Watts.. It's confusing..

[mr.mow]

Ok, so I normally run a GK700RBII into either one or two 8 ohm 212 GK cabs.. More often into just one, so I get around 300w or so at 8 ohm.. I'm fairly familiar with how the volume levels will work for most gigs.

Recently I picked up a really cheap used Markbass Momark 250, runs at 150w into 8ohm.. I figured it might be nice as a small back up or practice amp and it came with HE Tube preamp.

Ran it at a gig on the weekend, I had the volume at about 1/5, there was a lot more on tap, A LOT more.. In theory it's putting out half the power of my GK, but sure doesn't feel it. What gives?

In the past I had a GK200MB and.. Well it wasn't even loud enough for small room rehearsals.

 

[HolmeBass]

I am not sure, but different amp makers rate their amps' output power differently, certainly at different acceptable distortion levels.

 

[B-string]

Volume knob positions are not wattage controls. How soon the amp reaches full clean power at what knob position is up to the manufacturer and how you setup the amp's gain structure as well. An amp that reached full clean power at 9:00 or 10:00 makes it seem a lot more powerful than it actually is capable of .

Set up your G-K with the woofer at 9:00 and the volume (input gain) just below distortion. Do the same with the MarkBass. Then compare relative
"volume" levels using just the master or woofer (700RB II), continue turning up until you reach power amp distortion.

 

[mr.mow]

Ok true I guess.. I run the GK gain at about 50% but the Mark at around 80%

 

[B-string]

Ok true I guess.. I run the GK gain at about 50% but the Mark at around 80%

Keep in mind also that distortion is perceived as being "louder" by the human ear than it really is.

That is why a heavy distorted 5 watt guitar amp can drive you out of the room but not be heard a block away.

 

[seamonkey]

The knobs are not calibrated
Position from one maker to the next is just different.
Also "Watts" is just a generic rating, manufacturers are not agreeing on any standard wattage rating. Take the advertising with a grain of salt.

 

[rodl2005]

Mark Bass volume Knobs are usually full at about 1-2 o'clock. Dunno re GK

 

[jumblemind]

+1 to the knob position comments. Markbass has a much different gain structure, their input gain control is really hot, like don't-go-past-9o'clock hot.

No sure what to say about your mb200 experience. That amp is crazy loud for 200w.

 

[jasper383]

Hard to imagine 150 "Markbass watts" sounding louder than 300 "GK watts". GK amps have a gritty character that generally makes them sound louder than their specs imply.

The MB200 should have been louder than you describe.

And yes, Markbass volume knobs are at about 90% volume at about 40% of their turn.

 

[tbirdsp]

No sure what to say about your mb200 experience. That amp is crazy loud for 200w.

Agreed. With an 8-ohm 115 mine is plenty loud to gig with, even with a loud drummer.

 

[B-string]

BTW this is a 200MB
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125 watts into the internal 12" IIRC.

 

[tooley]

I use a 100watt amp and its louder then any other Ive tryed. Itll probley smoke your 300watt amp anyday of the week. My point no two amps are the same & theres alot of factors that contrubite to the volume your amp will give you.

 

[tbirdsp]

Sorry - I always forget about the 200MB vs MB200

 

[B-string]

Gallien (GMT and G-K) has always built amps that can easily exceed the stated wattage. You may not get it all with the volume at 10:00 but it is there if you continue to crank.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I honestly don't look at watts on amps anymore. I've played a 300w all tube head, a 750w solid state head, and a 1600 watt power amp through the same ampeg 810 and the volume levels were the complete opposite of what you'd guess.