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How much power do we really need?

#43
most people can get by with around 3000 watts bridged.

MOST PEOPLE!. im just kidding

but honestly i have tried running my qsc 8 ohms 200 watts a channel and then 4 ohm bridged(1200) and the difference is huuge. i sometimes wonder how you guys get by with under 400 watts into an 810. (you know your from talk bass when you say something like that, and you need 1200 watts to drive your cab -___-)
 
#44
I really just think that you get by with what works.

some people say they can knock walls down with a 100watt combo. How come i cant with 500watts? Different rooms/stages/band etc. maybe.

Anyway, after playing the same venues with my MAG300 C-115 and my LMII/UL212 i can certainly tell the difference between being able to be heard and getting MY tone out in to the room. The MAG worked ok but it struggled to keep clean and punchy as it was working a lot harder.

Of course im only talking about without PA support.
 
#48
Alot of power isn't neccisarry......and as soon as guitarists, and for that matter drummers, realize that, I will stop carrying my 750 watt heads. Until that day, which is likely never to come, I think it's better safe than sorry.

I usually get by with very little volume on most gigs, but there has been the occasional gig where I needed that extra boost.
 
#50
comfortstarr said:
I toured extensively with a GK400RB into two homemade EV 15s. From small clubs, to big ones, to outdoor festival type things. Never, ever had an issue (we were a sometimes quite loud rock band, deaf guitarists and what not). I sold that rig a long time ago when I moved to Brooklyn--thinking I wasn't likely to be in a band anymore. When I did get into a band situation and had to buy anew, I remember coming on here and seeing all the wattage-lust. I had to laugh. I wound up buying an iAMP350 and an Aggie GS112 and marveling at the volume. Fair disclosure, I've since added an Aggie S210. This set-up is louder than my old one. In a live situation, what my band struggled with, and what I think a lot of rock bands struggle with, was keeping stage volumes low (when there was a PA). Low stage volumes result in much much better venue sound in my opinion.
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Yes and something else to consider with regard to the bass going into the FOH. It often isn't an all or nothing thing in that insmaller reinforced venues the bass rig will be filling part of the room depending on stage volume, etc. And sometimes this will be a desired effect depending on the size of the PA.
There is some room between a small pub with 2 speakers on a stick and 1500 seats w/6 subs per side.

The most flexible bass rigs can roll with more varied situations.
And one of the main things that give you the flexibility is-power.

JKT
 
#51
Funny I had a similar thread/question in another forum. Personally, I don't see why for small to medium sized clubs all this wattage s/b necessary. Having grown up during the 60's we played hundreds of gigs with our Bassman 50 or Dual Showman's. The Acoustic 360 was a mere 200 watts and we thought it was crushingly loud. I saw Cream play a baseball stadium in 1968 and Jack Bruce was using 2 Marshall 100's - I guess he would be cheesy-weenie too.

If you are fortunate enough to play w/ musicians who can control their volume I think 100 watts is enough.
 
#54
Kindness said:
That is my experience as well. Of course 100 watts have to be into a reasonable cabinet, but 100-150 watts into a single 15" with midrange carries my stage/rehearsal volume in a 4 piece rock band, as well as all of my lower volume gigs.
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We are 4 piece band playing mostly soul music from the 60's. Our drummer plays w/ technique and are guitarist generally has to be told to turn up and rarely volunteers for a solo (although he's more than capable). I use my V4b into a 1x15 and its plenty. Hmmm think I'll hug my band at next practice.
 
#56
pedro said:
Funny I had a similar thread/question in another forum. Personally, I don't see why for small to medium sized clubs all this wattage s/b necessary. Having grown up during the 60's we played hundreds of gigs with our Bassman 50 or Dual Showman's. The Acoustic 360 was a mere 200 watts and we thought it was crushingly loud. I saw Cream play a baseball stadium in 1968 and Jack Bruce was using 2 Marshall 100's - I guess he would be cheesy-weenie too.

If you are fortunate enough to play w/ musicians who can control their volume I think 100 watts is enough.
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I can see where you're coming from Pedro, as I am from that era too, but I also have experienced what is possible from a performance standpoint with more power. When we talk of "headroom" one of the benfits that is not often talked about is the accompanying dynamic response or, the ability of the amp to go from really quiet to really loud in the course of a song. The best rigs can reproduce your playing at a whisper and still have it all heard- every nuance. And then subsequently respond accordingly when you suddenly decide to rip the low E off the neck. If you're the kind of player who doesn't want or need these kinds of attributes then 100watts may do it for you in all settings. Depends on the player, the genre, the environment,etc.

I play roots music but the environment can change from a pub to giant sound stages. My band doesn't all the time just play the same tunes the same way everytime. I need the capability to ask my rig to stretch right along with me in a given situation. And I'm not just referring to "loud" either.

JKT
 
#58
I betcha if Jack Bruce had the opportunity to play through some of the rigs available today back in 1968 he would have been all over it.
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I'm sure you're right. The point is that he was able to play a baseball stadium w/ wattage that has been described in this thread as being cheesy-weenie. You and I both know of many other examples.
 
#59
When we talk of "headroom" one of the benfits that is not often talked about is the accompanying dynamic response or, the ability of the amp to go from really quiet to really loud in the course of a song.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on who/where you're playing. And IMO, dynamics are relative. I can get as loud and as quiet as I need w/ 100 watts.
 

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