[chrose1201]

Semi generic question with few details. Gut answers please. I have a 20W amp, I can get essentially the same amp but in a 40W version for an extra $300. Is it worth it? Brand doesn't matter.
Would you go for the extra wattage knowing that "for the most part" the 20W will get you where you need to go, but what if....? Thanks

 

[jono]

My question would be - is the speaker the same size?

I'm a great believer that even a practice combo at home should have a big speaker. So if it was 8" in the 20W and 12" in the 40W, I'd personally pay the extra $300. Size matters

 

[chrose1201]

Makes sense, except in this case it is a gigging amp. Mostly smaller venues maybe some bigger ones on occasion. I purposely left out details of the amp as this is purely a money question.
It's probably a dumb question. The 20W is really loud and would be for most things, I myself don't necessarily need a lot of headroom, but I think I'm being foolish by not looking at the "what ifs". If I get the 40W and I don't need it I still have it. If I stick with a 20W and I need 40W I'm stuck. I'm just trying to convince myself
Thanks

 

[jono]

I haven't gigged for years, but the golden rule used to be that unless you're going through the PA (A lot more common these days) you need at least 50W and a 12" speaker. So from the two you're looking at, just for onstage volume the 40 is probably going to be worth $300 more.

 

[Formerly Given To Fly]

If you actually have the 20 watt version stick with that. The hassle of switching amps is always more expensive than anticipated. 8O

 

[LonePhantom]

I've gigged live with a Blackstar HT-5 5W head, and an Orange Jim Root Terror 15W head, and a 1x12" combo. If the speaker size is deemed sufficient (if a combo), and the control set on the amp does what you need then most will be fine with a 20 watt amp.

 

[Formerly Given To Fly]

Bogner recently released the Ecstasy 3534 which is a smaller version of the Ecstasy. You will need to Google it because Bogner’s website has no information.

I follow Mesa/Boogie and Bogner because they make high-quality useful products. (Other companies do to.) One overall trait these amps seem to have acquired within the past 5 - 10 years is overall usability. A 50 watt 1x12 combo like the Mesa TC-50 will work well as a practice amp, a performance amp, a portable amp (56 lbs. for a Mesa combo is pretty amazing) and it handles everything really well. That is just one example but the point is most tube amps are still too loud, but they can also be whatever volume you need them to be. That was not always the case.

 

[ericbourassa]

i once went to Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney TX and asked why get a 50w head when I only need 20w. they explained that even turned down, bigger amps sound bigger. it may be same electronics and build quality but the extra wattage does change the feel of the size of the amp. i got to hear it firsthand and it makes sense