Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

[Lux84]

I have ordered Blackheart Handsome Devil 15W/7W tube amp. i order it for band practice but also as practice at home myself. so, even 7 watts will be too loud... so i am thinking of getting attenuator for home practice.. which models should i try ? can amplifier service man install some small attenuator inside of that amp ? and one more question about pickups and amp. could higher output pickups drive the distortion quicker ? i have SH5 Custom & Pearly Gates combo in my LP.

 

[pzaxtl]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

I have two attenuators: A Weber Mass 150, and Dr. Z Brake lite SA. The only reason I use them at all is because I have/had a Dr. Z Route 66, Remedy, and a Germino Classic 45 -- all very loud amps!

The Mass 150 has more functionality. Separate adjustment for Low/Mids, High/Mids, Hi/Low output, and a Bypass switch. Max wattage is 150. As well, it's built around an actual speaker motor instead of resistors which is supposed to more accurately communicate the tone of the amp at all volume levels. Depending on your volume reduction needs, the infinite adjustability (0db to full volume) is a great feature for when you need to take the volume waaaay down. It's a good unit and I like it for what it is/does.

The Brake lite SA is the scaled down version of the Dr. Z Airbrake. Basically, this unit is two very large resistors wired to a rheostat. It doesn't cut the volume nearly as much as the Weber Mass 150 having only 5 specific settings (0-4) for attenuation. Good for amps up to 45 watts. Max attenuation is 11db which may or may not be enough for you.

For some reason, I prefer the tone I get with the Dr. Z unit to that of the Weber. However, that may be simply because the volume is greater when using the Brake lite. The Weber, though, is a lot more useful/functional. In truth, if you need an attenuator, you can't go wrong with either one, but the best attenuation is none at all!

 

[Lux84]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

I am still in searching for perfect attenuator for that amp.. probably gonna buy one from ebay someday. but first i wanna actually check that amp, but i think for home use it's gonna be loud as hell. i also have a few quality tubes waiting to be placed in blackheart.. and i already have Orange 1x12 Cab with Vintage 30 in which i use it a lot with Blackstar HT-5 head. definately the speaker i wanna check on Handsome Devil. but let's wait to amp to actually arrive, than i will taste it, and later change tubes and check out if Vintage 30 speaker is a better choice than stock Eminence rated at 75W. i plan to do some mods as i read few posts on net about that amp. for the inside stuff and electronics i will take amp to some specialist. i want to get the best it is possible of that Blackheart if you know what i mean

 

[karpathion]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

You don't need one. I had that same amp for a few years. It has a master volume. Sounds pretty good at all levels.

 

[Lux84]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

Good to hear that ! So, that master volume control does all the trick? to be honest i don't know what function really it is... it works like reducing power or something ?

 

[Bludave]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

Why not just pick up a pod or similar for practicing at home. It cheaper and the real advantage is if inspiration hits you at 3am you can use headphones....

 

[Lux84]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

Ok, can't wait the amp to arrive.. it'll be here in about couple of days i guess. i order new tubes too, because i heard the stock are a bit crap. i order two tung sols 12ax7 and one JJ EL 84.
i hope that will amp distors earlier wit higher output pickups

 

[Lux84]

Re: Which attenuator for Blackheart Handsome Devil ?

So i have that amp for 5 months now.. what i noticed is that stock speaker sounds a bit harsh, so i just running it through extension cabinet, through Vintage 30, that sounds so much better. at home i mostly play it through 7w mode, and even at half volume opened it's more loud as aspected. i notice i head eminence american voice speaker in combo, but in their extension cabs is eminence british voice combo, which i haven't. maybe those two can really shines together, but i think i am gonna replace stock speaker with G12Heritage30 Anniversarry speaker, which i already have laying somewhere, and then combine that with my orange extension cabinet with Vintage 30 speaker, for a fuller sound. but the problem with the amp is, it haven't get distortion to playing some metal. i can get into early 80's metal territory with a OD boost, but EMG-s really pushes the amp the right way for more metal tones. i can nail the Sabbath tones with EMG 81/60 or with SD Custom/Pearly Gates combos in my guitars. Custom or EMG81 goes well with that amp, but Distortion, not so well..