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The MV basically adjusts the volume of the power section of the amp, enabling you to crank the pre-amp section and get all the pre-amp valve juice flowing. However, with the MV set at low, you won't get any saturation from the power section. If you want to hear that then you'll need an attenuator to play at low volumes.
Having said that, the tone of a good tube amp will be somewhat compromised if the speaker isn't really singing. Also, the way we hear means that our listening apparatus responds differently to loud than quiet....we need to have a decent amount of air moving to really get "that" sound.
Thanks guys
I have just ordered a Vox AC30HW2X that has a MV.
I only play clean sounds so no distortion needed.
I do have a Weber mini mass but I don't think it will handle the AC30 but the
Attenuator is rated at 25watts so if I don't turn the amp up which I wont be I
reckon it should be ok.
I'm really using it as a load box for recording so Attenuation may not be a problem.
You may be surprised how much of that Shadows sound comes from starting to push the amp a bit harder though - not to where it distorts, but to where the power stage starts to compress. If you find you start to get "the sound" at about that point, you may need a bigger attenuator. The good news is that the Harley Benton/Jet City one is cheap and purely resistive (what you really need for an AC30) and rated for 80W which is plenty.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Thanks ICBM
So even if I am using the Attenuator as a load box just for recording (No Attenuation) would I still
be better off getting the Harley Benton/Jet City?
But I've just read something about the Harley Benton (which almost certainly applies to the Jet City as well) which could be a major problem... according to this https://blog.brixit.nl/harley-benton-power-attenuator-measurement-and-teardown the line output is derived from the *cabinet* connection not the amp input, so you can't use it as a load box for silent recording. If true that's really stupid design!
For now I would just use the Weber carefully - check it every now and then for getting excessively hot. If it isn't, you're fine. "Excessive" would be if you can't keep your hand on the casing indefinitely.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Well thanks for looking it up - its a good job I didn't order one.
I will try the Weber Mini Mass 25watt that I have bearing in mind your comments but
that means I will need to look for something more suitable if needed.
As you have previously suggested the Mini Mass 50watt would be fine but the cost is really high.
Mini Mass $135
Shipping $100
Import Duty say £50
VAT say £50
Plus the handling charge come to over £260.
eg this one - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DR-Z-AIR-BRAKE-SPEAKER-ATTENUATOR/183024221767?hash=item2a9d17fe47:g:8TgAAOSwBRVaYHN6
Which amp, and how were you using them? I've never found that with the Powerbrake or the THD when used with the right amp, and when not trying to turn a cranked non-MV amp into a low-volume practice amp. I haven't tried the Tone King.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Maybe we want different sounds.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I also find that cranking the amp up to max is not always the best tone so you need to dial that in with the attenuator.
I've used attenuators quite successfully although I'll grant you the sound isn't as pure as the full bore amp if you're trying to get a non-MV amp down to bedroom level...
Given that I live in a flat, the alternative was not to bother owning the bigger amps at all.
If you don't like 'em you don't like 'em though, I'm not here to convert you if you've tried it and hate it!
I've tried other resistive types that are great to knock 3-9db off - might be enough in paired up with a good MV and some judicious EQing to put the top and bottom end back in?
Home playing volumes are probably best done with a line level and re-amp approach such as the Power Station or Two notes
You can get pretty close with any line level out into £150s worth of mono power amp and into the cab. Add a dash of active EQ and you are well on you're way..