Question:
How many watts would be ideal for a venue that can hold about 300 people? And they mic everything and stuff.
And second, if an amp that would be ideal for a venue like the one above, would it still be good for like smaller parties?
If I could get some anwsers,and maybe some other input about the subject that'd be greatly apreachiated.
Answer:
I've used the same amp everywhere. If everything is miced, you could use a practice amp and still have it as loud as you needed through the PA.
Answer:
Then why in the world do people get half stacks?
Answer:
Originally Posted by smashing guitar Then why in the world do people get half stacks?
because they can.
seriously, there generally isn't a reason to get half-stacks... unless your in a stadium+ area unmiced. i have a SS 30watt 10" speaker, and i havn't found a situation it can't handle on its own.
watts are overrated. i'd recommend a 20-50watt tube amp for general use. add an attentuator, and it should cover about any volume level you'll come across. send it to the PA if you should have volume problems.
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Well at a venue I went to I heard a guitar during the sound check, and it was lovely, but when it went threw the PA, it got all not lovely. Of course it need to be miced but, it didn't sound so good then.
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300 people?
Unmiced, I'd say a 20 watt amp (tube) or 60 watt (solid state) would fit the bill.
Miced up, I'd say even less wattage would be just fine.
Nate
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Not everyone has a nice PA system with moniters and everything. But 50 tube watts seems to pretty much be enough for any band, but some like to have really loud, pure cleans, which you can always get with more watts.
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yay new threads in the forum!
as far as wattage goes, it's all about needs. the reason alot of bands have these 100W behemoth things is
1) because they need the extra headroom
2) they want to create a full wall of sound
3) personal monitoring
4) they don't know any better.
that being said, what kind of situation are you playing in? what are the other instruments that will be playing (band situation?)? how much sonic competition is going on? (that is, how loud are the other instruments?)
Answer:
Originally Posted by smashing guitar Well at a venue I went to I heard a guitar during the sound check, and it was lovely, but when it went threw the PA, it got all not lovely. Of course it need to be miced but, it didn't sound so good then.
well, then that sounds like either a:
1) bad PA
2) bad soundman

Answer:
IMO stacks and half stacks are out there because
(a) some people don't know any better (i.e. I agree with Steve)
(b) the same people are still young and have yet to experience back trouble
(c) stacks look terrific. Our favourite albums may have been made with a Champ parked on a stacking chair, but for stage appearance that leaves something to be desired. I'm not into volume but I have to admit the idea of standing in front of a Marshall wall DOES have its appeal from the appearance point of view!
(d) there's a musical style (Hendrix, Santana) which needs the guitar to 'hear' the amp, and for that you've got to move some air
Returning to sanity (or what passes for that in my house), if you know your amp will be miked up when playing for real, then get the smallest one which, when un-miked, can still compete with a drum kit in a rehearsal room. End of story IMO. One hesitates to put a number on it because efficiencies vary so much, but 15W (valve) or 25-30W (solid state) ought to cover it.
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I think there's a LOT of truth in the "stacks look good." statement.
Nate
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not only do efficiencies vary, but drummers, other guitarists and bassists also vary so much. for example, my drummer as a 28" kick, a 22" ride and a 18" crash...and it's straight classic rock drumming which is beastly loud in any environment. my guitarist uses a Peavey Classic 50 410 which he has cranked in order to get the speakers driven and thicken up the tone while keeping the tight high end that a 10" speaker provides. going less than 50 watts tube simply isn't that viable an option...but going with a bigger amp could result it losing the tone that he's developed for the band over the past nine months.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Stratopastor IMO stacks and half stacks are out there because
(a) some people don't know any better (i.e. I agree with Steve)
(b) the same people are still young and have yet to experience back trouble
(c) stacks look terrific. Our favourite albums may have been made with a Champ parked on a stacking chair, but for stage appearance that leaves something to be desired. I'm not into volume but I have to admit the idea of standing in front of a Marshall wall DOES have its appeal from the appearance point of view!
(d) there's a musical style (Hendrix, Santana) which needs the guitar to 'hear' the amp, and for that you've got to move some air
Returning to sanity (or what passes for that in my house), if you know your amp will be miked up when playing for real, then get the smallest one which, when un-miked, can still compete with a drum kit in a rehearsal room. End of story IMO. One hesitates to put a number on it because efficiencies vary so much, but 15W (valve) or 25-30W (solid state) ought to cover it. Good list, but I think you're overlooking clean headroom. There are some artists out there that play very loud overall, and some guitarists that need to be very loud but also very clean. They don't want tube break up, so getting higher wattage amps are the only solution. I don't think anyone ever turns a 100 watt tube amp to 10. Give at least some people with 100 watt stacks some benefit of the doubt.
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+1 Apparently Nothing, which is why i did include it on my list
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Apparently Nothing - point taken.