Headroom with little amps - I want your experiences

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

I have done plenty of gigs with a 15w, with headroom to spare for “clean cleans”.
But, no rock/metal, civilized drummer, efficient speaker, no blasting FOH.

So…the above does not mean it will always work.

My strategy has been for the longest time: own a 15w amp, and a 25. Both with a loop, so one can be slave to another. Whenever I saw the risk of not enough power, I’d take the 25…or both. Instead of one heavy one you are taking 2 lighter ones…so that’s a trade off, but always the option to only the small one. You get “stereo” as a bonus…which is nice imho. I’m not sure of the math applies 1 on 1…but together that’s 40w..and if that’s not enough..something else is wrong. If the small amp has a preamp you like..The bigger one can be anything with a good powersection and cab…which allows something affordable on the used market.

These days I added the option of a lightweight 50w tube amp: Blackstar stJames. That’s 50w all tube you can literally lift with one finger. It’s not my all time fav amp…compared to my fav D clone it misses a bit of directness. But that’s A/taste, and B/ very different price segment. It’s a good sounding amp imo, and ive gigged it with nice results.

 

[metropolis_4]

I have done plenty of gigs with a 15w, with headroom to spare for “clean cleans”.
But, no rock/metal, civilized drummer, efficient speaker, no blasting FOH.

So…the above does not mean it will always work.

My strategy has been for the longest time: own a 15w amp, and a 25. Both with a loop, so one can be slave to another. Whenever I saw the risk of not enough power, I’d take the 25…or both. Instead of one heavy one you are taking 2 lighter ones…so that’s a trade off, but always the option to only the small one. You get “stereo” as a bonus…which is nice imho. I’m not sure of the math applies 1 on 1…but together that’s 40w..and if that’s not enough..something else is wrong. If the small amp has a preamp you like..The bigger one can be anything with a good powersection and cab…which allows something affordable on the used market.

These days I added the option of a lightweight 50w tube amp: Blackstar stJames. That’s 50w all tube you can literally lift with one finger. It’s not my all time fav amp…compared to my fav D clone it misses a bit of directness. But that’s A/taste, and B/ very different price segment. It’s a good sounding amp imo, and ive gigged it with nice results.

Same here, I think I’ve played more gigs with a 15 watt amp than anything else. But no metal (other than the occasional Metallica song)

 

[MatrixClaw]

The Fireball 25 and MT15 are plenty loud for playing in a band, but whether you're going to get pristine cleans depends how loud you play. I'd say it's definitely possible, but might not be to your liking since you'll be pushing those power tubes pretty hard to get enough volume.

I'd buy a PRS Archon 50 or the new Classic, personally. The cleans on those amps are gorgeous and the gain structure is way more exciting on the Archon than the MT15 IMO. I'm a huge fan of the Fireball 25, but I'm not sure it'd be my first choice if I wanted something a bit more versatile.

 

[joezlo]

Safest with 50watts. 2x12 or 4x12.

 

[Chocol8]

Thing is: I WANT clean cleans. I don't want raspy cleans, edge of anything, I want it clean (For intros and stuff).

- drummer is as always: undynamic and almost always blasting full on (sadly not joking)
- "Regular" Celestion-loaded 2x12 (no 4x12 sadly)
- Not miced up, bc in a practice amps normally aren't miced up for me.

but the lows could be "untight". Very good point. I want tight sound. I hate loose and flubby sounds for Hard Rock and Metal.

"Don't worry about volume"-territory. Yes, that's what I want.

While I fully understand how millions of gigs have been played with 15-25w amps, these quotes from the OP make me think 50 should be OK, 100 would be better, 15-25 would be a no go. I definitely wouldn't recommend anything without a couple of large bottles minimum.

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

Would be cool if someone with actual band experience could weigh in on how a FB25 performs outside bedrooms and studios. Lots of YT’ers says it’s way louder than what 25 watts tells you but it’s hard to come by actual reports.

Given the need for pristine, loud cleans here I’d also be wary of a 25 watter.