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Crank It Up!, Cool way to get cranked tube tone from your tube amps!

Andrew Cockburn View Member Profile	Dec 1 2008, 10:15 PM
Dec 1 2008, 10:15 PM	Moderation Policy Director Posts: 10.459 Joined: 6-February 07 From: CT, USA	Still skeptical (and I have been discussing this with tommyboy all afternoon over PM). I don't think that power amp distortion explains the mojo you are experiencing, it has to be something else. As I explained in my PM for the benefit of others, the explanation above isn't really convincing. The main volume in this type of amp really just throws away signal at the input. Throw all the signal away and its on the 0, but move it to 10 (or even 11!) and it is dumping zero signal. The output of the power amp is a fixed proportion of the input as modified by the master volume, so the idea that the amp is somehow working harder because you turned the volume up misses the mark - the amp only works harder if you give it more input (e.g. dime the master volume). The only way to get saturation out of the power tubes is to feed it enough input that the tubes saturate, and that means they are throwing out max power, and will be loud. So, whatever the mojo is, it isn't that, at least not form that explanation, and as I understand tube amps ... still, its interesting, i'd dearly love to know what this thing is doing to beef up the tone! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my Instructor profile Live long and prosper ... My Stuff: Electric Guitars : Ibanez Jem7v, Line6 Variax 700, Fender Plus Strat with 57/62 Pickups, Line6 Variax 705 Bass Acoustic Guitars : Taylor 816ce, Martin D-15, Line6 Variax Acoustic 300 Nylon Effects : Line6 Helix, Keeley Modded Boss DS1, Keeley Modded Boss BD2, Keeley 4 knob compressor, Keeley OxBlood Amps : Epiphone Valve Jnr & Head, Cockburn A.C.1, Cockburn A.C.2, Blackstar Club 50 Head & 4x12 Cab

tommyboy View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 02:14 AM
Dec 2 2008, 02:14 AM	GMC:er Posts: 257 Joined: 2-November 08 From: North Dakota, USA	QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Dec 1 2008, 03:15 PM) Still skeptical (and I have been discussing this with tommyboy all afternoon over PM). I don't think that power amp distortion explains the mojo you are experiencing, it has to be something else. As I explained in my PM for the benefit of others, the explanation above isn't really convincing. The main volume in this type of amp really just throws away signal at the input. Throw all the signal away and its on the 0, but move it to 10 (or even 11!) and it is dumping zero signal. The output of the power amp is a fixed proportion of the input as modified by the master volume, so the idea that the amp is somehow working harder because you turned the volume up misses the mark - the amp only works harder if you give it more input (e.g. dime the master volume). The only way to get saturation out of the power tubes is to feed it enough input that the tubes saturate, and that means they are throwing out max power, and will be loud. So, whatever the mojo is, it isn't that, at least not form that explanation, and as I understand tube amps ... still, its interesting, i'd dearly love to know what this thing is doing to beef up the tone! What can I say. Andrew is one very cool dude. He and I chatted all afternoon like he said. I think Andrew is right in what he's saying. I've been all over the internet trying to find something that would explain my mojo situation. I'm getting some sound clips together so other can hear what I am. In the mean time I emailed Russell Bartholomee to see what his explaination was as to how his volume box works and here is his response. Hi Tom, Thanks for the kind words and for trying to stick up for me (and your ears). There is some mis-perception out there, some of which is based on other products, and some of which is based on an imperfect understanding of how most tube amps are set up. The volume box goes in the effects loop between the preamp and power amp sections of the amp, adjusting the overall level between one and the other. Since all of the tone and EQ controls are in the pre-amp section, as well as a significant amount of tube distortion (people forget the preamp tubes and how important they are to the overall tone), it is a very useful thing to be able to set that where you want it and then adjust the overall level with the turn of one knob. For those who will surely want to say that the volume box is merely a master volume, it should also be pointed out that while master volumes do this for the drive channel on most tube amps, they don't do a thing for the clean channel. The volume box gives the player control over the clean and drive channels at the same time. Used in conjunction with the master volume, you get even finer tune control over your drive channels level. You can eek out tones impossible with the master volume alone. Of course, if your amp lacks a master volume, the volume box gives you one as a bonus. It's true that the volume box doesn't reduce the power amp level, as would a power soak or Hot Plate. Those devices cost a few hundred dollars, though. And in all honesty, the effect achieved by the volume box is so similar that I can't see spending 10x the amount of money. But I'm admittedly a fan of my own product. Luckily, a few thousand other customers on eBay have been as well, so people don't have to just take my word for it. Thanks again for your enthusiasm. Hope this helps. Russell You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Rock Hard or Not at ALL!!

