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how many watts do you really need?
- Thread starter bchamorro
- Start date
rule of thumb
its loud enough when: you hit a low C and everyone runs out the room to the toilets or when you hit a high E and everyone in the front row suffers from collapsed lungs and internal bleeding
its loud enough when: you hit a low C and everyone runs out the room to the toilets or when you hit a high E and everyone in the front row suffers from collapsed lungs and internal bleeding
I agree, all of them. It doesn't matter how many you have, you still need all of them.
When your drummer and guitarist ask you to turn down, you have enough.
I'm a big believer in headroom. If you have to turn your amp up more than about halfway, it's time to start shopping for a bigger amp. (That's relative. All volume pots aren't equal either. Two amps may be the same volume when cranked but drastically different volumes with the knob turned to twelve o' clock. But I still think it's a good general rule of thumb.)
I was using a 200 watt rig that was having a real hard time keeping up.
I went to a 1250 watt rig that always seems to have plenty of gas in the tank.
SS, as many as you can get.
Tube, I like to see at least 150W to insure proper headroom. Depends on the amp though.
Tube, I like to see at least 150W to insure proper headroom. Depends on the amp though.
Also, wattage is just one ingredient of the recipe that makes Sound Pressure Level (SPL, how we measure loudness).
The efficiency of the speaker system is a key part that is often overlooked.
A speaker with a sensitivity rating of 99 dB @ 1w, 1m (makes 99 decibels SPL when given one watt and measured from one meter away), will be just as loud with 100 watts as a speaker with a sensitivity of 96 dB @ 1w, 1m will be with 200 watts. It takes a doubling of amplifier power to make something 3dB louder. But one speaker cab can easily be 3 or even more dB more efficient than another speaker cab.
Also, if you like to scoop the mids, you need more power. It takes a lot more power to reproduce low frequencies than mid frequencies. Plus, the mids help you cut through the mix, so if you are making a smiley face on the graphic eq, you need a lot more power than if you leave it set relatively flat.
The efficiency of the speaker system is a key part that is often overlooked.
A speaker with a sensitivity rating of 99 dB @ 1w, 1m (makes 99 decibels SPL when given one watt and measured from one meter away), will be just as loud with 100 watts as a speaker with a sensitivity of 96 dB @ 1w, 1m will be with 200 watts. It takes a doubling of amplifier power to make something 3dB louder. But one speaker cab can easily be 3 or even more dB more efficient than another speaker cab.
Also, if you like to scoop the mids, you need more power. It takes a lot more power to reproduce low frequencies than mid frequencies. Plus, the mids help you cut through the mix, so if you are making a smiley face on the graphic eq, you need a lot more power than if you leave it set relatively flat.
I'm in the same boat (more or less). Just about to a mesa 610 cab, but i can only upgrade one bit at a time so i still have my SWR Bass 350 amp.
Its 350 watts through a 6x10...will i be ok or will i have to shop for a bigger amp sooner than later?
Its 350 watts through a 6x10...will i be ok or will i have to shop for a bigger amp sooner than later?
I used to have 400 watts, but only went up to 4 on the volume, so I probably used about 120 at times...
Without going into the gory details I'll just say that I just went through the eternal "downsizing" drama thinking I could get by with less watts.
Boy did I learn my lesson.
I look at it like this: it's better to have too much than not enough.
Boy did I learn my lesson.
I look at it like this: it's better to have too much than not enough.
As many watts as you can afford.............You can always turn it down
! Headroom is a beautiful thing!
That being said............There are cheap higher watt heads out there that won't out perform lower powered quality heads, nor sound as good
!I have a 320W head and i haven't turned up past 1/2 way. but i have an outside gig coming up and i expect to use 3/4 power. but headroom is nice. Mine is probably good enough for a 1000-1500 person gig.
I did my homework on this. I am by no means an expert, but I learned a lot. I was looking for my "second" amp to replace the 180W combo that just wasn't cutting it. This is what I learned-
There is a great deal more to volume and quality of sound than mere wattage. The number and size of the speakers matters. I tried a Hartke 3500 through a 400W 4X10 (4 ohms) and a 400W 1x15 (4ohms). I couldn't believe the difference in sounds between the two cabs. Same wattage, different volumes and sound quality.... you have to hear it to believe it. This has something to do with wattage over speaker cone surface area. There are several engineers and science type guys that can explain it better than I (many of them answered by repeated ignorant questions- thanks guys).
I also went to a local shop and picked 3 amps (GK Backline 600, Behringer 4500, Peavey Tour 450) "flattened" all of the EQ options, and played the same bass through the same cab. You know what I found? Solid state amps all sound the same. (IMHO)
Lastly, I think that "loud" is the wrong word to describe what your looking for. I am not sure what the word is... But I like Vic Wooten analogy that playing music is like speaking. If this is true consider that anyone can be "loud". But having a good, clear, articulate speaking will make everyone listen to you.
Ok, I am putting my soap box away. BTW, I picked up that Peavey Tour 450 and I love it.
There is a great deal more to volume and quality of sound than mere wattage. The number and size of the speakers matters. I tried a Hartke 3500 through a 400W 4X10 (4 ohms) and a 400W 1x15 (4ohms). I couldn't believe the difference in sounds between the two cabs. Same wattage, different volumes and sound quality.... you have to hear it to believe it. This has something to do with wattage over speaker cone surface area. There are several engineers and science type guys that can explain it better than I (many of them answered by repeated ignorant questions- thanks guys).
I also went to a local shop and picked 3 amps (GK Backline 600, Behringer 4500, Peavey Tour 450) "flattened" all of the EQ options, and played the same bass through the same cab. You know what I found? Solid state amps all sound the same. (IMHO)
Lastly, I think that "loud" is the wrong word to describe what your looking for. I am not sure what the word is... But I like Vic Wooten analogy that playing music is like speaking. If this is true consider that anyone can be "loud". But having a good, clear, articulate speaking will make everyone listen to you.
Ok, I am putting my soap box away. BTW, I picked up that Peavey Tour 450 and I love it.
4000 should do it with ample head room.
yup
naw im just kidding but
i think 1400 - 1600 really should do it with enough headroom.
more then taht is a little crazy
yup
naw im just kidding but
i think 1400 - 1600 really should do it with enough headroom.
more then taht is a little crazy
