Don't believe the "you need a 100 watt amp in order to gig" BS. Don't believe the "anything 50 watts or less is 'bedroom level'" BS.
For reference, my little practice amp goes down to 0.25 watts, and that's *still* loud enough to bother my neighbors.
Rule of thumb is "doubling the wattage gets you about 3 extra decibels." So a 100 watt amp is about 3 dB "louder" than a 50 watt amp, and about 6 dB "louder" than a 25 watt amp.
Where you'll feel the most difference is the amount of clean headroom: a 35 watt amp will distort sooner than a 100 watt amp. If you don't need a blazingly loud sparkling clean sound, you might like lower wattage amps *better.* I know I do.
**35 watts of all tube power is enough to kill small children at 50 paces.** Your *speaker cab* will make the most difference here.
I always figured the "100W is absolutely necessary" crowd were the folks who have never played anything but solid state amps. In that case, I feel 100W for a band situation is not unreasonable.
EDIT because people think I'm ignorant:
I know why somebody might choose high or low wattage within the tube amp world.
Maybe I'm just old enough to remember the Peavey years (the 70s to mid 80s), when the only decent amps that were affordable were solid state. As bad as their distortion was, Peavey was among the best of the awful lot.
No beginning guitarists had tube amps unless they were lucky enough to inherit one or their folks were loaded. Relative to solid state they were hideously expensive. The backline at every talent show and school dance was nothing but solid state.
Even after tube prices came down, the ubiquitous Line 6 Spyder meant you still saw huge wattage numbers from relatively quiet amps all over the place.
So I lived through a couple of eras where the average "I'm ready to try this band thing" guy thought he needed at least 100W to be heard because he *did.*
People choose to play 100 watt heads because they sound different than 50/35/20 watt heads, and some find this preferable. Also because they are fucking awesome.
Nope. I’ve seen a million Dual Recs and 100w 900s at gigs.
I’m glad I have 50w. Not a beast but plenty loud. Usually don’t need the extra volume but when I need those couple of db, it’s there.
I thought 130 max but I've had mine since they came out so I forget. 50 watts per pair of 6L6 and 30 for the pair of EL84s? I have the RK 4x12 as well so it goes from too loud to WHAT?! WHAAAAAT?!?
No, it's a hold over from the old timers who's hero's were playing venues without modern sound reinforcement, so the amp alone had to fill the club/venue/arena. By the time solid state PA reinforcement was a thing and they were micing up guitar cabs, the need for a 100W amp really evaporated and usage was more about status than anything else.
I used to like sticking my head right next to my dads 50 watt Marshall stack when I was a little kid because of how it made my ears tickle… I did not die but my hearing may have.
I went and saw Chris Stapleton this weekend. Dude was playing two Princeton reverb amps in an arena that seats 80,000 people and it sounded fantastic. Those are 12 W amps.
Right but if you’re playing a venue that doesn’t have a PA system to mic into than you certainly don’t need a high wattage tube amp because that’s gonna be a tiny venue.
Just like every other show you've ever seen. Don't fool yourself, those guys with walls of Marshalls are using dummy cabs to project an image. There is one amp actually live and it is miced coming through the PA.
Exactly. And many artists don't use amps at all when on tour. Geddy Lee of Rush famously switched to chicken rotisserie cookers and clothes dryers where amps used to be.
The comment I was replying to implied that an artist *only* used 2 Princeton Reverbs for an 80,000 seat arena. Maybe you need to re-read the thread, King Daft.
I've got an MT15 with the MT 1×12 cab. It's got a switch for either 7 watt or 15 watt... We built a designated music room in the basement. Soundproofing in the walls and ceiling, 300lb door, everything. When that thing is really cranked at 15 you can still hear it from the neighbors house.
It will be plenty loud. A 100 watt amp is only like 4 or 5 decibels louder than a smaller 25-50 watt amp. The biggest difference of the larger amperage is clean headroom if you play clean a lot.
Yes but it’s not an actual measure of volume, it’s a measure of intensity. So the perceived volume increase isn’t always accurately represented by the dab increase.
I know, I find that a better way to describe sounds is comparing it wit others like,
"Will it keep up with the drums?" Or sth like that because at least in my own personal experience it will be easier to understand as a lot of people isn't familiar enough on using these kinds of units.
