Volume Tamer

Manitou

Is anyone using a Volume attenuator?
I really love my 50w tube amp cranked, but most of the time,
I'm trying to find the right knob combination's at lower volumes
to still get that distortion and saturation one wants from a tube,
at levels you can live with in a small room.

Rawb

I don't , was going to get one once. But as usuall they wanted to order it, but take my money too. I was/am never fond of going home with nothing and yet still out cash! So I came home with a gnx :shock:

Though I am quite happy with my gnx, there is something about a really excited tube 8) <---- not a euphemism. But I have wondered if it is the same as a gnx or any other modeler without the nut vibrating volume, that keeps us guitar slingers in a euphoriant bliss while losing our hearing :P

GStrickler

<div style="displaynone">fiogf49gjkf0d</div>Go to Ebay and search on Omnisonic. You can get one there for under $20. I used it when I had my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe to tame it down. It seemed to work ok. And this guy's attenuator is way less than anything you can buy in a music store.

Manitou

I'm just now learning about these gadgets, but I think that Omnisonic is just a volume control.
I think the ones that install (before the master volume) in the effects loop, just give you a more gradual volume adjustment. My amps volume control, goes from weak to loud by barely touching the control. I have a soak and can fiddle with my adjustments enough to where I get some saturation and distortion, at a low volume, but it sucks compared to cranking the amp, and making those tubes come alive.
(as God intended)

What I'm interested in, is a \"real\" output attenuator. (cost about $200-400) They are much more expensive, and hook up after the master volume between the amps output and the speakers. Then you can get full tube-ifacation, at lower volumes. I'm looking for what my amp creates at full volume, turned down to a bedroom volume, but without loosing any face melting, plaster cracking funkadelus...even at volume 1.

Just wondering if anyone here has used one of these gizmos, and what they thought of them.
I'm having trouble getting sold on this idea, or if it's really what I'm looking for.
I hear some lesson videos by some of the Pro's, and I think they are using a power attenuator, and no doubt some other gear I can't afford, but they seem to get big tube amp characteristics at a low volume.

Here is one example I'm considering. THD Hot Plate Attenuator
I'd need the 4ohm as I'm running my Carvin 50w into a Crate 4x10 closed back cabinet. (disconnected the 2x12's)
I wish this THD Hot Plate Attenuator had variable impedance. (but no biggie)

There is also this Koch Loadbox II, which claims no loss of tone. Koch Loadbox II
Guess I'd really have to love my tube amp for the cost of this doohicky. Again, no variable impedance.

Manitou

I've been searching around for more thoughts, and came across this article in Guitar Nuts which helps me understand some things a little better.

But I'm not sure I feel better, or have any answers really.
If I didn't own this tube amp, and have it sitting right next to my S/S amps and modelers for me to compare with, I'd be so much better off.
My tubes cranked just make S/S amps with all the digital or analog effects sound like crap. But then the volume has to be up higher than I care for.
The S/S amps are good, and with the multi-effects, I'm the only real critic.

I've had all this gear for the last 4 years, before Obama was elected, and I was happy with it.
Maybe the real problem I'm having is the gubbermint is driving me crazy, and none of my equipment deserve my unrest.
Why....yesterday, I even used my Les Paul like a real axe to open my bedroom door, to just belittle my Carvin's tone.

Manitou

\GStrickler\ wrote:

Go to Ebay and search on Omnisonic. You can get one there for under $20. I used it when I had my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe to tame it down. It seemed to work ok.

Seems this is the right direction for me to take, if I want more volume control. I've been digging into this subject, and finding out, if your amp has a \"soak\" control, that is the same as a power attenuator. My Carvin does have this, as do quite a few tube amps.

My Carvin amp (like most Fender tube amps) has very little taper to the volume control, and for that matter, not many of the combo amps, except for some custom boutique have a master volume control. I can adjust the volume down low and with my soak, get some of the tube overdrive I want. But the control is very touchy, and goes from weak to loud, so you have to \"fiddle\" with it. What would make things nicer for me will just be one of those $20 volume controls that install in the effects loop. They have lots more taper, and lower volume control to work with.

Another consideration, I've learned, is if I am going to run my amp at higher volume, and cut it back at the speaker to a bedroom volume level, I am going to LOVE the tube harmonic's, but burn through my tubes faster. I'd need to bias the tubes to run more balanced and cooler, which would help get more use out of them. That's allot of tubes...
5-- 12AX7 Groove Tubes
4-- EL84 matched output Groove Tubes
Fortunately, I also came across this great PDF pictorial guide on Biasing Tube Amps (a couple years ago)... if you are interested.
http://www.carvinmuseum.com/pdf/Ka-Boom_v1a.pdf
8)

Last thought I have is considering a smaller tube amp, which will run a 1x12 cabinet, and have less tubes to replace. I'm not sure yet if that is really any consideration.
I might start looking for a decent smaller amp, that runs just 1 x 12AX7 and 1 x EL84 tube in pure Class A. That would save allot on tube replacement. I just know I'm going to figure a way to run a tube amp at full volume, now that I'm learning more about attenuation. :P

partch

Hey Manatou you need a Mesa 5:50 8) That will solve your problems! Just flip the switch on the back walla 5 watt pure class A sounds like a totally different amp then when it is 50 watt & much more quite like you need from the sounds of it. Don't know what your budget is BUT man it is sweet & versatile 8)

BettyBoo

I tried a THD Hot Plate with my Rivera KR7 head and I wasn't real impressed with it. Sure it drops the volume a bit but it affected the tone quite a lot. Considering the big money I paid for this head I'm not about to have something that sacrafices the great tones it puts out. So I went about it the other way.......I just put soundproofing on the garage walls instead!!

BBoo

guitar3456

We had a guy come in and lay tracks with a Blackstar HT-5 which had some decent Marshall vibe for a budget amp. It was like a Tiny Terror with an added clean ch. Clean ch was pretty good too. Very impressive mass production amp. Gig worthy if you mic it, but its intent is low volume anyway... bedroom amp. If you have an E-drummer, you are good to go.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blackstar-HT-Series-HT5H-5W-Tube-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=483560



The PowerBrake or Hot Plate do seem to add their own unique color. Not so much that you can't work around it though... but it will change somewhat since those big old power resistors internally are limiting the voicing/range or speaker motion of your cab speakers.