Just how many watts does a jazz bassist need?

[henkw]

Either amp would be sufficient. Since you like sound immersion two Phil Jones C2s would be cool.

I play 5-string fretless in a big band. I use a C2 for rehearsals and C4 for gigs. My amp is a TC Electronic BQ500 and have ample headroom always.

Hi, Does the bq500 has a temperature controlled fan and Does it come often in practice-situations in home?

 

[djmay]

Hi, Does the bq500 has a temperature controlled fan and Does it come often in practice-situations in home?

I do not know, but it seems to be temperature controlled because I do not notice it. Also, I do not use it at home.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

I'd wager that the C4 is enough for Jazz gigs, if you don't make excessive use of the lowest notes of the fifth string and boost bass like a reggae artist. It has a great sound for such a weird cabinet.
But, I'll have to concur with the masses: If you want to get away with it, aim for the bigger head.
I'd say something like 250-300W at 8 Ohm will get you there and the smaller amp has only 200 - which will suffice often, but I'd fear that you run out of headroom here and there. I don't think there are many jazz bassists who like to play their amp in a fashion that makes it sound like it's driven hard.

Note: you can drive a C4 by stacking a BG-400 combo on top of it. That’s 500W (combined) per PJB.

If you stack a BG-400 on top of a C8, you magically get 525W (combined). And a total speaker area that’s equivalent to 3x10.

 

[Dm7b5]

Since there have been over 100 replies and the OP has long since stopped paying attention, now is probably the time to weigh in with my two centavos worth. As mentioned, it's not about the watts, but how loud one needs to be. What I think of as a 'jazz trio' gig mostly means playing at a level at which a good acoustic piano could be heard without amplification. There's no reason a Rumble 100 wouldn't be plenty, but I'd still opt for a bit more horsepower because... well, you just never know. A 200-watt combo or head/cab should be more than sufficient for anything like the OP has described. That said, watts are cheap, and a 500-watt head isn't much more than a 200-watt. Paired with a 2x8, 110 or 112 cab, that should rock out pretty well. Pardon me... I mean swing correctly.

Oh wow thank you all for the comments! So much useful information and advice. Oh don't worry I'm paying attention.. a 100 comments is a bit to read and then the research that potentially springs forth from them all tales a while.

And.. I have been out and and about trying as much gear as I can.

 

[Dm7b5]

All amps and cabs aren't equal in design. I've played big places with 160w through PA and other times needed 500-1000w to have clean dynamic sound outside with no band shell and PA only on vocals. I don't gear up for one band or setting. I need to be able to bring it with body and clarity in many different environments and with different players. If cranked my amp begins to distort this could be inappropriate for the genre of music. I can't be sure of what PA is at a gig and I often choose to be out of it.

We are on TB and when someone says, including me, I sounded great with 100w the question is, "did you?" I've heard a group where the bassist was a barely heard and not felt. The bassist was happy his rig was portable. To me if you can't hear or feel it then why show up? Was the grit from SS and speaker distortion or was it serving the song? I will take 1000w to a singer songwriter gig. The sound will be an appropriate volume for seniors with full pleasing tone and girth.

With watts you can better control the acoustics. You don't have to force bad acoustics when you can send good signal into a room with low volume. Headroom. With watts and good amp architecture and speaker design you bring fidelity so you playing nuances aren't obscured. Is this or that watts enough? Depends. You know best. Be prepared for most situations and you can't go wrong. The show must go on.

True I was playing guitar at the time not bass..and to be honest my amp was always right next to me.. sometimes I even played sitting on it. And.. I have no idea how it really sounded out in the audience at most gigs. Except a few times at smaller gigs when I let friends play my guitar.

Also true that bass is not guitar.. and guitar watts are not the same as bass watts.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Wattage is about where you are playing, not what

What you are playing through is a loudspeaker situated in a venue. The difference between "not loud enough" and "no problem at all" depends on the amp, cab, and venue, not to mention the kind of music being played.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Also true that bass is not guitar.. and guitar watts are not the same as bass watts.

