Powering the monstrous Ampeg SVT-CL

[seamonkey]

It's not mentioned here much but It happens even in halls with all kinds of power. A band has to spell out on the contract how much power is needed up front. Granted that we're not talking about formal gigs with contracts here, but even informal, if the gigs in a rented hall that is also set up for general the renter needs to say ahead of time how much power they need. I've seen halls dish it out in 7.5A increments, and the hall rental better be clear on how much the band gets.
LEDs help tremendously, more efficient amps or just playing quieter is part of it.

 

[Geri O]

Oh, one 20A is not great, I'm just saying bar bands with speaker on stick PAs get by with it all the time, as long as incandescent par lights aren't involved.

Gotcha...

We are in the process of moving out the incandescent lighting (PARS, Lekos, etc) and going all LED. I don't know much about the lighting part of our shop (by design, too, I assure you...), but I know the lack of weight and the reduced power consumption is awesome. It's putting way cooler lighting in places that couldn't handle incandescents before.

Makes those LED Alembics look more attractive...

 

[Kevan Campbell]

I think part of the problem too is my guitarist is kind of hell bent on being a "LOUD" band... which is great and all but I think being too loud scares away people who might otherwise enjoy what we're playing. If he turns up loud, I have to turn up load or get mixed out, which as you know perpetuates the cycle... We played a Halloween show (same show where amps went down) and I recorded the whole night with my Zoom H2. We were BY FAR the loudest band and I dont know how to explain to my guitarist that LOUD doesnt mean GOOD without it turning into a battle. I listened to the other bands that night which all sounded quieter but more EVENLY mixed. How would you guys approach this situation with tact? Better yet, how can you get that nice balanced mixed sound playing live through your rigs at a gig? I just dont want to be "that loud band" that no one can listen too, lol

In regards to a loud guitarist and too-loud overall sound, has your guitarist looked into amp attenuators or amps with built-in power-scaling? I for one use a Weber Mass III 150 for my Mesa/Boogie Heartbreaker/2x12 cab and it really helps get a great power tube-driven sound at sensible volumes. Combine an attenuator with a good mix into a decent PA and your guitarist shouldn't have any reason to play obnoxiously loud.