wickenspoet
New member
Would a 36 watt Kustom Coupe tube amp be loud enough to play with a rock band? It also has an external speaker cab input and XLR direct out option.
What about 72 watts?
What about 72 watts?
Tube amp wattage?
- Thread starter wickenspoet
- Start date
JahRock
New member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
what kind of rock band? like classic rock, or slayer rock? lower wattage amps are nice because they break up nicely even at relatively lower volumes, depending on how much distortion you need, you can always run a pedal or two in front of it. i'm not all that familiar with kustom amps but from what i do know i say you should have a pretty nice start with what you've got.
what kind of rock band? like classic rock, or slayer rock? lower wattage amps are nice because they break up nicely even at relatively lower volumes, depending on how much distortion you need, you can always run a pedal or two in front of it. i'm not all that familiar with kustom amps but from what i do know i say you should have a pretty nice start with what you've got.
Loserchief
SwingingIdiot
Re: Tube amp wattage?
depends on if you want a clean sound or not. When you want to switch between really clean and distorted during the songs you'll need more watts to have the headroom available. if it's just distorted and cranked up 36W can be enough
depends on if you want a clean sound or not. When you want to switch between really clean and distorted during the songs you'll need more watts to have the headroom available. if it's just distorted and cranked up 36W can be enough
EveryMn
New member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
As a rule of thumb, to the human ear 1 tube watt is about equivalent to 3 sold-state watts assuming most other variables are similar.
So, ex: my Fender Frontman combo is really only like ~8 tube watts, and an Epi Valve Junior combo is like 15 solid-state watts.
So I've heard...
As a rule of thumb, to the human ear 1 tube watt is about equivalent to 3 sold-state watts assuming most other variables are similar.
So, ex: my Fender Frontman combo is really only like ~8 tube watts, and an Epi Valve Junior combo is like 15 solid-state watts.
So I've heard...
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Nope. Wrong.
36 watts is half as loud as 360 watts. Twice as loud as 3.6 watts. You'll be just fine.
Nope. Wrong.
36 watts is half as loud as 360 watts. Twice as loud as 3.6 watts. You'll be just fine.
d1dsj
Cornographer
Re: Tube amp wattage?
I gig with my 35 watt Cornford Hellcat through a 4 x 10 or 4 x 12 and have been surprised by the volume. I do have a 50watter which IS much louder, but then it never gets a good work out! We play Lizzy,AC/DC,GnR,Bad Co,MSG etc... oh, and a bit of Metallica! I think 30-40 watts is a good choice 'coz you can turn up without it being too much, all the best.
I gig with my 35 watt Cornford Hellcat through a 4 x 10 or 4 x 12 and have been surprised by the volume. I do have a 50watter which IS much louder, but then it never gets a good work out! We play Lizzy,AC/DC,GnR,Bad Co,MSG etc... oh, and a bit of Metallica! I think 30-40 watts is a good choice 'coz you can turn up without it being too much, all the best.
wickenspoet
New member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Hard rock with hopefully nice cleans and thick distortion. I worried that 36 watts would break up too much for clean and that 72 would get too loud before getting a nice distortion, but maybe not.
Maybe I'll go with the 36 watts and a nice 2x12 extension cab, then.
Thanks for the help.
Hard rock with hopefully nice cleans and thick distortion. I worried that 36 watts would break up too much for clean and that 72 would get too loud before getting a nice distortion, but maybe not.
Maybe I'll go with the 36 watts and a nice 2x12 extension cab, then.
Thanks for the help.
Last edited:
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Sounds good dude!
Sounds good dude!
