Your opinions on different attenuators...

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Hey all,

I was going to wait until next year to get a Marshall, but I decided to get it this year since it's the only thing I'm sure I want I'm pretty sure I want the 1987x reissue. The 1959SLP is too loud for me and the Bluesbreaker is too heavy for my weak self. But I still need the attenuator.

I'm going between the Weber MASS and the THD Hotplate. I have no experience with either, so I need some opinions from people who have used them. The guy on Legendary Tones said he likes the hotplate better for heavy attenuation, which makes me think I would rather have this. The same guy and Stevo both said the Mass can get fizzy at the highest levels of attenuation. Each seem to have their pros and cons. I like how the MASS is cheaper than the hotplate.

Any opinions are welcome

Chris

[some_dude]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

Comprehensive Attenuator Test: MASS vs. HotPlate

I found this a few days ago. Take it at face value for what it's worth.

I use a pair of Hotplates, and can swear by their tone. Without them I'd be hard pressed to get any power tube distortion out of my amp at less than ear-bleed levels.

[B2D]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

I'm gonna hatfa invest in a HotPlate sooner or later. My boogie is only 50w but it's still really loud and I can't get decent distortion at bedroom levels with it. And one of these days I'm gonna get a JCM800 again... I used to have one and it was loud as all get-out and an attenuator was MANDATORY with it.

I think Eddie Van Halen said it best... "Club owners used to yell at me all the time because my amps were always too loud for them, but my problem was that I didn't think the amp sounded like an amp unless it was turned all the way up."

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

So you both like the Hotplate. I like many of its features but I also like the features on the MASS. I'm reading that link you posted now.

Chris

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

I read that post but can't listen to them where I am now. But from those graphs the Hotplate seems better. I wish I knew how it would react with the Marshall.

Where is the cheapest place to get a Hotplate?

Thanks,
Chris

[some_dude]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

So you both like the Hotplate. I like many of its features but I also like the features on the MASS. I'm reading that link you posted now.

Chris

The only extra option that I think would be worthwhile on the Mass is the treble boost switch and the impedance selector. The Hotplate comes stock with a treble boost, bass boost, extra parallel output jack, and a bypass mode that still feeds the DI (trust me, the bass boost really helps under high attenuation). From what I've read, all the impedance selector does on the Mass is alter the tone stack slightly, as you can safely mismatch either the Mass or the Hotplate one step in either direction (ie, a 8ohm Hotplate can be used with a 4, 8, or 16ohm cab). The Mass's DI EQ is a nice feature, but considering that most mixing consoles I've come across have their own EQ on each slider, I don't know how much use it would see.

Best prices I've found so far - http://www.thetubestore.com/thdproducts.html

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

So if I get the 1987x amp, which is 50 watts, and some type of 4x12 cab (probably a 1960a), which model of Hotplate would I get? I dont know anything about all that ohms stuff, yet.

Chris

[some_dude]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

So if I get the 1987x amp, which is 50 watts, and some type of 4x12 cab (probably a 1960a), which model of Hotplate would I get? I dont know anything about all that ohms stuff, yet.

Chris

When you buy the amp and cab, ask the store clerk what the ohms are on each. Then, buy the matching Hotplate.

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Your opinions on different attenuators...

I'll be getting them both used...cant afford them new. In fact I'm starting to think I wont be able to afford them anyway!

Might have to get the Bluesbreaker and get the head later. Cant decide if this is a good thing or not. I love BB's, but I love Plexi's too.