is 40 watts loud enuff to gig

[jpage]

Originally Posted by SteveO

What keyboard player?

The one we stick in the back corner of the stage behind the bassist!

[JoeB63]

Originally Posted by jpage

So keys go FOH and not guitar? The sound guys we use are control freaks--wouldn't allow it.

I guess if headroom is an issue you could make the argument that some 40w might not cut it, but in that case why not throw your guitar FOH?

Now you're getting it.

And you asked a good question -- why not just mic the amp? One reason may be that they don't have enough PA channels. That has happened to me. After vocals, key, bass and bass drum are mic'd up, no more channels for guitar.

Of course there are other possible answers to that question too. Someone could buy a small mixer to plug into the bigger mixer to add channels. Not ideal, but....

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by jpage

The one we stick in the back corner of the stage behind the bassist!

We didn't have one, so I covered any keyboard parts on the guitar. Unmiked.

[tucky]

I would answer the OP differently. I would think about it this way. Does the 40W amp I am considering produce the tone I like to hear? Can it produce this tone at a range of volumes, or does it have a particular sweet spot in which it really shines? If it has a sweet spot is the volume at which this occurs the same volume that I need to gig at, or is it too loud or too soft?

I think you can make any amp 30W and above work in most gig situations, certainly not all, but sometimes if you need more volume you can increase the number of speakers or bring another combo and run two amps. Or some guys prefer the tone that big iron amps of 100W and sometimes more can produce, even when they only run them at 1.5-2 on the dial at gigs. With the good MV on some amps now it's entirely possible to get reasonable tone like this. Sure it is not as good as running the amp louder, but then attenuators offer solutions there.

Think about the tone you are chasing first, whether it be from a cranked 5W to a 100W amp. If you like the tone you enjoy playing more. Then figure out how you are going to get the best from the amp in the gigging situations you find yourself in, whether that be miking your amp, using an attenuator, plexi shields!! haha It 's all the fun of chasing your tone.

[ggwwbb]

I have gigged in small bars regularly with a Fuchs Lucky 7 (7 watts) and a Reason Bambino (8 watts), both unmic'd, and have never had a problem with volume. I don't need a lot of clean headroom, so it works fine for me. Rolling my guitars volume gives me some nice cleans, but (obviously) not super clean, but clean enough for the classic rock-type stuff we play.

[mesamark5]

40 watts should be plenty for a basic rock band.
i would be more concerned about having a 2x12 speaker set up to handle the wattage of the amp being pushed. dont want a flub,flub sound!

[ProToneThinline]

My sf Vibrolux (40 watts) covers just about any room I play, although in really big rooms (casinos, outdoor festivals, etc.) it gets mic'd. 95% of the time it's not mic'd.

[wrxplayer]

Originally Posted by JoeB63

Have you seen Clapton play any gigs without having his amp mic'd (since the 70s)? I don't think so. Again, the OP is not mic'ing his amp. Completely different story.

I've got a strong feeling they're playing different venues.

[DV52]

Originally Posted by wrxplayer

I've got a strong feeling they're playing different venues.

Sig line worthy.

[riffmeister]

Originally Posted by barny

is 40 watts loud enuff for a guitar to gig with a band... drums, bass, hammond/keys and bass, voice ...its a blues/rock band and everything is un-mic.d..i dont really need crystal clear clean...

My 40 watt head and 2x12 cab is perfect for the gigs I play.

[Nickstrtcstr]

40 watts is plenty to gig with. I have an HRD and it can cut the mustard in a gig.

[lefty kwan]

Derek Trucks does fine with 40 watt Super Reverb. Personally, my 50 watt JCM800 4104 combo hasn't left my basement in years. My Pro Jr/Tonedog cab get all the work these days.

[DigitalHater]

Elevate.

I can't believe nobody has said this, a 15 watt amp on the floor will sound great, but with the drummer I'm used to playing with, get lost on me. If I stick it on a table, or on an extra cabinet at our practice space, I usually turn the volume down, and it's got plenty of juice. When the amp is elevated from feet height to waist/ear height, it's plenty loud enough for me. I should add that unlike the OP who was requesting clean headroom, I like my amps cooking, and when I gigged with my Super Reverb I rarely got it turned up to the sweet spot. I can't help but think that a 40watt amp should be enough power for most gigs.

Like someone else mentioned, there's tonal preferences that come with power. My super reverb is more than enough power for just about any gig - it does not and will never sound like my VT-22, 100ish (seems like more) watts, clean headroom to kill a man, if that's the sound you're looking for, the 40 watter probably won't cut it.

Every Friday I play at a jam session with full band instrumentation using my Silverface Champ, usually maxed out or a little less, riding the volume knob to control breakup. Works for me, but this is a really small room, little to no audience, and the drummer isn't out to kill his kit. In this situation my 15 watter is too much power to let rip, the Champ serves me just fine.

Everyone has different tastes, different needs. Just jump in the deep end and see how you swim, adjust next time based on your results.

[MartinCliffe]

I gig regularly with two 15w amps turned way down. Never had anyone tell me I was too quiet. That said, always mic where possible, for coverage (and lower stage level) rather than volume.

[Lou Brush]

I'll grab a 12, 20, or 40 watt rig depending on the venue. That way the amp can be cranked into the sweet spot and be volume-appropriate. If I had to pick one, I'd go with the 40 watter... should be plenty for any gig.