What would you do?

[pureoldsound]

I have an incredible amp, but I could have some things done to it to make it even more versatile, although I am just considering different options. I have a PPI master volume so I get a very nice break up at low volumes but not compared to the one I'll get with the amp crank at 10!

1. Mod the amp to add 1 stage of gain, and add a bottom control (which can make the low end tight or lose)

2. Get an Attenuator, so that I can get power tube saturation

3. Get an OD or distortion pedal to get different sounds

4. Get an attenuator and a pedal.

About attenuators I am considering either the weber high load dump (150W), THD's Hot plate, Weber Mass.

I am more incline on the idea of the attenuator and get a OD or distortion pedal, rather than messing with the amp per se. What do you guys think???

 

[some_dude]

Re: What would you do?

I use a THD Hotplate and an OD pedal with mine.

The benefits of an attenuator when it comes to getting power amp dirt at less than ear bleed levels can't be understated. After all, what good is an OD pedal if you can't turn your amp up loud enough to overdrive your amp?

Getting an attenuator is by far the second best thing I ever did for my sound. The first being the choice of amp.

I also voted for getting an OD pedal. An OD pedal is the same as adding an extra gain stage, except you can also use it to re-voice your amp slightly when you stomp it on and off. It's also non-permanant, so if you don't like it, you sell it and try another one.

Comprehensive Attenuator Test: MASS vs. HotPlate - Some recommended reading.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: What would you do?

I voted do nothing ... here's why:
I don't know what you're you're looking for, exactly ... more 'versatility' ... in what way? Adding an OD isn't necessarily going to make it more versatile, just change the gain structure a bit. An attenuator will do the same. I think that if you want your amp to be more versatile, you will just have to switch amps. Or, play the same amp with different guitars. A great amp can sound quite different using different axes.

 

[pureoldsound]

Re: What would you do?

I voted do nothing ... here's why:
I don't know what you're you're looking for, exactly ... more 'versatility' ... in what way? Adding an OD isn't necessarily going to make it more versatile, just change the gain structure a bit. An attenuator will do the same. I think tha if you want your amp to be more versatile, you will just have to switch amps. Or, play the same amp with different guitars. A great amp can sound quite different using different axes.

True, there are couple controls that can be added to it like the bottom control or the Global control. One will make the bottom end tight or lose the other one will control the lower mids.

 

[pureoldsound]

Re: What would you do?

I use a THD Hotplate and an OD pedal with mine.

The benefits of an attenuator when it comes to getting power amp dirt at less than ear bleed levels can't be understated. After all, what good is an OD pedal if you can't turn your amp up loud enough to overdrive your amp?

Getting an attenuator is by far the second best thing I ever did for my sound. The first being the choice of amp.

I also voted for getting an OD pedal. An OD pedal is the same as adding an extra gain stage, except you can also use it to re-voice your amp slightly when you stomp it on and off. It's also non-permanant, so if you don't like it, you sell it and try another one.

Comprehensive Attenuator Test: MASS vs. HotPlate - Some recommended reading.

Thanks for the reply. I thought about a Keeley SD-1. About the attenuator don't now which one. I've tried THD before I might try that weber high load dump box. Thanks for the reading I've read that thread quite some times.

 

[Hellion]

Re: What would you do?

I voted do nothing ... here's why:
I don't know what you're you're looking for, exactly ... more 'versatility' ... in what way? Adding an OD isn't necessarily going to make it more versatile, just change the gain structure a bit. An attenuator will do the same. I think that if you want your amp to be more versatile, you will just have to switch amps. Or, play the same amp with different guitars. A great amp can sound quite different using different axes.

I agree with TwilightOdyssey. Adding overdrive or an attenuator to your current setup is going to narrow its capabilities. Change guitars.

 

[some_dude]

Re: What would you do?

Thanks for the reading I've read that thread quite some times.

No problem.

About the attenuator don't now which one. I've tried THD before I might try that weber high load dump box.

I'd recommend the THD, but the Mass, Dr Z, Koch are all well recommended on the boards I've been too. Some work better with some amps, and don't work well with others though, so if you get the chance I'd play test them first.

Thanks for the reply. I thought about a Keeley SD-1.

I use a TS-9 for lead boosts, and an MXR Wylde OD for rhythm boosting.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: What would you do?

Get a Weber MASS, talk to Thames, He'll hook you up real nice.

 

[some_dude]

Re: What would you do?

I agree with TwilightOdyssey. Adding overdrive or an attenuator to your current setup is going to narrow its capabilities. Change guitars.

Do you want to read your post again?


If I understand you correctly, you're saying that adding options will narrow it's capabilites.


Adding a stompbox will give him the option of boosting. It can also be shut off. So I don't understand how that will be limiting.

Adding an attenuator will allow him to get more power amp gain at a more reasonable volume level. It can also be shut off. So I don't understand how that will be limiting.

Could you please explain to me how adding a stompbox, or an attenuator will narrow it's capabilities? Maybe I missed something.....

 

[Grandor]

Re: What would you do?

Hold on- why dont u goto a store and try all the crap out?
ie - powerbrake, hotplate, different OD's and dist pedals.
If their all no good - then mod ur amp.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What would you do?

i would vote for a low powered tube amp. attenuators don't sound right to my ears, certainly not like power tubes pushed at high volume. they are *close* but no closer than a good overdrive pedal. don't mod the amp, just get the amp that you want.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What would you do?

