Question:
If you had to chose between a tube 50 watt amp and a 30 watter, for live gigs and parties, what would you chose? And they are the same brand, and same series. ( like the Orange rockerverb 50 and 30 watt amp for example) And "whatever you like best" isn't a choice I'm asking you guys.
And if you prefer louder or quiter amps just chose the closest one.
Answer:
30 vs. 50 - Not enough difference to shake a stick at. The speaker configuration is way more significant in regard to overall volume. Thru the same speaker, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Personally, I'd go for the lesser power - its at least a step in the right direction, which is being able to turn an amp up to where it sounds good, and not relying on a pair of clipping diodes (OD or distortion pedal) to try to emulate cranked amp tone. A really good gigging rig would be something like a 20 - 30 watt 1x12 combo - for low volume apps, use as is, for more volume add an extension speaker cab.
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I say 30, for the same reasons as Tom. And I also agree with his 1 x 12 speaker suggestion.
-Nick
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this would come down to speaker config for me i think.
for example, the Peavey Classic 50 comes in a 2x12 and a 4x10 config, which would make it more desireable to me than the Classic 30, which only comes in a 1x12" option...same goes for the Fender HR series...though i did get an HR Deluxe which is 1x12" which is fine.
Answer:
I think your making too big of a deal out of this wattage thing.
For me, I'd pick the 30w, simply because I know I'd probably never use any of the extra volume I'd get from that extra wattage.
And as the Major said, speaker configuration will probably make a bigger difference that the difference from 30w to 50w.
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I'd also pick the 30 watt. Although I prefer a 2x12 cab rather than a 1x12.
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It seems like it would be extremely difficult to hear yourself when playing live gigs with only a 30 watt amp. i tried to play live with a 30 watt marshall and it would get such a distorted tone because i had to crank it up so high to hear myself. i use a 100w peavy running to 4 12's. it also depends a lot on the type of music you play and the quality of the venues you play at to figure out what size amp you need.
Answer:
Originally Posted by nick2282 It seems like it would be extremely difficult to hear yourself when playing live gigs with only a 30 watt amp. i tried to play live with a 30 watt marshall and it would get such a distorted tone because i had to crank it up so high to hear myself. i use a 100w peavy running to 4 12's. it also depends a lot on the type of music you play and the quality of the venues you play at to figure out what size amp you need. the Beatles played live using 30watt Vox's...in the era when PAs were absolutely useless for instruments.
one of the biggest drawbacks of small amps is that they generally have poor projection, however i can guarantee that a 100W amp running through a single 12" speaker pointed at your calves is going to be just as useful as a 30W with the same setup. once I took my HR Deluxe and tilted it, all of my problems were solved.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve the Beatles played live using 30watt Vox's...in the era when PAs were absolutely useless for instruments.
one of the biggest drawbacks of small amps is that they generally have poor projection, however i can guarantee that a 100W amp running through a single 12" speaker pointed at your calves is going to be just as useful as a 30W with the same setup. once I took my HR Deluxe and tilted it, all of my problems were solved.
And as Major Tom has been saying, speaker config is generally a bigger factor in volume than sheer watts.
Answer:
Originally Posted by nick2282 It seems like it would be extremely difficult to hear yourself when playing live gigs with only a 30 watt amp. i tried to play live with a 30 watt marshall and it would get such a distorted tone because i had to crank it up so high to hear myself. i use a 100w peavy running to 4 12's. it also depends a lot on the type of music you play and the quality of the venues you play at to figure out what size amp you need.
Well, was it a tube amp or was is solid state? Tube watts are a LOT louder than SS watts. A 30 watt tube amp should be more then enough for any situation.
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If I could, I'd even go less than 30 watts. But since you're limiting the selection, I'll say the 30.
Nate
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Originally Posted by PianoMan Well, was it a tube amp or was is solid state? Tube watts are a LOT louder than SS watts. A 30 watt tube amp should be more then enough for any situation. also true...a little story for nick...a very little story.
i once played a show with my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (40W tube) competing with a Fender Stage 100 (100W SS) running through a 4x12" cab. in terms of volume dispersion i was defintiely beat...but in terms of raw volume i was smoking the 100W amp without going past 3.
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both amps i used were solid state. why is a tube amp so much louder than a SS, if its a lot louder than shouldnt the wattage be higher or the SS amp be labeled at a lower wattage?
Answer:
Originally Posted by nick2282 both amps i used were solid state. why is a tube amp so much louder than a SS, if its a lot louder than shouldnt the wattage be higher or the SS amp be labeled at a lower wattage? it has to do with various different things. the wattage (power) of both amps are going to be the same. wattage is not a measure of volume, but of work being done.
i found this article in a search, i don't know how accurate it is, but it made sense. http://aga.rru.com/FAQs/technical.html#pwrvsvol
also, i've read some things about how, since tube operate at much higher voltages than SS amps, that this affects the perceived volume output. Transistors run at VERY low voltages, especially when compared to tubes. this is why in the event of a nuclear blast the EMP will cause transistor based technology to stop functioning, but tube stuff will just keep running.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve it has to do with various different things. the wattage (power) of both amps are going to be the same. wattage is not a measure of volume, but of work being done.
i found this article in a search, i don't know how accurate it is, but it made sense. http://aga.rru.com/FAQs/technical.html#pwrvsvol
also, i've read some things about how, since tube operate at much higher voltages than SS amps, that this affects the perceived volume output. Transistors run at VERY low voltages, especially when compared to tubes. this is why in the event of a nuclear blast the EMP will cause transistor based technology to stop functioning, but tube stuff will just keep running.
Yeah; that site seems to have some very good information.
So what you hear is an appearant loudness difference, rather than actual difference in electrical energy output. Loudness is a psychoacoustical phenomena, not a physical one. From the standpoint of physics, watts are watts. No more no less.
And that pretty cool of why EMPs will blow transistors and not tubes. Makes sense now that I think about it.