![]() You may encounter some break-up even on a clean channel. ![]() This depends on the amp of course but do not expect a decent loud clean tone with a low watt tube amp. Saying that however, a low wattage amp even on a clean channel will be unlikely to produce a clear, and pristine clean tone at a reasonable level due to its low wattage. Low watt amps simply function to achieve break-up and distortion without having to push the amps master volume above a volume that will be annoying the neighbors. Hence why tube amps designed strictly for bedroom use are designed to be around the 1-10 watts range. Function of a Low Watt Tube AmpĪ 5-watt tube amp will distort at much lower volumes say than a 50-watt tube amp. (Side note) have you wanted to know what amps sound best at low volumes? I recommend you read this post on solid states sounding better at low volumes when it comes to bedroom amplifiers. Mainly because most solid state amps include digital elements to their distortion that can sound ‘processed’ and ‘harsh’ on the ears when they are turned up to a high volume for live playing. Whereas, (in my opinion) solid state amps sound better when they are tamed at lower volumes and cannot re-create that true tube distortion sound at higher volumes (especially at gigging volumes. The notion is that valve amps sound increasingly better the harder you push them to that so-called ‘sweet spot’ of natural warm valve distortion that all players love. To achieve a nice amount of distortion and saturation with a 50-watt amp you will need to reach a very loud volume which is why high watt amps do not make the best bedroom amps. Wattage is an indication of an amps available amount of ‘headroom.’ For all of you unsure, ‘headroom’ is a term to describe how quickly an amp will distort and break up for the sound of distortion the more the master volume is increased.Īn amp that is 10 watts, for example, will begin to distort much quicker than a 50-watt amp that will need a significantly more volume to push the housed power tubes creating sweet valve distortion and saturation. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Are low wattage guitar amps BETTER than high watt amps? () Remember Wattage = Headroom So what is the main feature that separates a low watt and high wattage valve amplifier? This Video Explains All (Watch Below) So the notion that a low watt tube amp is twice as loud as a high watt tube amp is completely false. Regardless, that’s not exactly a bucket load of volume and certainly not twice the volume of the lower watt amp. ![]() How much additional volume depends on many factors already mentioned which are circuitry, preamp tubes, power tubes, speakers, the guitar used etc. I agree the 40-watt amp will have slightly more volume potential than the 20-watt amp but the volume differences are not exactly night and day.Ī 40-watt amp may only produce an additional range of 3-10 decibels of volume than a 20-watt amp when both amps master volumes are maxed out. The truth is that both a 20-watt and 40-watt amp will produce similar volumes when maxed out measured on a decibel meter. But in reality, this is far from the case. It’s understandable why this idea can be misunderstood with players new to guitar amplifiers. These include…Ī common misconception I often hear between guitar players is the simple concept that ‘a 40-watt amp is twice as loud as a 20-watt amp.’ This is because there’s many characteristics of an amps design and other factors that determine how loud it can peak regardless of wattage. In reality, wattage is not exactly the best indicator of loudness and does not paint a full picture when it comes to an amps volume potential. “I need a louder amp so I must go for the higher wattage!” Not so fast there… Most players will assume the power and loudness of an amp based on how much wattage it’s packing. The obvious difference between a low and high watt tube amp is the ‘bread and butter’ difference in wattage.Ī ‘watt’ is simply a measurement of energy. Separating High and Low Wattage Tube Amps This post will discuss the differences between high watt and low watt valve amplifiers assisting your decision when it comes to function and tone. With my experience of the many tube amps I have owned in the past… With the vast sea of amplifiers to choose from, knowing your wattage when it comes to your ideal tube amp is a must know for any player.
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