Your Perfect Amp Wattage
- Thread starter Andrew Lamprecht
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guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
Drummers get to, under controlled conditions, drive the band to the higher dynamic...but that means they have to get quiet for the most part of the tunes so they have somewhere to go. Great drummers don't play too loud or too sofltly all the time...they know how and when to make the changes.
I like amps of all wattages, but shlep around my 50 watt Peavey most.
Drummers get to, under controlled conditions, drive the band to the higher dynamic...but that means they have to get quiet for the most part of the tunes so they have somewhere to go. Great drummers don't play too loud or too sofltly all the time...they know how and when to make the changes.
I like amps of all wattages, but shlep around my 50 watt Peavey most.
Rowan
New member
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
+1
Too many guys out there think harder is better.
As for the poll, I like 50 watt heads. They have enough clean headroom but you can still crank them. I used to have a 120 watt head and it was complete overkill.
+1
Too many guys out there think harder is better.
As for the poll, I like 50 watt heads. They have enough clean headroom but you can still crank them. I used to have a 120 watt head and it was complete overkill.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
Now that I'm thinking about it... 600w is ideal, however I can easily run about with 300w, although I'd be pining away for 600w.
Now that I'm thinking about it... 600w is ideal, however I can easily run about with 300w, although I'd be pining away for 600w.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
I'm running 900 right now, but I really don't *need* all that. I've got 2 600w Seymour Duncan amps, and either of them handle anything easy like.
I'm running 900 right now, but I really don't *need* all that. I've got 2 600w Seymour Duncan amps, and either of them handle anything easy like.
d1dsj
Cornographer
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
I have a Tiny Terror, a JTM 45 and a Cornford MK50h. I've only ever palyed 1 venue that I would consider medium to large and that was Oxford town hall and I used a Cornford Hellcat (35watts) through a 4 x 12. And although it was a large room/ hall, due to the acoustics the amp was set to just under half on the volume! . We don't mike our back line and try to concentrate on balance and sound quality. Here's my thoughts.
The T.T through a 4 x 12 is loud enough for smaller gigs, but it depends on what you play. I used mine set up with the volume cranked and the gain just enough for a crunchy kind of clean, then I could use my pedals for added dirt and solo boost. It could be used straight if you don't need any solo boost.
The JTM at 30/ 35 watts is real nice too. I'm guessing medium and larger venues... but I've never used it at a venue where I could crank it to get that natural overdrive. I used pedals to add dirt, and set the amp for a really nice fat clean, beautiful sounding amps for re-issues.
Then the Cornford 50 for small, medium or large venues. The Cornford has a very useable master volume set up that can still get rich sounds even at lower volumes. But the transformers are big and the amp is very heavy. The other thing I did try with this amp is a set of THD yellow jackets to bring the volume down. I think it would put out about 25/ 28 watts, and because of those big trannies even with EL84's it retains alot of bottom end.
I loved the Cornford Hellcat, at 35 watts the output was ideal and it did have a great sound b ut lacked bottom end thump which I assume is due to the smaller trannies and EL84's. So if I were to keep 1 amp of my 3 it would be the Cornford MK50 because although it's a heavy beast, it gives more more output options and tonal variety.
I have a Tiny Terror, a JTM 45 and a Cornford MK50h. I've only ever palyed 1 venue that I would consider medium to large and that was Oxford town hall and I used a Cornford Hellcat (35watts) through a 4 x 12. And although it was a large room/ hall, due to the acoustics the amp was set to just under half on the volume! . We don't mike our back line and try to concentrate on balance and sound quality. Here's my thoughts.
The T.T through a 4 x 12 is loud enough for smaller gigs, but it depends on what you play. I used mine set up with the volume cranked and the gain just enough for a crunchy kind of clean, then I could use my pedals for added dirt and solo boost. It could be used straight if you don't need any solo boost.
The JTM at 30/ 35 watts is real nice too. I'm guessing medium and larger venues... but I've never used it at a venue where I could crank it to get that natural overdrive. I used pedals to add dirt, and set the amp for a really nice fat clean, beautiful sounding amps for re-issues.
Then the Cornford 50 for small, medium or large venues. The Cornford has a very useable master volume set up that can still get rich sounds even at lower volumes. But the transformers are big and the amp is very heavy. The other thing I did try with this amp is a set of THD yellow jackets to bring the volume down. I think it would put out about 25/ 28 watts, and because of those big trannies even with EL84's it retains alot of bottom end.
I loved the Cornford Hellcat, at 35 watts the output was ideal and it did have a great sound b ut lacked bottom end thump which I assume is due to the smaller trannies and EL84's. So if I were to keep 1 amp of my 3 it would be the Cornford MK50 because although it's a heavy beast, it gives more more output options and tonal variety.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
It really just depends on the situation but the key thing is this...you can not hear a watt...don't get hung up on the wattage of an amp in terms of volume.
That said most of the times I leave the house I leave with a pair of 18-20 watters...if it's a small place one is fine, if I need the extra volume and have the space 2 is perfect!
It really just depends on the situation but the key thing is this...you can not hear a watt...don't get hung up on the wattage of an amp in terms of volume.