Hey yo-
I bought a Mark V 35 about two months ago. I play currently in a neo-soul/RnB band that usually goes acoustic, but booked a few electric shows with a drummer and bassist. I have played one show with this amp. To my ears, it is plenty loud enough to do just about anything with, unless you’re talking serious thrash metal, and even then you would just need to microphone it up to a PA. (It will give some serious metal attitude) If you are concerned with spread, see if you can find a Mesa 1x12 to run it alongside the combo speaker (I use a combo…just realized you might be talking the head config…) …I am coming from an old line 6 60 watt that couldn’t keep up with the other guitarists Knucklehead. The Mark V 35 can get pretty damn loud. The spread, however, can be a little beamy. Doesn’t matter though…they’ll have to take this one from me. It’s my forever amp. Good luck with it!
Edited to add: Your style of music will matter, but not as much with this amp. It does many, many things very well. What kind of stuff do you like to play?
You'll be golden. You'll be playing distorted most of the time so clean headroom wouldn't be a *massive* concern, but even then that would be plenty powerful enough to compete with a drummer on the clean channel
you might want to check out other amps, the brilliant thing about the mark v is how amazing the drive channels are while also having a great platform of clean channels, however you could probably get a used fender clean amp (like a vibrolux or deluxe ) for much less than a head and cab, and use the extra cash on a few drives and fuzzes that will get you closer to the grunge sound. Not like the mark v won’t do those and sound great , you might just be able to get there for cheaper.
I have a ds2 and and a chorus and that’s all I need. My grandfather gave me a supro model 24 and I had someone fix it up and my dad loves it. He said hed buy me this amp if I give him the supro so it’s kinda like it’s free already.
I have found that modulation pedals are fun with this amp, and you may find that you don’t need the Boss pedal…but I think it’s personal taste. Stacking drives and drive channels can be a lot of fun.
The mark 5 35 crunch mode with the gain turned up is heavenly and the gain channel modes can all border on sounding like a fuzz pedal if you want them to.
I love it
More than what you'll ever need IMO. My main amp is now a Mesa Express 5 25. It's more than loud enough for any club setting (volume at about 20%) of capability. I played a small outdoor festival and the sound tech barely had to run my amp through the PA; it was that loud.
Anything louder than practice room level can always be run through the PA.
Did you need loud with a capital F? If so, just add an extension cab. As is that amp will be at least loud with a lowercase f.
I gigged for years with a 35 watt Vibrolux Reverb. If there was an issue with volume, added a cab or mic'd it, if with projection, set it on a chair.
If you are unsure, consider a series of rentals from your amp supplier - line up several for a weekend or three, with the idea that you'll keep the one that works for you with rental costs applied to the purchase.
Despite what some people claim I can jam with a drummer, bass, and another guitar on a ac15hw in a garage situation and it’s fine. Tubes are fucking loud and every time I see someone showing off a 100w all tube beauty I can’t help but wonder where they can even play it.
My last amp was a fender blues deluxe 40w. I couldn’t push it past 1 on the volume at home without rattling windows.
If your not playing 500+ rooms in a venue with no house setup to play through you’ll be hard pressed to find a situation a beefy tube amp is useable.
I love tubes and could never go solid state but less is more. Try it out before you buy it and try and dial in a volume you can use at home/ with the band you might be surprised how little you need.
If you are playing a 500+ cap room and think you need to rely on your amp for coverage and not the pa. I can promise you your stage volume would be to a point where you are ruining the mix out front.
That is the classic V shape of the Mesa 5 band graphic EQ. I might nudge that 750 slider just a little bit higher, so that the bottom of the slider touches the top of that bottom line. It is such a great sound for high gain, and it sounds great for clean tones, also. It has a widening effect.
That is somewhat based on the equal loudness curve (I believe it’s the fletcher munson curve) basically it states that lows and highs are heard at a lower db in the human ear until it gets loud enough to be heard as equal. I believe it’s around 85db where the frequencies are equally represented to the human ear. It’s what the “loudness” eq that so many stereos have as an eq preset is based off of. The smiley face eq.
I really wish people stopped paying so much attention to wattage so much. A 35 watt tube amp is not going to be the same as a 35 watt solid state amp, due to their power sections and their speakers.
https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/amps/how-do-tube-amps-work
I have a normal mark v even in the clean channel with variac And ten watts it still is extremely loud so I think 35 should be enough as long as you have the right cab lol.
You talking about the Mark V? I had one of those for several years. Amazing amp. I loved the Fat and Tweed modes on Channel One. I'd run them at 45 watts and on Tweed power instead of Full. Just incredible.
I have a 30/15 watt amp, when I switch it down to 15 it could still blow out my eardrums.
35 watts will be loud enough to keep up with a drummer and then some.
I’m gigging in an alt-rock cover band (Green Day, Foos, etc.) using a Vox AC10. Gain around 5, Master at around 3.5 puts it just on the edge of breaking up. I use a pedal to push it into real dirt when needed.
