Why are bass amps more powerful than guitar amps?

Question

When it comes to guitar amps, 15–100 watts seems to be the common amps people are buying, using. Basement show guitarists are driving half stacks with 50–100 watt amps.

But bass amps are much higher. Ampeg’s most popular amp is a 300 watt, and 500–800 watt amps don’t really seem uncommon.

So what’s the functional need for so much more power in a bass amp than a guitar amp?

In: 4

Answer 1

It takes more power to push a driver cone that needs more displacement to produce low frequency waves.