I Have a Small Knob

Grumpyrocker

Bought one of these things today. Yes I know - I could have built my own blah blah, just use a volume pedal blah blah. But I didn't. I bought this. And it's bloody great.



If you're not in the know it's just a simple passive volume control that you stick in the effects loop - adding a master volume.

This has made a world of difference to using my Blackstar HT5 MK2. While the pot tapers are mostly fine on the Blackstar they can be a bit fiddly at the very quiet end, a bit on/off. This fixes it and I can run the pre-amp volumes much higher. One interesting thing was I got to hear what it sounds like when you wind the clean channel all the way up - the result a surprisingly pleasant breakup. 

Another side effect of its use is that I've actually found loads of sounds on my much-maligned Boss OD-200 drive pedal. With Blackstar clean channel louder than I'd normally use it at home many of the drive sounds in the pedal actually sound really good. 

ecc83

You could make a good case for putting a 'gain' control between each stage in a guitar amp plus EQ at every stage* to allow players to tweak the gain/OD path ad.inf!

In reality, in the cut throat, highly competitive world of the gitamp market, compromises have to be found and "you can't please all......." I am glad you have found a solution for your 40, an amp that sells well I understand and is good value.

* See Merlin Blencowe, "Git pre amps"

Dave.

fastonebaz

I use a volume pedal in my fx loop and it's splendid I don't need an attenuator it does all I need.  My full fat tone at whisper volume. 

ICBM

I’ve never understood why so many amps with more than one channel have no overall master volume control. It’s really annoying to have to re-balance the channels if you want to turn up or down.

JayGee

ICBM said:

I’ve never understood why so many amps with more than one channel have no overall master volume control. It’s really annoying to have to re-balance the channels if you want to turn up or down.

This.

It’s one of the things I really like about my Blackstar Series One. Four channels[1], each with their own volume (as well as gain) control and an overall master volume, and, up to the levels I’ve been able to try the channel levels track really nicely together when you wind up the master so once you’ve got them balanced how you want them you really can threat them as set’n’forget at gigs… 

[1] Well, two channel-and-a-half’s due to to Clean/Crunch and OD1/OD2 having shared EQs…

Grumpyrocker

A few days since I bought my little knob. Still absolutely delighted with the results.

My amps sound fabulous. Some effects I had considered ditching now sound fabulous. It's great. 

p90fool

I went for a knob enlargement so I can roll it up and down with my foot.