I want more power!...brotha

[endserenading81]

I want more power! more wattage!

I have been jamming with my drummer for awhile now. He could hear the guitar fine when I crank it up full power. But the little 15 watter!! distorts when I do that, so I am looking to get a new amp. ANy suggestions for a great 30 or 40 watter? Would that be enough wattage to keep me happy for awhile, until I get my stack? Will it serve me well for both recording AND rehearsing with my drummer? My budget is around $300. Do your magic guys.
Thanks,
Rob

 

[Purge]

You might be able to get a stack for not a whole lot more than that. I noticed a few of us poorer types on this site have picked up Behringer 4X12 cabs for 200 bucks. After that, you've got a lot of options as far as used 100 watt heads for around the same price. If you're on a budget, that Behri cab really does the trick.

 

[donkeystyle]

you can get a 30 or 40 watt combo amp that is actually a good amp for about that much.........just watch ebay.

i can't think of any amps right now, but a couple months ago there was a thread similar to this one. try searching for it.

 

[Jimmie]

Do you have a PA system you sing through? If so, mic the amp. If not I would recommend your drummer not hitting so hard. 15 watts is perfect for the studio and should be good for jamming too. Put it on a stand right by his ear.. hehehe.

 

[endserenading81]

thanks guys

well I think I'm gonna stay with a combo for now, I'm reserving the stack for later. A combo will will be more convinient for now. I was wondering about those Marshall AVT Series. Are those worth it? Cause their price tag does approach something better. Some people say they are EXCELLENT for recording, cause they do have a nice tone. Or am I better off getting something cheaper for now?
Thanks,
Rob

 

[pjh6467]

Amp

I'd check ebay for a combo tube amp. Which will give a better tone than solid state. I had a 40 watt Crate combo solid state that had good built in distortion. Might find one cheap to get you by. Or get a tube combo now with an external speaker output and get a 4x12 cabinet later. I mic my cabinet facing away or towards the wall and use my combo as a monitor when playing live. Works great! I get the speaker tone I like without the ear damage. Pj

 

[GONZO-X]

LOOK AT:
carvin....
also, some great lower wattage mesa boogies......
peavey......

laney.......

line 6.......

 

[noiseportrait]

Couple of things to keep in mind:

-Doubling the wattage of an amplifier will NOT double the volume. Not even close. Something like 90% of the volume of an amp is being pushed by only the first few watts and it takes a quite a bit more watts to reach a volume level that would be worth purchasing a new amp over your 15 watt. I'd say you at least need to go with 50 watts if your 15 isn't nearly cutting it, which is okay because 50 watt amps are a lot more common that 30 or 40.

-Tube amps are generally much louder than their couterparts of the same wattage. So if you are using a solid state 15 watt amp, a 15 watt tube amp will probably get you a lot farther.

-Also, watts are not really a good measure of volume. They are a nice starting point, but many amps and speakers are WAY more efficient than others and better amplifier companies are usually a lot more honest about how many watts their amp pushes under normal usage. So your best bet is to drag your current amp into a music store and try it out side by side with others your are interested in to see how the volume levels compare.