misterkarlov
Joined: Sep 25, 2008
Posts: 15
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Posted on Mar 18 2010 04:10 PM
Just curious as to what size amps you guys are usin'. I normally play in a hard rock/metal band and volumes can get kinda high even without meaning them to.
For surf and such it seems like overall, the level are lower if only because the amps are set much cleaner.
I ask cuz I was thinking of picking up a Bugera v5. I like the sound quite a but and it actually gets quite loud for 5 watts.
Whatcha think?
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elreydlp
Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
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Posted on Mar 18 2010 04:24 PM
5 Watts is OK for bedroom practice, but there's not much clean headroom there. If you're wanting a gigging amp to play Surf, 30 watts is about the minimum.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Mar 18 2010 05:01 PM
Depends on the brand/model as well. Fender tends to be louder than some of its counterparts.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19349
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Mar 18 2010 06:20 PM
misterkarlov
For surf and such it seems like overall, the level are lower if only because the amps are set much cleaner.
You've never seen Dick Dale or The Madeira? 
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Mel
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
Posts: 321
Canada's Wet Coast
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Posted on Mar 18 2010 10:36 PM
Brian
misterkarlov
For surf and such it seems like overall, the level are lower if only because the amps are set much cleaner.
You've never seen Dick Dale or The Madeira? 
Seen Dick Dale and his amp volume was insignificant compared to the audio pummelling we got from the house PA system...
That's one night I really wish I'd had my SPL meter with me...:D
Mel
— Mel
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topsail
Joined: Jun 10, 2009
Posts: 317
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 07:12 AM
Well, depends on your band and how dynamically they're able to perform.
Generally 15-30 watts is a plenty, but not all amps are created the same. Over the years I've personally tended to go down in output wattage. I sold a Fender Vibro King not too long ago because it got to where I hardly used it anymore. I'd rather run a lower-wattage amp wide open than a higher-wattage amp on 3.
Most tube amps sound best nearly dimed to my ears (ymmv).
I'd say a DRRI or the like should suffice for most venues. Perhaps run it through a 1x15 cab for a bigger sound? I like a big sound opposed to loud / high volume. Many patrons do to 
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cband
Joined: Sep 16, 2009
Posts: 23
Scottsville, NY
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 08:14 AM
topsail
I'd say a DRRI or the like should suffice for most venues.
DRRI?
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morphball
Joined: Dec 23, 2008
Posts: 3324
Pittsboro, NC
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 08:43 AM
cband
topsail
I'd say a DRRI or the like should suffice for most venues.
DRRI?
Deluxe Reverb Reissue.
http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0217400000
— Mike
http://www.youtube.com/morphballio
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TyPierce
Joined: Oct 26, 2007
Posts: 542
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 02:25 PM
I'm running a Pro Reverb - 40 watts - and love it. Most of our venues I only crack 3 or 4 on the volume, but it's nice to be able to keep it clean and loud when I want to.
The 22 watts of the DRRI Topsail mentions is a nice range, as long as you're not running really hot pickups and can keep the amp from overdriving. But for the price of a DR, you could grab a Pro or Super and know you have the headroom on tap when you need it.
— Join Australosurfecus on: The Web | Facebook
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davidphantomatic
Joined: Oct 12, 2008
Posts: 580
San Antone, TX
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 02:35 PM
Yeah, I run a Super Reverb and people are always telling me how loud it is, so I figure I'm doing something right.

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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4563
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 02:36 PM
Let me add my voice to those suggesting a DRRI. Unless you are playing large venues the DRRI should do the trick. I use my
Twin in those instances.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 03:20 PM
I guess I carry the flag for volume, so let me just say something here - unless you play really easy-going, soft type of surf music, you're going to have to crank a DR pretty high up in order to be even heard over a drummer, and it'll make the tone pretty distorted. Yeah, a bit of overdrive is good, but this isn't blues music. People get higher-wattage amps in order to have the clean headroom. I would say 40W is the minimum for playing with a surf band that plays with any kind of energy. As soon as you start playing with speed and gusto, the drummer will start hitting harder, and the guitarist will have to play louder.