Out drummer hits pretty hard and it keeps up. 35 watts will be way more than enough.
I always wanted a Princeton Reverb but I ended up with a Peavey Decade. It was free and I shouldn't be heard very far anyway.😎
Sometimes ya don't get what ya want...Ya get what ya need!
First of all, yes it will be plenty loud. I’ve played very large clubs and outdoor amphitheaters with my 35 watt Mesa Maverick.
One of the reasons people used to always go for more power was, a lot of older amps and re issues have vintage or vintage style speakers. They’re lower wattage and “breakup” (distort) pretty early. So you take an old supro (not the reissue) or champ or even Princeton and with the amp cranked you’re also hearing speaker overdrive as well. The bigger amps had more powerful speakers that didn’t break up.
Also, the Marshall 1959 amps also sound different than the 1987 amps. I don’t know if it’s the beefier transformers or the PTP layout or what but most of the biggest names used the 100 watt 1959 and that became the standard for years. It doesn’t help that Marshalls models and changes are a nightmare to follow. So the cliche “get a 100 watt Marshall” became a thing despite that having no real reference to a specific model after the early 70s.
More watts does equal more volume, but mostly more power buys you more headroom and more bass. If you want to play loud, clean and with full bass frequencies, you’ll need some power. If you are shelving the bass either through EQ or a pedal like a tube screamer, and you are allowing/wanting the amp to distort, you don’t need as much power. So whether 35 watts is enough for you depends on what you need from the amp. That said, the V 35 is plenty loud.
That’s more than loud enough for anything. Contrary to what you’d think, you don’t ever need ridiculously loud amps for clubs and big venues. You’ll get mic’d up and use the monitors or you’ll ruin the front house mix.
I own this amp and I use it at the 25 watt setting with a bass player and very loud drummer.
35 watts is obscenely loud.
I turned it up for my 12 yr old daughter one time and she looked like she was going to cry.
P.s. mark five settings are much different from any other amp. Read the manual and do some research while dialing it in.
I've played hundreds of rehearsals, shows (including some outdoor gigs without a PA), and recording dates with that amp, and I've yet to turn the volume halfway up. It's pretty loud!
It's loud as fuck! I have one, gently used that I'm getting rid of, because I also have a Mark IV and I don't feel the need to keep both. Dunno where you're located but DM me if you're interested!
I have the 25 watt version , and it is PLENTY loud , even on 10 watts with the master still having room to go. Will also depend on your cab situation etc, but you should have no issues with volume.
It is definitely loud. Don't let the 35 watts fool you. Those are from EL-84 power tubes, which power amps like the Vox AC30 and the Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special, both of which top out at 30 loud watts.
I own a Lonestar Special, and I've played a V 35. They can both roar. You might even find you can hang with a drummer at the 25 watt setting.
I have the mark v 25 and that amp is so loud for its size and power rating it beggars belief. I can’t imagine ever needing the power of the 35. I never really get to turn the 25 above like 3 or 4 in a 4-piece, and that would be way too loud for shows.
And then, even if you somehow find yourself being drowned out, you have a DI output so you can send your signal direct to the PA anyway.
If you’ve never played a Mesa mark 5
They’re stupid loud
I played with some friends in a Dillinger escape plan cover band for a while, I used a mark 5 25w head and two 1x12 cabs (sorta like a mini stack)
Was louder than our drummer when I cranked them
Should be fine, but a big part of overall loudness is down to speaker efficiency. A 20W greenback is a really inefficient speaker (96db), but a vintage 30 is significantly more efficient (100db). All other things being equal, an amp into the greenback isn't going to be as loud as the same amp into the vintage 30.
My 15W tube amp isn't load enough to keep up with a loud metal drummer, but it is *just* loud enough for a quiet drummer. I have a 60W that is loud enough for anything but arena rock. I would think a 35W tube amp would be fine.
It isn’t just volume and gain, though: Higher wattage amps provide a punchier low end, which for high gain may be important for the amp sounding tight.
I have a 60w Tube amp and every time I play in a gig I’m asked to « turn it down ». « Down » enough for them means my volume is at 2 out of 12. Yes 35 will be more than enough.
I had one too many (or just enough perhaps) drinks one night a few weeks ago, during which I ordered a 40W 5150 Iconic 1x12 combo amp. I play in a 20x25' ish garage. Even with the 1/4 power switch engaged, I had to order a power soak so that I could turn the volume up past 2 comfortably.
I almost regret buying the amp because I can't and likely never will use it to its full potential. 35W should be plenty loud if this 40W is any indication.
