Alternative to Antenuator? VOLUME-MIZER ?

[debutvm]

I am needing something to allow me to crank my tube amp up, and if this will get the job done it's a hell alot cheaper than an attenuator. What's the bassis behind this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7411030609&fromMakeTrack=true

Anybody have expierence with this?

[hairyandy]

I'm not sure but I would be VERY skeptical.  I've got a Hot Plate which I love, but it's a tad more expensive than that thing!     It's better to be safe than sorry in my book, especially if you've got a good, vintage tube amp.  Also, take a look at the Weber MASS attenuators.  They're supposed to be pretty good...

[R.G.]

From the sketchy description and the price, it's likely to be a volume pot in a box. Installing something with a knob in an effects loop that you use to turn down volume is remarkably like what you'd do with a pot in a box.

[hairyandy]

That's probably what it is, seeing as how it's in a 1590A box.  I just happened to be reading Bancika's website and came across his L-Pad:

http://www.storm-software.co.yu/diy/index.php?project=stuff

Maybe this is what he's doing?

[The Tone God]

Its a pot in the effects loop. Some one was selling something similar awhile back. Nothing special. The topic has been discussed before so if your interested do a search.

Andrew

[vanhansen]

That box is not the same as an attenuator.  All it's doing is putting another master volume in your effects loop.  If your amp has no master volume, then it may be useful if the amp also has an effects loop.  If it has a master volume and is touchy (1 being too loud still) then it can be useful.  It will not allow you to push the power tubes any harder while keeping levels down.

[debutvm]

i use a carvin mts3200 head that doesnt have a MV. Would this kill the amps tone? I have emailed the guy to give me a run down on whats going on in the pedal.
..

[vanhansen]

Actually, that amp does have a Master Volume.  It's the "Volume" control on the Lead channel.  The Clean channel has a Volume control as well.  The volume box will not help you.  If you're wanting to push your power tubes more then you need an attenuator, plain and simple.

[debutvm]

wierd. I thought a master volume was where you had two channel volumes as well as a master volume that controls the entire amp...Sorry for my newbiness.

[vanhansen]

Labellings can be misleading.  The volume on your Clean channel is actually a preamp volume at the front of the circuit.  But guess what, the gain control on the Lead channel is as well, and probably controls a few extra things as well.  The volume on the Lead channel is at the end of the preamp right before the signal goes to the phase invertor and on to the power amp.  This also happens to be where the effects loop is, between the end of the preamp and the master volume.

The clean channel is clean because the preamp/power amp aren't getting overdriven and there's probably a gain stage disabled to keep it clean.  Kick in the lead channel and the gain control comes in to play, the additional gain stage is added and that's where you get your distortion, from overdriving the preamp gain stages.  Power amp distortion, which we all love, comes from having the master volume open all the way or no master volume at all and the preamp cranked.  The phase invertor also adds to that wonderful sound.  The thing is, tube amps are just too dang loud to do this with at home.  That's where the attenuator comes in.  But, after so much attenuation, the amp will start to sound like it would without the attenuator and the master volume turned down.

If you're gigging and want a better tone from the amp but not kill the people near the stage, look in to an attenuator.  If you play at home, you honestly have the wrong amp for home use.