50w Head Versus 100w head

[Strat+Marshall]

I like 50 watt Marshalls more. I understand why people dig the 100w more but a good 50w seems to have a little something extra in the midrange.

I have never really cared for 1/2 power mode on any amp.

I like 100W but not for added bass or thump, it's just a feel thing, a 50W always feels stiffer playing to me. As far as 1/2 power, I totally agree, never liked any amplifier in 1/2 power mode that had the feature.

The main reason I like (marshall) 50W is for solos sound and feel. I usually play strats and they seem to match up better with a 50w. I appreciate the 100W way more for the added clarity and bottom on rhythm parts (which I like using LPs for) unless I am going for a nastier rock rhythm tone. It just comes down to application for me.


Having said that, I own 2 50 watters (2204 and 1987) that I would trust to do just about anything anywhere so it taints my loyalty.

 

[blackba]

I have tried every way possible and i can't make 50w work for me in a band situation, not with a loud drummer anyway. 100watts just work much better for what i need and i never have any worries about cutting through in the mix with 100watts I prefer the feel too, a bit more articulate overall with more headroom!

Can you please explain why the 50Watters don't work? Did you run out of head room with the 50Watt amps?

I am also curious if you guys have trouble taming your 50Watt or 100Watt amps in bars. I often find that in a gig situation at a bar (or small venue), I set my amp at a lower volume than at practice. So at the bar, I find my amp is loafing and naturally doesn't sound as good.

 

[Tuco]

I always run my Dual Recto not in 100w or in 50w, but in 25w. Even in rehearsals; hell, even live!

At home, I can't reach the sweet spot without melting my ears even at 50w. In rehearsals and on stage, I have to dial the volume higher, up to noon, but that's it. The bass response is fair enough even without a 4x12" cab... it's a guitar, not a bass, after all. I'm yet to see the point of more wattage

 

[MrDan666]

Can you please explain why the 50Watters don't work? Did you run out of head room with the 50Watt amps?

I am also curious if you guys have trouble taming your 50Watt or 100Watt amps in bars. I often find that in a gig situation at a bar (or small venue), I set my amp at a lower volume than at practice. So at the bar, I find my amp is loafing and naturally doesn't sound as good.

Well i find that i run out of headroom before it gets loud enough, when i used 50w Marshalls. Whereas with my 100w JMP's, i can get the volume loud enough and still retain plenty of headroom.

The 50watts turn ugly sounding when you get the Master Volume around the 2 o clock mark. To get that amount of volume with the 100w, i only need to have the Master at around 11 o clock or so, and it retains decent headroom right up to the 2 o clock mark on the Master.

This is partly due to the transformers used in older Marshalls though, i spoke with Mike Fortin about the issue. I do believe that his production amps can be ran pretty much flat out volume-wise and not turn ugly sounding, due to his transformers he uses

 

[hunter]

+1 for bigger transformers and that it has significant impact on punch, cut and string clarity.
Also when playing big chords I have the feeling 4 tubes add a bit more complexity in the mids than 2, but I might be sniffing cork here.

100W all the way for me.

 

[nbarts]

For some reason I dig 50wt Marshalls better, they sounds sweeter to my ear. For amps that have a lot of saturation I prefer 6 power tube options over 4. Triple rec is always ballsier than a dual rec to my ear & the power section of Herbert is AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! One thing that Uberschall seemed to be missing was a stronger power amp, 4 power tubes just were not enough for that amp when played loud.

 

[PentatonicPunk]

I have always been a 100 Watt guy until I found a Cornford MK50. Which was designed as a 50 watter from the ground up. Amazing amp and has changed my mind on 50 watters for ever. My Bogner Ecstasy fills the 100 watt void, but I would not think twice about another 50 watter. In fact my 2204 just went to Dave Bray!

 

[CaseyCor]

I've always liked lower wattage stuff. 25-50 watts for me

I want to build a small box 15 watt plexi w/ a effects loop, and have Brey or Fortin mod it. I wonder if he would do it?