As a guy who gigs a fair amount (once a week on average), I have come to realize that I don't need a huge amp/cab on 95+% of the gigs I play. I almost always have a DI that runs through FOH/monitors. I know the situation varies gig to gig, but how much amp do you feel you really need to get the job done right on an average night?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How much amp do you need?
- Thread starter wilberthenry
- Start date
I have an Ashdown 4x10 and a 300 MAG head. Every show I've played with it, it's been just fine. I prefer to not max everything out at ten, so usually a 6 or 7 gets it done. Depends on the drum setup and the guitarist's amp.
These are all bar/not-too-large room gigs. Anything above that, micing is always possible.
These are all bar/not-too-large room gigs. Anything above that, micing is always possible.
Well with 350 watts and a 212 I can't even get the master to 10:00, between 3-4 for you 1 to 10 guys. 150 to 200 watts would most likely be just fine with room to spare.
Hi.
Without PA support/monitors: "300" W tube (~200W measured
) 2*118 (EV TL505).
With PA support if I'm the only one needing to hear the bass: SWR WM10 (80W/110).
EDIT: None if it's an unplugged DB gig
.
Regards
Sam
Without PA support/monitors: "300" W tube (~200W measured
) 2*118 (EV TL505).With PA support if I'm the only one needing to hear the bass: SWR WM10 (80W/110).
EDIT: None if it's an unplugged DB gig
.Regards
Sam
What you hear can inspire you and help you to perform better. You may be able to get by with a single amp, but I prefer to have different amps that meet different needs.
See my sig. Many gigs are covered with the AER combo. Demeter with one cab is fabulous. Demeter with two cabs is totally awesome! I go by size of gig and stage.
Some places with bigger than normal stages that have room to roam, Record Bar, Angels, Knuckleheads Inside, I bring the MB CMD 102 with a Hartke 210xl stacked vertically.
Voodoo Lounge, The Uptown, The Granada, Knuckleheads Outside, The Beaumont (RIP) or anything outside(Power & Light) I bring the big guns.
But for 90% of all gigs I play in KC & Lawrence, the average night, I get by with just a MB CMD 121 and have room to spare. Not much but I'm not maxing it out at all.
Voodoo Lounge, The Uptown, The Granada, Knuckleheads Outside, The Beaumont (RIP) or anything outside(Power & Light) I bring the big guns.
But for 90% of all gigs I play in KC & Lawrence, the average night, I get by with just a MB CMD 121 and have room to spare. Not much but I'm not maxing it out at all.
Indoor gig:
300 watts solid state amp
2x12 or 4x10 cab
Outdoor gig:
500 watts solid state amp
4x12 or 8x10 cab
With FOH, cut everything in half.
300 watts solid state amp
2x12 or 4x10 cab
Outdoor gig:
500 watts solid state amp
4x12 or 8x10 cab
With FOH, cut everything in half.
I've done gigs with my medium-loud 8-pc 50's-60's-70's band with 3-member horn section doing rock, pop, and R&B with as little as a 25w B-15 from the 60's and a 35w BA110 practice amp with a single 10". We do everything from gigs in small rooms to outdoor gigs in front of thousands, and I've been able to pull it off. When things start getting loud onstage, they get a little distorted, but in a good way so it was cool. But for staying clean, I like a little more power, so I upgraded the BA110 to a BA112 v2, and that's 75w. I can pull off clean tones easily with it without any danger of pushing it into the red.
That said, I like the big stuff MUCH better and often use bigger rigs just because they sound bigger, but I could probably pull off all my gigs with the BA112. Maybe not the hard rock gigs, but I don't get a whole lot of call for them. Would like to, though.
That said, I like the big stuff MUCH better and often use bigger rigs just because they sound bigger, but I could probably pull off all my gigs with the BA112. Maybe not the hard rock gigs, but I don't get a whole lot of call for them. Would like to, though.
With a good PA ... not much really, if all you need is personal monitoring. I've played smaller gigs with a 100W/12" combo, tilted towards me. You could even go with floor monitors if the PA can manage it. Or in-ear monitoring, but that kind of requires the whole band to go that route. If you want more oomph on stage I think 300-400W and anything from a 2x10 and up. My amp is 400W into two compact cabinets, a 15" plus 12/6/tweeter and I have yet to crank it even close to full power, even outdoors. For me having a bit of power and slightly larger cabs is not really for volume, but more for a full tone. Then again I don't play metal or other very loud music.
I usually use a GK MB800 or MB Fusion 800 and Bergantino CN212. I seldom need that kind of power, but if I need it I have it and it only weighs about 51 pounds total. In fact, I used that rig with the Fusion tonight at my final Mormon gig. It has great tone and a volume knob, so it all says gold and it insinuates that pulse that I have deep inside my soul.
200 watt tube head into a 215, might end up needing to get a svt 4pro though if our new guitarist's rig is as loud as he keeps telling me it is
Munji, I just love your Ryan David Bird Larson sig.
Oh, and I like (not need) 500 watts into my fEARful, even if I never push it at all. ShuttleMax 9.2 or MB800 are good for that. If I want a more aggressive sound, I go with the M9. Of course I've also been playing a lot of gigs lately with my B100R combo (100 watts). But then, I just got a 3000 watt power amp. So, I guess I'm all over the place.
Oh, and I like (not need) 500 watts into my fEARful, even if I never push it at all. ShuttleMax 9.2 or MB800 are good for that. If I want a more aggressive sound, I go with the M9. Of course I've also been playing a lot of gigs lately with my B100R combo (100 watts). But then, I just got a 3000 watt power amp. So, I guess I'm all over the place.
