So what if the watts don't get used? It's not like you're taking them from someone in need of wattage.
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Getting a 500-watt 2x10 mostly (or solely) for low-volume practice?
- Thread starter Bassaga
- Start date
This is exactly what you should do. Back in the day everyone only had 1 rig. Turn it down and you have a practice rig and if you need a gig rig you're all set. Rock on!
A Blackstar U500 seems pretty modest to me. As long as you have financial security and plenty of cash to pay your bills, I say go for it. However if your not single, I encourage you to check in with the boss
.This should make you feel a bit better. I recently upped my collection of amps to 29 with the addition of a Mesa D180
. Don't worry it's been about three years since my last acquisition; I suspect I will eventually top out around 31, but I am not in any sort of hurry.I don't own any practice amps and never have. My collection consists mostly of vintage and somewhat rare amps ranging in power from a 12W 1962 Fender Princeton to a 2,500W SVT 8-Pro. The only amps I own that are still in production are an Orange AD200B and an Ashdown CTM300. I do have a couple of vintage amps that have been reissued in one form or the other, like my Ampeg SVTs, Vox AC30, Marshall 1959 and 2203, and Fender Showman Reverb, which is essentially the head form of a Twin Reverb.
My amps are all guilty pleasures. The only one I have ever actually gigged is my GK 700RB/112 combo. My brother gave me the 62 Princeton. The rest were purchased after I pretty much moved on from performing. All of them are basement queens, and I am entirely fine with it.
Just try not to become an amp hoarder like I did
. Somehow I don't think a U500 put's you at too much risk 
.
You only get one life. If you’re only going to have one amp, get the one that makes you feel really joyful just to look at it and (when you’re away or just looking the other way) to think about it and sounds great when you play through it.
The only good argument against such a thing would be if the outlay of cash would be clearly detrimental to you or someone that depends on you, but assuming you can afford the rig, carpe diem!
The only good argument against such a thing would be if the outlay of cash would be clearly detrimental to you or someone that depends on you, but assuming you can afford the rig, carpe diem!
I have an Ampeg pf500 with a pf210he cab, which is exactly what you're asking about.
My personal experience is that, yes, I can play at home at low volume with it, and as an extra it has a headphone out jack for complete silence, but in practice I really only use it at band practice and gigs.
The catch is that it has a cooling fan which is audible at low volume. I didn't think that would bother me, but turns out it does. Especially if I leave the amp on for long periods of time, all I can think of is how much dust that thing is sucking in.
The other con, for me, is that I don't think the amp really starts sounding good unless I open up the volume a bit. Not gig level loud, but loud enough to tick off my neighbors. So playing it at night is a no go. Other Portaflex owners will have different opinions on this; I know Jimmy M has said he likes how his sounds as low volumes, so this is opinion and personal preference.
I found a good compromise between low and moderately high volume to be the Ampeg Micro CL, which is a 100W head into a 2x10 mini fridge. I use this in my living room all the time, it has a headphone out and an aux in with a dedicated level knob, and it's loud enough that I have done small gigs with it. Another option is the Ampeg Micro VR, which is similar in form but is 200W into a 210, plus you can add another 210 for more volume on gigs.
I used to practice at home with an svt and fridge, then when I played live, if I didn't have roadies, I went ampless. So, anything is good for any situation LoL, wife permitting.
I no longer have an svt. Wife not permitting.
I no longer have an svt. Wife not permitting.
I use a rumble 500 (2x10 combo) for all sorts of volumes, but mostly low level practice anymore (cuz, you know, no gigs for a while). The only issue I have to complain about that it gets loud quickly, so gotta find that sweet spot and make small adjustments from there.
I'm kinda in the same boat as you. Ready to pull the trigger on an Ashdown RM-300 EVO II and a 210 cab, but found a killer deal on the 500 watt version of the same head. Mostly playing at home, was just curious if the 500 watt would sound as good with the volume down or if I should stick with the 300....
With a class D amp it shouldn't matter. Extra watts are there should you need them, but sound at 50 watt output should be identical between the two if the preamp/tonestacks are the samd.
Any 300-500watt head into a RevSound 2x10 will make you very happy imho.