Andrew Cockburn View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 03:05 AM
Dec 2 2008, 03:05 AM	Moderation Policy Director Posts: 10.459 Joined: 6-February 07 From: CT, USA	Very fair I thought - he certainly isn't making any over the top claims, and seems pretty genuine - and as he rightly says, his box is a tenth the price of an attenuator. It's still somewhat of a mystery though - can't wait to hear that comparison! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my Instructor profile Live long and prosper ... My Stuff: Electric Guitars : Ibanez Jem7v, Line6 Variax 700, Fender Plus Strat with 57/62 Pickups, Line6 Variax 705 Bass Acoustic Guitars : Taylor 816ce, Martin D-15, Line6 Variax Acoustic 300 Nylon Effects : Line6 Helix, Keeley Modded Boss DS1, Keeley Modded Boss BD2, Keeley 4 knob compressor, Keeley OxBlood Amps : Epiphone Valve Jnr & Head, Cockburn A.C.1, Cockburn A.C.2, Blackstar Club 50 Head & 4x12 Cab

FrankW View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 03:13 AM
Dec 2 2008, 03:13 AM	GMC:er Posts: 622 Joined: 29-April 08 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA, Pangea, Earth	What I find interesting is that the power section is also being cranked according to Tommyboy. If that's the case, there must be something to the claim. Pushing the power section is the key. If that part of the circuit figures into shaping the tone while using this box, then it must be a winner. I wonder about the life of the tubes at that point. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Muris Varajic View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 04:20 AM
Dec 2 2008, 04:20 AM	Instructor Posts: 15.459 Joined: 22-June 07 From: Sarajevo,Bosnia	I'm not gonna wait for samples or anything like that, I'm gonna order a piece right away! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Youtube MySpace Website Album "Let It Out" on iTunes and CD Baby Check out my video lessons and instructor board! The Pianist tune is progress,check it out! "ok.. it is great.. :P have you myspace? Can i to personalize this for you guy?"

tommyboy View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 02:17 PM
Dec 2 2008, 02:17 PM	GMC:er Posts: 257 Joined: 2-November 08 From: North Dakota, USA	QUOTE (Muris Varajic @ Dec 1 2008, 09:20 PM) I'm not gonna wait for samples or anything like that, I'm gonna order a piece right away! I hope you have the same results I have! You will be a very respected voice about this device. I'm curious what amp you'll be trying this with? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Rock Hard or Not at ALL!!

Muris Varajic View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 07:17 PM
Dec 2 2008, 07:17 PM	Instructor Posts: 15.459 Joined: 22-June 07 From: Sarajevo,Bosnia	QUOTE (tommyboy @ Dec 2 2008, 02:17 PM) I hope you have the same results I have! You will be a very respected voice about this device. I'm curious what amp you'll be trying this with? With Engl. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Youtube MySpace Website Album "Let It Out" on iTunes and CD Baby Check out my video lessons and instructor board! The Pianist tune is progress,check it out! "ok.. it is great.. :P have you myspace? Can i to personalize this for you guy?"

fatb0t View Member Profile	Dec 2 2008, 08:54 PM
Dec 2 2008, 08:54 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.202 Joined: 25-November 07	Muris do you really need add ons with your engl? ahaha You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Muris Varajic View Member Profile	Dec 3 2008, 10:55 AM
Dec 3 2008, 10:55 AM	Instructor Posts: 15.459 Joined: 22-June 07 From: Sarajevo,Bosnia	QUOTE (fatb0t @ Dec 2 2008, 08:54 PM) Muris do you really need add ons with your engl? ahaha Well it'll be nice to try it on low power,why not. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Youtube MySpace Website Album "Let It Out" on iTunes and CD Baby Check out my video lessons and instructor board! The Pianist tune is progress,check it out! "ok.. it is great.. :P have you myspace? Can i to personalize this for you guy?"

Ivan Milenkovic View Member Profile	Dec 3 2008, 11:29 AM
Dec 3 2008, 11:29 AM	Instructor Posts: 25.396 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Im thinking about gettin attenuator, it is not too expensive, and does the job for sure You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE - Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)

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