For my purposes, unfortunately, even a 40W amp won't do the trick. Believe me, I've tried! We play very high-energy stuff, and in order to be heard (or at least to be able to hear MYSELF - closed-back cabs are louder 20 feet in front of them than 5 feet in front of them, unfortunately) over our drummer, I need an 85-100W amp.
But I have to say also that cranking a DR will give you a VERY different sound than cranking a Showman! It's not just the volume, it's the sound quality. the Showman gives you a clean and tight bass response, even at high volume, which a DR or even a Pro Reverb or Super Reverb, etc. can't touch. Those amps will have a good sound, but for the ultimate surf music experience, nothing beats standing in front a Dual Showman (or in my case the amazing Gomez Surfer) cranked to at least 6, and feeling its power reverberate throughout every part of your body. Good luck to your ears, though. 
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4563
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 03:24 PM
IvanP
nothing beats standing in front a Dual Showman (or in my case the amazing Gomez Surfer) cranked to at least 6, and feeling its power reverberate throughout every part of your body. Good luck to your ears, though. 
Speak up sonny! Why is it that everyone mumbles these days? 
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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elreydlp
Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 03:29 PM
synchro
IvanP
nothing beats standing in front a Dual Showman (or in my case the amazing Gomez Surfer) cranked to at least 6, and feeling its power reverberate throughout every part of your body. Good luck to your ears, though. 
Speak up sonny! Why is it that everyone mumbles these days? 
WHAT? 
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 03:34 PM
Hey, if the old man (DD, that is) is still at it at 70, and he doesn't seem to be deaf yet, I guess it can't be that bad! And look at Lemmy! Well, not literally, no need for that :), just think about the fact that at 65 HE is STILL not deaf!
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Mar 19 2010 03:46 PM
I use a 50 watt Bassman, and it works great for indoor gigs at about 5-6-7 on the volume...
but outdoors, with a cranking band, I'd go for the 85-100 watt Showman rig...
or two Bassman rigs run in parallel mode...you know add a Y-splitter box and run one amp super-treb on the bright channel and one more middle/bass on the deep channel...
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Mar 20 2010 06:41 AM
IvanP
Hey, if the old man (DD, that is) is still at it at 70, and he doesn't seem to be deaf yet, I guess it can't be that bad! And look at Lemmy! Well, not literally, no need for that :), just think about the fact that at 65 HE is STILL not deaf!
Ah, but Lemmy's a bass player. Loud bass doesn't mess with your hearing; just with your vital organs 
— Los Fantasticos
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Icetech
Joined: Dec 16, 2006
Posts: 892
Macomb Mich
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Posted on Mar 20 2010 08:35 AM
I'm not so sure lemmys not deaf... when hes asked questions he just mumbles answers.. i dont think he hears them:)
— I wanna play just like him when i grow up...
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Chemo
Joined: Sep 15, 2008
Posts: 69
Kirkkonummi
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Posted on Mar 20 2010 08:58 AM
I use 40 W - the modern version of Fender Vibrolux Reverb.
Volume has a lot to do with speaker sensibility too.
— It's go-go, not cry-cry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C-ojWHp1ek
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terrafirma
Joined: Aug 23, 2009
Posts: 44
Brookings, South Dakota
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Posted on Mar 20 2010 10:44 AM
When I first started playing surf I used a 15 watt Savage (with a Vintage 30 speaker), and in practice I could dial in some good clean tones (we practice at about 85 decibals indoors, something I've measured out of concern for my hearing). Our first gig was an outdoor even and, in that venue with higher volume, those clean tones disappeared and turned into some amazing overdriven sounds - cool, but not what I expected or wanted for this style of music. Shortly after that I bought a Twin and have appreciated the clean tones at subsequent outdoor events.
— Sonic Screwdriver
http://www.sonicscrewdriverband.com
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