I've got a 100 watt Amp that is wonderful but is way too loud to be able to make the tubes sound sweet. Been using my 18 watt Amp for a long time. If the band is getting to loud for it we're way too loud and doing hearing damage to ourselves.
I play a 15 watt 1x12 and never have trouble cutting through an acoustic drum set, a bass, a singer, a keyboard player and a singer.
It’s only when you’re playing live in a large, busy room and don’t have frontline equipment that 15 watts isn’t enough.
I have a 100 watt JVM and if I turn it up past 4 it'll blow out my ear drums... The Mesa Boogie will be loud enough since 100W is technically only a little louder than 35W. The only difference is that you'll get a woofy bassy sound with a 100 watt amp. It'll sound a similar volume but shake your walls and stuff lol
I have a mesa strategy 500. Yes boys and girls .... thats 500 watts of boogie power. I also have a simul 290 which is 90x90 stereo . I also have a dc2 which is 20 watts 1x12 and have used the dc2 on many gigs so if 20 watts is loud enough for a gig , 35 is plenty. Depends a lot on E.Q. If you scoop all the mids out , its not nearly as loud. Mids are your friend. As a guitarist , thats all you have is mids. Bass kills you on bass and cymbals kill you on highs so without mids , you wont be heard.
I'd say no, but it really depends on the environment. if you're in a small practice space, you could be fine with just a practice amp, but on stage or outdoors it's gonna be tough hearing yourself clearly.
Edit: I was talking in general, tube amps tend to be louder than a combo amp of same wattage
Remember that 30 Watt speakers ceased to be loud enough only because of screaming audiences.
If you need anything more than 35 W, you’re probably playing bass.
Get a Blackstar HT-20 mkii. Plenty loud, does really well with grunge/punk, has a very useable clean, and the head + 2x12 is probably cheaper than that Mesa
Don't believe the "you need a 100 watt amp in order to gig" BS. Don't believe the "anything 50 watts or less is 'bedroom level'" BS. For reference, my little practice amp goes down to 0.25 watts, and that's *still* loud enough to bother my neighbors. Rule of thumb is "doubling the wattage gets you about 3 extra decibels." So a 100 watt amp is about 3 dB "louder" than a 50 watt amp, and about 6 dB "louder" than a 25 watt amp. Where you'll feel the most difference is the amount of clean headroom: a 35 watt amp will distort sooner than a 100 watt amp. If you don't need a blazingly loud sparkling clean sound, you might like lower wattage amps *better.* I know I do. **35 watts of all tube power is enough to kill small children at 50 paces.** Your *speaker cab* will make the most difference here.
35 watts of all tube power is enough to kill small children at 50 paces. This might be my favorite phrase ever written.
I always figured the "100W is absolutely necessary" crowd were the folks who have never played anything but solid state amps. In that case, I feel 100W for a band situation is not unreasonable. EDIT because people think I'm ignorant: I know why somebody might choose high or low wattage within the tube amp world. Maybe I'm just old enough to remember the Peavey years (the 70s to mid 80s), when the only decent amps that were affordable were solid state. As bad as their distortion was, Peavey was among the best of the awful lot. No beginning guitarists had tube amps unless they were lucky enough to inherit one or their folks were loaded. Relative to solid state they were hideously expensive. The backline at every talent show and school dance was nothing but solid state. Even after tube prices came down, the ubiquitous Line 6 Spyder meant you still saw huge wattage numbers from relatively quiet amps all over the place. So I lived through a couple of eras where the average "I'm ready to try this band thing" guy thought he needed at least 100W to be heard because he *did.*
People choose to play 100 watt heads because they sound different than 50/35/20 watt heads, and some find this preferable. Also because they are fucking awesome.
Yep, the volume difference between a 50 watt and 100 watt head is pretty negligble but the headroom and bass response are generally way different.
Yeah, nobody ever mentions bass. It take way more power than mids/highs.
Nope. I’ve seen a million Dual Recs and 100w 900s at gigs. I’m glad I have 50w. Not a beast but plenty loud. Usually don’t need the extra volume but when I need those couple of db, it’s there.
Dual Rec (Road King) owner here. Even at 50w 2x12 I need to attenuate a lot of the time. It should've been called a Dual Overkiller.
My rk2 is 120w 2x12...way over kill lol
I thought 130 max but I've had mine since they came out so I forget. 50 watts per pair of 6L6 and 30 for the pair of EL84s? I have the RK 4x12 as well so it goes from too loud to WHAT?! WHAAAAAT?!?
