Re: Getting a BrakeLite SA for Christmas.
I have a Brake lite- it does what it is supposed to do- it attenuates the signal just enough so you can crank your smaller amps (45watts or less) up to where the tubes are 'workin', and still keep a sane level. Seems to work best with non- master volume amps. I usually use it with my SF Princeton reverb, and it's great for that sort of thing.
Remember the Brake-lite isn't a full on attenuator, it doesn't do bedroom level, unless you are already using a low wattage amp. Most people don't hear the difference between 0 and 1, but it is slight, 2 and 3 position, I use mostly for stage work, position 4 is pretty noticeable, but still no where near bedroom level attenuation.
It's a pretty transparent unit, but, you soon realize how much power or how hard you push your speakers has a lot to do with the overall tone equation.
BTW I've never permanently mounted my Brake lite- I either lay it in the bottom on my combo, or, set it on top of my head, so I use it with different amps.