15 or 30W The On Going Battle...

[theavondon]

30w, but, really, that's not enough IMO.

[Scruffie]

If you look at the math of loudness vs watts, the different between 15w and 30w isn't that significant. That is, of course, max volume output.

You may find that 30w will give you noticeably louder clean tone. But if you're cranking your amp a lot, 30w will only be about 3db louder than 15w. In other words, not that much difference.

If I recall correctly from previous loudness vs watts discussions, you need to 10x the watts to double the loudness.

That's what I recalled, hence asking... tough choice really...

30w, but, really, that's not enough IMO.

They don't make one bigger! Not that I could afford it, the amp is just right for me, has a 1W attenuator switch so I can use it in my apartment safely and is a really reasonable price.

[DarkAxel]

30W for the headroom

[devnulljp]

Is this AC30 vs. AC15?

Get the AC30 unless you're sure you'll only ever play tiny places
Get the AC30 and an attenuator so you can control the volume
Get the AC30 because they're awesome

[Scruffie]

Nope not an AC15 or 30, not sure what the design is based off to be honest but i'm pretty sure it's not Vox.

[01010111]

I have a 100w tube amp and a 4w tube amp. The other people in my band play 200w solid states, but the volume we play at, both live and in the band room, is low enough I'm seriously considering bringing the 4w instead of the 100w. You could probably do with 15w, but the extra nudge over the top would be worth it to me.

I'd just save my money for longer and avoid people who encourage you to spend lots and lots of money for a while if you're too attached to your other gear.

[dubkitty]

30W for the headroom. even if you're playing a 15W amp through a 4x12" cabinet--which you can do and which would give you enough output to get over a non-troglodyte drummer--you're going to get into breakup mode way before you're loud enough to be heard over drums + (quiet) band, and with a band at full rock tilt you're going to be playing at 10 and struggling to be heard at all. even with a 30W amp you're probably going to have to play at 7 to 8 on the dial. to me 25-30W is a minimum for a gigging amp. you can always turn down the volume on a bigger amp.

[Achtane]

I think you're better off just saving up to get the 30 watt. If you don't urgently have to get an amp to make a gig or something, just try to not impulsively buy anything. Save up some and then you'll be more comfortable and might not have to sell as much stuff in order to buy it.

[Scruffie]

I think you're better off just saving up to get the 30 watt. If you don't urgently have to get an amp to make a gig or something, just try to not impulsively buy anything. Save up some and then you'll be more comfortable and might not have to sell as much stuff in order to buy it.

Well I don't need it for a few months till me and my friend start up this band but the problem is, I have alot of expenses in my future so i'm thinking it's better to get it now while I can justify it rather than wait and end up just skipping out and buying something that's not what I want just to cover because I don't have the cash.

So it's an impulse but not an impulse if you get me... but i'll get the 30W, seems it's the general concensus.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

forgive me if i'm wrong but isnt 30 tube watts like a shitton?

[theavondon]

forgive me if i'm wrong but isnt 30 tube watts like a shitton?

not on ilf

Indeed.

[univalve]

forgive me if i'm wrong but isnt 30 tube watts like a shitton?

not on ilf

Indeed.

i forgot, sry

really, i played 2 amps, one jtm 45 (KT66) with Loops an cut trtough the mix with a jtr with 9 watts (in crash ride parts). So were is the problem?

[eatyourguitar]

tried an orange rocker 30. holy crap thats loud for 30 watts. then play a 30 watt blackheart or something stupid. big difference.

to the man who said you need 10x the watts to double the volume, your half right! but it actually depends on where your standing relative to the amp cause that changes everything.
huzaah

also, some manufacturers will have tranny's too big on the 30 and not big enough on the 15 cause the 15 is at a lower price point. if your building it than it doesn't matter so much. build it like orange with huge tranny's and caps.

[t-rey]

I kinda need to know what amps you are talking about...

That switchable 30w/1w sounds AWESOME

[Scruffie]

I kinda need to know what amps you are talking about...

That switchable 30w/1w sounds AWESOME

It's not available in the U.S. plus I don't want people to be influenced

Lots of smaller amps like the Night Train etc offer this option though.