Sell it, add money, go shopping. Besides that...everyone should own one really good overdrive pedal. These days, there are a bunch that sound great, so shop for one of those too. Life's too short to not have exactly what you want.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: What would you do?

get an attenuator, if you havent heard power tube saturation yet you are in for a nice surprise

and you wont have to mess with the guts of the amp for great tone

 

[pureoldsound]

Re: What would you do?

i would vote for a low powered tube amp. attenuators don't sound right to my ears, certainly not like power tubes pushed at high volume. they are *close* but no closer than a good overdrive pedal. don't mod the amp, just get the amp that you want.

Actually this is the amp I wanted. It is all point-to point, with a great sound. I get a very nice overdrive sound with a PPI MV. Although I know it won't be the same overdrive sound I'll get if I crank the amp to 10! I used to have 2 THD's. It worked great with one of my amps but it sounded terrible with other amps. So, I sold them, and bought an amp with a master volu, which had more pre tube gain rather than power tube gain. I was happy with it until I learnmore about the sound I was after which was a pllexi tone so I got the real deal (or a better made like plexi). I don't want to touch the amps guts at all, eventhough the amp will be mod by the same people who made the amp. Still I know I can get it there with some toys. If I get it mod for more agin chances are tha I am going to get preamp gain rather than Power tube gain anyways. There is no other way IMO to get power tube gain unless you crank the amp or get an attenuator. I agree with you somewhat on the attenuator idea although amps react differently from one another.

 

[pureoldsound]

Re: What would you do?

get an attenuator, if you havent heard power tube saturation yet you are in for a nice surprise

and you wont have to mess with the guts of the amp for great tone

Yup, that is what I am trying to avoid, messing with the amp at all.

 

[mrid]

Re: What would you do?

Sell it, add money, go shopping. Besides that...everyone should own one really good overdrive pedal. These days, there are a bunch that sound great, so shop for one of those too. Life's too short to not have exactly what you want.

Ditto. Invest in a nice OD/Boost like a Klon, Banzai Cold Fusion or Fireball, RGW Bad Bob, or even a Fulltone Fulldrive 2.

 

[Thames]

Re: What would you do?

Hey!! Nice amp you have, Trace Allen knows his business right!

Definitely, you have to buy yourself an attenuator... HEY, WAKE UP DUDES, ITS A VOODOO AMPS V-PLEX 100... you ab-so-lu-tly NEED to crank up that beast !! THe Weber MASS is one of the finest and most affordable unit on the market today. It uses a real speaker motor (magnet and coil, but no cone) to absorb energy, making it way more natural-sounding than any other artificial capacitor-resistor-inductor-PC board unit... and dont ask why one of them is called "hot plate".... :saeek:

Of course, this is only MY opinion...but damn! you have such a great amp that pls satisfy us all by using it the right way !

BTW, email/PM me for an additional discount on a MASS.

 

[pureoldsound]

Re: What would you do?

Hey!! Nice amp you have, Trace Allen knows his business right!

Definitely, you have to buy yourself an attenuator... HEY, WAKE UP DUDES, ITS A VOODOO AMPS V-PLEX 100... you ab-so-lu-tly NEED to crank up that beast !! THe Weber MASS is one of the finest and most affordable unit on the market today. It uses a real speaker motor (magnet and coil, but no cone) to absorb energy, making it way more natural-sounding than any other artificial capacitor-resistor-inductor-PC board unit... and dont ask why one of them is called "hot plate".... :saeek:

Of course, this is only MY opinion...but damn! you have such a great amp that pls satisfy us all by using it the right way !

BTW, email/PM me for an additional discount on a MASS.

Thanks Thame, I really appreciate your comment. Yes Trace outdone himsellf with this amp, it is great. He recommended the Weber high load dump vs. other attenuators. Although I've been trying to get as much feedback about it as I can but it is not that well known among Attenuator users. Somehow everyone prefers the MASS or the Hot plate. I used to have a Hot plate but want to try another approach.
If you have time please enlight me with the speaker motor approach, I am not too familiar with it.

Thanks for the offer of the discount I'll have it in mind.

 

[pureoldsound]

Re: What would you do?

Hey!! Nice amp you have, Trace Allen knows his business right!

Definitely, you have to buy yourself an attenuator... HEY, WAKE UP DUDES, ITS A VOODOO AMPS V-PLEX 100... you ab-so-lu-tly NEED to crank up that beast !! THe Weber MASS is one of the finest and most affordable unit on the market today. It uses a real speaker motor (magnet and coil, but no cone) to absorb energy, making it way more natural-sounding than any other artificial capacitor-resistor-inductor-PC board unit... and dont ask why one of them is called "hot plate".... :saeek:

Of course, this is only MY opinion...but damn! you have such a great amp that pls satisfy us all by using it the right way !

BTW, email/PM me for an additional discount on a MASS.

Thames have you heard something about that new Weber MASS 2 channel.
http://www.webervst.com/news.htm
look under more MASS

 

[Thames]

Re: What would you do?

Thames have you heard something about that new Weber MASS 2 channel.
http://www.webervst.com/news.htm
look under more MASS

I dont think you need that 2-channel features... or you were just wondering ?

You could find more feedback about the HighLoadDump at Weber BBS, which is another great forum : http://www.webervst.com/vstbbs/bbs.html

I'll ask Ted about both products and come back to you.