Minimum Wattage to Play a Gig?

[Stranger Danger]

Fender Rumbles get good reviews, but they're not for me. I prefer the GK MB series. I just picked up the MB122 today actually.

200 watts, $419 retail price (got mine with the 15% off coupon in a no sales tax state).

Not the loudest amp I've played through but I could definitely do a gig with it no problem.

I have the 112 with a 112 powered extension cab. Excellent mini stack!

 

[JPaulGeddy]

My lil' Carvin MB115 slays. Had a much louder rock band sit in on our gear, and had to keep telling the bass player to turn down. I have played with one drummer that was so loud I needed a half-stack, but other than that a good 115 or 210 combo gets me through anything. And with the MB115 (for example), can always add a cab down the road. I've thought about it, but as mentioned, it's never let me down volume-wise. Also used a GK MB210 for a couple years, also never an issue.

All this being said - a lot of this depends on your EQ too. If you're doing the smiley-face EQ or doing doom metal - rules all change.

 

[LowActionHero]

Depends on a lot of factors. I started with a 200 Watt combo in a 3 piece. We added another guitarist or 2, so I added another matching combo for outdoor shows, so 400 watts. But I never turn them up all the way. MAYBE 75%. But now, at times, we have 4 guitars onstage. So I'm stepping up to 600 watts, with the option to add another cab in the future. Hoping I never have to use them all, but I'd rather be over prepared than under powered. And I don't like running amps near full blast if I don't have to. I usually have the option for PA support, but I don't want to count on it. Plus the new amp has some options I was missing with the combos.

AnyHOO. As someone mentioned already, buy as many watts as you can afford, so you're not in a surprise situation where you wish you had more. You can always turn down, but the volume knob only goes so far UP. (Usually only to 10 )

 

[joel406]

This works.