I gig without an amp--a Line6 X3 direct to the PA. We use in-ear monitors with individual mix stations (8-channel HearBacks)

But at home I use a Fender Princeton (15 watts) or an Atomic Reactor (18 watts). I regularly turn them up to 7; and 10 isn't much louder than 7, just more tube sag and distortion goodness.

Go loud or go home……….

I use some volume but only go max about once a month to remove the dust from the speakers.

_________________
(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!

I love overdriven tube sounds (I found a quote by The Hives on their website describing how they get their recording sounds: "Basically, if you can get something that's not supposed to distort, to distort, you're pretty much there."), but haven't had the Bassman past about 4 yet as I'm also in an apartment-condo arrangement at the moment, and more importantly haven't invested in either ear plugs or an attenuator.

I love this thread because I learned the new word "dimed".

A friend a few weeks ago said that he'd heard a stat about power tools that people buy like chainsaws and sanders and etc., that most of them are on for only about 12 minutes in their entire working life. I don't want my amp to be like this, so will try to take it for a spin this weekend.

_________________
2008 MIM Strat w 3-tone sunburst
2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
Gretsch 6120DS (on loan)

Most I've gone is 4 on my Hot Rod Deluxe. Seems plenty to get over the drums.

_________________
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

I, too have the DeVille 410 and can occasionally get it to 4 - with the guitar volume knob up, but I'm in my dedicated room, with the doors closed and the dogs outside.
I usually run it around 6 with the volume on the guitar set very low.
I have been wondering about how some of the selectable power units work but haven't taken the time to try one yet.

I was at BBuy today and it was so loud that I was able to play a Fender 600 at full volume but didn't hear it distort. I sounded pretty clean. So I don't see the point in playing full volume. You could use an overdrive pedal at a lower volume.

I also tried a Vox AD15VT-XL 15-watt they had on sale for $78.00 as a tube amp. The only tube it has is a small triode they use for effects otherwise it is solid state. The 30-watt has an actual 12AX7 tube but I don't think it is used for output as in the Fender Cyber Champ. Of course there is a big price difference between the Vox $138 and the Champ $2 hundred and something.

I was very impressed with the Vox/Korg effects/amp emulators but I think I will also pass and hold out for a Mesa 5/50 or a Deville if I ever get that kind of flow.

Only when my wife and two girls aren't home! And sometimes my son even complains to turn it down.

_________________
Today is only yesterday's tomorrow

I have an Atomic Reactor 18 watts and a Fender Princeton 15 watts. I can turn those babies up wide-open with no problem. They're loud but not painful.

I also have a 30-watt amp that is too loud to crank in the house.

http://www.fractalaudio.com/index.html (the atomic amp)

I don't crank my amp too often, but I have a sure-fire way of knowing when it's too loud. I keep my Intellitouch guitar tuner clamped to the pole of my music stand when I'm not using it. When the music's really loud, the tuner starts sliding down the pole.

_________________
I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I crank my 18 watter once a month, just for fun. If I play with a loud drummer, I might actually have to dial it all they way up then too, but most often, the volume is set to 5-7 for a gig.

_________________
I have Free Guitar Lessons at www.Dolphinstreet.com

Never, unless I want to get thrown out of my apartment. I have a 50 watt Paul Ruby Trainwreck Rocket clone; like all Trainwrecks and clones, it's putting out over 100 decibels at volume level 1..above that it gets scary.
I just received a Carol-Ann OD2 100 in a trade, and that is even scarier, even with the master volume down.

_________________
Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

Since i live by myself , my bassman and super reverb very rarely see anything below 3 on the volume dial except when i gig sometimes i need to turn it down more if the stage volume gets too high.

Sweet Dumble clone. Mike

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Whenever I feel like it. With the Twin I need to be in another room. The Egnater cranks really nice too. Even in the 1 watt setting.

This made me laugh.

_________________
The ultimate Rolling Stones experience!
https://www.facebook.com/TheMainStreetExiles