How much amp is “enough,” my reply

[Salicete]

New players, students, musucians in general often ask, “ how much amp do I need for “ ( insert small gig, bar gig, recording, private parties, the Enormo-Dome ~ yes, a Spinal Tap reference~ here).

Well, if you don’t have enough, you are screwed, period.

My belief is, you can never have “too much,” because volume and gain knobs go both up and down.

What is just enough?

In my opinion, this is “just enough.”

If you know what it is, you are already all squared away.

 

[bholder]

best I can do. I've got tube envy. drool

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

More's law:

if some is good
more is better
therefore
too much should be just right.

 

[bholder]

"Too much is never enough." - me.

 

[Wasnex]

New players, students, musucians in general often ask, “ how much amp do I need for “ ( insert small gig, bar gig, recording, private parties, the Enormo-Dome ~ yes, a Spinal Tap reference~ here).

Well, if you don’t have enough, you are screwed, period.

My belief is, you can never have “too much,” because volume and gain knobs go both up and down.

What is just enough?

In my opinion, this is “just enough.”

If you know what it is, you are already all squared away.

Without a doubt, "not enough" is never "too much." IMHO, "just enough" doesn't exist because music is constantly changing. Therefore the only acceptable option is "too much." But, discretion is required for the safety of children and small animals.

 

[SJan3]

New players, students, musucians in general often ask, “ how much amp do I need for “ ( insert small gig, bar gig, recording, private parties, the Enormo-Dome ~ yes, a Spinal Tap reference~ here).

Well, if you don’t have enough, you are screwed, period.

My belief is, you can never have “too much,” because volume and gain knobs go both up and down.

What is just enough?

In my opinion, this is “just enough.”

If you know what it is, you are already all squared away.

View attachment 2879444

A row of heat lamps at Golden Corral??

 

[bobyoung53]

New players, students, musucians in general often ask, “ how much amp do I need for “ ( insert small gig, bar gig, recording, private parties, the Enormo-Dome ~ yes, a Spinal Tap reference~ here).

Well, if you don’t have enough, you are screwed, period.

My belief is, you can never have “too much,” because volume and gain knobs go both up and down.

What is just enough?

In my opinion, this is “just enough.”

If you know what it is, you are already all squared away.

View attachment 2879444

This is enough at least for small rooms: (I never pass up a chance to post this. Seriously though I agree with you, there is nothing more frustrating than taking a small amp to a gig and realizing it is just not enough for the room, too much IS better than not enough, I don't make that mistake anymore..

 

[acubass]

My main amp is a GK400RB II. I run it at 8ohms and think it puts out about 140 Watts. I’ve never run out of volume, and rarely do I get to really push it. I don’t understand how someone could need more than 500 Watts. Want yes, need no.

For outside gigs with or without PA, I add another 15. This amp is enough for me. I’ve done about 40 shows a year for the last 3 years.

 

[DirtDog]

One’s too many and a hundred’s not enough.

 

[darwin-bass]

Hmmm. Let's talk 10-20 years down the road. I bet your story will change.

 

[mpdd]

using the mesa d180, because svt and sunn 2000s heads are too heavy for me nowadays, although a hiwatt clone is looking pretty appealing at 40 pounds also

 

[Top 40]

My main amp is a GK400RB II. I run it at 8ohms and think it puts out about 140 Watts. I’ve never run out of volume, and rarely do I get to really push it. I don’t understand how someone could need more than 500 Watts. Want yes, need no.

For outside gigs with or without PA, I add another 15. This amp is enough for me. I’ve done about 40 shows a year for the last 3 years.

I played through a GK800RB for many years. 300 watts @ 4ohm, (2x12 cab).Plenty of volume for bars and small clubs. I've used that set up as a gauge. My TH350 has been fine too. I don't quite understand why players go on about high head room (500+ wattage amps); seems unecessary for smaller venues

 

[hsech]

As we get a lot older, we find our how big is enough question answered by how small and lightweight can we get. I played through bigger amps until I hit my 60's. Then everything started downsizing. These days I use a Mesa 800 amp and a Markbass NY121 cab or an Ear Candy 1x12 cab. I have a GK Neo 4x10 cab in reserve but never use it unless we play an outdoor gig without PA support. A little 12" cab carries the clubs and bars we play.

 

[twinjet]

I believe @Paulabass pushes 3000W. Just imagine the headroom!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

using the mesa d180, because svt and sunn 2000s heads are too heavy for me nowadays, although a hiwatt clone is looking pretty appealing at 40 pounds also

Where did you find a Hiwatt clone @mpdd ? Very interested in that. I'm a big Who fan and Pet used to have stacks of 'em....

 

[alaskaleftybass]

As we get a lot older, we find our how big is enough question answered by how small and lightweight can we get. I played through bigger amps until I hit my 60's. Then everything started downsizing. These days I use a Mesa 800 amp and a Markbass NY121 cab or an Ear Candy 1x12 cab. I have a GK Neo 4x10 cab in reserve but never use it unless we play an outdoor gig without PA support. A little 12" cab carries the clubs and bars we play.

Schroeder, @hsech ?

 

[Gizmot]

I use a Euphonic Audio iAmp with a Wizzy 12for my small gigs (nearly everything I do). The couple of big gigs I do every year require a some serious power. For those I use a Powersoft K3 with an EV SH-1803ER and an EV B-210. With 5,200 watts and full DSP onboard, that setup is clean, tight and very smooth. I’m set for amplification and speakers.

 

[Hand slap]

New players, students, musucians in general often ask, “ how much amp do I need for “ ( insert small gig, bar gig, recording, private parties, the Enormo-Dome ~ yes, a Spinal Tap reference~ here).

Well, if you don’t have enough, you are screwed, period.

My belief is, you can never have “too much,” because volume and gain knobs go both up and down.

What is just enough?

In my opinion, this is “just enough.”

If you know what it is, you are already all squared away.

View attachment 2879444

A decent size amp, Class AB, and the best cab, is a 610! The 610 can do a big stage, has a foot print like a 410, and will fit in the back seat of a small car, like a Camry. I have had both Ampeg, & Eden 610, prefer the Eden, both are nice.

 

[Orpheus55]

As we get a lot older, we find our how big is enough question answered by how small and lightweight can we get. I played through bigger amps until I hit my 60's. Then everything started downsizing. These days I use a Mesa 800 amp and a Markbass NY121 cab or an Ear Candy 1x12 cab. I have a GK Neo 4x10 cab in reserve but never use it unless we play an outdoor gig without PA support. A little 12" cab carries the clubs and bars we play.

I'm with Hsech here; also in my late sixties, I use a 12" Avatar cab with a Peavey Minimax--PA support all gigs--for most club gigs. For a bigger venue, I use a 4 ohm 15" Avatar cab. Both cabs are pretty light (38 & 49 respectively), if a bit bulky. I think the key is having good FOH PA support. Fortunately, we always hire good sound guys who know how to maximize smaller gear's output. One told me last night: "Stage volume is the enemy, so go as small as you can comfortably hear and we'll take care of the rest."