50 watts or 100 watts?

Skullkrusher

Skullkrusher

The T-Files-ologist
I'm seriously leaning towards a JVM. I don't know whether I want a combo or head though. Which wattage should I go with? I'm going to be playing out at small to medium size places.

Seems like 100 watts would be too much for my needs, but I don't want to short myself either.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

Dude the 50w is pretty loud. I don't think you can hear the difference unless you're at the back of a stadium. I had a 50w JCM 2x12 and it's plenty loud unless you're playing stadiums. I used those as my main amps for 2 years. I had a 100w hea and the combo. Fantastic amplifiers but I like origial plexi sounds with pedals so I let the JVM go.

I used Tung-sol preamp and power tubes and switched to Tung-Sol preamp tubes. Highly recommend these tubes man.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

50 watts will be fine. I'm assuming that you will be miced for the medium sized venues.

That's not to say that 100 watts isn't workable. The actual volume difference isn't all that great, you'll just get a given level of grind at a slightly lower volume.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

Considering 25w is plenty for any gig without a OA system, 50 should be fine.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

No way... a hundred! You can always turn
it down, but can't always turn it up.
I can see 100 watts being far too loud with a NMV amp, but whats the concern with a Master volume amp?
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

100 watts. Headroom is a vital, if undervalued characteristic in a good amp.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

I'd really like to know how many 2-tube class AB poweramps that are labeled 50watts are actually 50watts. I ask that question because I've played some 2-power tube amps that gave it up too early, and then I've played some that rivaled a 5150 in volume (advertised at 120watts). That being said, a friend owned the JVM410 and an Avatar 4x12 and the master volume on it performed pretty well. It was able to get pretty quiet all around.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

100 watters will give much more control with a volume kbob, 50 watter will perfectly do the job miced or on miced, with a 100 watter you will have to provide free drugs to numb nuts on the sound board.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

jerryjg said:
No way... a hundred! You can always turn
it down, but can't always turn it up.
I can see 100 watts being far too loud with a NMV amp, but whats the concern with a Master volume amp?
Click to expand...

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

A tube amp has to be turned up atleast a little to really sound it's best...to get that natural tube sing and compression that we all talk about and strive for comes from one, and ONLY one thing...TURNING THE AMP UP!!!

Now, sice I don't know of any of my forum bros playing to thousands of people nightly then 100 watts or even 50 is over kill for most of us.

As to the master volume comment, to get that compression and sing the master has to go past 1 or 2...a 100 watt amp placed on a 2x12 or 4x12 will NOT get this sound. What it will do is sound thin, buzzy and lifeless...

This is why I wonder why some many players insist on 50+ watt amps...

A 10 watt amp turned up enough to really start sounding good will always sound better than a 100 watt amp turned up to 1 on the master than the preamp cranked to get grind...
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

50 watts is more than loud enough and you still have some headroom for cleans.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

the guy who invented fire said:
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

A tube amp has to be turned up atleast a little to really sound it's best...to get that natural tube sing and compression that we all talk about and strive for comes from one, and ONLY one thing...TURNING THE AMP UP!!!

Now, sice I don't know of any of my forum bros playing to thousands of people nightly then 100 watts or even 50 is over kill for most of us.

As to the master volume comment, to get that compression and sing the master has to go past 1 or 2...a 100 watt amp placed on a 2x12 or 4x12 will NOT get this sound. What it will do is sound thin, buzzy and lifeless...

This is why I wonder why some many players insist on 50+ watt amps...

A 10 watt amp turned up enough to really start sounding good will always sound better than a 100 watt amp turned up to 1 on the master than the preamp cranked to get grind...
Click to expand...

well, I do have a 100Watt JMP MKII, and I dont see what the issue is. I get plenty of power tube stauration with a judiscious use of the master, and its sound i great through a Greenback cabinet
Im not saying it sounds as good as a Superlead cranked at the Hollywood bowl, and admittidly I play loud , nay VERY loud, but nothing thats going to make anyone deaf.Not in the shortrun anyhow. What did yyou say?..
But as far as a 50 watt amp..theres no need for it in my world.
 
Last edited:
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

Not everyone needs dirt from their amp all the time. Some of us need pristine cleans with lots of volume. For that, 100 watts and stouf speakers are a must.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

It's all just a matter of headroom really...
Since 100W is about 8-10% louder than 50, it's more or less neglible volume wise.
If you want your head to stay tight and defined even on high volume settings, go with the 100. If you want early breakup, the 50 is for you.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

^^^^Duane Allman and Dickey Betts were a perfect example of this^^^^

Dickey used 10 watters and always sounded cleaner at the same volume as Duane, who used 50 watters and got a bit more grind.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

My kitchen rocks a Marshall JVM410H 100 watt full stack...LOL...But I'm half crazy, so don't listen to me.
MarshallJVM410HStack.jpg
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

The chances of me jamming out in an arena any time soon are slim to none. :D

With that in mind, 50 watts may be the way to go. Besides, if I play anywhere significant in size, chances are the amp will be miced up anyway.

Now, I need to decide whether to go with the head or combo. If I go combo, I want 2x12.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

Kommerzbassist said:
Dude, you redefine the word "kitchen-volume"

How's the JVM like compared to the TSLs actually?
Click to expand...

Lets put it this way. He doesnt need a Microwave. he can set a whole raw checken in a dish on the counter..and play for thirty five minuets and it'll be done to a golden crisp.
A TSL won't do that.
 
Re: 50 watts or 100 watts?

*cough* head *cough*

Cause you never know if you'll find yourself upgrading to a 4x12 or even two... especially with a Marshall.
 
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