Attenuator - What Brand Should I Get?
Ajmurrell
Nov 30 2008, 07:45 PM
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Hi guys,
Immensely enjoying the DR Z but would definetly like to get a attenuator for it as I haven't yeat cranked it to get any gain out of it, out of fear of bursting my ear drums!!

There are two good choice's I've known of, the THD hotplate and the DR Z Airbreak.

The Airbreak advertises itself as an attenuator that does not suck out the tone of your amp, and be able to bring the output right down from upto 100W to 1W for bedroom levels. Which is perfect.

Does anyone who has had experience with the Hotplate, whether it's Db reduction is similar to the airbreak?

Also, if anyone know's of any other brand I should check out, that would be wonderful!

Thanks smile.gif

EDIT: Just to add, I'd need an 8 Ohms attenuator for my amp.

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This post has been edited by Ajmurrell: Nov 30 2008, 07:46 PM


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MickeM
Nov 30 2008, 07:55 PM
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I'm using a Weber Mass lite 50 attenuator, works great for me. It's not so particular about Ohms, works best on 8 Ohm but takes anything they say.
I chose the 50W since I can then use it with "all" amps more or less. Of course one made for 15W will sound better with a 18W like yours but I was willing to take that risk myself.

Mine has a Line out which I havn't testet yet. Could come in handy at some point though.

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Ajmurrell
Nov 30 2008, 08:16 PM
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QUOTE (MickeM @ Nov 30 2008, 06:55 PM) *
I'm using a Weber Mass lite 50 attenuator, works great for me. It's not so particular about Ohms, works best on 8 Ohm but takes anything they say.
I chose the 50W since I can then use it with "all" amps more or less. Of course one made for 15W will sound better with a 18W like yours but I was willing to take that risk myself.

Mine has a Line out which I havn't testet yet. Could come in handy at some point though.


That does sound like a good option, especially if I ever want to use it on a more powerful amp. Would you guess that the difference in sound quality would really be that substantial between buying one rated as 50W compared to 15W?

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This post has been edited by Ajmurrell: Nov 30 2008, 08:17 PM


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tommyboy
Nov 30 2008, 09:17 PM
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QUOTE (Ajmurrell @ Nov 30 2008, 12:45 PM) *
Hi guys,
Immensely enjoying the DR Z but would definetly like to get a attenuator for it as I haven't yeat cranked it to get any gain out of it, out of fear of bursting my ear drums!!

There are two good choice's I've known of, the THD hotplate and the DR Z Airbreak.

The Airbreak advertises itself as an attenuator that does not suck out the tone of your amp, and be able to bring the output right down from upto 100W to 1W for bedroom levels. Which is perfect.

Does anyone who has had experience with the Hotplate, whether it's Db reduction is similar to the airbreak?

Also, if anyone know's of any other brand I should check out, that would be wonderful!

Thanks smile.gif

EDIT: Just to add, I'd need an 8 Ohms attenuator for my amp.


If your amp has a serial effect loop you might want to check this out. I have one and the thing works like magic. Check out this thread.

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=21980

tommyboy

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Ajmurrell
Nov 30 2008, 09:31 PM
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QUOTE (tommyboy @ Nov 30 2008, 08:17 PM) *
If your amp has a serial effect loop you might want to check this out. I have one and the thing works like magic. Check out this thread.

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=21980

tommyboy


Unfortunately no effects loop! Looks like a cool option though. Cheers

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audiopaal
Nov 30 2008, 09:41 PM
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I have a THD Hotplate, have no use for it any longer though..
It's really great and has a line out smile.gif

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Ajmurrell
Nov 30 2008, 10:08 PM
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QUOTE (audiopaal @ Nov 30 2008, 08:41 PM) *
I have a THD Hotplate, have no use for it any longer though..
It's really great and has a line out smile.gif


Thinking of selling it...?! biggrin.gif

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kjutte
Dec 1 2008, 03:34 AM
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QUOTE (Ajmurrell @ Nov 30 2008, 09:31 PM) *
Unfortunately no effects loop! Looks like a cool option though. Cheers

I modded a serial loop into my marshall, which orginally just had a paralell. Really content with having two.

