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How many watts do u need
- Thread starter q1014
- Start date
Well this might help..
When useing my 700 watt galien krueger head + ampeg 8x10 at church my volume doesn't go past 10o clock gain at 9o clock.
However using their rig which is a 200 watt ampeg into an 8ohm[which means probably around 150watts] 1x15 sealed cab they usually have the volume close to max, with the gain set for the peak without distortion. Throw my 2x10 on top of that [4ohms full 200 watts] and I only need to put the master at 12o clock.
However this is all just for personal monitoring really since we have a full P.A....
When useing my 700 watt galien krueger head + ampeg 8x10 at church my volume doesn't go past 10o clock gain at 9o clock.
However using their rig which is a 200 watt ampeg into an 8ohm[which means probably around 150watts] 1x15 sealed cab they usually have the volume close to max, with the gain set for the peak without distortion. Throw my 2x10 on top of that [4ohms full 200 watts] and I only need to put the master at 12o clock.
However this is all just for personal monitoring really since we have a full P.A....
OK, there is no magic number....you need enough clean sound to play over your drummer and be heard out front if you have no PA support...it is usually less than most people like to recommend...usually, the more you have, the beter off you are but that is not always the case.
A good rule of thumb is: Always have more power than you really need. Depending on your group's style, and venues you see yourself playing in now & in the near future, buy the most powerful amp you can afford.(you determine your favorite brand- I prefer Ampeg (Duh). You can always turn down when needed. You never want to be caught unprepared...
if you had 450 watts in a rock setting would be good for practicing with a band. but at night clubs some times they dont even mic or di the bass then you are screwed. ive experienced it many a time.
I don't have quite that much.. but I am running 2070 watts into a El Whappo. It seems to work rather well just about anywhere..
I run 2 15's and 2 10's with around 700 watts with no PA support against a loud drummer and a guitarist with a 90 watt tube head through 8 10s. I've never had to turn up past 3 on the head. Headroom like you wouldn't believe.
I make due with my SWR LA12 combo. 1x12, 65w. Yup, the one you can get at your local GC for around $249.
I play in a jazz trio that has a regular gig at a restaurant. Even when the house is packed, I only need to turn up my amp 1/4 of the way. I boost the bass a bit and cut the treble a touch.
That's all I really need right now. If I play a club, I might need a little bit more (maybe).
I have also used this amp for worship band performances. I only needed to turn up half-way; however, I did run my signal to the house too.
It's a really great amp. Very reliable.
Joe
Edit: I also used this amp in an arena with a 75 piece string orchestra for a pop arrangement with drums. The amp was turned up about 90%. Worked great.
I play in a jazz trio that has a regular gig at a restaurant. Even when the house is packed, I only need to turn up my amp 1/4 of the way. I boost the bass a bit and cut the treble a touch.
That's all I really need right now. If I play a club, I might need a little bit more (maybe).
I have also used this amp for worship band performances. I only needed to turn up half-way; however, I did run my signal to the house too.
It's a really great amp. Very reliable.
Joe
Edit: I also used this amp in an arena with a 75 piece string orchestra for a pop arrangement with drums. The amp was turned up about 90%. Worked great.
I find my Ampeg B2RE (450W solid state) coupled with one 2x10 and one 1x15 cab (both Ampeg Classic SVT) is more than enough for any gig once the gain of my MXR 10 Band EQ and SansAmp RBI is factored in.
Even if I can't get a DI, I am rarely over 5/10 on the volume knob even for larger outdoor gigs.
Even if I can't get a DI, I am rarely over 5/10 on the volume knob even for larger outdoor gigs.
i did a tour of medium and small places...400 watt eden with an aguilar gs112 and an eden 1x15. no PA support, usually. not enough volume. not even close. very frustrating.
now ive got a boogie 400+ and an aguilar 4x10. definitely enough volume!
now ive got a boogie 400+ and an aguilar 4x10. definitely enough volume!
Buy as much as you can afford, learn how to EQ and get as many speakers as you can fit in your car/carry/afford.
You'll be real upset after dropping a butt load of money if you're not loud enough when you move around to different rooms.
You'll be real upset after dropping a butt load of money if you're not loud enough when you move around to different rooms.
- Mar 9, 2005
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The way my two rigs are configured, I can run anything from
1-10 and 250 watts, to an 810 and 2500 watts. All depends on the room and amount of people, and alot of other factors. Nice to have a flexible rig.
1-10 and 250 watts, to an 810 and 2500 watts. All depends on the room and amount of people, and alot of other factors. Nice to have a flexible rig.
I use gENZ BENZ gbe 750 AND A NEOX 212T cabinet. I agree. Buy big in stead of throwing money away on small stuff that you will never recoup your investment on. On outdoor gigs I go with another 212 cabinet. Trust me, it's loud.
A lot of people are now using MarkBass head that run at 500watts in to 4ohms. There are quite a few gig reviews from these people. Might give some indication how big a gig you can play.
Me, i also use MB heads and while i guess i can struggle at a big gig without PA support i can go louder than my drummer which is too loud to get a good mix.
Me, i also use MB heads and while i guess i can struggle at a big gig without PA support i can go louder than my drummer which is too loud to get a good mix.
I would agree except for the outdoor gigs. You should have pa support for an out door gig so 400-500 should be good.
I've been using a Hartke HA5500 head (500w at 4ohm, 350 at 8ohm) with a 4x10 cab (8ohm 400w) and it's worked well with either band I play in. Both rock bands with one guitarist each. They both use Marshalls, one a DSL401 and the other a TSL fo some sort. I've had no problem cutting through, and with the TSL, my volume knob stays at 3.
Well, I guess my 3400w into an 810 rig needs some updating...
Too much power isn't a bad thing. I got a deal on this amp which is why it's so big, but without it I would have been looking for something around 1500-2000w. Like everybody else says, it's all very subjective to so many different things and another one of them is how you EQ it. If your graphic EQ looks like a smiley face, you'll need more power (and speakers that can handle it). Mine is like a frown with the bump more to the low side (low-mid boost). Cuts thru anything including the very loud guitar player and drummer I stand inbetween. The lows eat tons of power.
OTOH, I could probably put a 210 on an angled stand pointing up at me, driven by 300w and be able to hear just fine. That wouldn't make any real difference in the band's sound since we play with a full PA. I guess the rig I use is kind of like bringing a gun to a knife fight.
Or you could go with about 350 watts and be reasonable enough to turn it down to save your hearing and the hearing of the audience.
I don't get people that play ungodly loud. I don't want to feel my music as much as hear it clearly.
I don't get people that play ungodly loud. I don't want to feel my music as much as hear it clearly.
