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How big an amp do you think you need?
- Thread starter Pbassred
- Start date
That said, watts are cheap these days, I see no reason why you shouldn't get plenty of them.
Or lack thereof.
As a jazzer, I voted 150, which is the absolute upper limit of what I have ever needed. This was with a mainstream 1x12 speaker. Most of the time, I probably use a lot less.
The times when I have needed a lot of power were when I was playing with big-bands, guitarists with tube amps who were trying to play jazz, or gigs that involved mostly pop music.
Exactly.
I need twice as big of an amp as the amp I think I need...
...and as much power as it can suck out of a 15amp 120V socket.
The speaker cab's cones must be made to jump out of their baskets, grab the dancers by their posterior parts, and cause them to shake vigorously.
...and as much power as it can suck out of a 15amp 120V socket.
The speaker cab's cones must be made to jump out of their baskets, grab the dancers by their posterior parts, and cause them to shake vigorously.
X
X Wolf
Guest
I can't speak for someone else's needs but....At this point, personally I have no need of a hybrid SS amp that puts out more than 500 watts into 4 ohms, running two 8 ohm cabs. Also, I can always use just one 8 ohm cab for smaller rooms and get by with about 300 watts from the same head.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
+10 There cannot be one right answer because there are variables too numerous to mention. I find it perplexing that folks are specifying wattage without reference to impedance; my old Shuttle 6.0, though rated to provide 600 watts into a 4-Ohm load, pushed "only" 300 watts into an 8-Ohm cabinet.
When I'm playing with a quiet jazz trio, I might be content with 100 watts into an 8-ohm 1x12. However, the same rig is unlikely to suffice with my energetic 6-piece band unless I have PA support or I'm willing to trade the lowest frequencies for more volume.
Far more power power is required to deliver bass fundamentals than mid-range and high frequencies. How can someone else specify the minimum wattage I should need without considering my cabinets and my tonal goals?
Depending on the venue, since each one is different, I usually carry at least 480 watts with me and two 8 ohm cabs. That way if I can't run through the board or through the mains I can still be heard in a crowded medium-sized place. I've actually had problems in the past at outdoor gigs and had to rely on my rig to be heard and it's never let me down. Even at my church I don't get mixed through the board so, again, I rely on my rig and I even get told to turn down from time to time. I love my rig.
In ear monitors will do it and it is a great idea if you want to walk all over maracana.
They require very little power. In ear monitors will do it and it is a great idea if you want to walk all over maracana.
Hmmmm... Playing without feeling the bass! Very cool idea! Maybe useful for some, but I can't do it. C jah tocou musica baiana? Acho q nao...
Fortunately, you don't have to. There's a rig for everyone, even us losers who play at lower volumes and make $80 a night playing 4 and 5 string basses 
Ok so, THE REASON for the post was stated in the original post was stated at the begining but perhaps I didn't hammer it home.
I posted the same poll in 2 different forums;
Link Removed
and
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464929
I suppose that the answers are not that surprising. The Bass players are saying I need more" with a peak at 500W but a strong contingent of more than 1000W required.
The SR guys are saying 500W (some of the higher numbers were from SR guys with their bassist hat on) but they will mix what you have. 44% say don't need an amp AT ALL! The amp is there to make the player comfortable. The most telling comment was that a big rig "...in the wrong hands could make your life at FOH a living hell"
The only surprising thing is that more bass players don't spend time looking at the enviroment (big stage sound) that they want to work in.
We all need to listen more guys
I posted the same poll in 2 different forums;
Link Removed
and
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464929
I suppose that the answers are not that surprising. The Bass players are saying I need more" with a peak at 500W but a strong contingent of more than 1000W required.
The SR guys are saying 500W (some of the higher numbers were from SR guys with their bassist hat on) but they will mix what you have. 44% say don't need an amp AT ALL! The amp is there to make the player comfortable. The most telling comment was that a big rig "...in the wrong hands could make your life at FOH a living hell"
The only surprising thing is that more bass players don't spend time looking at the enviroment (big stage sound) that they want to work in.
We all need to listen more guys
Maybe how many speakers do you need would be fun.
I voted for 500 only because there was no 400, I somtimes run my rig up to half at practices
I voted for 500 only because there was no 400, I somtimes run my rig up to half at practices
IMO, you made a mistake with your poll, by not putting any choices between 220 and 500.
300 is bare minimum, so I selected 500, because 220 is not enough (all in my opinion).
Also, we all play different kinds of music, so polls like this are kind of limited in usefullness, IMO.
300 is bare minimum, so I selected 500, because 220 is not enough (all in my opinion).
Also, we all play different kinds of music, so polls like this are kind of limited in usefullness, IMO.
If you need to feel the bass, what do you do in the studio? I have never used headphones that allow you to 'feel the bass.'
I could easily get by with 20 watts...if it weren't for those pesky other musicians (and drummers). 
Fortunately, you don't have to. There's a rig for everyone, even us losers who play at lower volumes and make $80 a night playing 4 and 5 string basses
I didn't write my signature. Ever heard of irony? This phrase is so amusing that it becomes funny. BTW, I play 4ers and 5ers exclusively. Got it?
