(07-21-2015, 08:52 AM)Hangman Wrote: the Reverberocket 2 is a great amp. It definitely has the same issue as the gemini 1 in that it isn't really "small" but like the G12 it isn't a heavy amp. so its larger but light.
Gotcha. It's semantics.
I think of anything smaller than 1x10 as TINY, and/or anything that simply can't keep up with ANY drummer beyond a small quiet jazz setting as TINY.
Even some 1x10s kind of fit into "tiny" for me, with a princeton kind of on that line between being a tiny amp in some aspect, but it is occasionally usable with an even-handed drummer and select bands/genres/rooms without a PA, like the reverberocket 2 or a blackface deluxe.
Anything "smaller" to me qualifies as "tiny" -- more or less, an amp you will almost always need PA reinforcement, and otherwise it's more of a practice amp (which is how I use the reverberocket 2).
I think of anything 1x12 (maybe a really compact 1x15) as "small." Anything 2x12 [maybe even 2x10] for sure gets us out of the "small" category, for my semantically tastes.
Surprisingly, when I jam with buddies, using my V-4 that is only powering 2 power tubes, with the impedance switched properly for optimum output into the oversized 2x12 cab I use--I'm dead clean, but am at least approaching "pushing it" when there is a basement room with a drummer, a bass, and espcially if there is another instrument (keys, synths, 2nd guitar of some sort, etc). I shave a lot of highs to get smooth lead tone, and those high frequencies would ususally make that clean power "cut" more in a razorblade way, but since I trim that, it's all in the lows to high mids, not much past 3k(?) or so when gained out. Everything is relative.
THAT is a big loud guitar rig, and no one has ever gotten me to push it to the point that my straight/clean tone was even slightly (noticeably) clipping, but all that to say, with my tones and the way I play, a Super Reverb was occasionally getting gritty just trying to keep up in some situations, and the V4 with 2 power tubes or a fender Twin might have been the lowest power range I could "guarantee" I'd always be dead clean in any situation.
Side note - saw Dinosaur Jr open the other night, and there were 3 full marshall stacks. The drummer was not far away. The Drum sound sucked and was drowning for most songs (the ones that had no dynamics), and I could tell it was because when J. Mascis was using his normal "crunchy rhythm" or lead sounds, the amp power was bleeding into the drum mics. When they played "feel the pain" which actually has some clean/distorted dynamics, the drums were a lot better. Too loud can really ruin the whole mix, in which case, your tonal bliss of a cranked up 100 watt marshall (or two) might make the guitarist grin, but anyone listening might find the way it fits in the mix unusuable and yield the whole thing near listenable...
The "right size" amp is hard when amp volume and desired gain/tone are intertwined. Another reason I love my V-4 & 2x12 is it sounds good and dead clean at all necessary volume levels...of course, given the weight and bulk...well, it stays at home more often than not!!
Someone needs to re-explore the little-known "gerlitz" amp thing, where it's like a preamp (or two) driving a single ended power amp that can be 'cranked' but the signal is then fed to a built in solid state power amp for your real volume. An awesome concept/approach that is all-in-one if you like classic cranked marshall/vox/fenders and "power tube crunch" but fear PA/monitors being a major source of volume for hearing yourself.
