

If it were some 100 pound lead sled, I would have to question my reasoning....

 

[DJ Bebop]

My 500 watt GK MB500 barely keeps up with my rehearsal volume needs - in a one car garage. Gig without a sub to pump through? Fuggtetaboutit.

More speakers?

 

[Fat Freddy]

Not sayin ya don't, but wondering.

I currently have a 700 watt Carvin that I love, but no longer trust. I'm considering replacing it with one of these 500 watters...

View attachment 4032359

...but wondering if I'll ever need more wattage.

In my experience all that's ever necessary in any band/gig situation is enough volume to get a comfortable mix on stage. Anything louder than that is going through the house anyhow.

SO... does anyone here feel they really need more than 500 watts, and if so, please convince me. I am open to dropping $150 more for the higher watt version. I just think right now its might very well just be a waste.

In my experience you can get all of the volume that you want from a 500 watter with the right cabs.....

However.....Again in my experience....more watts also means a fuller, cleaner sound.....

Let it idle rather than bustin' it's balls......

 

[DJ Bebop]

Power is one of the most important tone-shaping features of them all. But like any ingredient, it must be used wisely. Otherwise you just have a mess.

 

[mrcbass]

More speakers?

410 and a 115? Seems very overkill. And we do try to keep volumes down (for the first few songs...)

 

[Sixgunn]

I guess the answer to your question is, yes.

As for what you need, that is up to you.

Here's a few things to consider. As we double our amp's wattage, we only increase loudness by 3 db. So, if you go from a 500 watt amp to a 1,000 watt amp............you'll get 3 more decibels of loudness

Loudness is more determined by the efficiency of your speakers or speaker cab/cabs. Example, one cab might put out 93 db @ one watt, one meter. Another cab might put out 101 db @ one watt one meter. It will be significantly louder than the other one with using the same amount of amp power.

I have read that Schroder Bass Cabs are among some of the most efficient bass cabs on the marker. That would mean that they are louder. Now as to how they sound, I do not know.

I'm sure some other TalkBass people will chime in to help you with this matter of amps and wattage.
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Edit, most amp's power ratings are over rated (just like car's gas mileage). I read once that a 500 watt MarkBass amp was more like 440 watts or something less than 500.

I have a 600watt 4ohm Schroeder 12PL that I'm currently running with a Mesa Subway BB800+ or a Quilter BB800 and it's been more than adequate for the venues we play.

 

[DJ Bebop]

410 and a 115? Seems very overkill. And we do try to keep volumes down (for the first few songs...)

In a one-car garage?
Is it a practice or a dress rehearsal?
Something is wrong but, that's just IMHO.
Carry on!

 

[TheReceder]

I use my 1500bx to control the stage volume...

When I bring it... the guitarists know that if they get stupid loud, I COMPENSATE!

Our sound man figured it out and thanked me... told me when I bring the big rig he knows the stage volume will be controlled.... I usually run between 1 and 2, but have played outdoor venues where I actually needed the extra volume... Had the production company kept the monitors at a sane level I wouldn't need it.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

500w is not enough for a 1-car garage? Sound like your guitarist needs to turn it down (I know....when pigs fly) and your drummer needs to lighten it up.

 

[Ric5]

350 watts is enough for me

 

[BAG]

My 500 watt GK MB500 barely keeps up with my rehearsal volume needs - in a one car garage. Gig without a sub to pump through? Fuggtetaboutit.

410 and a 115? Seems very overkill. And we do try to keep volumes down (for the first few songs...)

In a one-car garage?
Is it a practice or a dress rehearsal?
Something is wrong but, that's just IMHO.
Carry on!

500w is not enough for a 1-car garage? Sound like your guitarist needs to turn it down (I know....when pigs fly) and your drummer needs to lighten it up.

An hour after rehearsal
WHAT??? What did you say? (ears ringing)

If I even got close to pushing my 500w MB212 hard I'd be telling the guitarist and drummer some choice words.

 

[foolforthecity]

It's hard for me to imagine a setting where more than that is needed. Unless you're talking about loud rock in a large hall with no FOH support, like a high school band in the 80s playing in a cafetorium.

I hope I never have to play in a situation that requires more than that, let's just say that.

Don’t forget the 70’s... that’s when my ears and back blew out

 

[foolforthecity]

700 watts is 1.46 dB louder than 500.

1.46 db.

I dunno, doesn't seem to be enough difference to matter to me.

That’s somewhere in the vicinity of 50% more power

 

[sawzalot]

I used to play with 1500 watts onstage. But then we upgraded our PA and I started running through that and I didn't need so much juice onstage. Probably a sweet spot is around 800 watts into 4 ohms these days.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

That’s somewhere in the vicinity of 50% more power

...and decibels aren't measured linearly

 

[Smooth_bass88]

An SVT with accompanying 8x10 cabinet is "only" 300 watts. I just requested one for backline for a metal gig I'm doing soon. I believe it will be more than sufficient.

 

[foolforthecity]

...and decibels aren't measured linearly

Understood, which is why I said “somewhere in the vicinity”, but thanks