Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Brow on November 27, 2005, 12:23:38 PM
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Hey guys.
In my thread asking about low wattage amps, a number of people mentioned that I should also consider buying a power attenuator to use with my current amps instead of buying a new, low watage amp.
What are my options when it comes to power attenuators?
I need something than can handle 30, 60w and 100w valve amps, be ohmage switchable (between 8/16 ohms would be fine) and not totally kill the tone of the amp.
The 3 options I've found so far are:
http://www.drzamps.com/airbrake.html
https://weberspeakerscom.secure.poww...weber/mass.htm
http://www.marshallamps.com/product....ductCode=PB100
I know there's also the THD Hotplate to consider, but they're not ohmage switchable so I'd have to buy both an 8ohm and a 16ohm unit.
Thanx for any help and advice
Craig
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The MASS is the only switchable one I think, the Dr Z is fixed, just like the THD! :(
The Powerbreak has the worst rep for tone loss :cry:
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apparently (according to _TOM_) the MASS is pretty rubbish too :cry:
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I called THD before I purchased my Hot Plate. I explained that I have one 8 ohm cab and one 16 ohm cab. They told me that as long as my head is set to 16 ohms, I could use both outputs of the 16 ohm Hot Plate without damaging anything.
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Some usefull links
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1036427&highlight=hotplate+mass
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1021295&highlight=hotplate+mass
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1091944&highlight=hotplate+mass
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There is this site: www.ultimateattenuator.com/ . You can read the reviews on Harmony Central. Good luck :)
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There is this site: www.ultimateattenuator.com/ . You can read the reviews on Harmony Central. Good luck :)
Looks great, but boy - that sure is pricey once yu've imported it!
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Thanx for the posts guys.
apparently (according to _TOM_) the MASS is pretty rubbish too :cry:
_Tom_ has the Mini Mass, not the Weber Mass. The Mini Mass has a lot less options and is also alot cheaper :)
The Ultimate Attenuator is totally out of my price range :? At the minute I'm currently going between the Weber Mass and the THD Hot Plate (providing I can mis-match the ohmage).
If I don't like the sound of my JTM60 combo after it's been repaired, I'll probably just sell it on and buy either the Cornell or Matamp low wattage amps which I mentioned in my other thread :)
Craig
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Forgot about the TAD - and I've got one. Excellent unit on a par with the Hotplate, only it's fixed impedance :( if you've had transformer problems with the Marshall I'd avoid a mismatch on the outputs! I'd be a bit wary of using a mismatched impedance at high volume, it'll probably be OK....just hope that you've got a well designed and built output transformer!
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i use the 100w Weber Mass.
Sounded really good with my JCM800, not had chance to test it with my Fireball (should be getting it next week!)
The Mass has a speaker inside it which is supposed to help.. and has tone controls for the line out, switchable ohms, high\low range switch, and switchable treble boost.
For the money its fantastic... i've never tried the hotplate.. but the guy who bought my JCM800 has been emailing me about my Mass, he doesnt seem to be getting on with his Hotplate & the JCM800 and wants to know if the Mass would be better....
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Thanx for the posts guys.
At this moment, I'm considering taking the easy way out and going for the 100w Weber Mass. Because it has the switchable Ohm settings and I wouldn't have to worry about blowing anything up by mis-matching in the wrong way :D
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Weber Mass seems pretty cool actually after reading about it. Not as good as HotPlate though...
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I saw the TAD Silencer in action a few days ago. With its clever toneshaping functions it was simply amazing. 8)
(http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/images/silencer.jpg)
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Thanx for the new posts guys.
As I need switchable impedance, and don't really want to risk mis-matching my amp, attenuator and speakers, I think my best (and only option that I've found) is to go for the 100w Weber Mass :D Unless anyone know of any other attenuators that have switchable impedance?
Craig
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You need to email THD about impedence.
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Strange thing is I got an email from THD telling me it was OK to mismatch as long as you don't run the amp loud..."but that's why I want an attenuator" I said... :(
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Strange thing is I got an email from THD telling me it was OK to mismatch as long as you don't run the amp loud..."but that's why I want an attenuator" I said... :(
LOL
I bet that's just to protect them leagally. I've had no problems whatsoever using differing cabs and the Hot Plate ... but I tend to be a bit more lucky than Brow. :)
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but I tend to be a bit more lucky than Brow. :)
Yeah, just lately you seem to! :shock:
Ah well, with all the bad luck I've had over the last few months, something good has gotta happen soon :roll:
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You sound like your going to turn into a blues player....
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You sound like your going to turn into a blues player....
I already try to be, it's just another thig I'm no good at! :twisted: :roll:
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You sound like your going to turn into a blues player....
Blues?!!
Same 5 notes over and over!!!
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You sound like your going to turn into a blues player....
Blues?!!
Same 5 notes over and over!!!
The same could be said for some shredding :lol:
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that's the same 12 notes over and over....
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that's the same 12 notes over and over....
As fast as you can...
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that's the same 12 notes over and over....
As fast as you can...
On a pink or bright green guitar! :twisted:
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that's the same 12 notes over and over....
As fast as you can...
I forgot that bit :twisted:
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Okay, people, it was a JOKE.
Nothing to see here ... carry on! :)
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I am saying nothing