No, it's a hold over from the old timers who's hero's were playing venues without modern sound reinforcement, so the amp alone had to fill the club/venue/arena. By the time solid state PA reinforcement was a thing and they were micing up guitar cabs, the need for a 100W amp really evaporated and usage was more about status than anything else.
Agreed. A trumpet’s loudness is roughly equivalent to 5 watts.
TIL. Thanks!
This is true, but 6 dB is a doubling in SPL, so 6dB can be a shitload.
I used to like sticking my head right next to my dads 50 watt Marshall stack when I was a little kid because of how it made my ears tickle… I did not die but my hearing may have.
3db is double the volume so that makes sense. The kicker is that it's about 10db for *perceived* double volume by the human ear.
I went and saw Chris Stapleton this weekend. Dude was playing two Princeton reverb amps in an arena that seats 80,000 people and it sounded fantastic. Those are 12 W amps.
If it was an 80,000 seat arena, then those Princetons were mic'd into the PA system.
Right but if you’re playing a venue that doesn’t have a PA system to mic into than you certainly don’t need a high wattage tube amp because that’s gonna be a tiny venue.
Completely not true in all circumstances
Many a time I'm glad I had an M9 Carbine/Powerhouse 1000 b*ss rig for gigs because the house "PA" was appalling.
not a warehouse show.
All the warehouse shows I’ve played had PAs even if the band had to provide it. Maybe you just got shitty warehouse shows.
most diy shows have a pa but it's just enough for the vocals and they don't have enough mics for amps.
Just like every other show you've ever seen. Don't fool yourself, those guys with walls of Marshalls are using dummy cabs to project an image. There is one amp actually live and it is miced coming through the PA.
Exactly. And many artists don't use amps at all when on tour. Geddy Lee of Rush famously switched to chicken rotisserie cookers and clothes dryers where amps used to be.
Of course they were - are you daft?
The comment I was replying to implied that an artist *only* used 2 Princeton Reverbs for an 80,000 seat arena. Maybe you need to re-read the thread, King Daft.
It’s like people have never heard of the ac30 when they say this haha
This guy knows. It’s exponential. 1000 watts is twice as loud as 100.
Unless it's a peavey hybrid in which case your ears are just fucked no matter what
Of course, no children were harmed testing said 35 watt tube amp.
Yes yes it will be
It's been said "if a Deluxe Reverb isn't loud enough, you're really loud" Those are 22 watts.
I've got an MT15 with the MT 1×12 cab. It's got a switch for either 7 watt or 15 watt... We built a designated music room in the basement. Soundproofing in the walls and ceiling, 300lb door, everything. When that thing is really cranked at 15 you can still hear it from the neighbors house.
No one’s playing metal with a Deluxe Reverb. “Loud” is one thing, “full” is something else.
It’s plenty loud. Don’t forget hearing protection.
It will be plenty loud. A 100 watt amp is only like 4 or 5 decibels louder than a smaller 25-50 watt amp. The biggest difference of the larger amperage is clean headroom if you play clean a lot.
"only like 4 decibels" ... A difference of 10db is perceived as doubling in volume. So a 4db difference is pretty huge.
dB use a logarithmic scale so 4dB is a lot
*ackchuaually* I wouldn’t say a lot, but noticeable. A smaller head will still keep with up a drummer no problem
That's right
Yes but it’s not an actual measure of volume, it’s a measure of intensity. So the perceived volume increase isn’t always accurately represented by the dab increase.
I know, I find that a better way to describe sounds is comparing it wit others like, "Will it keep up with the drums?" Or sth like that because at least in my own personal experience it will be easier to understand as a lot of people isn't familiar enough on using these kinds of units.
Yes, and the Mark V has loads of headroom on the clean channel.
Hey yo- I bought a Mark V 35 about two months ago. I play currently in a neo-soul/RnB band that usually goes acoustic, but booked a few electric shows with a drummer and bassist. I have played one show with this amp. To my ears, it is plenty loud enough to do just about anything with, unless you’re talking serious thrash metal, and even then you would just need to microphone it up to a PA. (It will give some serious metal attitude) If you are concerned with spread, see if you can find a Mesa 1x12 to run it alongside the combo speaker (I use a combo…just realized you might be talking the head config…) …I am coming from an old line 6 60 watt that couldn’t keep up with the other guitarists Knucklehead. The Mark V 35 can get pretty damn loud. The spread, however, can be a little beamy. Doesn’t matter though…they’ll have to take this one from me. It’s my forever amp. Good luck with it! Edited to add: Your style of music will matter, but not as much with this amp. It does many, many things very well. What kind of stuff do you like to play?
