A 5-watt amp??????

[chcjunior]

I've found an amp kit I like based on the Fender Champ. It comes in a 5-watt version or a 10-watt version (utilizing one 6V6 or two 6V6 respectively).

My problem is I have NO idea how loud a 5-watt amp will be. Come to think of it, how quiet will it be? I'm guessins 5-watt's will have next to nothing with headroom. Note that I'm planning on building the kit and using the amp for bedroom practicing as an alternative to the Digitech through the computer.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

10 watts cranked to full distortion is still a bit much for bedroom use. I guess it depends on whether you play clean or dirty most of the time.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

I have a 5 w Epiphone with 1 10" - it's plenty loud for practice.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

10 watts cranked to full distortion is still a bit much for bedroom use. I guess it depends on whether you play clean or dirty most of the time.

I usually play both clean and dirty. I was looking for a good sounding clean that's loud enough for bedroom use....with perhaps some blues gain when pushed. I have a Sparkle Drive pedal I can use to push it further if need be.

Note that both the 5 and 10 watt versions can come with a master volume if I choose the option.

 

[Corbic]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

What site is this kit from? I was thinking of trying to build something like that this summer, a 5 watt practice amp kinda like a Champ.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

Get the 10 watter with a master volume and if possible, a 12" speaker. This will give you some more tonal options and allow you to gig with it at small venues.

 

[Baltar]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

What site is this kit from? I was thinking of trying to build something like that this summer, a 5 watt practice amp kinda like a Champ.

yeah, i'm interested in the kit too

 

[chcjunior]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

What site is this kit from? I was thinking of trying to build something like that this summer, a 5 watt practice amp kinda like a Champ.

http://www.stf-electronics.com/

On the main page, it's listed under "Champ Head" .

There's also a Classic Champ kit by the same company:

http://www.stf-electronics.com/Page0015.Html

 

[chcjunior]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

Get the 10 watter with a master volume and if possible, a 12" speaker. This will give you some more tonal options and allow you to gig with it at small venues.

That's what I was leaning towards. The owner suggested a 10" Weber.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

I think I'll build one of these myself. Do they come as a head as well?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

I'm going the other way - 5 watts is plenty for practice, even if you want a little head room. Seeing that you own not one, but two Rivera's I'd say you have the gigging amp needs covered.

BTW - howdy, Yardley. I'm originally from Abington.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

I'm going the other way - 5 watts is plenty for practice, even if you want a little head room. Seeing that you own not one, but two Rivera's I'd say you have the gigging amp needs covered.

BTW - howdy, Yardley. I'm originally from Abington.

Yo from Yardley.

Yeah, the gigging needs are definitely covered! I discovered I've been the Knucklehead at home alot lately as it's simply easier to just grab the Chubster 40 with one hard and the guitar over the shoulder and I'm off to practice or gig.

I'm bouncing back and forth between the 5 and 10 watt. Really all I need is a sweet sounding clean amp that can break up a little if pushed at bedroom levels. I guess the quandry is I'm trying to determine if the 5 watter will have that clean headroom.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

I think I'll build one of these myself. Do they come as a head as well?

The Classic Champ needs to be dropped into a cabinet which they sell.
The Champ Head obviously comes as a head, but doesn't fit into the cabinet they sell. I'd have to build my own.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

I guess the quandry is I'm trying to determine if the 5 watter will have that clean headroom.

Look around a bit - see if a store in your area or a friend of a friend has a Champ you can borrow. Just spend a few minutes seeing if it can be loud enough, but still clean.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

According to the math, a 5 watt amp (assuming the same speaker(s)) is 1/2 as loud as a 25watt amp. Likewise, a 10 watt amp is 1/2 as loud as a 100 watt amp.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

5 watt amps are cool for cranking up and getting a natural overdriven tone.

A master volume on a 5 watt or even 10 watt amp seems kind of silly to me...

Layla was recorded with a 5 watt Fender Champ.

Lew

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

a Champ is about 5 watts and can still be too much in a bedroom/dorm room setting to crank to 10...but you can crank them up and get a beautiful natural overdrive tone!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

a Champ is about 5 watts and can still be too much in a bedroom/dorm room setting to crank to 10...but you can crank them up and get a beautiful natural overdrive tone!

When I was a kid I used to lay my Champ face down on a pillow sometimes, crank it up and listen to it from the back side.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

A master volume on a 5 watt or even 10 watt amp seems kind of silly to me...


Lew

Not that silly when you need to keep the significant other happy.

 

[jerry68]

Re: A 5-watt amp??????

5 watt amps are great. They can be used for practice without annoying everyone in your home/neighborhood, and can be great for performing if you are willing to mic your amp and let the sound guy do his job...

and if you really want to make friends with a sound engineer, show up at the studio to record with a 5 watt amp... He'll probably want to kiss you full on the lips.