![]() Tonal balance doesn't seem to be an issue when you match the amp to the volume of the band. More so than a 28-watt amp even if they're playing at the same volume. You'll notice 5-10 feet out in front of the amp it sounds thin. Extended low end is the advantage of a bigger amp sometimes - a cranked large amp won't sound as small filling the room.įor instance, playing a Fender Princeton at max with a moderately loud band where the amp is at its audible limit sounds smaller than desired. However, if you're using your amp as a stage monitor or to fill the room keep in mind a small amp with a small transformer won't fill up the room the same as a large amp with a large transformer. However, if it has a smaller transformer, it can lack a low-end push. If a smaller amp has a bigger transformer, it produces more low end. The amount of girth or low-end energy a smaller amp has can vary as they may have different transformers. Also, you may never actually achieve that volume to reach the sweet spot. However, it's louder then you'll ever need. I'm not saying a 100 watt Marshall Plexi doesn't have a sound. It's for this reason you see more and more lower wattage amp choices. I've played on some substantial stages in large venues too. I have personally never needed more than 40 watts. A 100-watt amp would be overbearing even on a festival stage. Stage volume doesn't need to be nearly that loud now. There was a time when the guitar amps onstage had to act like a sound system. I bet some are wondering where are the applications where one would need an 85 or 100watt amp. The extra volume allows me to have enough power to stay above the invasive subs on stage. I put a plexiglass shield in front of my amp to prevent too much volume going to the audience.įor this environment, I use an amp that's between 28-30 watts. However, I do play loud enough to hear myself. Most of the time they're barely adequate. Occasionally I get on a stage that has high-end monitors. However, I can't stand the sound of my guitar amp in the monitor. You could, in theory, put your guitar amp into the stage monitor to hear yourself more. However, if you're not on in-ears, it's a much bigger issue. Smaller amps may seem loud, but they don't have the girth to keep up with subs. I've had the experience showing up to a soundcheck and acclimating to a stage volume only to be shocked when the house got turned on, and I disappeared. One of the surprises of playing on a big stage or any stage with subwoofers is how much they can eat up your guitar volume. Think of the stage sound as the mix, and the PA amplifies that. As mentioned already, the more you balance your sound on stage, the better it sounds in the room. It sounds better then guitars fighting for volume which ends up overpowering even a loud drummer. The best solution is to work on band dynamics and use a smaller amp. You would be surprised how much volume a 5-watt amp can put out. If you're playing by yourself or accompanying a pianist (no bass, no drums) you can get away with a very low wattage amp. This math can be a little tricky because you have to consider the players and how they interact with their instruments. The environment can reveal the amount of volume it requires to remain audible while everyone is playing. When you are pondering headroom, you need to think about the band you're playing in. You're going to have to consider how much headroom you need and it can be misleading. ![]() ![]() It's a good idea to know where you sit most often when choosing amps. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. From there he uses a mixture of pedals to change his tone. He uses Hiwatt DR103 amps which are very loud and incredibly clean tube amps. Even if this style of guitarist turns their amp up to 4-5 to be heard, they require it to remain clean with no overdrive.ĭavid Gilmore is an excellent example of this. These guitarists like to have a clean foundation at their amp and use pedals for gain.
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