Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

That's right, I have a chance to jam with a classic rock/blues band who is all over the age of 30. They're looking for a rhythm guitarist and the female bassist recommended me. For this one jam, I'm only allowed to bring one guitar, so I'll bring my Strat.

Amp wise, I was told that I have to have something at least 50 watts and over 100. When I mentioned my Deluxe Reverb, I was asked how many watts it was. I said 22, and she laughed and said, "That won't get you anywhere". If I'm in the band, I better hunt an extension cab...or a Super Reverb...

Pretty demanding group of Old People, Jake.

Don't know how accurate this is, but the rule of thumb I've heard is that tube power = roughly 2x solid state power.

Best of luck

dpowell wrote:Don't know how accurate this is, but the rule of thumb I've heard is that tube power = roughly 2x solid state power.

I don't think that's too far off, at least as far as sonic perceptions go, but I can name several SS amps that way outperform that rule of thumb, and one is a Rickenbacker SS amp. I can also name one that illustrates "weakness despite watts"--the old SS VOX Berkeley III.

Anyway, very few vintage SS amps will put out the grunt of a tube amp of the same era. In terms of newer stuff, my AD 100 head is roughly equivalent to my AC50 head, at least in terms of perceived SPL, but the tube amp has PUNCH vs. the CLARITY of the SS.

Nothing new there.

JakeK wrote: If I'm in the band, I better hunt an extension cab...or a Super Reverb...

Jake, an extension cab won't increase the wattage on your Deluxe; the Super Reverb is rated "in the book" at 40 watts, but if you crank it up past "7" it should be loud enough (and then some) to get you there.

They're making wattage demands without having heard your rig in the mix? Tell 'em to go suck a lemon.

Yeah. If they're really that hung up on wattage, tell 'em your amp has been "tuned up" to give out a lot more power. If you go and play and nobody can hear you, get a new amp, otherwise, if it works, who cares?

I've never gone anywhere with only one guitar. What kind of rule is that?

They seem a little arbitrary and demanding. Proceed with caution.

Never trust anyone over 30. Whoops I forgot I'm in my forties now...

tyarbrough wrote:Never trust anyone over 30. Whoops I forgot I'm in my forties now...

Best of luck with the audition, Jake-o !

tyarbrough wrote:Never trust anyone over 30. Whoops I forgot I'm in my forties now...

Yeah, people over 30 are just jealous they're not below 30 anymore!

At first my mind read the topic as "with over 25 people" and it wondered if you joined a collective!

Anjoy the jamming Jake! Maybe old folks aren;t that bad to play with

Good luck and don't worry. If the playing is good when you're together, everything else can sort itself out. In a worst case scenario, you'll have a case of "Justifiable GAS".

JakeK wrote:... Amp wise, I was told that I have to have something at least 50 watts and over 100. When I mentioned my Deluxe Reverb, I was asked how many watts it was. I said 22, and she laughed and said, "That won't get you anywhere". If I'm in the band, I better hunt an extension cab...or a Super Reverb...

It's hard for me to believe that someone over 30 had to ask what the wattage a Deluxe Reverb had. Anyways, good luck on the audition.