“Guitar watts” are EXACTLY the same as “bass watts.” What is different between them is how the human ear responds to higher pitches (frequencies) vs. lower pitches. It takes considerably more power to make a low note “sound as loudl as a high note.

 

[TheArchitect]

What you are playing through is a loudspeaker situated in a venue. The difference between "not loud enough" and "no problem at all" depends on the amp, cab, and venue, not to mention the kind of music being played.

What you are playing is music. How loud you need to be has nothing to with what music you are playing

 

[Jv-d]

DM
Cab47 owner here...
I think you need to go to the Phil Jones Bass club and pick the brains of PJB owners...
There is enough free n good advice here to make your head spin, but get few PJB players...
I love my cab47! Looking to add a 2nd to my rig... But they are discontinued...
It is a potent cab, especially for its size...
There are others choices now available from Phil Jones...
Go to the PJB club, and see what owners of the cabs have to say, I'm sure your dilemma will be solved...
I will also recommend watch as many Phil Jones vids as you can to understand the thinking that goes into the product... Phil Jones is extremely smart, and before you buy you should hear him talk about his perspective... PJB is a small hands on company, with top shelf products...but it is important to match the amp/cab to your gig -- the right tool for the job!!
If you do the legwork to matching your gig to the right PJB combo/cab, you'll feel as many of us PJB users do, that we are very glad and very satisfied that we went the PJB route... I will say also, that equipment is expensive, so you want to spend you bucks once, and have that item last for years, so you can make your money back...
Some players go through a lot of gear looking for the holy trail of amps n cabs -- that is their prerogative ...I like to spend my money once, and then make it work for me!
I will say that in one of his vids, Phil says that matching amp to cab is a real pain, and the best road to take is a combo, which is already matched... just may be some sage advice there??!!
Get over the the PJB Club, a lot of good people there that have some very practical advice to give you from experience with the product ! See you in there!
Phil Jones Bass Owners' Club

In retrospect
I would say call Steve (PJB tech, ask for) or Mike at PJB.
855 227 7510 (mike ext 103)
Since I posted this I have spoken to each of these guys... A wealth of info...
PJB is a customer focused company, not many companies are any more... These guys want to be utilized by the clientele!!!
You don't see Ampeg embracing their customers like this...
These guys have years of experience, both on stage, and in the R nd lab with Phil!

 

[Dm7b5]

“Guitar watts” are EXACTLY the same as “bass watts.” What is different between them is how the human ear responds to higher pitches (frequencies) vs. lower pitches. It takes considerably more power to make a low note “sound as loudl as a high note.

That's what I meant. But thanks for the expansion.

 

[Dm7b5]

In retrospect
I would say call Steve (PJB tech, ask for) or Mike at PJB.
855 227 7510 (mike ext 103)
Since I posted this I have spoken to each of these guys... A wealth of info...
PJB is a customer focused company, not many companies are any more... These guys want to be utilized by the clientele!!!
You don't see Ampeg embracing their customers like this...
These guys have years of experience, both on stage, and in the R nd lab with Phil!

Same experience..
Emailed Ampeg: never got a response.
Emailed PJB: Got 6 emails back and ensued a long and detailed discussion.

I now have a 500 watt MarkBass MB58r sitting next to me. I now know how many watts I need if little else..

I can see how I'm soon going to end up with more than one amp.

 

[Jv-d]

Same experience..
Emailed Ampeg: never got a response.
Emailed PJB: Got 6 emails back and ensued a long and detailed discussion.

I now have a 500 watt MarkBass MB58r sitting next to me. I now know how many watts I need if little else..

I can see how I'm soon going to end up with more than one amp.

DM
When I spoke to Mike, who again was very generous with his time, he couldn't be more emphatic about PJB's commitment to their customers... I just wanted to cheerlead as he was talking about PJB... Yes, yes, yes -- Ra, Ra Ra... So now, I'm not only an owner/player of PJB, but I'm also now a fan... If you read this, and have questions, give him a call!

In this day of corporatism, (i'm a free market guy, but corporatism is not free market) It is so refreshing to see a company like, PJB, that embraces the old school principles...
I've said it before, and ill say it again, I'm proud to be a PJB owner/supporter!