• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How big an amp do you think you need?

How many watts? (Closest)

  • you need all 17 watts?

    Votes: 4 0.9%
  • 50 does it

    Votes: 8 1.7%
  • 100

    Votes: 19 4.1%
  • 150

    Votes: 16 3.4%
  • 220

    Votes: 76 16.3%
  • 500

    Votes: 231 49.7%
  • 800

    Votes: 45 9.7%
  • 1000

    Votes: 36 7.7%
  • Can't make it sing with no measly Kilowatt

    Votes: 30 6.5%

  • Total voters
    465
I use a QSC PLX 1202 (1200 watts bridged at 4 ohms) into a Whappo Jr. I've been using this rig for 3 yrs and I think I've bought my last amp-cab I may change pre-amps if I get tired of the SVP-Pro but for now it's the best sounding rig I've ever played. A lot of people think the Whappo Jr. is dull with an extended deep bass. Set flat it can be but, you can EQ it to sound like anything you may want, it really Eq's well.
 
I don't play in bands, nor do I gig, so my Mesa Bass 400, loaded with 6L6s, is certainly overkill. However, I never turn it up stupid-loud, and it still sounds better than virtually anything else I've used. It's pushing about 150 watts, and if I were to put KT88's in it, it would probably do about 220 watts.
 
Are you talking about tube watts or SS watts?

A watt is a watt is a watt, one joule of energy per second. IMO how many of these units of power is needed for a particular application is dependent on way too many variables for there to be an actual answer to this poll, but it's interesting how many of them different posters think they need.
 
Well are we playing Bluegrass with an Upright Bass or are we playing Deathmetal in a 20,000 seat auditorium?

I think all the variables matter and there are way too many of them.

For me playing Loud Rock and Blues I need a good 800 watts. Usually that is a little overkill but at 500 I am usually dimed and I dont like running like that. I like some extra muscle for when it may be needed and these days it dosnt have to come in a 200 pound package.
 
1.21 gigawatts!

Run for it Marty!!!!!!
fluxcapacitor2.jpg
:p


Seriously though.....IMO....I would rather have some unused wattage than not enough for certain situations.

No less than 500 for me.:)
 
Okay, I just voted, but wish I could revote. I said 800 based on one thing. My current setup is an Ashdown ABM EVO III 575 watt head with an ABM 410 cab. My cab even though it can handle 650 watts, is only an 8 ohm cabinet, and my head doesn't perform up to it's full potential with that ohmage, it only pumps out 375 or so. When I voted I was thinking like this - 'My rig is 575, not loud enough... lets go 800.' I forgot about the previous details, so lets pretend there is one more vote for 500, and one less for 800. I hope you guys aren't too confused.
 
If there is a PA, I use my Ampeg B200R & use the XLR out to the PA . If no PA & it's a good size gig or outdoors, I use my Ampeg BA500 with my Peavey 210 BW cab, that gives me 410s at about 500 watts. I've got a real bad back these days. So I got rid of my old head & cabs, & went with combos. I'm getting old what can I say?
 
I NEED no more than 50w. I do gigs all the time with a 30w amp. But I also have a 300 and a 500 watter just in case. Still, I doubt I turn up to where I'm using more than 50w anymore.

I have a 1960's solid state 20 watt PA head that has been used in an emergency for club gigs. 2 rack space amp, usually used for driving monitors.

These people saying they need 500 watts are out of their mind.

My main rig is an Acoustic 370 and on "2" for volume it's ear shattering loud. Way too much amp for a typical club gig.

A lotta you people are deaf.
 

Latest posts