So, after a few Zoom/Socially distant jams etc, I’ve found my way into a band with a couple of friends and my brother.
We are just finding our way at the moment, and getting ready for when things open up. We are planning to play mainly indie and classic rock covers Eg Stereophonics Kings Of Leon, Jimi Hendrix etc hopefully in local bars, pubs and clubs.
I have a 60w amp Redsub amp at the moment which I’m pretty sure won’t cut it over a live drummer (who plays LOUD anyway), a lead guitarist and singer. Just looking for general advice on the kind of wattage I should be looking at and any other considerations. Oh, and I don’t have lots of money to throw at it…£350 is probably tops.
GBP 350 is about EUR 407, which would buy a used Rumble 350 with EUR 50 to spare over here. And yeah, I’d go used as well. Thing is going to get damaged in those bars, pubs and clubs anyway.
I’ll stand by that statement!
But - also… if you’re playing with tasteful players; guitarists that appreciate subtlety and discretion, drummers who have a light and dynamic touch, etc… well, shit. Where are you? I want to find those musicians.
I’ve only heard of them in myths and legends…
No - seriously. If you are playing more mellow music in more mellow situations, 200 watts could be plenty. It may even be plenty in a louder rock situation. But I hate the feeling of pushing the amp too hard too often and I always want headroom - the ability/room to be louder on my gear in any situation if I should need it so I’m not redlining everything when I play.
To stay in that comfort zone with live drums, 300 watts is a good water mark.
And, seriously - where are those tasteful, restrained musicians??
I’m gonna agree with @Gio on at least 300 watts and with that a minimum of a 115 or 210 cab. Now…here is the rub…if you are gigging only at places with a PA in house…you could buy a Sansamp or BDI-21 and not have an amp at all! It works and sounds surprisingly good. It doesn’t sound like you’d mind, but lugging an amp and can around (even a combo) to a gig SUCKS. So the DI solution I mentioned here is a good one. BUT!..onto amp suggestions.
I would forego the cheap amp route. You WILL want something better later. Decide if you want a colored tone (like a tube amp, Mesa or Ampeg) or one that is neutral that you can color well with your pedals. Then get at least a 500 watt head. Then get at least a 210 cab (212 or 410 are good options too). I’d look SERIOUSLY at the Darkglass Microtubes 500. Just came down in price, has an excellent range of tones. You can find a used cab to plug into it.
Thanks for all the great suggestions. At the moment I’m just trying to get an idea on the minimum wattage etc. I’m very much open to the idea of used gear, so that is definitely an option…just want to get some rough ideas together before I start my online window shopping :). It’s gonna be a little while before I need anything yet, but having a fun looking.
My advice really is to save and get a more “pro” rig. If you have a gig…there is a good chance they will have an in house PA and you can just use a Sansamp ($200) or a BDI-21 (Sansamp clone $33) and you will sound great and clear in the live mix. Really about $800 is probably where you can really start to get some pro-level stuff that will last your needs 10-15 years. You are just $200-$300 from that so just save and do it is my sincere advice!
But if you really must…for $350 you can get the Peavey Max 115. It is 300 watt combo with an XLR out too, and is tremendously loud. Playing with a full acoustic drum set and 2 guitarists playing from 100 watt half stacks I didn’t have to go past 3 on the master volume to keep up with them. It has a nice beefy tone too.