Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
- Thread starter Archer250
- Start date
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
Marshalls have pretty hot preamps so they are pretty loud from the get go on the volume knobs. Fender amps on the other hand tend to have much cooler preamps sections. If you really want a plexi clone by all means get one, but keep an option for installing a master volume. You might find that the sweet spot (even if you are playing clean) is too loud for many gigs.
Marshalls have pretty hot preamps so they are pretty loud from the get go on the volume knobs. Fender amps on the other hand tend to have much cooler preamps sections. If you really want a plexi clone by all means get one, but keep an option for installing a master volume. You might find that the sweet spot (even if you are playing clean) is too loud for many gigs.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
This is one area where you might want to invest in a power soak, an attenuator, of some kind. There are several good ones on the market that can help you control your volume and still get good tube "feel" from the amp.
But vintage Fenders and Marshalls didn't have MVs, and there are lot of amp gurus that think MVs are evil, LOL. On some amps, running the MV on 10 virtually takes it out of the circuit, and on other amps it doesn't.
Good luck!
Bill
This is one area where you might want to invest in a power soak, an attenuator, of some kind. There are several good ones on the market that can help you control your volume and still get good tube "feel" from the amp.
But vintage Fenders and Marshalls didn't have MVs, and there are lot of amp gurus that think MVs are evil, LOL. On some amps, running the MV on 10 virtually takes it out of the circuit, and on other amps it doesn't.
Good luck!
Bill
LLL
New member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
None.
If you ever want to crank your non-MV but have control over the volume without any of the drawbacks
of attenuators, you can do slaving.
None.
If you ever want to crank your non-MV but have control over the volume without any of the drawbacks
of attenuators, you can do slaving.
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
I'm thinking of using an attenuator with it. Now the amp maker does make a MV amp, but it sounds quite a bit thinner. I'm not sure if they allow MV installation on existing circuits.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
attenuators are a imperfect solution. They start changing tone after attenuation more than about 6 or 7 db... which is like 2 or 3 notches on the volume knob. They are great if you need to take an edge off the volume. They suck if your trying to whack your amp on 10 and have the volume lower than your TV.
Also keep in mind that if you are running it hard all the time the tubes and everything will wear faster from heat and harder use.
attenuators are a imperfect solution. They start changing tone after attenuation more than about 6 or 7 db... which is like 2 or 3 notches on the volume knob. They are great if you need to take an edge off the volume. They suck if your trying to whack your amp on 10 and have the volume lower than your TV.
Also keep in mind that if you are running it hard all the time the tubes and everything will wear faster from heat and harder use.
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
Don't worry. I intend to use it to just take an edge off a bit. With one of these http://www.amazon.com/Attenuator-Recycled-Sound-12-ohm/dp/B00562GTGQ
Don't worry. I intend to use it to just take an edge off a bit. With one of these http://www.amazon.com/Attenuator-Recycled-Sound-12-ohm/dp/B00562GTGQ
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
No. I just intend to keep the amp clean, and use the power plug when even that is a bit too loud.
No. I just intend to keep the amp clean, and use the power plug when even that is a bit too loud.
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
I've tried both a plexi and a JTM in the local store (very briefly before I realised they were a complete loss as a clean-only amp).
I think the plexi was a 50W model too. Both of them were VERY loud. The JTM produced more clean, but that was only at low volume....the power section runs flat out and you adjust volume and drive with the 'preamp' volumes essentially. So very quickly it went from barely there to some either spitty drive (plexi) or more rounded overdrive (JTM).
If you want clean at variable volume then these really aren't the amp types for you. Its like trying to scratch your right ear by stretching your left hand around your back.
I went for a JTM/plexi clone....made by Phaez. It has a MV so I can get clean with the preamp and adjust volume from there.
And Ceriatone is right around the corner from you - talk to Nick there as he has a lot of marshall clones which might do what you want.
I've tried both a plexi and a JTM in the local store (very briefly before I realised they were a complete loss as a clean-only amp).
I think the plexi was a 50W model too. Both of them were VERY loud. The JTM produced more clean, but that was only at low volume....the power section runs flat out and you adjust volume and drive with the 'preamp' volumes essentially. So very quickly it went from barely there to some either spitty drive (plexi) or more rounded overdrive (JTM).
If you want clean at variable volume then these really aren't the amp types for you. Its like trying to scratch your right ear by stretching your left hand around your back.
I went for a JTM/plexi clone....made by Phaez. It has a MV so I can get clean with the preamp and adjust volume from there.
And Ceriatone is right around the corner from you - talk to Nick there as he has a lot of marshall clones which might do what you want.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
the drawback is usually massive volume. clean or distorted. they generally have two settings. "off" and "will need a miracle-ear"
if you want clean and more headroom, invest in a hiwatt 103 type... they do have a MV, but its not detrimental to the design like a mv can be on a typical 1987/1959 circuit.
the drawback is usually massive volume. clean or distorted. they generally have two settings. "off" and "will need a miracle-ear"
if you want clean and more headroom, invest in a hiwatt 103 type... they do have a MV, but its not detrimental to the design like a mv can be on a typical 1987/1959 circuit.
