Chrissmoth
Well-known member
Hi Guys
What kind of level do you play your amps at?
I understand the logarithmic nature of hearing – ie a 5 watt amplifier is half the volume of a 50 watt amp – ie there isn’t a massive difference between a 20 & 50 watt amp – good article here BTW: http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~gmarts/amppower.htm
I’ve got a 20Watt Subway Blues (with the original fat / bright inputs & the hum issue fixed). This is a great amp IMO and REALLY loud.
I’ve used this for quite a few gigs here in the UK - & all but once it’s been miced thro the PA.
The one time I played without being miced due to there being a “vocal only” PA was in quite a large room & I was concerned that 20 watts simply wouldn’t be loud enough.
No Problemo! - the little Boogie filled the room & sounded great. It was matched up against a 50 watt Peavey (other guitarist) & a 200 watt Trace Elliot bass amp. My Subway was still only set between 9 & 10 O’clock– the other guy’s amps were really struggling to keep up..
I’ve played with several drummers & the Boogie has never lacked for volume at all and has NEVER been beyond the 10 o’clock position
I previously owned a F-50 combo (50 watts) - & that never got above 9 O’clock (amazing clean channel – rubbish overdrive channel BTW).
I think it was The Who that asked Jim Marshall to build the first 100 watt amp – but they were dealing with 1960s (probably vocal only) PA systems & Keith Moon!!!
Anyway, here’s where the questions begin...
If I can do all this with 20 watts, what’s the point of power levels beyond this? Given today’s standard of PA systems.
Do gig venues outside the UK not usually mic up all the band?
Are venues bigger outside the UK?
Are all you guys with ‘cranked’ Triple Rectifiers stone deaf?
Is it just a Spinal Tap thing to have 100 watt amps? :roll:
Have I just got an unfeasibly loud Subway Blues? :shock:
Am I a wuss for not turning up any higher?
Answers on a postcard please...
What kind of level do you play your amps at?
I understand the logarithmic nature of hearing – ie a 5 watt amplifier is half the volume of a 50 watt amp – ie there isn’t a massive difference between a 20 & 50 watt amp – good article here BTW: http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~gmarts/amppower.htm
I’ve got a 20Watt Subway Blues (with the original fat / bright inputs & the hum issue fixed). This is a great amp IMO and REALLY loud.
I’ve used this for quite a few gigs here in the UK - & all but once it’s been miced thro the PA.
The one time I played without being miced due to there being a “vocal only” PA was in quite a large room & I was concerned that 20 watts simply wouldn’t be loud enough.
No Problemo! - the little Boogie filled the room & sounded great. It was matched up against a 50 watt Peavey (other guitarist) & a 200 watt Trace Elliot bass amp. My Subway was still only set between 9 & 10 O’clock– the other guy’s amps were really struggling to keep up..
I’ve played with several drummers & the Boogie has never lacked for volume at all and has NEVER been beyond the 10 o’clock position
I previously owned a F-50 combo (50 watts) - & that never got above 9 O’clock (amazing clean channel – rubbish overdrive channel BTW).
I think it was The Who that asked Jim Marshall to build the first 100 watt amp – but they were dealing with 1960s (probably vocal only) PA systems & Keith Moon!!!
Anyway, here’s where the questions begin...
If I can do all this with 20 watts, what’s the point of power levels beyond this? Given today’s standard of PA systems.
Do gig venues outside the UK not usually mic up all the band?
Are venues bigger outside the UK?
Are all you guys with ‘cranked’ Triple Rectifiers stone deaf?
Is it just a Spinal Tap thing to have 100 watt amps? :roll:
Have I just got an unfeasibly loud Subway Blues? :shock:
Am I a wuss for not turning up any higher?
Answers on a postcard please...