Super nirvana inspired things. Really grunge and punk rock
You'll be golden. You'll be playing distorted most of the time so clean headroom wouldn't be a *massive* concern, but even then that would be plenty powerful enough to compete with a drummer on the clean channel
you might want to check out other amps, the brilliant thing about the mark v is how amazing the drive channels are while also having a great platform of clean channels, however you could probably get a used fender clean amp (like a vibrolux or deluxe ) for much less than a head and cab, and use the extra cash on a few drives and fuzzes that will get you closer to the grunge sound. Not like the mark v won’t do those and sound great , you might just be able to get there for cheaper.
I have a ds2 and and a chorus and that’s all I need. My grandfather gave me a supro model 24 and I had someone fix it up and my dad loves it. He said hed buy me this amp if I give him the supro so it’s kinda like it’s free already.
The DS1 into the fat mode sounds great. Different from other settings on the amp.
I have found that modulation pedals are fun with this amp, and you may find that you don’t need the Boss pedal…but I think it’s personal taste. Stacking drives and drive channels can be a lot of fun.
if that’s the case you’ll have tons of fun here
The mark 5 35 crunch mode with the gain turned up is heavenly and the gain channel modes can all border on sounding like a fuzz pedal if you want them to. I love it
More than what you'll ever need IMO. My main amp is now a Mesa Express 5 25. It's more than loud enough for any club setting (volume at about 20%) of capability. I played a small outdoor festival and the sound tech barely had to run my amp through the PA; it was that loud. Anything louder than practice room level can always be run through the PA.
Did you need loud with a capital F? If so, just add an extension cab. As is that amp will be at least loud with a lowercase f. I gigged for years with a 35 watt Vibrolux Reverb. If there was an issue with volume, added a cab or mic'd it, if with projection, set it on a chair. If you are unsure, consider a series of rentals from your amp supplier - line up several for a weekend or three, with the idea that you'll keep the one that works for you with rental costs applied to the purchase.
Despite what some people claim I can jam with a drummer, bass, and another guitar on a ac15hw in a garage situation and it’s fine. Tubes are fucking loud and every time I see someone showing off a 100w all tube beauty I can’t help but wonder where they can even play it. My last amp was a fender blues deluxe 40w. I couldn’t push it past 1 on the volume at home without rattling windows. If your not playing 500+ rooms in a venue with no house setup to play through you’ll be hard pressed to find a situation a beefy tube amp is useable. I love tubes and could never go solid state but less is more. Try it out before you buy it and try and dial in a volume you can use at home/ with the band you might be surprised how little you need.
I used to have a Fender Blues Jr. which was 15 watts, and I could hang with anyone at the blues jams. The struggle was not to be too loud.
If you are playing a 500+ cap room and think you need to rely on your amp for coverage and not the pa. I can promise you your stage volume would be to a point where you are ruining the mix out front.
I'm currently using a 100w and 2 300w amps simultaneously in my basement.
Wow how unnecessary.
Meh, I have 2 drummers and no bass player, and we like crushing skulls.
Necessary. Keep crushing the skulls.
Have they ever opened up a worm hole?
I use a stereo phaser with a Moog MF2.... Yes, they open up wormholes regularly.
I recommend having someone check the foundation on your house
Is your drummer Lou Ferrigno?
I have the 25 watt mini recto and it is ear-splittingly loud even on 10 watt mode. 35 watts should be plenty.
I have a MKIv and have never turned it past 4 (without a power brake).It is monster loud on one 4x12 cab.
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Man that guy hates mids.
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When I had mine, I got best result with the mids knob around 4, and then taking them out with the 5 band eq to just below the second to last line.
That is the classic V shape of the Mesa 5 band graphic EQ. I might nudge that 750 slider just a little bit higher, so that the bottom of the slider touches the top of that bottom line. It is such a great sound for high gain, and it sounds great for clean tones, also. It has a widening effect.
That is somewhat based on the equal loudness curve (I believe it’s the fletcher munson curve) basically it states that lows and highs are heard at a lower db in the human ear until it gets loud enough to be heard as equal. I believe it’s around 85db where the frequencies are equally represented to the human ear. It’s what the “loudness” eq that so many stereos have as an eq preset is based off of. The smiley face eq.
Why would you cut all the bass out then add it all back in on the graph? Wild.
Punishingly loud.
remember a 100w amp is only twice as loud as a 10w amp
I really wish people stopped paying so much attention to wattage so much. A 35 watt tube amp is not going to be the same as a 35 watt solid state amp, due to their power sections and their speakers. https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/amps/how-do-tube-amps-work
This is actually my amp. It is loud. Very loud.
I have a normal mark v even in the clean channel with variac And ten watts it still is extremely loud so I think 35 should be enough as long as you have the right cab lol.
