stupid question, how loud can these things get?

[Ian]

Hi Phil, JWD, …

Yes the reason it seems twice as loud is because a 180watt amp will produce 10dB more than an 18watt, and the average human ear perceives a 10db difference as approx twice as loud.

Lets take your example of 180w compared to 18w:- by definition the volume difference is Log[180/18];…. which equals Log [10] of course (ie simply because 180/18 = 10, obviously!). Then just get a set of Log tables & look up the value of Log[10], you’ll find it’s 1. That’s 1 “Belâ€

[JWD]

hey thanks... just what i was looking for! that sure staightens me out on my straight wattage=volume fixation! thanks a lot man!

[Ian]

Yeah, pay attention at the back, cos there’s a 3 hour written test paper on Friday, OK ? Only kidding, sorry if it sounded OTT – but simple points are:- twice the wattage gives only 3dB more. And to double the volume you need an amp ten times as big, wow !!

All the best,

Ian.

[dazco]

I'm using an all-tone 50w speaker. You guys have said in other threads that the 18 won't get very clean at average stage volumes. What if i use my EV12L? Will i then be able to get a somewhat clean sound using my guitar volume pot? Before you answer, note that i don't need or use totally clean sounds, but clean enough to sound almost totally clean when picked very lightly. Think JCM800 set to 2:00 on the pre gain with guitar volume (and a treble bypass cap on vol pot) at 5-6 with a strat's 2nd position for an idea of what i'm looking for.

[fzfwyv]

So, if I may, is this loudness thing really a decible level, or is it more of a headroom or possibly distortion thing particular to the amp itself? I'm flip flopping between building an AX84 P1 and the Marshall 18W. I cut my teeth on a Crate Vintage Club 50 (I hope I didn't just blaspheme here). I think it's rated at 40w. I still have it, but want to move on to something better. Just wondering how loud in comparison the two DIY amps would compare. However, I don't need volume as much as I need sweetness.

Hi there,

Nothing against the P1 at all, but I have heard the P1 and the 18 side by side and my vote is for the 18 watt. You will not be disappointed, plus with the right components (transformer set or even the kit from Graydon) the 18 is just so cool sounding. Best amp I've heard, in my opinion.

BTW, I've seen Billy Gibbons playing the Vintage Club 50 a few times: once on Jay Leno and another time on an awards show, so there's got to be something cool about that amp, tone-wise, if the Reverend uses it regularly!

-Rich

[bnwitt]

this"

http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos ... dness.html

[Ian]

Hi bnwitt,

Thanks for the useful link – yeah, if I read it correctly I think that paragraph immediately below their table of data agrees with what we’re saying, yeah

Ian.

Ps:- I only looked at the link for 10 sec., so maybe missed something vital (maybe I should pay more attention at the back LoL!).

[bnwitt]

I posted that link long before it showed up in the thread. There were seven more posts after mine that showed up in front of it. We must have all been posting at the same time.