Is 100 watts enough to play out? ... mmmmmmnope.

[Korladis]

I could probably do my folk/rock gigs, even the bigger ones, on a 60 watt amp.

Even for doom metal, I only use a 180 watt amp, and could probably do fine with a 100 watter.

 

[obimark]

I could imagine keeping up with them if I used my GK MB200 and Bergantino CN212. But that would be pretty much de minimis.

I played my last gig with the GK MB200 (I just love the sound of the thing) thru (2) 210 cabinets- it was just enough- it was nice because I pushed it into a nice growl, which I may not have been able to do with a higher wattage head without blowing out the rest of my band-

I may break down and pick up the GK mB500 as well later. Just hope it has the same sound as the MB200...

 

[MrLenny1]

Hartke KB 12, meh.

 

[badboy1984]

Played a 100-200 watt Trace Elliot and is way louder then msot 500watt modern amp these days. I use a 200watt Trace 15" cab as well .....

 

[sratas]

just to put my voice outside the chorus...

wattage do not mean loudness or tone.

put an honest and good sounding 100 watts into a single or double 8 x 10 (or 412) and it will blow away a 500 watts into a single 12

too many aknowledged people still think about wattage in the wrong perspective.

obviously to produce loudness watts are necessary, but a certain wattage alone does not guarantee that you'll be heard or that you'll have a great tone

 

[StuartV]

You state the the Orange AD200 thru YOUR SVT810 cab wasn't quite enough to keep up, so, NO. In my experience, a 100w amp will Definality not cut it.

This.

The Ampeg V4B is sweet. But, so is the Orange AD200, with twice as much power. If it wasn't enough, then half the power is definitely not going to be enough.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

just to put my voice outside the chorus...

wattage do not mean loudness or tone.

put an honest and good sounding 100 watts into a single or double 8 x 10 (or 412) and it will blow away a 500 watts into a single 12

too many aknowledged people still think about wattage in the wrong perspective.

obviously to produce loudness watts are necessary, but a certain wattage alone does not guarantee that you'll be heard or that you'll have a great tone

Well, it kinda does, everything else being equal. That said, it doesn't make as much difference as some people think. This is especially true if you play without distortion. IME of course.

 

[skwee]

I'm enjoying reading this thread. I must be lucky that my guitarists are using relatively low wattage amps or just keeping it down. We just had rehearsal yesterday, and my little GK MB112 is doing fine and I'm turned up only to about 3.5. The drummer can hear me, and the bass was very present in the recording I did of the rehearsal. 250 seat theater.

 

[Remyd]

By the time I get to a gig (folk-rock, jazz, a little blues) that's big enough to outdo my Acoustic 120w, I'm almost always running DI to a PA system that's loads fatter than I could ever afford. In that situation, I never, ever have trouble asking the guitards to turn down.

 

[6jase5]

Old thread, love it. I hate to point fingers as I'm a guitar player too, but unless the drums drown out the bass, it's a guitar issue.

For small gigs and rehearsals I use my Ampeg b100R, never at full volume, competing against 2 guitars - a jcm800 2x12 cab and 59' Fender Bassman reissue and synths. As much as I love my svt and berg 2x15, I rarely "need" it. My thoughts on the mix are always to get the drums and bass in line, and the guitar comes in last and needs to be sure it's in line and not drowning. If it is...buy an attenuator or a smaller wattage amp. (My Dr.Z Maz18 NR is dreamy)

In my experience, I've yet to jam with a guy using a Fender Twin that could keep it tamed. Certainly can be done, just never pleasant times from my history.

 

[DWBass]

Hmmm..............coulda been the amp. I gigged in NYC for many years using a Peavey TNT130 combo (130w) and Then a Fender BXR200 combo (200w). I was plenty loud. But then again, I wasn't competing with loud guitar rigs and hard banging drummers!

 

[Against Will]

A good head is important, but good speakers are VERY IMPORTANT!! Investing in a good quality cab/quality speakers will help you cut through most band situations and they cost a fraction of what a fancy tube head will. Also, leave the 115 cab at home unless the guitarist(s) are bringing multiple cabs: one speaker can't compete with 4+. In loud band situations, a 410 or a good 212 is a minimum.

 

[lomo]

100 watts on top of a 215 or 810.....probably OK, but I'd much rather carry 900 watts and a 212 rig that can handle it.....with half the weight, half the hassle , all of the volume and tone.

 

[FretNoMore]

A 100W combo is sometimes my monitor on stage provided the PA takes care of the bass for FOH, but 100W on its own? Nah, maybe in an acoustic setting to amplify an EUB, but not if you play anything like rock with drums and electric guitars. 100w into bigger speakers? Could work if the cabs are very efficient.

 

[Handyman]

The best part of this thread is that the original post 14 years ago mentions "Hootie and the Blowfish". A veritable time capsule, this is.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

The best part of this thread is that the original post 14 years ago mentions "Hootie and the Blowfish". A veritable time capsule, this is.

You mean that classic rock band they play on the radio?

 

[Chef]

Thread started in 2000.
Still Troof. Munji: still right.

I don't own anything that's less than 500 watts: I see no point in it.

 

[Joe Louvar]

Old thread, love it. I hate to point fingers as I'm a guitar player too, but unless the drums drown out the bass, it's a guitar issue.

+100% Yep, if you want a good mix, don't bury the drums.

Unfortunately many Tbers just don't get it. The bass (and guitars, etc) only need to be loud enough to keep up with the drums - not bury them... and anything louder requires a real PA capable of supporting bass and drums.

EDIT: and a cranked Fender Twin can make peoples brains bleed, even with earplugs.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

+100% Yep, if you want a good mix, don't bury the drums.

Unfortunately many Tbers just don't get it. The bass (and guitars, etc) only needs to be loud enough to keep up with the drums - not bury them... and anything louder requires a real PA capable of supporting bass and drums.

The way I see it is save your ears and let the FOH take care of volume. If you are playing loud to sound good, you need to practice more.

 

[Flabass]

Back in the 70's I had an Ampeg V4B (100 watts) going into the Ampeg folded horn cabinet with 2 Altec Lansing 15's. Played all types of gigs including outdoors with no PA support and it was always loud. And I mean loud.