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How Many Watts? and Other Questions

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Vince S., Jul 6, 2003.

  1. Jul 6, 2003 #1
    Vince S.

    Vince S. Resident Former Bassist

    Jan 24, 2003
    Im still a relatively new bassist (been playing for about 1 yr now) and now that Im in a band I realized that my Dean Markley 40w combo just isnt cutting it. How many watts should I get for indoor performances, in say, an auditorium sized room. And any recommendations? Ive been looking at the Carvin PB100.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Jul 6, 2003 #2
    whamonkey

    whamonkey

    Mar 10, 2002
    Spring Hill, Tennessee
    350-400 at least. Some combos (Eden Metro, Fender Pro 400, SWR SuperRedhead) push that BUT you're gonna pay for those.....or you could go with a 4x10 cab and seperate head. Check out SWR's Workingman's rigs or Carvin if you're on a budget.

    P.S. Combos are easier to move....something a bandmember might want to consider.......
     
  3. Jul 6, 2003 #3
    Vince S.

    Vince S. Resident Former Bassist

    Jan 24, 2003
    OK, thanks. I think I will buy a combo rather than a seperate head/cabinet since it will be easier financially and practical-wise. I am really leaning towards the Carvin PB100. Is there any way to plug this combo amp into a speaker system or larger cab? I will be playing generally small venues, but for larger performances, is that possible?

    Thanks again.
     
  4. Jul 6, 2003 #4
    Pajama_Bottoms

    Pajama_Bottoms

    Jan 18, 2003
    Cookeville TN
    Hey Solidus, I have the Carvin PB100 (with the 15 inch speaker) currently. It works great as a loud practice amp and has solid tone (though it could be a little more defined). If your going for a loud indoor sound, I say it would handle a space about half to three quarters of a basketball court pretty solidly. At about, lets say, a medium sized high school gym, the volume is still pretty good.
    Overall, I'd say it gets about as loud as an unmiked drummer. Very reliable, easy to transport, but I would much rather have a 4-10 with about four hundred watts, if I could afford it. If you have enough money, I'd go with something bigger, but for a poor high schooler (or poor college student like me:mad: ) the Carvin would probably be a pretty good choice.
    You could try Avatar speakers too, but they have zero combos.
     
  5. Jul 6, 2003 #5
    jokerjkny

    jokerjkny

    Jan 19, 2002
    NY / NJ / PHL
    well, depends...

    if you've got guitarists in the band, you're most likely gonna directly compete with them for volume.

    i'm prolly gonna get alot of flak for this, but i'd say at MOST, 6x their wattage if you're using a solid state power amp, or your amp has a solid state power section.

    OR 4x their wattage if you're using an all tube bass amp.

    thusly, if you're got two guitarists, both using a 100 watt Marshall stack of their own, then you might need 1200 watts of bass thumpin' power.

    but realistically, that's if they're pegging the marshalls at FULL tilt. so, my figures are very very liberal to say the least. still, its always nice to have the volume.

    but, if you're up against a loud drummer, i'd say 350 watts is just fine to back down anyone.