Touring: How Important is a BIG LOUD AMP

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

it depends on a lot really whether a big ass amp is useful or important or necessary.
what kind of music? what's the instrumentation? are there vocals? what are small to medium sized venues - 100 to 400 cap?
what kind of sound are you trying to achieve?

[daseb]

to me, it's a case of you can always turn the louder amps down. But I've always been a person who relies as much on pedals as having the power tubes cranking for tone.

But that situation to me, having the power but not using it and maybe compromising a little in portability and tone, is infinitely preferable to getting to the venue and realising only one half of the PA is working because the 'drone' band last night blew everything else out, and oh yeah also we took the curtains down because the bare tile look suits our new vibe for the place, and also it's better really if you put the drum kit over there in that other corner, and...

[rfurtkamp]

Yea, I have never liked power tube distortion to begin with.

Always been a case of "can't take it away" that bugged me, I like being in control more!

[ognoy]

In my case it depends on the venue and what band I'm playing with.
My main touring amp is a '71 Traynor YBA-1 with a 212 cab, and the volume knob is never over 2(out of 10), and even 2 is usually too loud.
If the venue has a decent PA I could probably just bring my livingroom/grab-and-go amp, a Traynor TS-25.
It would be loud enough, but won't push the same amounts of air or make things rattle with low end.

In Norway most venues has very good FOH-systems(because of government fundings), but I was recently on a 8-date tour in the UK, and some of the venues there had some really crappy equipment. I was using the other bands Marshall JVM head and Orange 412, and in the venues with crappy PAs I was really happy to have enough power to just to it up, and have as little guitar as possible run through the PA.

[skullservant]

I used to use ridiculous setups like a 1x18 and a 2x10 with 320w going through and refuse being mic'd. But then I realized carrying at that stuff was more trouble than what it was worth to me. I use a 30w tube combo now. Like others have said, it's just kind of my monitor if nothing else. My back is much happier. #dadtalk

[D.o.S.]

I used to use ridiculous setups like a 1x18 and a 2x10 with 320w going through and refuse being mic'd. But then I realized carrying at that stuff was more trouble than what it was worth to me. I use a 30w tube combo now. Like others have said, it's just kind of my monitor if nothing else. My back is much happier. #talkbassdadtalksbass

Hashtag Fix'd.

[popvulture]

I've always stuck to the 2x12, 50-85w range. It isn't overkill but is enough insurance to protect me from shitty sound guy / PA situations.

Bass-wise I've also enjoyed playing out of an Eden 212 and a compact but fairly high-wattage amp like an Aguilar AG500. Small enough to not be a huge pain in the ass to lug around, but still moves enough air.

[Pop]

it depends on a lot really whether a big ass amp is useful or important or necessary.
what kind of music? what's the instrumentation? are there vocals? what are small to medium sized venues - 100 to 400 cap?
what kind of sound are you trying to achieve?

Music: dreamy power fuzz pop

Instruments: power trio = one guitar, one bass, drums

Vocals: 3 = one lead (guitar player), one semi-lead+harmonies (me, bass), harmonies (drums)

Venues: yeah, probably 100-400

Sound: they're three to four minute fuzz pop songs, heavy on chords, light on any soloing. I think we have one song with a solo.

I'm giving up a secret but here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQnmqqwo07s[/youtube]

[D.o.S.]

That chorus tho.

[Pop]

That chorus tho.

Wooooord to the mutha.


If I already have a 100W solid state Acoustic bass amp, do I really need to invest in a 100W Bassman amp? Will it be naturally louder? Or is it just about toan?

[D.o.S.]

It's definitely just tone: Watts are watts. Not to be a total wank about this, but speaker efficiency (kill me) is way more important than wattage w/r/t volume.

You might get some good answers over at TB. Lots of drool-farmers over there but some very fucking smart folks as well.

[Pop]

Ok excellent. I might have an account at TB... not sure. Don't think I've ever posted there.

We're having the same friendly debate within the band about the guitar amp. The guitarist has a Marshall 4x12 and head, and it's big and loud and stuff, but incredibly bright. Plus like that's HUGE.

[larsbars]

It's definitely just tone: Watts are watts. Not to be a total wank about this, but speaker efficiency (kill me) is way more important than wattage w/r/t volume.

You might get some good answers over at TB. Lots of drool-farmers over there but some very fucking smart folks as well.

Truth, speaker efficiency will make way more noticeable difference. I find that the amount of watts affects the amp's feel more than volume most of the time, and with bass more wattage will give a bigger, deeper low end, but with your set up you should be able to sit perfectly in the mix of your band. Super helpful to get your gear closer to ear level too, I switched from a 4x10 to 2x15 set up and I can hear myself waayyyy better due to the height of the cabs. Also, seems like your guitar player's set up might be overkill for your band, and that's coming from someone who LOVES Marshall half stacks. If he's using a stock 1960 cab, I've never really liked the stock G12t speakers in there due to their brightness.

[xrleroyx]

I really like that song by the way. Great sounds.

I've never felt the need to have more than a 2x12 cab. I WANT like 4 6x12s for the sheer feeling of pushing that much sound, but most Detroit venues will bitch at you if you bring even a half stack.