GuitarJunkie Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I was looking at one of the other topics on amps and noticed quite a few of you using low wattage tube amps. I'd like to pick some of the knowledgeable brains here. I picked this up today... I bought it with the expectation that it probably wouldn't be loud enough to jam with, but perhaps might cut it live if it were mic'd. When I tried it out at the guys place, it was hooked up to a Dr. Z cab with 2x10s running at I believe 8 ohms. With the attenuator set on 2, I was able to almost crank it and keep it at a reasonable volume. BTW, the sound of it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! When I got home, I wanted to try it out so I put it on top of my Maz 38 - 2x12 combo, set the head to 4 ohms, and plugged in the speakers. I set the attenuator to 2 and couldn't even get the volume to half before my 3-1/2 year old daughter was putting her hands over her ears and saying "Ouch!". I could have been my playing, but I'm pretty sure it was more likely the "wall of tone" spewing out of the Celestion Bluebells. The only way I could dime the volume was to have the attenuator on maximum, and even then it was louder than I like to play at home. With it on zero, I couldn't get the volume to 9 o'clock. So, give me a lesson in cabinets, wattage, ohms, etc. Is the volume increase strictly a result of the speaker impedance, or is it as obvious as "more speaker equals more volume"? As it is, I'm thinking I might be able to gig this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 2X12 X 8 ohms and you'll be singing sweet ... Nice catch by the way .*thumbsup* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callen3615 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 2X12 X 8 ohms and you'll be singing sweet ... Nice catch by the way .*thumbsup* Whos says axe never posts anything useful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarJunkie Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Whos says axe never posts anything useful? Apparently only one guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I'm an a$$hole I know, but I try to help when I can. Even a 1X12 closed back will kick azz big time ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callen3615 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Even a 1X12 closed back will kick azz big time ... Oh yeah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarJunkie Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 I have one of these buried in the garage somewhere... http://www.traynoramps.com/products.asp?type=2&cat=18&id=334 It's a closed back cab with a single 12-inch Celestion Vintage 30 at 8 ohms. I know it'll work. I'm just curious as to which impedance will get the most volume out of the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky4 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 5 watts = Trumpet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anothersixstringer Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I have this Gretsch electromatic 5W amp (5222?) and I can't turn it to full volume, it is too loud even with the stock speaker! Of course, this is at home - no drummer Playing with a jazz trio works great. Even tried it with a big band, but the drums buried it After your post I am looking forward to hook it to a cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondJig Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 It has more to due with the sensitivity of the speaker a blue is very sensitive 100dB @ 1 watt 1 meter, add 3 dB every time you double the watts, so your at about 107 dB. Also your using 2 of them so add another 3 dB, so 110dB is loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duende Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I have this Gretsch electromatic 5W amp (5222?) and I can't turn it to full volume' date=' it is too loud even with the stock speaker!Of course, this is at home - no drummer Playing with a jazz trio works great. Even tried it with a big band, but the drums buried it After your post I am looking forward to hook it to a cab ;)[/quote'] I have had similar experiences with the epi 5 watt valve junior. 2 weeks ago my school ensemble played at a hall in Croydon. There were 600 plus people all clapping in time to us playing the Duelling Banjos. We were all playing through an amp each, the other guys were using large Peavey and Fender transistor amps. On number 6 I still cut above the clapping and rhythm guitars! My VC 15 Laney Valve amp is another very loud amp! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondJig Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Tube amps are not like solidstate, when the ohms half you double the power, 100 watt tubes @ 8ohms is still 100 watts @ 4 ohms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I use an old Fender Champ at home in my apartment and there's no way I can get away with cranking it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callen3615 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Ive got a 15 watt solid state amp in my room and it will make you def. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I've done a 600-person auditorium with my Valve Junior and the 1x12 cabinet. It was completely overdriven at that point, but if that's the sound you want, it will do it. I probably could have turned it down to a clean level and still been plenty loud... I didn't do sound, and the only recording was done on a digital camera that overdrives at anything above speaking level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackHawk233 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Ive got a Peavey Vypyr 15 watt solid state. At 8 volume it matches my vox 15 watt at 9 oclock. which is not loud enough to be heard over my B52 100 watt with 4X12 cab at less than 8 oclock volume... The peavey is an 8 inch speaker I think. Vox is a 10 inch, and well b-52 is 4 12's. In my opinion, sure with a 2x12 at 8 ohms. You should be cookin with a 5 watt. My b-52 is at 120watts with 4 ohms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 To put it into perspective....( more or less ) 50w would be about twice as loud. 5w is more then enough to annoy the neighbours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 5w is more then enough to annoy the neighbours. +1 Just ask mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr newhaven Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 i thought my champ 600 was loud ( i live in a condo and didnt treat my guitar room yet) but then i modded it with the Merc Magnetics Kit (i dont work for them or anything like that) and i noticed it got even louder...new lead...speakers and a choke apparently do even more than the 5w standard...more than enough to record with...and ive seen it power a full marshall stack (even though im sure it wouldnt be as powerful as getting a bigger head unit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston004681 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 To Gain three decibals(which is just about the minimum difference the human ear can notice) of volume, you must double the watts. So, a 5w amp only sounds slightly quieter, and a 2.5 watt amp only sounds 3 decibels quieter than that... and do on. so, your 5w sounds only about 12 dec. quieter than a 100w. :- its bad for business.... Thank You Surfpup for teaching me that. :- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimolas Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 My tube amp is 20 or 30 watts... Who cares? This thing is way to loud to play in this townhouse... can barely get it to the 8 o'clock position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I've been gigging 150/400 seat clubs with this Blue Angel. <------------------------ For a few years now set on 15 watts. (2:6V6's) Cranked. When I switch to 4;EL84's, I swear I don't gain much headroom. I'm only now needing more headroom, and am about to, perhaps, make a MAJOR change. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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