For the past few months I have been trying to get a new amp. I keep having new issues and my newest issue is watts. I have no clue how many watts i need. I play shows with 50-300 people normally and my 200 watt peavey combo ain't cuttin it any more. How many watts should I need and if you have any amp suggestions that would help that would be great. lookin to spend 500-800 on head?
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wattage questions
- Thread starter andthenwhen
- Start date
around 500 watts should get you anywhere you need to be, but dont worry TOO much about watts. if you need to cut through more, the most important thing would probably be to add more speakers. buy a 410 if you need to cut more. anywhere between 250-500 watts would probably be fine.
in the 500-800 dollar range I would recommend GK. buy a 700rb-II
in the 500-800 dollar range I would recommend GK. buy a 700rb-II
It's not just the watts, it's the SPL you need to think about.
Lots of watts with low sensitivity speakers will not be as loud as a much smaller amp with high sensitivity speakers.
Changing to a speaker cab with 3 to 6 dB better sensitivity will save you two to four times the power in your amp. That's like going from 200 watts to 400 or 800 watts.
Of course, if you then add the extra power to that - KABOOM! It'll be freakin' LOUD!
Lots of watts with low sensitivity speakers will not be as loud as a much smaller amp with high sensitivity speakers.
Changing to a speaker cab with 3 to 6 dB better sensitivity will save you two to four times the power in your amp. That's like going from 200 watts to 400 or 800 watts.
Of course, if you then add the extra power to that - KABOOM! It'll be freakin' LOUD!
Your budget will buy you something nice. Shop around and check some different amps out. Make a limit on what you look at, like, only 300 watts and up, able to run at 4 ohms. This way you have the option to add another speaker cab later on, for even more volume.
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
+1 to Al's comment. Cabinets! Go for high efficiency numbers. There's no real standard for how they measure, but use the number as a guide.
Doubling the number of drivers is equivalent to doubling the power: 3dB.
Doubling the number of drivers is equivalent to doubling the power: 3dB.
Do you play shows with a PA system? If so, you can buy a DI box which allows the signal from the bass amp to go into the PA for sound reinforcement.
The bonuses: It's cheaper than a new amp. It's smaller. It's lighter.
I have a 300W Ampeg tube amp and a 500W Markbass Solid State head (both at 4ohms).
Both work great on gigs but I find the 500W SS head needs more than just a 2x10 cab for larger shows. The ability to add a 2nd 2x10 or a 1x15 is very important IMO.
With the Ampeg tube amp, I use a 4x10 and that seems to be enough at larger gigs and I can even hear myself with 2 guitards with Marshalls.
In your price range, would recommend looking at some SS heads like the Markbass LMII and stuff from Genz Benz, GK, Eden, etc. If you decide on a Tube amp, look at a used Ampeg SVT, Mesa 400+, etc.
Make sure you like the sound of what you buy. Having an amp that is loud but you hate the sound really sucks!
Both work great on gigs but I find the 500W SS head needs more than just a 2x10 cab for larger shows. The ability to add a 2nd 2x10 or a 1x15 is very important IMO.
With the Ampeg tube amp, I use a 4x10 and that seems to be enough at larger gigs and I can even hear myself with 2 guitards with Marshalls.
In your price range, would recommend looking at some SS heads like the Markbass LMII and stuff from Genz Benz, GK, Eden, etc. If you decide on a Tube amp, look at a used Ampeg SVT, Mesa 400+, etc.
Make sure you like the sound of what you buy. Having an amp that is loud but you hate the sound really sucks!
In that price range, there are some good choices. My personal favorite would be a Carvin B1500. With one of those, suffice it to say that wattage would not be your limiting factor.
As folks have correctly pointed out, though, volume isn't just about the wattage. If you only use a 1-12, for example (not saying you do), there's gonna be a practical limit to how much you can get out of it, no matter how big an amp you try to throw at it. So make sure you get enough cabinet(s) for your needs, too.
As folks have correctly pointed out, though, volume isn't just about the wattage. If you only use a 1-12, for example (not saying you do), there's gonna be a practical limit to how much you can get out of it, no matter how big an amp you try to throw at it. So make sure you get enough cabinet(s) for your needs, too.
thanks guys, sorry i didnt leave enough info i was on my way to work. yea i planned on getting 2 cabs, a 4'10 and a 1'15 both hartke paper cone because i like the warm sound. I've used them before but I hear alot of bad stuff about Hartke. As for heads i was looking for something with a decent tube preamp so I could get a really warm sound, buit also versitle enough that i could get other sounds as well. i had looked at the hartke LH-1000 and i liked it a little but i want to try other stuff out. thanks again for all the feedback.
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
There's an Eden WT550 for sale on TB for $850ish. It's a great head. Tube preamp, 750w at 2 ohms (550 at 4).
But you should listen to heads to decide what you like. Eden is very clean.
But you should listen to heads to decide what you like. Eden is very clean.
Look down near the bottom of the page where it says "Forum Jump"; the Classifieds will be there, just scroll on down.
Remember that tube watts sound different than solid state watts. Just go to a music store and crank the amps and see what sounds loudest and nicest and there you go.
Your Peavey is a decent combo but doesn't sound its best without adding an extension cabinet. That's one way to go, but will add weight. Probably better to buy an amp and head for more power and flexibility.
I see you really want a GK amp. Great choice. They sound wonderful and what I have been mainly using for many years. You can get the GK 700RB for a good price. I'd pair that with an Avatar 2x12 cabinet and I think you could get that rig for just about your price limit. Or go with the Avatar 4x10 cabinet. Either way, you'll have pretty powerful and good sounding rig that you can use with confidence.
I see you really want a GK amp. Great choice. They sound wonderful and what I have been mainly using for many years. You can get the GK 700RB for a good price. I'd pair that with an Avatar 2x12 cabinet and I think you could get that rig for just about your price limit. Or go with the Avatar 4x10 cabinet. Either way, you'll have pretty powerful and good sounding rig that you can use with confidence.
