Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

[Pierre]

Laney LC15R
Randall RG50TC
15 watts and 50 watts, both all tube... They both have a master volume. Does that mean I can overdrive the preamp tubes on both while still being able to not crank the overdrive tubes? i.e will I be able to play at bedroom level with the 50 watts, and will it sound as good as the 15 watts...? If you see what I mean.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

Does that mean I can overdrive the preamp tubes on both while still being able to not crank the overdrive tubes?

Yes

i.e will I be able to play at bedroom level with the 50 watts, and will it sound as good as the 15 watts...?

Maybe, maybe not. Some amps' MVs work better than others.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

But for bedroom level, as long as it has a master volume, I'll be able to play at low volume while still overdriving the preamp tubes then?

I really would like a Laney LC15R but I also just found out about the Randall RG50TC, but it's 50 watts and I don't know if I'll ever need something this big...

 

[aleclee]

Re: Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

But for bedroom level, as long as it has a master volume, I'll be able to play at low volume while still overdriving the preamp tubes then

Yes. It wouldn't sound nearly as good as at "real" volume but you can definitely drive the preamp tubes at bedroom volume.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

The smallest tube amp I have access to is 15 watts so either way I'll never be able to overdrive the output tubes

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

if you are just going to overdrive the preamp tubes, it doesnt really matter what wattage it is- you will still get that buzzy preamp distortion. you can look for some of those 1 watt amps out there- that might get you closer to what you want.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Tube amp simple question (master volume?)

Supply in the UK is VERY limited, I've never seen any of those