That said most of the times I leave the house I leave with a pair of 18-20 watters...if it's a small place one is fine, if I need the extra volume and have the space 2 is perfect!
JumpMarine
18 watts of Mayhemologist
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
18 watts works perfect for me.
18 watts works perfect for me.
Markk
New member
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
I would say from 15-30 watts, tube of course, for a controlled gig at a small to medium sized pub with a band that knows its dynamics.
If the band knows how to play, then you don't need to have too many watts 'on tap'. You guys will be able to find your places.
But if you're going to a jam session where people come in with all styles (and some being very heavy handed, not only talking about the drummer...d@mn harpists...) then you might want something a little more 50 wattish, and ear plugs.
I sometimes go to such jam sessions and I have a Marshall TSL601 and sometimes I really have to crank it in order to be heard. But then there are good days where everything just seems to fit.
Best advice, go to a few gigs that might be similar to your future ones and check out what people are playing through, and if they're being mic'ed.
I would say from 15-30 watts, tube of course, for a controlled gig at a small to medium sized pub with a band that knows its dynamics.
If the band knows how to play, then you don't need to have too many watts 'on tap'. You guys will be able to find your places.
But if you're going to a jam session where people come in with all styles (and some being very heavy handed, not only talking about the drummer...d@mn harpists...) then you might want something a little more 50 wattish, and ear plugs.
I sometimes go to such jam sessions and I have a Marshall TSL601 and sometimes I really have to crank it in order to be heard. But then there are good days where everything just seems to fit.
Best advice, go to a few gigs that might be similar to your future ones and check out what people are playing through, and if they're being mic'ed.
richard parker
Active member
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
Another thing to consider if you're thinking of a gigging amp is solo levels. If you're playing with another guitarist/keyboard player then some way of boosting your volume for solos is a must.
If I use my Cornford 30 in my 3 piece band I don't need a solo boost but I definitely need one when I play with a 5 piece band. The Cornford is single channel but has a very good loop which I put my GE7 through purely for a level boost. If you use a single channel amp with no loop you're going to have problems. If you set the amp up to produce a nice crunchy sound it isn't going to get any louder if you use a boost pedal through the front end - it will just saturate the pre-amp. You won't have so much of a problem if you run the amp really clean.
Andrew - you've got to be practical. A 15 watt amp might be okay but there will almost certainly be some situations in which it will be lacking. A 30 watt amp (valve) will cover virtually any situation. A single channel amp can be great but you have to think of what you will need to do if you need a solo boost - a decent effects loop and a boost pedal will take care of that. Or you need to be thinking about a channel switching amp. You could save your money and buy a really great sounding single channel 15w amp with no loop only to find that it is just not what you need in many playing situations.
If I were you I'd be looking at saving up for a used Peavey Classic 30 or some of the more recent valve offerings from Kustom. These are very good sounding amps, relatively inexpensive, which should see you through virtually all possible types of gig.
This comes from someone who has spent more money than he cares to mention on amps that were not up to the job even if they sounded great in my kitchen. If I'd had access to this forum I would have saved myself a lot of wasted time and cash.
Another thing to consider if you're thinking of a gigging amp is solo levels. If you're playing with another guitarist/keyboard player then some way of boosting your volume for solos is a must.
If I use my Cornford 30 in my 3 piece band I don't need a solo boost but I definitely need one when I play with a 5 piece band. The Cornford is single channel but has a very good loop which I put my GE7 through purely for a level boost. If you use a single channel amp with no loop you're going to have problems. If you set the amp up to produce a nice crunchy sound it isn't going to get any louder if you use a boost pedal through the front end - it will just saturate the pre-amp. You won't have so much of a problem if you run the amp really clean.
Andrew - you've got to be practical. A 15 watt amp might be okay but there will almost certainly be some situations in which it will be lacking. A 30 watt amp (valve) will cover virtually any situation. A single channel amp can be great but you have to think of what you will need to do if you need a solo boost - a decent effects loop and a boost pedal will take care of that. Or you need to be thinking about a channel switching amp. You could save your money and buy a really great sounding single channel 15w amp with no loop only to find that it is just not what you need in many playing situations.
If I were you I'd be looking at saving up for a used Peavey Classic 30 or some of the more recent valve offerings from Kustom. These are very good sounding amps, relatively inexpensive, which should see you through virtually all possible types of gig.
This comes from someone who has spent more money than he cares to mention on amps that were not up to the job even if they sounded great in my kitchen. If I'd had access to this forum I would have saved myself a lot of wasted time and cash.
Re: Your Perfect Amp Wattage
knowing yourself as a player makes a big difference. i have done lots of gigs with a 15w single channel amp. i still gig with a tweed deluxe and my esquire sometimes. if you know how to work your volume and tone contols on the guitar there are loads of tones and textures available at your fingertips but this does require you to be a certain type of player. if you need pristine cleans and super crunch at the same volume then a 15w amp isnt going to work.
knowing yourself as a player makes a big difference. i have done lots of gigs with a 15w single channel amp. i still gig with a tweed deluxe and my esquire sometimes. if you know how to work your volume and tone contols on the guitar there are loads of tones and textures available at your fingertips but this does require you to be a certain type of player. if you need pristine cleans and super crunch at the same volume then a 15w amp isnt going to work.
