• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Low wattage at small gigs.

So after the jam I went to (which after talking to people there I feel a lot better about) and the gig that I went to on Friday night I'm in love with my Blues Jr once again.  The one at the jam was a version I and mine is a version II that I've modded.  I'm very happy with the fact that it can hang with anybody I've jammed with thus far.  Everyone has told me that 15 watt amps would have to be cranked to be heard over a band, and I've tried to do this at gigs but I'm told to turn down if I have any high volume at all.  Master at 6 I was told to turn down.  I turned down to 3 to 4 and clearly heard myself the entire night at my gig, and was told that my guitar was dominate when it was supposed to be.  Am I crazy or is it supposed to be louder?

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  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Low wattage at small gigs.

15 watts needs to be cranked when you're playing with an A Hole drummer with no feel and just pounds away. But at that point, nobody is going to sound good. Otherwise 5-15 is just fine to hear yourself and as long as there is a PA, you'll BE heard out front.

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: Low wattage at small gigs.

If it's guitar oriented music, I generally have the guitar higher; but you need to remember to work those volume knobs when it isn't the predominate instrument. My general saying has always been "being too loud is better than too low"...I've played many gigs where I was perfect during soundcheck, but then once the show starts I can't hear myself since we're all amp'd up and ready to rock. Personally for me, I'm in a 3 piece so I can get away with being louder since there's no keys, rhythm guitar, etc to fill out the sound - but I'm never overbearing. Use your ears

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Low wattage at small gigs.

I'm in a 6 piece band 2 lead guitars one rhythm 1 bass 1 keyboard player and we all sing.  Most places we play I'm mic'd.  Then there is the other night I wasn't mic'd but this place was a very small place room for 4 people to play max.

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