why so many watts?

shinemdm · 11-27-2003, 09:58 PM

Why am I seeing all these people investing in these 800+ watt amps? I mean 100 watts is in my opinion all you'll ever need, considering whenever you're playing a show you'll be micing the amp into the pa system anyway. Maybe this is just a rant but am I missing something?

**thesteve** · 11-27-2003, 10:21 PM

I've never seen anyone invest in a 800+ watt amp, unless it was a bass amp. from what I understand, the reason bass amps require more wattage is because it is required to drive that low frequency signal.

Interestingly, the first 100W amp was made by Fender for Dick Dale, who had been destroying the amps he had left and right. Basically what Fender did was build an 80W amp with some sort of variable boost that kicked it up to 100W when it started to peak. Prior to this Dale's amps had been catching fire on stage.

the other reason that amps were so high powered was because of bands like The Who that played very large venues without the benefit of a good PA system (like we have today)...they needed that high a wattage to get as loud as they wanted, and to cover those big arenas.

ApparentlyNothing · 11-27-2003, 11:32 PM

Most of the 800+ watt amps you speak of are probably solid state or not 100% tube powered. So a 100w tube amp is gonna be louder than a 100w solid state amp, so they prob crank the watts to make up for it. Another reason is for added head room. Some people want a totally clean sound even at very high volumes. If its tube, then it'll break up earlier depending on the amount of watts. So more watts means that your sound will stay cleaner the louder it gets. And probably another reason why is because the companies making them are trying to get the people who think that more watts are better even if you dont need em. [sarcasm]I know i feel more like a man with more watts behind me.[/sarcasm]

God's Jedi · 11-28-2003, 01:27 AM

Its like these cars that go 200 mph. It's not that you'll ever use all the power, but it's just the fact that you CAN use that much power that will impress people. Especially chicks. Chicks dig big amps.

GMartin2R · 11-28-2003, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitar2326

And probably another reason why is because the companies making them are trying to get the people who think that more watts are better even if you dont need em. [sarcasm]I know i feel more like a man with more watts behind me.[/sarcasm]

this would probably be the most obvious reason for begining or even intermediate amp buyers. when i bought my fender i didnt quite realize just how little of the capacity i would use on any given day. as is i've got a ton of room volume wise that if i had to i could play independent of the pa and probably match it db for db...

Major Tom · 11-28-2003, 08:45 AM

compensation

Brent · 11-28-2003, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinemdm

I mean 100 watts is in my opinion all you'll ever need...

Bill Gates once said that no one should ever need more than about 640K of memory for their computer. Someone once said that someday probably every city will have a telephone in it. Someone also once said that there would never be a market for the automobile.

**thesteve** · 11-28-2003, 04:15 PM

do you really see a reason for amps to get higher and higher wattages?

i suppose if you've read "hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy" you'd see the reason for more powrful amps...but otherwise, is there a need for them, especially as PA systems continue to improve at how they collect and distribute sound?

nate95366 · 11-28-2003, 08:13 PM

I'm not sure wattage (which in guitar amps is supposed to provide for meaningful sound, but I suppose could be used just to generate heat (like what happens in a HotPlate) can be directly compared to concrete objects (like bytes of memory or telephones or automobiles). Appropriate wattage for sound gear will only change with people's capacity to hear.

Nate (plays through a 22 watt tube amp)

**thesteve** · 11-28-2003, 08:45 PM

haha...go Nate!

i play through a 40W that's never been turned past 3...well...maybe once during band practice...haha.

Brent · 11-29-2003, 08:48 AM

22 *tube* watts, yeah...

I know there's no comparison between everyday items and amplifiers... My point was that just because one person doesn't see the need for it that it's not needed or frequently used...or even becomes a standard.

**thesteve** · 11-29-2003, 09:09 AM

post 1000!

ok ok

by the same logic, right now the standard is power power power, which in alot of cases translates to "unless you're using that half stack you dont' have enough power".

Gott ist kühl · 11-29-2003, 09:13 AM

one reason is that, like said earlier, people who cant use a PA system need alot of power.

Major Tom · 11-29-2003, 10:30 AM

I would still like to see the thread starter's answer to Dudedude's first question - what amp has 800 watts ?! Unless he is talking about for a sound system...

**Rainer.** · 11-29-2003, 10:53 AM

A 1000 watt amp is only 2x as loud as a 100 watt amp. So if you crank your amp to the point where the clean channel breaks up, and you need twice the clean volume (for some freakish reason...) you get a 1000 watt amp. I don't think it is very practical though. I'd like to know who makes these 800 watt amps and who uses them.