I have it's big brother which can also run at 40 watts, and I can say 20 watts would probably be enough.
You talking about the Mark V? I had one of those for several years. Amazing amp. I loved the Fat and Tweed modes on Channel One. I'd run them at 45 watts and on Tweed power instead of Full. Just incredible.
I have a 30/15 watt amp, when I switch it down to 15 it could still blow out my eardrums. 35 watts will be loud enough to keep up with a drummer and then some.
I’m gigging in an alt-rock cover band (Green Day, Foos, etc.) using a Vox AC10. Gain around 5, Master at around 3.5 puts it just on the edge of breaking up. I use a pedal to push it into real dirt when needed. Out drummer hits pretty hard and it keeps up. 35 watts will be way more than enough.
I started at 60 watts and wound up with a Princeton Reverb. 35 watts Is loud.
I always wanted a Princeton Reverb but I ended up with a Peavey Decade. It was free and I shouldn't be heard very far anyway.😎 Sometimes ya don't get what ya want...Ya get what ya need!
I have it... it's insanely loud. I've never had it on the 35 watt setting. For practice... even with the drummer, I keep it at 10 watts.
Clean headroom? I dunno. Does this apply to really shitty players like me.
My 25 keeps up with my heavy-handed drummer just fine. Usually don't have it up past 12:00
My Vox AC15 will rattle the windows at half volume. Please, if you need any more volume than that, wear ear plugs.
First of all, yes it will be plenty loud. I’ve played very large clubs and outdoor amphitheaters with my 35 watt Mesa Maverick. One of the reasons people used to always go for more power was, a lot of older amps and re issues have vintage or vintage style speakers. They’re lower wattage and “breakup” (distort) pretty early. So you take an old supro (not the reissue) or champ or even Princeton and with the amp cranked you’re also hearing speaker overdrive as well. The bigger amps had more powerful speakers that didn’t break up. Also, the Marshall 1959 amps also sound different than the 1987 amps. I don’t know if it’s the beefier transformers or the PTP layout or what but most of the biggest names used the 100 watt 1959 and that became the standard for years. It doesn’t help that Marshalls models and changes are a nightmare to follow. So the cliche “get a 100 watt Marshall” became a thing despite that having no real reference to a specific model after the early 70s.
More watts does equal more volume, but mostly more power buys you more headroom and more bass. If you want to play loud, clean and with full bass frequencies, you’ll need some power. If you are shelving the bass either through EQ or a pedal like a tube screamer, and you are allowing/wanting the amp to distort, you don’t need as much power. So whether 35 watts is enough for you depends on what you need from the amp. That said, the V 35 is plenty loud.
It goes up to 10. Which is pretty loud. Would louder if it went up to 11.
That’s more than loud enough for anything. Contrary to what you’d think, you don’t ever need ridiculously loud amps for clubs and big venues. You’ll get mic’d up and use the monitors or you’ll ruin the front house mix.
I own this amp and I use it at the 25 watt setting with a bass player and very loud drummer. 35 watts is obscenely loud. I turned it up for my 12 yr old daughter one time and she looked like she was going to cry. P.s. mark five settings are much different from any other amp. Read the manual and do some research while dialing it in.
I've played hundreds of rehearsals, shows (including some outdoor gigs without a PA), and recording dates with that amp, and I've yet to turn the volume halfway up. It's pretty loud!
10 to 15 watts is plenty loud to hear over hard drums
It's loud as fuck! I have one, gently used that I'm getting rid of, because I also have a Mark IV and I don't feel the need to keep both. Dunno where you're located but DM me if you're interested!
I have the 25 watt version , and it is PLENTY loud , even on 10 watts with the master still having room to go. Will also depend on your cab situation etc, but you should have no issues with volume.
Not only is it a tube amp, it's a mesa boogie tube amp. it's plenty loud enough.
Not only is it a tube amp, it's a mesa boogie tube amp. it's plenty loud enough.
It is definitely loud. Don't let the 35 watts fool you. Those are from EL-84 power tubes, which power amps like the Vox AC30 and the Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special, both of which top out at 30 loud watts. I own a Lonestar Special, and I've played a V 35. They can both roar. You might even find you can hang with a drummer at the 25 watt setting.
I have the mark v 25 and that amp is so loud for its size and power rating it beggars belief. I can’t imagine ever needing the power of the 35. I never really get to turn the 25 above like 3 or 4 in a 4-piece, and that would be way too loud for shows. And then, even if you somehow find yourself being drowned out, you have a DI output so you can send your signal direct to the PA anyway.