James Rock
Active member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Wattage isnt the only thing to go by but most 30 watt + amps are enough to keep up with a drummer unless u want ultra clean sound. Most amps are measured in clean watts which is why valve amps are alot louder because their FULL (wide open and distorted) wattage is high. Dont forget also amount of mids effects perceived volume and different speakers have different sensitivit's
Wattage isnt the only thing to go by but most 30 watt + amps are enough to keep up with a drummer unless u want ultra clean sound. Most amps are measured in clean watts which is why valve amps are alot louder because their FULL (wide open and distorted) wattage is high. Dont forget also amount of mids effects perceived volume and different speakers have different sensitivit's
James Rock
Active member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
I never use amps above 30 watts but i do find my fender pro junior (15 watts) a little quiet that said a VOX AC15cc is 15 watts but sounds ALOT louder so it depends on amps. But that Kustom should be fine in rehearsal situation and small gigs and good miked at larger venues.
I never use amps above 30 watts but i do find my fender pro junior (15 watts) a little quiet that said a VOX AC15cc is 15 watts but sounds ALOT louder so it depends on amps. But that Kustom should be fine in rehearsal situation and small gigs and good miked at larger venues.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Tube amp wattage?
This is a great example of how an amp with seemingly low wattage can sound so loud. I have a Vox AC30, and like its little brother, the AC15, it sounds much louder than the 30-watt rating would lead one to believe.
As others have said, the key is how much clean headroom you require. If you want to have clean tone at high volumes, go with a more powerful amp (i.e., one with more watts). That said, almost any 30-watt tube amp should give you enough volume to keep up with a full kit (Bonzo notwithstanding).
- Keith
This is a great example of how an amp with seemingly low wattage can sound so loud. I have a Vox AC30, and like its little brother, the AC15, it sounds much louder than the 30-watt rating would lead one to believe.
As others have said, the key is how much clean headroom you require. If you want to have clean tone at high volumes, go with a more powerful amp (i.e., one with more watts). That said, almost any 30-watt tube amp should give you enough volume to keep up with a full kit (Bonzo notwithstanding).
- Keith
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Just a note, speakers make the biggest difference. Two amps of the same wattage can have drastically different clean headrooms/max volumes, with different quality speakers.
Just a note, speakers make the biggest difference. Two amps of the same wattage can have drastically different clean headrooms/max volumes, with different quality speakers.
EveryMn
New member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Like how my teacher's Hot Rod DeVille 212 seems much louder on 4 than his 100w Line 6 combo does on 4.
If those two lines are related, what I meant is how your ear perceives things.
Like how my teacher's Hot Rod DeVille 212 seems much louder on 4 than his 100w Line 6 combo does on 4.
wickenspoet
New member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
I noticed a lot of people mention Celestion Vintage 30's. Those must be pretty good.
I noticed a lot of people mention Celestion Vintage 30's. Those must be pretty good.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Tube amp wattage?
They're awesome...and I'll take this opportunity to let you know I have a Mesa 2x12 in great condition, loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s. And yes, it's for sale!
(PM me, if you're interested.)
- Keith
They're awesome...and I'll take this opportunity to let you know I have a Mesa 2x12 in great condition, loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s. And yes, it's for sale!
(PM me, if you're interested.)- Keith
cream123
JustAskinologist
Re: Tube amp wattage?
36 watts is half as loud as 180 watts. 5x is twice as loud, IIRC
36 watts is half as loud as 180 watts. 5x is twice as loud, IIRC
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Tube amp wattage?
I don't think so. I think it's logarithmic: It takes 10x the wattage to get twice as loud.
- Keith
I don't think so. I think it's logarithmic: It takes 10x the wattage to get twice as loud.
- Keith
EveryMn
New member
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Tube amp wattage?
That is correct. Generally, twice the power is required for a 3db difference, and 10x for twice the "percieved" volume.
That is correct. Generally, twice the power is required for a 3db difference, and 10x for twice the "percieved" volume.
James Rock
Active member
Re: Tube amp wattage?
Thats what i thought but that is of course with the same tone as the human ear detects mid frequencies better then very high and very low frequency so more mids appear louder then say more treble (although loud treble sound loud cos it HURTS!)
