I have the opportunity to buy an amp and a head for $600. This is well within my price range, but I don't need 100 watts. Should I buy the amp? Could it hurt if the amp is way within my range? I don't do a lot of gigging. Should I wait and just get a combo instead?

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from: hrh

SRV. nuff said.

Sadly, I don't think there are many places left these days where you can crank a 100 watt head up to the point it's really singing.

My most powerful amp is 50w these days, most of the time I use lower wattage amps and mic them up as required for the gig. Gone are the days when I had a big old 100w non-master volume Marshall JCM800 and two 4x12" cabs at levels which would threaten to physically push you across the stage.

My hearing, however, will be eternally grateful, as will my back.

+1 on all counts!

My "arsenal" still includes a pair of Twin Reverbs and a Dual Showman but most of my work now centers around a Vibroverb or a Spankmaster Reverb.

The big stacks sure look cool though.



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

What 100 watt rig are you buying for $600.00. Some deals are too good to pass up. After all if it has a volume knob it's all good

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Keep in mind, if your going to be lugging it around regularly, it is another component to carry compared to a combo. A heavy component at that.

That said, I use a 100watt head and cabinet regularly and lug it around a few times a month.

Why are you even asking the question?

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Bill

I made this same mistake. Found a huge, wonderful, 100W tube head and cab for cheap. Bought it. Loved it! Couldn't play it very often. It was great to have, but what I should have done was buy something that I could actually use on a regular basis. Sold it. Only buy what you can use. I know we all have that "bigger is better" attitude, but it just isn't always the case.

50 watts and 2 twelves is MORE than enough for even a loud band,
25 - 35 watts and a single twelve is a more reasonable and usable rig.

Like Martian says that's IMO and YMMV.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

The only way that I would consider a 100 W 1/2 stack if I was in your position,is if it had a master volume control. With a master volume you have at least some way of controlling the beast and still get a good overdrive sound at a reasonable volume.If it has no master volume you'll never get amp driven distortion unless you are prepared to unleash its full power and that's unlikely unless you are playing a Woodstock like venue or you are profoundly deaf.

If you are prepared to lug around a 100lb. 4-12 cabinet whenever you leave the house for a jam etc. and have a vehicle large enough to carry it,and it has a master volume-go for it-otherwise wait until a nice 50W combo like the Marshall JCM 800 4210 comes your way.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I agree with all. 100w is just so much. 20 watt tube combo would be my limit. Had an all tube 50 watt 1x15 and it was to much for me. I'm thinking like 5-15 watts for my next amp. I remember the days of full stacks and 10 min. guitar solos, my ears are still ringing.

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My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.

Just so you know, I love my little 15W USA Fender Pro Junior. It's such a basic little amp but I can do so much with it. It breaks up well when you throw the volume up and it also takes pedals very well. Tone. That creamy Fender Tone is so evident when you plug into it. I can play anything from jazz to hard rock with the amp. Best amp I have owned and I've been through quite a few. It gets loud enough for me in my home and if I ever need more volume, I'd mic it.

I bought a Fender Blues Junior III 15 watt tube amp a few weeks ago, it was 519.00 and it is LOUD LOUD LOUD, If I crank the master volume up to max and use the regular volume to adjust how loud I want it, I can put it on about 6 before I have to leave the room, its that loud!!!!

Yeah, surely you do know the answer without asking.

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The quintessential sound of 60/70's R&R:
Fender Tube Amps
Gibson Guitars

Get a good amp 50 watt or less , you will end up micing that at most venues now days.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY