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Tube watts vs Solid State watts

#122
Just blathering on a comment somewhere previous...

I always thought a potentiometer was a "voltage divider" and NOT an attenuator when you use all three legs...
I thought the wiper usually coupled a % of the total signal across the fixed R signal, to the next stage...
I didn't know B+ was attentuated by the volume knob... Must be so if it actually attenuated an amp stage P_o.

Learn me something every day...
I'm probably confused... Not enough coffee....
 
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#124
Typical talk bass. lol

There is no such think as tube watts or solid state watts. Watts are watts. I prefer the sound of tube amps, but all things being equal, I'd rather have loud solid state amp instead of having to lug around an SVT or similar head.
 
#125
We played on a small corner stage a couple of weeks ago. My cab was aimed across the stage at the guitar player. I knew I wasn't going to be in the PA. I had my mesa 800+ at 10 o clock. After our set, the guitarist said he couldn't hear himself thru his fender twin. I felt very happy, hadn't have a guitarist tell me that before.
Told him to turn up next time or ask me what I am doing. HaHa
Just think if it had been on 12 o clock.
 
#126
five7 said:
We played on a small corner stage a couple of weeks ago. My cab was aimed across the stage at the guitar player. I knew I wasn't going to be in the PA. I had my mesa 800+ at 10 o clock. After our set, the guitarist said he couldn't hear himself thru his fender twin. I felt very happy, hadn't have a guitarist tell me that before.
Told him to turn up next time or ask me what I am doing. HaHa
Just think if it had been on 12 o clock.
Click to expand...
How did you sound in the mix? That's the question.
Your git player, if he hasn't already, needs to get his amp up on a stand or tilted back.
 
#128
Clark W said:
Now that's another question, why?
What's going on between tube bass amp wattage and solid state bass amp wattage?
Are the tube amps underrated and actually putting out more than rated?
Are the solid states overrated and actually putting out less than rated?
Or both?

But there is a difference for sure.
Click to expand...

Clark:

Here's how I answer that question:

A solid state amp doesn't sound good when clipping. So it's best to stay away from what I call "the cliff"......the max power. Don't get near it.

An all-tube amp sounds yummy when clipping, so it's fun to get close to that cliff, and even go beyond it if you want to. In fact, with an all-tube amp, there really is no cliff. There's just a gentle rolling hill.

So, for a 300 watt SS amp, you only want to get no more than maybe 150-200 watts from it, so that you stay far away from the cliff. But with a 300 watt all-tube amp, you can get all 300 watts, and then some, from that amp. So the all-tuber is going to sound louder.

My answer to your question is *VERY* simplified, and I'm sure there will be someone who chimes in to throw darts at my answer (which is fine). But that's how I choose to answer your question. :)
 
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#130
Stumbo said:
Wireless or a long cord are helpful in situations like that. Even if it's just for sound check. And when you have a sound guy and a PA, it's good to know how you're being mixed.
Click to expand...
We played one short set in a small bar, normally my amp is aimed at me not sideways, it was a wonky stage.
The look on his face was priceless.
At rehearsal it is the opposite as all I can hear is his guitar. Irony can be nice every once in awhile.
 
#132
edencab said:
so would a guitar through a 25 watt bass amp be insanely loud? ( I don't have a guit to check)
Click to expand...
Yes-I play guitar through my 50 watt ampeg tube bass head through a 1x12 guitar cab and it’s capable of head splitting volume with guitar. But I can crank that amp through 2 15’s with my bass in my basement and not have the neighbors complain or my ears hurt.
 
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#134
edro said:
Just blathering on a comment somewhere previous...

I always thought a potentiometer was a "voltage divider" and NOT an attenuator when you use all three legs...
I thought the wiper usually coupled a % of the total signal across the fixed R signal, to the next stage...
I didn't know B+ was attentuated by the volume knob... Must be so if it actually attenuated an amp stage P_o.

Learn me something every day...
I'm probably confused... Not enough coffee....
Click to expand...
A potentiometer can be a voltage divider and an attenuator at the same time. B+ has nothing to do with this.
 
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#135
Tube amps seem louder due to how wattage is supposed to be rated. Amps are supposed to be rated to the point of distortion. The distortion of a tube amp can be desirable. The distortion of a SS amp? Not so much
 
#137
Clark W said:
That's what I'm slowly finding out. Found one person online who recommends at least 3x more power for bass than guitar. But I'll take the 10x figure. One can always roll off the volume knob if they need too :D

thanks for the response
Click to expand...

I think 10x is about right for guitar vs bass (both SS). For tube vs SS it might be 10x for that too.
 

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