Attenuator?

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Attenuator?
Topic Started: Aug 15 2008, 09:25 PM (76 Views)
Ryan0rz	Aug 15 2008, 09:25 PM Post #1
Newbie Posts: 14 Group: Members Member #8,659 Joined: July 12, 2008	Hey, i'm seriously thinking about buying a tube amp. Now, it's going to be for use in my bedroom - and yes I live with my mum. So obviously a high wattage tube amp is gonna piss her off (my house is pretty small). I was thinking small - 15 watts like the tiny terror. And even smaller, the blackheart 5 watt. But reading reviews, and listening to videos its clear these are still too loud. People will probably think, "15 watts too loud?! noob" or "5 watts too loud?! YOUR CRAZY" lol. But i'm not! I wany a tube amp so I can get that awesome tube distortion you can only get by cranking it. So I was thinking has anyone had much experience with attenuators? And would one work with an amp like the blackheart BH5H? Sorry, I don't know much about them at all! Was hoping someone here knew stuff Edited by Ryan0rz, Aug 15 2008, 09:26 PM.



monwobobbo	Aug 15 2008, 09:37 PM Post #2
Top Contributor Posts: 421 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	get an amp with master volume . the little ones you mentioned don't have this feature generally. with master volume you can push the shit out of the amp and keep the actual vloume down to a reasonable level. a little advice on that awesome tube distortion. you're not gonna get it with a tiny amp without some help. a preamp section desinged to get distortion is needed, next pushing the power amp section ads some umph. the little low powered amps often only have a volume and tone control (some not eventhat). get an amp with master volume and life will be good. i have a 100watt marshall and my wife hasn't killed me yet because of the volume. i keep the master low when the wife and kid is home to keep the peace and still get the sound.
	and now for something completely different


Ryan0rz	Aug 15 2008, 10:09 PM Post #3
Newbie Posts: 14 Group: Members Member #8,659 Joined: July 12, 2008	Any recommendations monwobobbo? I've heard the tiny terror a good few times and I think it sounds amazing...The only gripe I really have with the smaller amps is the lack of twin channels... With the master volume...Does the amp still feel/sound as if the tubes are really being pushed even if you have the master volume low? This would be perfect if thats the case.



monwobobbo	Aug 15 2008, 11:22 PM Post #4
Top Contributor Posts: 421 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	thats the purpose of master volume. you can push the preamp section hard and get the benifits without pissing off the family etc. you can also goose the front end with a distortion or overdrive pedal and get similar results. if you can afford a bigger amp than get it as those tiny ones are good for practice and maybe recording but thats it. a 30 watt 1x12 amp can be used for band practice (provided the other don't have bigger amps). you will want to get the most versitility out of your equipment as you can.
	and now for something completely different


Ryan0rz	Aug 16 2008, 05:12 PM Post #5
Newbie Posts: 14 Group: Members Member #8,659 Joined: July 12, 2008	Hmm im thinking about the peavey VK 112 now...



Bullet	Aug 16 2008, 06:09 PM Post #6
Admin Posts: 1,833 Group: Admin Member #183 Joined: January 13, 2007	Ryan0rz Aug 16 2008, 05:12 PM Hmm im thinking about the peavey VK 112 now... I owned the valveking.... it was my first tube amp. I had the 100 watt version which was obviously I massive step up from my old 15 watt Marshall solid state MG! But it didn't piss off my family or my neighbours and I didn't even need an attenuator! Though I'm sure it would have been nice to have one, the VK can be set to low volume and still sound great, but I'm sure it would have been much better with an attenuator. I have been looking at the Tiny Terror recently aswell. Even though I now own a Mesa Stiletto, the Tiny Terror looks like a great little amp for practicing, and easy to transport too! I would get one of those over the valveking anyday, but it's up to you. You could also take monwobobbo's advise and go for a tube amp with master volume, does the same thing as an attenuator would! PS: I don't think you can use an attenuator with a combo amp? You should take that in consideration when buying


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