Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

[everdrone]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

thats cool Itsabass, thanks for insights about the v9s, you have a cool writing style in this forum. I can relate to Lewguitar about the gang colors bit, I mean it is like being jumped in to a gang since you need the 412. and as a bassist I have to get the half stack guitarist to turn down. initiation battle. Then you need to go out and battle your rival and prove yourself in front of others.

Here is craigslist band post from Wednesday which states "You must be between the age 20-30, have your OWN guitars & Half stack. "

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/muc/3440929216.html

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

They have their time and place. I happen to like my 4x12, but the size of the head doesn't mean jack squat to me. I just let the sound man/woman do the work to a point where we are both satisfied. Never piss off the sound person.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I'd like to offer this for your consideration. THis is my final word on the topic ever, as Ive beaten this to death.

Some amps, like Fenders Blackfaces , can get by on very few watts, like the Deluxe, and Super Reverb. Its becaus e the tone is brilliant and half clean/half distorted.
Then, Ive tried Bassmans, which are Tweed, and they are almostt all distortion when cranked, and lors of tube sag, and they get thick, even muddy at the top end is real round. so personally, I would need two.
The Marshall 100 watt full stack can use the 2X4x12 Full stack with Celestion speakers, casue they are in-effiecient speakers, and soak up the 100 watt amp power, and the bass cabinet just puts out lots of bass,m and the treble cabinet beams some very crunchy and not too trebly, if you know what to do, highs in the air.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I'd like to offer this for your consideration. THis is my final word on the topic ever, as Ive beaten this to death.

Some amps, like Fenders Blackfaces , can get by on very few watts, like the Deluxe, and Super Reverb. Its becaus e the tone is brilliant and half clean/half distorted.
Then, Ive tried Bassmans, which are Tweed, and they are almostt all distortion when cranked, and lors of tube sag, and they get thick, even muddy at the top end is real round. so personally, I would need two.
The Marshall 100 watt full stack can use the 2X4x12 Full stack with Celestion speakers, casue they are in-effiecient speakers, and soak up the 100 watt amp power, and the bass cabinet just puts out lots of bass,m and the treble cabinet beams some very crunchy and not too trebly, if you know what to do, highs in the air.

Just realized you're almost at 10,000 posts. Countdown time?

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I am so surprised people still want to talk about this. Hasn't the discussion been resolved? Doesn't it come up at least twice a month?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

what pickup did eddie van halen use?

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

whatever you are willing to schlepp around is the size amp we all should play.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

A few years ago I went to see faster pussycat Wattages band was opening for them so I was really there to support a friend. Long story short is when Faster Pussycat came on. We were a out 50 ft from the stage. After the first song they played my wife turned to me and said my breasts were jiggling that was so loud. I just started laughing as we left the club. Btw Scott's band was great that night

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I stand on both sides of this, as I've had several little amps and just bought a used Pro Junior, but I won't hesitate to have my 4x12 and Music Man HD150 out onstage if there's enough room for it.

I get my tone either way, and strangely enough...at the SAME VOLUME...so there's never been any problem with any soundguy.

P.S. Good soundguys need to have total control over every sound. GREAT soundguys know how to USE THE VOLUME FROM THE STAGE AS PART OF THE MIX.

P.P.S. Too loud is too loud. Having it come from the PA doesn't make it any less loud.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

If I was a regular gigging musican I would definitely downsize or probably just buy a smaller amp or at least speaker cabinet. There's no way I'd lug a 4X12 around to gig with unless I had a truck and a roadie. My rack is fine and I can split that up so as to not be too heavy (Tri-Axis/2:90). What I have is overkill for me in my basement but I gotta have my fun =).

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

It would be interesting to hear from lead vocalists on this subject. I know that if I tried to crank my 50w Bassman on stage, my singer would quit the band. He is constantly at all of us to keep our stage volume under control because it kills him if he's trying to compete with a loud band.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

It would be interesting to hear from lead vocalists on this subject. I know that if I tried to crank my 50w Bassman on stage, my singer would quit the band. He is constantly at all of us to keep our stage volume under control because it kills him if he's trying to compete with a loud band.

