As far as the "you just can't buy too many watts" thing goes, I'd say I wouldn't buy a Marshall stack to play coffee shop gigs. I'm in my 60's and I approach purchases a lot more realistically now, hence the entire topic posted here.
I'm attempting to reach a decision based on cost, size, weight, and the experiences of others without getting an amp that just ends up being way more than I practically need.
When I stopped in to audition the 200 and 500 side by side it was obvious that the 200 would be plenty based on my needs, but the lack of ability to play at a lower volume was puzzling. The odd thing to me was that the input volume had little effect on reducing the volume (even fully CCW) if the master was raised only slightly.
From all the terribly helpful posts here it does look like there was a problem with the 200.
Furthering my confusion was that the 100's capability of being as loud as it was, and it responded to change in input level on the amp in combination with the master in a way that matched what I was used to on the several amps I've used throughout my Strat, Tele, and bass playing forays over the years. I did lean the 100 over and there was a DI as with the larger amps, so that gave me further pause to think that maybe the 200 was also a bit more than what I really needed, since my bar gig days are by choice few today, and it's gonna most likely stay that way.
It's just as likely that it would be something like a park district gig where a smaller amp for personal monitor works out fine. I've used a DI in the past for those types of gigs, but not one built into the amp. Along those lines, it's unfortunate that the DI isn't pre/post switchable, so it's no big deal to use a DI before the amp. I've gigged in various bands with assorted styles for over 30 years, so I'm pretty solid on what I need as far as a stage volume.
Thanks much to each and every one of you for the voice of reason to help sort it out, it's been clarifying for me. As always, any further comments are certainly welcome!
