master volume to the max?

arbiter

arbiter

New member
i realised some time ago that when i turn the master volume knob as clockwise as it gets on my ss peavey xxl, and then adjust separate channel volumes to desired level, the amp sounds much better. i was hoping that someone could explain what does that actually do, and can it hurt the amp in any way when used repeatedly? bear in mind that it is a ss amp.
 
Re: master volume to the max?

if used for a long time in one day, i guess it could fry the circuits, unless you have a really good coolong system.
 
Re: master volume to the max?

all amps change tone depending on where the volume is, even SS ones, way more dramatically with tubes though.
 
Re: master volume to the max?

joeydude said:
all amps change tone depending on where the volume is, even SS ones, way more dramatically with tubes though.
Click to expand...

i realize that, i also have a jcm 800, but this one is ss so i thought, what the hell, i'll just keep the master knob full clockwise. never thought that it could fry the ss circuits.
 
Re: master volume to the max?

arbiter said:
i realize that, i also have a jcm 800, but this one is ss so i thought, what the hell, i'll just keep the master knob full clockwise. never thought that it could fry the ss circuits.
Click to expand...

I don't think it will. You're not going to fry anything by turning your master volume to max...except maybe your speakers or your ears. Really, all you'll do is get a cleaner tone without as much overdrive or preamp distortion.

Lew
 
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Re: master volume to the max?

what it does it cleans up the sound, but not in a same way when lowering gain. i crank it up, then i lower the volumes on separate channels and it sounds better that way. the only bad thing i noticed is that the background hum intensifies, so i started to worry that i'm hurting the amp in some way.
 
Re: master volume to the max?

when i first got my Peavey C50 tube head i could not figure out how to use the channel volumes and i didn't know the one marked Volume was a master Volume.. i felt kind of dumb after i found out the amp had a master volume and the Pre and Post gains and the Clean Channel had it's on volume besides the master volume..

anyways i used my C50 with the master cranked and the channel volumes low.. it's a different sound alright.... It was a clean tone.. kind of interesting

Now that i know how to use my amp i can get some serious gain out of it when needed
 
Re: master volume to the max?

Lewguitar said:
I don't think it will. You're not going to fry anything by turning your master volume to max...except maybe your speakers or your ears. Really, all you'll do is get a cleaner tone without as much overdrive or preamp distortion.

Lew
Click to expand...

Bingo!

You'll probably get more bass in the tone, so it will sound fuller.

And it shouldn't damage the amp, unless of course you are running it full out (all volumes on 10) for long periods of time.

Bill
 
Re: master volume to the max?

no, i'm not running it full out (why would anyone do that?), i keep master at the max, and channel volumes on about 10-11 o'clock. good to know that i won't fry anything, thanks.
 
Re: master volume to the max?

i don't know but i just wanted to let you know that that is what happens just in case you didn't know.
 
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