Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

gripweed

gripweed

Jolvisologist
Lets say you are playing a small club and you don't want to lug your Mega-Watt amp and Two-Ton cabinets to the gig. What is the smallest amp you would take? Do you favor taking a very toneful small amp and miking it? Or an amp just loud enough to be heard so you don't have to rely on the soundman?
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I would much rather go with a toneful amp that needs to be mic'd, provided I could be assured each gig has a house PA. No point in using a small amp for its portability if you have to drag around a PA system as well.

Bottom line: Tone is paramount.

- Keith
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I used to use a Carvin Vintage 33 for smaller gigs. Nice cleans and a modded JCM800 gain channel. Was very nice. I wish I still had that amp. These days it the big rig no matter what. :(
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

My Crate V32 does very nicely for most smaller venue gigs where my Marshall or Mesa would be over-kill.

As a matter of fact I had a gig in Traverse City last weekend and I smoked my 2:90 just before the gig. I ran my effects/Triaxis rack line out into the line in of the V32 (took it as back-up) and it sounded absolutely killer on stage and miced out on the floor.

While I missed the power and grunt of 90 watts a side, 30 watts is really all you ever need unless you have zip for a PA or you are playing huge venues and need massive stage levels.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I own several amps and depending whats needed I can bring it. I have a Shiva Combo with 1 12". Great amp at any volume. I can get beautiful cleans and some serious drive out of the drive channel. If I am going to do primarily classic rock/blues I would probably bring my 67 Deluxe Reverb. Great amp plugged straight in. For more headroom I would use my Super reverb.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

A 1x12 set up. The amp would depend on the style of music. Maybe a Marshall head on top for a hard rock gig, my '68 Bassman or a Carvin V16 for blues/blues rock stuff.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I would and have gigged with just a blues jr. and it is an amp that definitely holds it's own. 15 watts is a lot louder than people give it credit for. I played an 1800 seat venue with no pa and had absolutely no problem being heard! (I have a live recording of the show to prove it). It's a killer amp!
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I use my 15 watt Marshall studio 15 all the time at gigs. its an open back combo so the sound fills up the stage, and a mic helps it get as loud as anything I wouyld ever need. I'm able to crank it and the tone is huge and cutting.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I run my GT-8 through my SWR California Blonde and Strawberry blonde in stereo. I get all the low end push and the sound of big amps cranked, without blowing anybody's head off. :)
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

Since my Stinger is my only amp, I'd take that. The head itself weighs about 35 lbs. and my H&K cab weighs far less...very portable setup.

If I couldn't use the head/cab thing, I'd probably take something like a Deluxe Reverb.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

KGMESSIER said:
I would much rather go with a toneful amp that needs to be mic'd, provided I could be assured each gig has a house PA. No point in using a small amp for its portability if you have to drag around a PA system as well.

Bottom line: Tone is paramount.

- Keith
Click to expand...

If stuck, Fender blackface Deluxe Reverb with better speaker and better filter and tone caps.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

no less than 30W and a 2x12 or a 2x12 combo
 
Last edited:
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I used to gig pretty regularly with a tweed Deluxe (10-12 watts), and it was loud enough to stay relatively clean with a drummer in a small room.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

my engl jive combo can play freaking loud. there is nearly no difference
between his 30W through the g12m speaker compared to the thunders 50W
through the v30. just some difference in bass response and creamyness.

i wouldn't hesitate to play a club gig with my 30 Watt engl, it still scares
my fitnesscentre-drummer when played in closed rooms.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

I plan on having my Marshall Lead 12 waiting in the wings for backup. Since I use the Ultra-G to run my amp through the PA, won't be a problem at all.
 
Re: Smallest amp you would take on a gig...

Davey said:
no less than 30W and a 2x12 or a 2x12 combo
Click to expand...
Ditto that. I don't mind hauling my 4x12 either. It is big but it does not have to be loud. A 1x12 can be just as loud but not sound as big.

I don't really like it when the stage volume gets too loud, but that's almost impossible for a rock band on a tiny stage. You need to hear yourself over the drummer.. I don't play with quiet drummers :D
 
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