Edit:
http://www.motherloadusa.com/motherload-am...ng-products.asp

1200 dollars though.

QUOTE (Ajmurrell @ Nov 30 2008, 10:08 PM) *
Thinking of selling it...?! biggrin.gif


I read that the THD wasn't so great.

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USAMAN
Dec 1 2008, 04:11 AM
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Ive tried all the major ones....meh......tone suckers one and all.

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kaznie_NL
Dec 1 2008, 03:17 PM
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check this: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=21980

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MickeM
Dec 1 2008, 04:58 PM
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QUOTE (USAMAN @ Dec 1 2008, 04:11 AM) *
Ive tried all the major ones....meh......tone suckers one and all.

Part of that "sucked tone" would definitly come from running an attenuator into a cab, f.ex a 4x12, at low volume so the speakers won't work at their capacity.

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kjutte
Dec 1 2008, 05:39 PM
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QUOTE (MickeM @ Dec 1 2008, 04:58 PM) *
Part of that "sucked tone" would definitly come from running an attenuator into a cab, f.ex a 4x12, at low volume so the speakers won't work at their capacity.


Yep, not enough power to run it properly.

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USAMAN
Dec 1 2008, 08:59 PM
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Then why use it..
It is suppose to be used to reduce the volume and run the tubes cranked.....
I know that speakers make a huge difference in sound...(type, how hard they are driven..etc).
IMHO they are a total waste of money cuz my amps always sounded better without one...at low volume as well.

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kjutte
Dec 1 2008, 09:01 PM
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QUOTE (USAMAN @ Dec 1 2008, 08:59 PM) *
Then why use it..
It is suppose to be used to reduce the volume and run the tubes cranked.....
I know that speakers make a huge difference in sound...(type, how hard they are driven..etc).
IMHO they are a total waste of money cuz my amps always sounded better without one...at low volume as well.


Personally I will get one so I can get power tubes into my headphones.

But if you have the dough, buy a smaller cab, and it'll sound alot better.
And if it was a waste of money, no one would have them. smile.gif

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audiopaal
Dec 1 2008, 10:15 PM
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QUOTE (Ajmurrell @ Nov 30 2008, 10:08 PM) *
Thinking of selling it...?! biggrin.gif


It's the 16 Ohm version, so if that's the one you need, sure smile.gif
You can get it for 170 USD, shipping included worldwide smile.gif

It's almost new as well, used it for a month..

QUOTE (kjutte @ Dec 1 2008, 03:34 AM) *
I read that the THD wasn't so great.


I never used the line-out, but the attenuator is very nice smile.gif
I don't think the line-out is all that great though, I've heard that too...

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MickeM
Dec 1 2008, 10:22 PM
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QUOTE (USAMAN @ Dec 1 2008, 08:59 PM) *
Then why use it..
It is suppose to be used to reduce the volume and run the tubes cranked.....
I know that speakers make a huge difference in sound...(type, how hard they are driven..etc).
IMHO they are a total waste of money cuz my amps always sounded better without one...at low volume as well.

Can't get poweramp saturation on low volumes which you can achive with an attenuator. But rather exchange the 4x12 for a 1x12 or 2x12 tops.
Modern amps often sound great also on low volumes, old amps, not so much. Try a JCM800 on low, it sucks. Try it at full and you're in heaven. An attenuator comes in handy there.

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FrankW
Dec 1 2008, 11:56 PM
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Attenuators work great. I used them for years. The only element not utilized is the speakers, up to a point, but the tone is great with the power tubes being pushed. It's the next best thing to blowing your head off with a fully cranked rig. In fact, I used them playing live to tame my Marshall half stacks. There are many times when you just can't crank big amp rigs.
I would love to buy a low wattage class A guitar amp, but an attenuator is a good fix if you own a half stack and want to play in your bedroom. smile.gif

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