You can always turn down a bigger amp. There is only so much you can turn up a small amp.
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How big should I go? 100w vs 500w
- Thread starter Gonzalo Sanchez
- Start date
Go with the 500-watt one so you don't have to buy a more powerful amp in a couple of months. A 500-watt amp using 2x10 speakers is loud enough to play small and medium clubs in a rock band. For large and outdoor venues, add another 210 cab to your rig and that should do you just fine in most situation. That way you have the 210 combo with perhaps 250 to 300-watts or so driving it for most stuff and can turn it into a defacto 500-watts 410 when you need it.
I did it the other way around and wish I hadn't. I bought a 410 first and it scared the owners of brewpubs and small venues when I would roll it in, usually resulting in being required to use their 112 combo. So I bought a 210 cab for small and medium venues. Now that DNS210 by DNA handles a LOT of power (700-watts rms) and I typically fed it with my 800-watt Eden amp. Using that set-up, I could play in any indoor venue. My cabs are both 8Ω because my Eden amp will bridge at 800-watts into 8Ω or run two channels of 400-watts into 4Ω. If I'd known how loud that DNA 210 cab was to begin with, I would have bought one to begin and then a second one down the road.
Be sure to compare the Ampeg Rocket combo with the Rumble 500 combo to see which one you like best. Both will do the trick. Please don't buy a 100-watt amp and then next, a 200-watt amp, before finally getting a 500-watt or 800-watt amp. It's such a waste of money and eventually you'll need to use all 500-watts of a 500-watt amp anyhow
Man o' man is that the truth. Back in the early 70's I joined a touring nightclub group playing 5-nights a week 50-weeks a year. Did that for 3-years. Started out using my Fender Bassman 50-watt all-tube amp that I bought new in 1966. Worked fine for about 2-months before the guitarist and keys bought 120-watt rms amps and they totally drowned me and kept telling me to turn up. I was maxed out at #7 on the dial and if I turned it past that, the speakers would fart out.
While we were playing a big club in Lincoln, NE for two weeks, I bought a Standel piggy-back amp from the local music store with about 4-times the power running a 215 bass reflex cab, back when bass reflex was a new thing. Speakers didn't have the range that modern ones do but dang it was LOUD. If I turned it ablve #3 on the dial I would drown out the guitar and keys. It's easy to turn down if you're too loud. It's impossible to turn up if you don't have enough amp for the gig. Been there, done that, swore it would never happen again. Don't fall into the trap of getting an amp that doesn't have enough power.
Wow. Lots to think about here.
Seems it's either the 500w combo with potentially needing the extension cab or look for something different. I was not expecting the consensus to be so unanimous. Appreciate the input!
Seems it's either the 500w combo with potentially needing the extension cab or look for something different. I was not expecting the consensus to be so unanimous. Appreciate the input!
To get back to your original question: I think your idea of buying the Ampeg 500 combo would be a very good choice, and you can add an extension cab to it later if necessary.
It seems you are just starting out, so I can't imagine you will be playing spaces that will require more power. Not yet, anyway.
It seems you are just starting out, so I can't imagine you will be playing spaces that will require more power. Not yet, anyway.
A lot of us have been down the road of starting with a small practice amp, getting in a band and buying a bigger but not big enough amp and then finally getting something to cover any situation. Like they say, buy once, cry once.
Thanks. Im not just starting, but back to bass. Had a 10 year detour to drums and now back. Although, still, playing punk i don't expect to be filling out venues lol. If I get there I'll just get an SVT and have a roadie deal with it 
lol
lol
Also if the used market is good where you are get a 500 watt head and a used good quality 410. Upgrade to lighter more expensive speakers as needed.
carry the heavier stuff when you are young and strong!
carry the heavier stuff when you are young and strong!
You may often find yourself in a situation where you wish you could provide more power/volume. You will rarely find yourself in a situation where too much available power is a problem - with class D amplifiers, you can just turn down with no significant impact on tone.
While weight is a significant consideration, how you move that weight can make a big difference. If you are concerned about carrying your amp long distances, a hand truck or roll-cart can be a huge help (it will also make you popular at gigs with other bands that are loading in/out, which never hurts). Carrying 35-40 lbs isn't a huge deal if it's compact, but carrying that in an awkward, bulky package means you need to be smart about it.
Stairs do complicate things, if you need to navigate those, but moving straps can help. You can find these at places like U-Haul or even hardware or department stores, folks use them to move literal fridges (not just the speaker cabinet kind), washers, dryers, etc.
We talk a lot here about protecting your ears (which is important!) but often overlook protecting your back. Being smart when lifting or moving amps can quite literally save you a lot of pain.
While weight is a significant consideration, how you move that weight can make a big difference. If you are concerned about carrying your amp long distances, a hand truck or roll-cart can be a huge help (it will also make you popular at gigs with other bands that are loading in/out, which never hurts). Carrying 35-40 lbs isn't a huge deal if it's compact, but carrying that in an awkward, bulky package means you need to be smart about it.
Stairs do complicate things, if you need to navigate those, but moving straps can help. You can find these at places like U-Haul or even hardware or department stores, folks use them to move literal fridges (not just the speaker cabinet kind), washers, dryers, etc.
We talk a lot here about protecting your ears (which is important!) but often overlook protecting your back. Being smart when lifting or moving amps can quite literally save you a lot of pain.
This is absolutely correct. I've been playing punk in dive bars for 20 years and it's rare for these venues to have an adequate PA or sound engineer. One of my big pet peeves is loud rock bands where I can't hear the bass through their undersized combo amp. Separates are a great idea and I recommend getting the best/most speakers you can swing, then find an amp with what's left of your budget because almost anything will work.
As JFlo points out the dive club circuit is a challenge. It's where I gigged a lot during my most active years. I know the weight police will jump on me (again) but there's nothing wrong with a good old tech 215 or 2 single 15s. My non-special Sunn 215B wasn't even heavy and had great casters.
And yes, lift carefully, use help when needed, etc.... You'll be fine AND look boss with yer (janky) stack of doom!
And yes, lift carefully, use help when needed, etc.... You'll be fine AND look boss with yer (janky) stack of doom!
I like the Ampeg more, because I like Ampeg
Honestly, both would probably be fine. BUT, the 500W Ampeg has an extension cab output. More speakers = more loud, so in case you'd need it, you have it. Altough the Fender 500 also has an extension out... I just like the Ampeg more.
Honestly, both would probably be fine. BUT, the 500W Ampeg has an extension cab output. More speakers = more loud, so in case you'd need it, you have it. Altough the Fender 500 also has an extension out... I just like the Ampeg more.
If that is important the Rumble 800 uses Neo speakers to drop the weight by 10lbs, is 400w to the internal speakers and has a switch to drop down to 100W at home.
The Rumble 800 is SO light. Only our lead singer has an easier load in than I do.If that is important the Rumble 800 uses Neo speakers to drop the weight by 10lbs, is 400w to the internal speakers and has a switch to drop down to 100W at home.
And it moves a ton of air and sounds good and has a nice built in drive.
Personally, for what you are describing, I would recommend you find something in the 300 to 500 W range.
Given the choices you mentioned, 500W without having to think much about it. Easy.
If I could recommend one thing, give up your preoccupation with Ampeg and try other options. IMO there are better options out there. You may still end up liking the Ampeg more if you try a bunch and compare them, but you're not going to know for sure until after you do it.
If I could recommend one thing, give up your preoccupation with Ampeg and try other options. IMO there are better options out there. You may still end up liking the Ampeg more if you try a bunch and compare them, but you're not going to know for sure until after you do it.