I do most of the singing in my bands, and I know that to be heard, the dynamic needs to be right. It's not so much what amp is used, but how it's used, and how good the dynamics are. The other thing to consider is how loud the amp is set...there's no way you'd try to get all your OD from a 50 Bassman/cab setup. That would be crazy. I had one myself, and never ran it over 4, and it always sounded great because I only ever played my loudest on the guitar when it was time to do so.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I don't understand the argument people make about using just a vocal PA therefore needing bigger amps. The guitars should match the drums in level unless going for a full miked setup with a full range powerful PA. No point having your guitar three times louder then the drums in the verses or not being able to hear solos over the snare. I have done sound at a few venues where the PA i cant keep up with the band but not just the guitars but the drums something that is hard to make quieter without changing the sound and feel of the band. Get an amp that sounds good at volumes in venues you play compared to drums acoustically. If the drums are miced it is likely the guitars will be too. My 15 watt amp is too loud most of the time even though my drummer hits pretty hard (my 212 cab helps) but if I played an outdoor gig I bet my guitar would struggle in solos not being miced. 100 Watt amps are more for sound then volume as anyone playing that loud (using all the headroom of a full stack) would have access to a decent PA or the vocals will struggle.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I don't understand the argument people make about using just a vocal PA therefore needing bigger amps. The guitars should match the drums in level unless going for a full miked setup with a full range powerful PA.

You make a really excellent point.

Allow me to clear this up for you.

This is my drummer:

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I think both articles made a compelling argument. I recommend for ppl to read both and decide what they need. I do have comment though ........
Stacks don't have to be loud. They have a volume knob.

 

[glassman]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

It all comes down to selecting the proper tool for the job YOU have to do.

I have a lot of clients that use high wattage amps but only one guy that uses his for the volume that a 100 watt amp puts out. Incidentally, his band doesn't get booked because of their stage volume and refusal to work with the sound guys. They're actually quite good; unfortunately they forgot that they were there to entertain the crowd, not themselves.

 

[CTN]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I think both articles made a compelling argument. I recommend for ppl to read both and decide what they need. I do have comment though ........
Stacks don't have to be loud. They have a volume knob.

bingo.

As Adam mentioned in his article, the main benefit of running a high powered head nowadays is tightness and focus at lower-than-roaring-jet-engine volumes, and the pristine clean headroom you can get as well.

You don't necessarily need to turn up really loud on-stage, and anyone who does so is a grade-A twit who needs to learn about a) how micing up a live band works b) leaving the ego and d0uchebag rockstar attitude at home. You only ever need a decent amount of volume for the stage. The benefit of having a stack (half or otherwise) is more dispersion on stage, so you, the bassist, the singer, and the drummer can all hear you clearly, whether or not there are individual monitors for everyone. I've played tons of clubs that had only one or two monitors at most, which usually went in order of priority, from singer, to drummer, to keyboardist, to bassist and guitarists. having a stack is like having monitors of your own.

I've also played venues with full PA setups, plenty of monitors and honestly, it really makes no difference to how loud i turn my amp up. And I always work WITH the soundguy instead of against him. You've really got to be a world class ass if you show up to the gig and don't have the basic human decency to say hi to the soundguy and have a little chat about his setup, what your needs are, what his needs/capabilities are, and find middle ground so the show goes off without a hitch.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

I am so surprised people still want to talk about this. Hasn't the discussion been resolved? Doesn't it come up at least twice a month?

Yes They only make Plus 100 watt stacks for old hippies who grew up when PAs were crap and just won't get with the times.

My next post on this subject will be in a couple of months. I shouldn't over do a good thing. I might go blind or deaf.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

bingo.
The benefit of having a stack (half or otherwise) is more dispersion on stage, so you, the bassist, the singer, and the drummer can all hear you clearly, whether or not there are individual monitors for everyone.

Actually, closed back half or full stacks are really focused, with very little dispersion on stage- all of the sound is directed directly in front. Thats why they sound so good when you stand right in front of them. Open back deluxes and twins can be heard all over a stage much better.
But, really, my blog was about why I choose smaller amps, or sometimes, no amp at all on stage. The decision for me is about more than just the sound, although I wouldn't use anything that didn't sound good.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Blog: In Defense of Small, Low Wattage Amps

You make a really excellent point.

Allow me to clear this up for you.

This is my drummer:

I know this scenario far too often... My brother doesn't know how to play the drums lightly hahahaha. Besides, if it's too loud you're too old