How do you determine how much power is enough?

[mikeswals]

Thanks everybody, great responses.

What prompted the question was that I recently picked up a 175-watt*, 1x10 combo as a compact grab & go alternative to my 800-watt, 2x10 rig, and I’m realizing that I have no clear idea as to how to draw the line between a gig where I need the latter and one where the former is enough.

*The head is 350 watts into 4 ohms, so with just the 8-ohm combo cab, it’s a 175-watt rig.

I have a D350 and typically use it on two Mesa 210 cabs. I can and have used with a single 210 or a single 212 so running it at 175w, and it still had plenty of volume even outdoors for hearing myself onstage.

Gig pictured below was an outdoor university party, the D350 on a Powerhouse 212 @ 8ohms.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I am of the too big can be turned down camp.
In terms of always having clean head room and a nice intimidation factor, enough to drown out two full stack guitar amps is about right.
In terms of the least you need, enough to be heard over a loud drummer.
If you drown out that loud drummer, you've gone too far. Turn down.

 

[Appogee]

I am of the too big can be turned down camp.
In terms of always having clean head room and a nice intimidation factor, enough to drown out two full stack guitar amps is about right.
In terms of the least you need, enough to be heard over a loud drummer.
If you drown out that loud drummer, you've gone too far. Turn down.

Nailed it.

 

[chris_b]

I'm gigging with 2 Barefaced 112 cabs, rated at 1200 watts, and a 500 watt amp. 500 watts with these cabs will knock down walls. This rig goes from a whisper to a roar and easily keeps up with the loudest Rock guitarist I play with.

 

[JRA]

How do you determine how much power is enough?

Experience and awareness.

 

[chazsundance]

With the bands that I play in a 500-watt class-d amp isn't enough. 700-800 watts class-d works perfect, if it's tube I've had no issue with 200 watts, and anything else around 450-550 works. These would all be pushing either a 610 or a high powered 212 cabinet.

 

[Jason Sypher]

With the bands that I play in a 500-watt class-d amp isn't enough. 700-800 watts class-d works perfect, if it's tube I've had no issue with 200 watts, and anything else around 450-550 works. These would all be pushing either a 610 or a high powered 212 cabinet.

Wow! No PA?

 

[chazsundance]

Wow! No PA?

yes, there typically is a PA, I have a loud drummer and guitars. Also a lot of outside venues with less than stellar PA setups.

 

[Jason Sypher]

yes, there typically is a PA, I have a loud drummer and guitars. Also a lot of outside venues with less than stellar PA setups.

Incredible

 

[Coot]

I have a Traynor YBA 100 valver that I love and that sounds good at a lower volume . It also sounds great at a higher volume but quite often that isn't always enough to compete. It has it's limits. I also have a WD800 that I can get a great tone out of at low volume but also can keep up with most anything at high volumes. The gain and master knobs on higher powered amps are there to be used interactively. To me...having that power on tap is important.

 

[adk teleman]

I have an Ampeg BA210 450watt 2x10 combo, a Portaflex 800 watt class D and a SVT 7 Pro 1,000 watt hybrid. Normally I use the 800 watt with a 1x15 Portaflex LF 400watt cab. If I go above 4 on the master volume it blasts everyone out. I’d rather have to turn down than be drowned out.