Author Topic: Attenuator for my Epiphone Valve JR Head? (Read 5453 times)

Shag101 · « **on:** November 14, 2006, 07:41:59 PM »

Hi Guys,

I got a question. Should I or should I not buy the Weber MicroMASS - 15W? I am trying to get a nice tone for bedroom playing at a low volume.
I bought the epiphone valve jr 5 watt head and have it attached to a 2x12 cabinet @ 8ohms. When I played it in the store, I got a nice crunch with the
volume to the max. Obviously when I brought it home, I am not able to turn it to max. I can only go to about 1/4 up at best.
If I buy the MicroMASS, do you think I can get that full blown crunch but at a low volume?
I hear some people like to use attenuator's, but only in like a band situation. They say for the house, you have to attenuate too much and loose a lot
of tone.
What do you guys think? thanks

Chris

Hell Hound · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:23:20 PM »

Get yourself a 12v 7w light bulb, wire it in serie with the output and TADAAAA you got your attenuator, with a nice organic compression as a bonus.
It was a very common mod in the 60's, still works great hehe

Shag101 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:38:36 PM »

Quote from: Hell Hound

Get yourself a 12v 7w light bulb, wire it in serie with the output and TADAAAA you got your attenuator, with a nice organic compression as a bonus.
It was a very common mod in the 60's, still works great hehe

Sounds pretty cool.
Now to find a website that shows me how to do it with pictures, since that is totally not my field.

genocidal tendencies · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:43:15 PM »

http://valvejunior.com/

That's an idea I really want to try, although I'm more interested in using a few smaller bulbs, possibly arranged to make the amp look like a Dalek.

indysmith · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:57:28 PM »

Quote from: genocidal tendencies

http://valvejunior.com/

That's an idea I really want to try, although I'm more interested in using a few smaller bulbs, possibly arranged to make the amp look like a Dalek.

LOL be sure to let me know how that goes!!!

Shag101 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:59:59 PM »

I went to the bottom of the page and in the forum (More attenuation with transformer?) topic was interesting.

THANKS for the info.

Twinfan · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2006, 10:51:32 PM »

Why not get a pedal and stick it in front? Works for me. I use a Marshall BB-2 or Drive Master depending on my mood, plus I have a fuzz and treble booster coming via Santa :D

DeanS · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2006, 12:00:18 AM »

I'm using a micro mass with a Cornford Harly and a Nano mainly as a load box for DI /speaker simulator recording use. When attenuated down to bedroom levels the sound is nothing like the normal sound- really flat and toneless.

Shag101 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2006, 01:10:30 AM »

Quote from: DeanS

I'm using a micro mass with a Cornford Harly and a Nano mainly as a load box for DI /speaker simulator recording use. When attenuated down to bedroom levels the sound is nothing like the normal sound- really flat and toneless.

Thats what I thought. thanks!!

Shag101 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:32:48 PM »

Quote from: Hell Hound

Get yourself a 12v 7w light bulb, wire it in serie with the output and TADAAAA you got your attenuator, with a nice organic compression as a bonus.
It was a very common mod in the 60's, still works great hehe

Quick question to see if i'm correct.

I have a lamp chord going from my head to cabinet. If I cut the (-) of the lamp chord. Hook the (+) of the bulb to the (-) going to the cabinet. Then connect the (-) of the bulb to the (+) going back to the amp.

Is that how I hookup the bulb, or does it need to hookup some place else. thanks!