Lightweight amps - clarity in power ratings

[JPJ]

What we need is a standardised Basschat 'loudness' test.

I'm guessing that 80% of Basschat members play the pub/small club circuit (10% play bigger venues, 10% play in their bedroom) so our test chamber could be the 'Dog & Sproat with an audience of 5 - 50 punters (including wives, mothers, girlfriends).

Next we need what we're up against, and judging from the NE scene we need 2 x 100w Marshall equipped guitarists who genuinely believe they will damage their amp if they play at anything less than 10 on the volume knob. Then add a loud drummer with poor/no technique (think Animal from the Muppets).

Then we need a 'standard song' and without wishing to be to controvertial, if you've played in bands for any length of time you will have played this one, so let's say choose the timeless classic 'Mustang Sally' (north eastern members may substitute 'the Hunter').

Then we need an unbiased way of measuring loudness. We could faff about with spectrum analysers/noise meters etc but it would probably best to use another bass player (unbiased) to stand at various locations in the venue and see if he/she can hear what the bass player is playing and report his/her findings on a scientific scale of say:
1-25 Inaudible in most passages;
26-50 detectable but needed a trained ear;
51-75 sat nicely in the mix;
76-100 completely overpowered all other instruments (just the way it should be)

This is just an outline proposal. Please feel free to add your own suggested improvements.......

[Mr. Foxen]

All of the SPL and loudness comes from the cab, so the amp has no meaning without a specific cab.

[stingrayPete1977]

Science is boring though, I prefer Jpj's method

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1346585938' post='1790792']
What we need is a standardised Basschat 'loudness'

...

Then we need an unbiased way of measuring loudness. We could faff about with spectrum analysers/noise meters etc but it would probably best to use another bass player (unbiased)...

.....

This is just an outline proposal. Please feel free to add your own suggested improvements.....
[/quote]

Where are you going to find an unbiased bass player? Surely s/he will be too busy criticising the bass tone and saying 'I would have played that better...'