Attenuators, do you use one?

ICBM

the_jaffa said:

Does anyone have any thoughts on an attenuator that would work well with a 68 Custom Vibrolux? Would the Jettenuator be a sensible option?

Should be. The THD Hotplate also definitely works very well with Fender BF/SF amps, although it's much more expensive.

the_jaffa

Nice one, cheers. I'll look into both options

Plukky

ICBM said:

webrthomson said:

I use an attenuator with my dual recto

It's the right solution with one of those - anything else doesn't get you the proper sag from the valve rectifier.

webrthomson said:

I'd look into the PPIMV for the JTM as well – you can generally get them fitted in such a way as to be reversible without drilling holes in the amp.

Yes, by fitting them in the second speaker jack - since you aren't going to need two cabinets if your goal is to reduce the volume.

ThePrettyDamned said:

Maybe ask around on opinions on attenuators on Tweed deluxe amps. I've never tried attenuating anything tweedy, but there will probably be a stand out method- then find the attenuators that use that method of a suitable power rating, then go for the one in budget. 

Hopefully @icbm has some experience with them - he originally advised me and saved me a fortune exploring other options.

In my experience, the Tweed Deluxe-type circuit seems to work best with a resistive attenuator. This is probably because it doesn't have negative feedback, and that seems to be a common correlation.

Cirrus said:

In the past I found my AC30 preferred a Dr Z brake Lite to a THD Hotplate.

Likewise - the AC30 has no NFB.

If there is a rough rule of thumb, it's that it seems that no-NFB amps are best with resistive attenuators, 6L6 amps (which seem to often prefer a low mismatch to a high one when driven hard) prefer the THD Hotplate, and EL34 amps (which seem to prefer a high mismatch) are better with the Marshall Powerbrake. This is a *very* rough* guide, overly simplified regarding valve types, and there are likely to be exceptions, and there are many other attenuators… so that's about as clear as mud .

The differences between them are mostly in the way their impedance curve diverges from that of a real speaker, which is not constant at all frequencies. Resistive attenuators don't have a 'curve' as such, although sometimes they present a slightly different impedance at different settings, which you may need to take account of.

The real problem is that they're a fairly big investment, at least for the higher-power ones, so it's not very convenient to try several until you find the right one.

Thanks.  In this context do "best" and "prefer" mean "sounds a bit better" or "doesn't make it blow up"?

I have an 8ohm Hotplate which I use for 6V6s, 6L6s and El34s - seems that at least one of them will be unhappy...

ICBM

Mostly sound.

The Hotplate can stress Marshall-type amps (or actually the valves) quite a lot if you push the amp really hard, but it's easy to fix - set the amp to the impedance below the Hotplate, ie 4 ohms for an 8-ohm Hotplate. It will probably be fine with the 6V6 and 6L6 amps without that.

If you're not really cranking it into power-stage overdrive it won't matter much anyway though.

p90fool

hotpickups said:

Exorcist said:

@hotpickups Where abouts are you? If your anywhere near Chelmsford your welcome to borrow my jettenuator.

Damn that would've been handy but unfortunately I'm in Bath so quite a distance Thanks for the offer though

@hotpickups you can borrow my Jettenuator if you're ever passing through Mid-Wales.

TimmyO

p90fool said:

hotpickups said:

Exorcist said:

@hotpickups Where abouts are you? If your anywhere near Chelmsford your welcome to borrow my jettenuator.

Damn that would've been handy but unfortunately I'm in Bath so quite a distance Thanks for the offer though

@hotpickups you can borrow my Jettenuator if you're ever passing through Mid-Wales.

or @hotpickups if you come collect from Swindon you can borrow my Two Notes Torpedo and Marshall Powerbrake 

hotpickups

That'll be awesome @TimmyO  I'm back in Swindon all week next week if you're around. Probably not the powerbrake but two note one maybe ?

hotpickups

Errrr I think I might have to cancel that @TimmyO . I know you're not selling but I've just seen the price of one of them and don't want to get sucked in wanting to get one if I did . Phew at those prices I'd be getting an ironman II

TimmyO

haha.

I am actually selling it (got it advertised) but you're welcome to try it for comparisons until it goes 

hotpickups

TimmyO said:

haha.

I am actually selling it (got it advertised) but you're welcome to try it for comparisons until it goes 

Thanks again. Really a kind offer but a little more than I'll ever need 

paulmapp8306

Fryette Power Station
  
So many uses, and the best attenuator I've used, and ive used a lot (though not all by any means)

wellsyboy

I found the Fryette has its own "sound" - not as transparent as some - but maybe I wasn't using it properly! The best ones I've had were the Faustine Phantom (superb - god knows why I sold that!) and my current fave is the iron man 2 - great unit although I think a bit unwieldy unless you use it as intended on the floor! Maybe it has to be that big - I don't know - maybe heat issues if squashed into a small housing?

paulmapp8306

You do need to "match" the Fryette using the toggles with rotary controls at noon - when at unity gain.  As you raise /lower the volume, use the rotary's to keep the tone similar.

It does have its own tone to a small extend I guess, as its using 6L6s to re-amp your original tone, but its minor if anything, and a lot closer to the original once you get below a 3db reduction.

As always though - views may vary.

I actually use it mpore as a mono power section for a modeller than I do as an attenuate - and thats my main rig.