how big an amp to gig with

i just got into a band and i need a new amp my old one isnt loud enough it was like a 1973 fender princeton reverb. how big an amp do i need to gig with and brands or names under $500 dollars would be appreciated by the way i play alot of blink and nirvana and other rock songs thanks

Originally posted by joeyaultman
..a 1973 fender princeton reverb..

I advise you to trade or sell that lovely amp to someone who will appreciate it. Then get yourself a Marshall Valvestate and some earplugs.

If you are gigging, I'm gonna assume you are put through a PA. If this is the case a word of advice: LET THE PA AND MONITORS DO THEIR JOB! The best sounding live bands ALWAYS have low stage volume!

not true, the dead played really loud with the wall of sound, and they sounded great.

I think it depends on where you play. When I played in 'Springs They told us to play at a medium volume and they'd do the rest. When I play here at the Shuler It's so small we only need a mic for the singer. Outside in the summer you may need something for the drums.

Originally posted by magicninja
...When I played in 'Springs ...

Would that be the mythical town of Tremolo Springs alluded to by lalimacefolle? :D




hmmm... time for my big red capsule...

Nope Colorado Springs

surely you've heard of that legendary count(ry singer)Floyd Rose from Tremelo Springs.............................................every body seems to have problems when they get too close to him, but he's fine when you hear him from the audience....................:)

Big aint always best... Get yourself an amp with a decent dynamic range. Volume does not matter, that's what a PA is for. More important is to know the sound/sounds you want and employ an amplifier suitable for the purpose. This is not always as easy as it may sound, unless you have access to, and furthermore understand, the dynamic characteristic of the combined components of the amp. Building your own is an option not as difficult as it may sound, although it's not as cheap an option as it once was.

On the other hand, any decent Marshall, Vox or Orange will sound like the dog's bollox, whether miked up DI'd or big'N'bold centre stage.....

A really cheap option would be to use a proprietary pre-amp unit like the Marshall 9001 and stick it through the backline gear.

I have tried all the above, including building my own, and I found the best option to be...............
A Vox AC30, a quality mic and a PA with good speakers, sheer bliss!!!