THD Hot Plate Question

[Chuck_Norris]

Hey Guys!

I'm considering buying a THD Hot Plate (16 Ohm) for my Engl Powerball. This beast is pretty loud and I love the way it sounds when it's turned up but during rehearsals it's just too loud. The problem is that tube amps simply sound the best when they're cranked. So I'm looking for something that can make my amp quieter and though keep the character of the overdriven tubes in my sound.

Do you think a THD Hot Plate is a good choice to achieve that? Does anyone have experience with it?

Thanks for your help!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: THD Hot Plate Question

A Hot Plate will work just fine.

THD makes a great unit.

 

[jccarmichael]

Re: THD Hot Plate Question

I use an 8ohm and 16ohm Hotplate, and yes, they are a good product.
A Hotplate will definitely allow you to bring the volume down with your tubes still at full power. Because of this you are not driving your speakers as hard since the Hotplate is absorbing a portion of the "juice". That will affect your sound. This is true with any attenuator, not just the Hotplate. If you get the Hotplate, and find that you don't like your sound anymore with it attenuated, try pushing fewer, lower wattage speakers. The difficulty here is in matching the impedance. In any case, the Hotplate will achieve your goal.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: THD Hot Plate Question

I use the 8 Ohm version with my Fender HR DeVille 410. Sounds fine unless you try turning the SPL right down to almost zero. Also, very usefull DI recording.