Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

[Pushpin&Poetry]

For: Marshall JCM 800, 82' 2204 Canadian Version: 4 & 8 Ohms I have a avatar 2x12 8ohm speaker cab, but may want to get another 2x12 someday.

I've heard good things about the Weber & THD Hot plate

Questions:
1.Which specific models of each brand do you reccomend?

2.With Weber, should I get a 100 or 150watt model?

3. Would you just look for a deal on ebay? or where would you get one?

4. Any other pedals or anything to make your amp quieter?(sorry if this is a dumb question)

Many have reccomended a good modeling amp over tube + attenuator for home use. But, I still want to use this in my home as well as w/ my band.

Thanks!

 

[Tor]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

I think you'll be good with Weber, I have had one myself and it did the job well. You won't need more than 100W with your amp, as long as it's more than your amp's rated wattage you'll be fine.

 

[blueslegend8]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

Dr. Z makes an attenuator. I dont have one but i've heard some pretty convincing reviews of them. I think its called "The Air Brake."

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

I will def check out the air brake reviews.

there's a WEBER MASS 150 watt on ebay right now. would that be good? If I do get a 150watt would it be better technically, or worse?

Thanks for the replys

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

My recent experience tells me that power tubes could be a huge factor. My SED and Sovtek EL34 sounded phenomenal with Mass, but I did not like the bottom end definition, JJ E34Ls have great bottom end definition but absolutely hate mass. Or I just havent figure it out yet ....

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

My recent experience tells me that power tubes could be a huge factor. My SED and Sovtek EL34 sounded phenomenal with Mass, but I did not like the bottom end definition, JJ E34Ls have great bottom end definition but absolutely hate mass. Or I just havent figure it out yet ....

hmmm.. thanks for the info. well it would be really nice to try all of these side by side w/ my particular amp, but I'm prob just gonna have to read reviews and try and pick the best. I've heard from one reputable guy that Weber sounds good w/ older marshalls, while THD sounds better w/ new amps.

So if I get a 150watt weber, is that not gonna be as good as a 100watt?

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Volume-Box-Marshall-JCM-800-900-2000-SL-X-2100-Amps_W0QQitemZ130156207753QQihZ003QQcategoryZ43375QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

anyone framiliar w/ this? i'm sure it's not that amazing, but might be worth trying for $20 bucks.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

Thats not an attenuator, dont waste your time.

You can use an attenuator with the same rated wattage as your amp, but if you push the volume past 5 frequently I would suggest bumping it up to 100 for you. Otherwise you will be fine with a 50. Brand doesnt matter so much, they all have their strengths. Weber, THD, and Dr.Z are all great.

 

[34029324079]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

^^based on his post I say go with 100 watts since you want that pushed sound

 

[J Moose]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

I think the hotplates sound the best overall, less compressed... or switch the bulbs on for 'more compressed'... but the marshall powerbreak is pretty solid & switchable from 8 to 16 ohms... not 'fixed' which is a plus in my book.

You can sometimes find killer deals on used ones too...

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Attenuator help for a 50 Watt amp.

I use a Mass 100 to tame my roughly 45 watt Celtic Edana and it sounds great. I love my Mass 100. I don't feel that it compresses my signal at all, but I also have a very very punchy and dynamic amp so it has a long way to go before sounding compressed anyway. You're mileage may vary. :approve: