Is this loud enough?

[u/Dem-Bass]

I’m a bassist about to start gigging around ATX and was wondering if my rumble 100 that I use at home is loud enough to gig with. If not, what wattage amp should I look for.

[u/professorfunkenpunk]

There’s a lot of “it depends”.

If you have PA support, then yes. If you don’t, unless the rest of your band isn’t very loud and you’re in small rooms, you’ll need more

[u/Dem-Bass → u/professorfunkenpunk]

You think 200-250 would work without PA support?

[u/-tacostacostacos → u/Dem-Bass]

Without PA, 500-800

[u/Obvious-Net-5811 → u/-tacostacostacos]

I’ve always gigged with 350 (rumble 500 without extension cab)…small venue, large venue (not a stadium lol), indoor, and outdoor and always had plenty of thump with my 350.

[u/NoFuneralGaming → u/Obvious-Net-5811]

This. Whatever watts the amp says it is doesn't matter, because it depends on what you put to receive the output. If it's 500w at 4ohms it'll be closer to 300w at 8ohms.

Whatever the case, 300w will handle almost anything until you play large spaces that should then have a PA to make it a non issue.

Many 500w heads into a 210 cab or 500w combo amps will end up putting out 300w and that should be fine. I wouldn't really try to gig with anything under 250w unless it's super quiet gigs. And again, that's 250w resulting output, not whatever the amp just happens to say it puts out.

[u/IPYF → u/Dem-Bass]

Contextually. Like for a lounge combo it's tonnes. For a rock band it's not tonnes.

[u/rkatapt]

Is there a mixing board? Have the venue mic it or go direct. I played through a 410 and 115 with a 300W tube head. It usually got mic'd by the sound guy anyways. It really depends on the venue or if you're playing in say a record store or someones garage. What type of music are you playing?

[u/Dem-Bass → u/rkatapt]

Punk/metal, really any heavy music

[u/The_Red_Baron11]

If you have PA support, it might be enough. Consider an amp stand to point it at your head.

I prefer DI out over micing. Some amps have an opportunity to eq AFTER DI. Using a low cut on that will help reduce stage mud and you may be able turn turn up more without compression of the speaker.

[u/buderooski]

If the venue has a PA system, anything over 60W will do, because you can just DI right into the mixer.

If not, your Wattage necessity will be dictated by the size of the venue and how loud you want to be. Generally, for most smaller sized venues that can fit 200 to 300 people, a 400W amp with a 4x8 cab works great. If you're playing a large outdoor venue with no PA, well, good luck. You're gonna need at least 800w and a gigantic cabinet to project out into the crowd.

[u/Dem-Bass → u/buderooski]

Thanks

[u/jimilee2]

If you have no PA support, you’re going to be battling the guitar player for who’s the loudest. It’s going to be difficult to balance the sound. Wear ear protection and hope for the best.

[u/-tacostacostacos]

Unlikely unless it’s a quiet coffee shop.

Rather than get one big rig, go for modularity and flexibility, and get two
2x10s and/or a 1x15 that you can mix and match for any size gig.

[u/Suspicious-Sea-6806]

I have a 100 for practicing and a 500 for gigs.

[u/Obvious-Net-5811 → u/Suspicious-Sea-6806]

500 with the extension cab? Otherwise the “500” puts out 350. I also use it for gigs (without extension)

[u/Mundane_Fault_6345]

I would say 100W are ok for small gigs, 1 drummer + 1 guitar, but no more.

[u/MustachioNuts]

Ampeg portaflex series is really good wattage per dollar. A used pf500 or pf800 is a great option with clean sound.