Lowering amp output?

[Christobevii3]

I have a crate v30, i saw there are some pre amp tubes i can put in that have 70% the volume. What will this do?

I'm basically having to use my boss me 50 volume pedal or using minimum volume on my amp so i don't piss off my neighbors.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Lowering amp output?

I don't know your particular amp but I'd imagine you pre tubes are some type of 12AX7. A similar tube is the 12AT7 and it has about 30% less output than a 12AX7. In most cases you can swap one for the other and it will still "work." But tubes are chosen by a designer for a reason and if you go changing stuff you're bound to alter the inherent tone of the amp. However, a tube with 30% less gain in V1 (1st tube or valve...in the circut) is not going to reduce the volume by very much anyway. v30 would indicate to me that it's a 30 watt amp. That's a lot of power for you application. There are only two ways that I can think of to allow you to turn up and get the amps juices flowing: 1) A power attenuator 2) Replace the speaker with the most inefficent unit you can find that still works and sounds good. A tough option to be sure.

My 2 cents...others will have more to say I'm sure.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Lowering amp output?

It's not going to give you 30% less output.

You have to remember that a 50% drop in output (overall wattage) only yields a rather small perceivable volume drop to the human ear. I have a 30 watt 4xEL84 amp that has a half-power switch. When engaged, the amp gets dirtier faster, but it's not dramatically less output.

That being said, you might try a set of yellowjackets in that amp. It is an adapter that will let you use EL84 tubes in your amp and the output will drop a bit.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Lowering amp output?

Oh, the most radical of the preamp tubes for you to try, the one that will likely make the most difference to your ears is a 12AY7. EH makes a good one. In fact, I think it's the only new production one out there. If you hear the drop you're hoping for, you can always go out and buy a good new old stock one.

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: Lowering amp output?

Yeah i realize how the volume works.

What i'm having is that when i set the volume low there is like no volume until you hit about 1 and then it is a very dramatic change between like 1mm and the next, like double the sound.

I guess i could always build an external cabinet and make the resistance twice too or do tube amps not like that?

The tubes i was looking at on the tube store were like a 5751 that is a replacement for less output it said. I'm really not even sure the sound i want right now from the amp so that isn't too big of a deal

The 5751 link

 

[greendy123]

Re: Lowering amp output?

Yeah i realize how the volume works.

What i'm having is that when i set the volume low there is like no volume until you hit about 1 and then it is a very dramatic change between like 1mm and the next, like double the sound.

I guess i could always build an external cabinet and make the resistance twice too or do tube amps not like that?

My volume on my amp works basically the same as yours. Once you get past 3 on the volume the difference in volume is much smoother and less dramatic. I think they designed it that way because tube amps are meant to be played loud. Making a cab with double the resistance is not a good idea, the resistance should match between the cab and amp or bad things could happen.

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: Lowering amp output?

I think the speaker output jack is rated from 8-16 ohms...