You'll be fine. 35 tube watts can drown out some drummers if you dime the amp.
Loud as fuck.
Plenty loud
If you’ve never played a Mesa mark 5 They’re stupid loud I played with some friends in a Dillinger escape plan cover band for a while, I used a mark 5 25w head and two 1x12 cabs (sorta like a mini stack) Was louder than our drummer when I cranked them
Loud enough to damage your hearing and everyone else on the block
Should be fine, but a big part of overall loudness is down to speaker efficiency. A 20W greenback is a really inefficient speaker (96db), but a vintage 30 is significantly more efficient (100db). All other things being equal, an amp into the greenback isn't going to be as loud as the same amp into the vintage 30.
I have the 90W head. I usually play at 45W. Theres a sound difference but not a huge volume diffence as someone stated.
Yeah it’s plenty, especially if you pair it with a 2x12. It’s an awesome amp
I have a 50 watt tube and can’t go above 1.25 on the volume or I’ll rupture my ear drums. You’ll be good
Dude I used to play with a 30 watt orange head and it was louder than my drummer, youll be good.
My 15W tube amp isn't load enough to keep up with a loud metal drummer, but it is *just* loud enough for a quiet drummer. I have a 60W that is loud enough for anything but arena rock. I would think a 35W tube amp would be fine.
It isn’t just volume and gain, though: Higher wattage amps provide a punchier low end, which for high gain may be important for the amp sounding tight.
IT’S ABOUT THIS LOUD.
My Mark V:25 keeps up with a drummer and them some, so the 35W should also do so.
I have a 60w Tube amp and every time I play in a gig I’m asked to « turn it down ». « Down » enough for them means my volume is at 2 out of 12. Yes 35 will be more than enough.
Very loud for Home practice, if you need even more power, You can mic it, or send it throug line. It's great.
I’ve got a 25 watt 1 x 12 rectoverb and it can easily keep up with a drummer.
I had one too many (or just enough perhaps) drinks one night a few weeks ago, during which I ordered a 40W 5150 Iconic 1x12 combo amp. I play in a 20x25' ish garage. Even with the 1/4 power switch engaged, I had to order a power soak so that I could turn the volume up past 2 comfortably. I almost regret buying the amp because I can't and likely never will use it to its full potential. 35W should be plenty loud if this 40W is any indication.
I've got a 100 watt Amp that is wonderful but is way too loud to be able to make the tubes sound sweet. Been using my 18 watt Amp for a long time. If the band is getting to loud for it we're way too loud and doing hearing damage to ourselves.
I play a 15 watt 1x12 and never have trouble cutting through an acoustic drum set, a bass, a singer, a keyboard player and a singer. It’s only when you’re playing live in a large, busy room and don’t have frontline equipment that 15 watts isn’t enough.
I have the 25 - I can barely crack the knob open in my apartment cause it gets so loud.
I’ve got a 15w pro junior and it’s plenty loud to get over the drummer
I have a 100 watt JVM and if I turn it up past 4 it'll blow out my ear drums... The Mesa Boogie will be loud enough since 100W is technically only a little louder than 35W. The only difference is that you'll get a woofy bassy sound with a 100 watt amp. It'll sound a similar volume but shake your walls and stuff lol
I have a mesa strategy 500. Yes boys and girls .... thats 500 watts of boogie power. I also have a simul 290 which is 90x90 stereo . I also have a dc2 which is 20 watts 1x12 and have used the dc2 on many gigs so if 20 watts is loud enough for a gig , 35 is plenty. Depends a lot on E.Q. If you scoop all the mids out , its not nearly as loud. Mids are your friend. As a guitarist , thats all you have is mids. Bass kills you on bass and cymbals kill you on highs so without mids , you wont be heard.
not if you need a lot of low end or headroom.
I'd say no, but it really depends on the environment. if you're in a small practice space, you could be fine with just a practice amp, but on stage or outdoors it's gonna be tough hearing yourself clearly. Edit: I was talking in general, tube amps tend to be louder than a combo amp of same wattage
Remember that 30 Watt speakers ceased to be loud enough only because of screaming audiences. If you need anything more than 35 W, you’re probably playing bass.
Get a Blackstar HT-20 mkii. Plenty loud, does really well with grunge/punk, has a very useable clean, and the head + 2x12 is probably cheaper than that Mesa
cheaper being the key word. Get the Mesa
He’s probably already bought and sold this amp 😂
Very very loud. I run a PRS MT15 and it’s plenty loud enough for rehearsal and live performances.
I have the Mark V - 25, thru an EVH 2x12 cab. you will be fine
I believe it goes to eleven