Best power attenuater?

[GuitarDoc]

Anyone have some experience with these?

Which is the best?

Which is the best value (performance/cost)?

Which is the least expensive, but still functional?

I've heard that the Rivera Rock Crusher is very good, but at $500 it would be cheaper to get a new 5-15 watt amp. I've also heard that there are resistor type attenuaters for as low as $50, but they don't have much attenuation affect and they destroy your tone.

What is in between?

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Best power attenuater?

I think the Power Plug attenuator is the least expensive and still very functional. It attenuates 6db & 12db. I got mine on eBay for $90 plus shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/POWER-PLUG-6-12-Attenuator-Brand-NEW-STOCK-/150582876977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230f705b31

I've since bought a THD HotPlate which is incredible. It attenuates up to 16db in increments of 4db with the last setting infinite attenuation until a whisper. It also can be used as a load box. It has a couple switches to compensate for the tone difference as you increase attenuation. The Power Plug doesn't have any tone switches, but doesn't need them somehow (tone compensated?). I think the HotPlate is an overall better attenuator with more features, but is more expensive, though deals can still be had. I got mine used in pristine condition with the original box for $200 shipped on eBay.

P.S. I'm selling my 8ohm Power Plug attenuator for $70 shipped ($60 local) if interested. If I had a semi-quieter amp than the Shiva, I would have stuck with the Power Plug. The Alchemist I had had an awesome master volume. This may be perfect for that amp.

 

[pzaxtl]

Re: Best power attenuater?

I have a Weber Mass 150 which is what I use the most. I also have a Dr. Z Brakelite. Of the two, I think the Brakelite is a little more open, a little more transparent. However, the Weber gives me infinite attenuation from nothing to 0 db so it's a little more convenient. Both of my heads are nmv, so some type of volume reduction is necessary unless I'm playing strictly clean, which isn't often.

 

[gvis]

Re: Best power attenuater?

+1 on the THD hot plate.

I've had one since around 2002, but I really don't think I'll ever use it again because 1) I finally replaced the freaky loud at once volume pot on my deville and 2) I don't live in a townhouse anymore. So I would consider selling it. Oh, and it's anodized hot pink, a major plus...maybe.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Best power attenuater?

The F-150 of attenuators is Weber's MASS series.

Not a million bucks, and you can count on 'em to do what you want and more.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Best power attenuater?

I think the Power Plug attenuator is the least expensive and still very functional. It attenuates 6db & 12db. I got mine on eBay for $90 plus shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/POWER-PLUG-6-12-Attenuator-Brand-NEW-STOCK-/150582876977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230f705b31

I've since bought a THD HotPlate which is incredible. It attenuates up to 16db in increments of 4db with the last setting infinite attenuation until a whisper. It also can be used as a load box. It has a couple switches to compensate for the tone difference as you increase attenuation. The Power Plug doesn't have any tone switches, but doesn't need them somehow (tone compensated?). I think the HotPlate is an overall better attenuator with more features, but is more expensive, though deals can still be had. I got mine used in pristine condition with the original box for $200 shipped on eBay.

P.S. I'm selling my 8ohm Power Plug attenuator for $70 shipped ($60 local) if interested. If I had a semi-quieter amp than the Shiva, I would have stuck with the Power Plug. The Alchemist I had had an awesome master volume. This may be perfect for that amp.

The power plugs are good! I ran one or two in a chain sometimes with my marshall. worked pretty spiffy!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Best power attenuater?

My weber low-power load dump doesn't "destroy tone", but it lacks some "sparkle". The effect is most pronouced below "1" on the attenuator dial.
It does have switchable impedance, can be bypassed, and has a +3 or +6dB treble boost to compensate, but I generally don't feel I need the boost.
At $75 I think it's a killer deal.

They're very reliable.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Best power attenuater?

Important note: the Weber MASS series actually has a "speaker motor" inside of it --- it's basically a speaker's voice coil with no cone. Inside the box. So your signal is actually hitting a speaker, so to speak.

http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm

Weber Attenuators utilize an actual speaker motor to apply a reactive load on the amp. The attenuators are unlike any other on the market, and provide a much more interactive, natural sound when in use. They affect the tone less than the resistor-based models.

I found the attenuation to be superlatively natural.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Best power attenuater?

"Best" is probably the Faustine. Weber and Hotplate hit the price/performance mark, based on the amp. I've owned both and one would definitely sound better with any given amp. Which one? That's the question!

For me, it's a moot issue. I decided that attenuators were good for taking the volume down from ear-bleeding levels but didn't like taking them down to a level where I could play in the basement while Mini Me was napping on the second floor. I suspect it had a lot to do with not pushing the speakers to their sweet spot. YMMV but if you're looking to make a fire breathing amp more family friendly I suspect you'll be disappointed, particularly if your amp has a good master volume.

 

[donahue]

Re: Best power attenuater?

On the subject, how about the Marshall Powerbrake? Anyone tried one of those?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Best power attenuater?

On the subject, how about the Marshall Powerbrake? Anyone tried one of those?

Some dig it but consensus seems to be that it's a step down from the Weber or THD.

 

[dominus]

Re: Best power attenuater?

I had a Powerbrake, it was a decent enough unit.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Best power attenuater?

I appreciate all of the good comments and recommendations. Thanks, ImmortalSix, for that link. I read everything on it. Things I never knew that I didn't know about attenuaters.

The Weber Mass Lite 50 is looking pretty good for what I (think) I need. I don't need massive amounts of attenuation and my amp is only 40 watts (Bogner Alchemist, non master vol). But it is a very loud 40 watts...just barely on at 7:00 or 8:00 is ear splitting, but I'd like to get it up to about 11:00 where the tone is just to die for. I like that the Lite 50 has 2 attenuaters for 2 different tone frequencies not just a 3 position treble boost like some others. I don't plan on running my amp dimed so I don't think that I need the headroom for playing dynamics.