Red_Label
New member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
Plexis make GREAT pedal platforms. I got my Ceriatone JTM45 for that very reason. I run it clean, and use a Carl Martin Plexitone (V1) to get the raging Marshall out of it. It's got such a big, beautiful clean tone. It's got a PPIMV, but I run that wide-open. Unfortunately, I sold it last night and it will ship-out tomorrow. But it's been an awesome amp and I'd have another if I want to go with the pedal platform again.
Plexis make GREAT pedal platforms. I got my Ceriatone JTM45 for that very reason. I run it clean, and use a Carl Martin Plexitone (V1) to get the raging Marshall out of it. It's got such a big, beautiful clean tone. It's got a PPIMV, but I run that wide-open. Unfortunately, I sold it last night and it will ship-out tomorrow. But it's been an awesome amp and I'd have another if I want to go with the pedal platform again.
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
Hmm.. thanks for the input, guys. I've already scheduled to try said amps next Tuesday. We'll see. They do offer modifications as well, so we might come to something. Oh, and they also make a "clean" 15W amp. Might look at that, too.
Hmm.. thanks for the input, guys. I've already scheduled to try said amps next Tuesday. We'll see. They do offer modifications as well, so we might come to something. Oh, and they also make a "clean" 15W amp. Might look at that, too.
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
There seems to be A Lot of confusion about what a MV is.....it is just a Volume Pot, usually right at, and mostly right after the phase inverter. There is absolutely no reason it would make an amp "thin".....no more than the preamp volume pot would. I read that all the time, and wonder if it is not just repeated Internet "wisdom".
From your location (as mentioned in the post above) you should be talking to Nik at Ceriatone. His products will be better than most amps from Marshall, Blackstar, Vox, Fender, PV, etc etc. Plus.....he is right in your part of The World.
FWIW.....a master volume is really no big deal. If you turn it all the way up, it is basically out of the circuit. Sure, it adds a few inches of wire and another pot for the circuit to deal with, but The Whole Amp is built with that stuff.!
good luck
What amp are you playing.?
There seems to be A Lot of confusion about what a MV is.....it is just a Volume Pot, usually right at, and mostly right after the phase inverter. There is absolutely no reason it would make an amp "thin".....no more than the preamp volume pot would. I read that all the time, and wonder if it is not just repeated Internet "wisdom".
From your location (as mentioned in the post above) you should be talking to Nik at Ceriatone. His products will be better than most amps from Marshall, Blackstar, Vox, Fender, PV, etc etc. Plus.....he is right in your part of The World.
FWIW.....a master volume is really no big deal. If you turn it all the way up, it is basically out of the circuit. Sure, it adds a few inches of wire and another pot for the circuit to deal with, but The Whole Amp is built with that stuff.!
good luck
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
Also, the builder stated that the MV and NMV amps are based on different models, and such the MV sounds a bit thinner. Though, I'll have to try for myself.
What amp are you playing.?
There seems to be A Lot of confusion about what a MV is.....it is just a Volume Pot, usually right at, and mostly right after the phase inverter. There is absolutely no reason it would make an amp "thin".....no more than the preamp volume pot would. I read that all the time, and wonder if it is not just repeated Internet "wisdom".
From your location (as mentioned in the post above) you should be talking to Nik at Ceriatone. His products will be better than most amps from Marshall, Blackstar, Vox, Fender, PV, etc etc. Plus.....he is right in your part of The World.
FWIW.....a master volume is really no big deal. If you turn it all the way up, it is basically out of the circuit. Sure, it adds a few inches of wire and another pot for the circuit to deal with, but The Whole Amp is built with that stuff.!
good luck
Also, the builder stated that the MV and NMV amps are based on different models, and such the MV sounds a bit thinner. Though, I'll have to try for myself.
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
Coming from somebody that works on amps.....in 40 years, The Ceriatone will be in for a rebuild. That VanHalen amp will be 10 years in a land-fill.
What are you really looking for in an amp.?
How long will you own it.?
Do you want to sell all of your "dirt pedals".....how much (if you can sell them) will you lose on those.? How many of them will you buy again, under a different name and paint scheme.
Good Luck with whatever you decide on.
The decision is yours. Only YOU know what you want.
Coming from somebody that works on amps.....in 40 years, The Ceriatone will be in for a rebuild. That VanHalen amp will be 10 years in a land-fill.
What are you really looking for in an amp.?
How long will you own it.?
Do you want to sell all of your "dirt pedals".....how much (if you can sell them) will you lose on those.? How many of them will you buy again, under a different name and paint scheme.
Good Luck with whatever you decide on.
Re: Any drawbacks of non-master-volume amps?
It is a "thin" sounding amp that has a MV.
Play as many amps as you can. Talk to people that own the amps you are considering.
good luck
Fine...but that has nothing to do with the MV.
It is a "thin" sounding amp that has a MV.
Play as many amps as you can. Talk to people that own the amps you are considering.
good luck
