Another cheap attenuator type deal

[jtcnj]

This is meant to be a switchable on-board amp mod, but I built it as a box in line with the speaker cable.

We talk about driving tube amps and low(er) volume playing often, so:

So far on my 4-5w Tweed Champ/Princeton clone-ish, it makes a pretty big difference.
Still louder than say, somewhat loud TV volume. Volume 1:00 to 3:00 (depends on guitar pickups) OD that cleans up (mostly) with guitar volume.
Still just a little too loud to crank with the wife watching TV directly above me, or probably apartment dweller neighbors.

Without the power soak, way too loud; not calling the police loud obviously, but piss off the family loud.

I think it colors the tone a little bit; just Different, not killing the highs; still plenty of treble on tap. I am EQing by ear either way so the starting point is a little different when using or not using this.

I can get it a good bit lower volume while still getting amp character and driving the speaker enough to avoid that anemic far away low volume sound by using or stacking OD pedals with the levels down (and drive low too - cascade light stages) as needed.
Not just low sound pressure, that kind of blanket, (but not treble roll off) - you can tell as you turn up the point where things come "alive" - even clean.
I believe this is the speaker not getting enough current/ barely working.

Playing loud, EQ the lows out a bit and stacking ODs (cascading gain stages) while being careful not to overwhelm the pre-amp gets into some classic/ hard rock territory. Not EXACTLY anyone in particular, but that tight driven mid and trebly OD, with a range of either treble or heavier, compressed drive on tap. Not modern metal / Mesa Boogie hi gain though.

In this case, EHX Soul Food into TS5 tubescreamer (the cheap plastic one that looks like a turtle -with mods)

I was playing the riff to Twisted Sister "I Wanna Rock"; it was a usable tone for that song but more middy- as I said in that territory. (The tone in that song is what I understand to be mid-scooped, but I admit I really dont understand when people discuss this - between lower / mid / and upper mids, etc.)
Comments welcome.

Will try it on Brownface Princeton or Marshall 18w TMB build this evening.

 

[Cadorman]

So, you skipped the switch correct? Could it easily be modified for more than 10%?

 

[jtcnj]

The resistor values change for the 1/4 power version I also built, not really effective.
It is originally designed as a swtichable on-board amp mod.

Amp Mods

Generic Guitar Tube Amplifier Modifications

robrobinette.com

So, I have used this often and it makes a huge difference in keeping the cranked sweet spot at a substantially lower volume.
Most times - if my wife is at work - it works really well for me on the 12-18w 2-6V6 or 2-EL84 amps.
it gets pretty warm too.

It is still LOUD, like I can hear you a little, looking straight at you yelling; your lips move, but I cant hear what you say. (?)
Now I have unintentionally launched the Comfortably Numb brain worm.

Personally, I cant take volume either. It is very fatiguing.
It is well below that. It is loud but not uncomfortable, very manageable.

I'm gonna try it on a 50w 2-6L6GC amp into the same 8Ω Eminence GB128 speaker tomorrow evening.

 

[ivan H]

Neat how you put it into a pedal type format, well done. If you're intending to use it for long-ish periods with a 2-6L6 (50 watt) amp, you may want to drill some holes in the sides & top of the enclosure for ventilation/cooling purposes. Those power resistors will get kinda hot. Cheers

 

[jtcnj]

Neat how you put it into a pedal type format, well done. If you're intending to use it for long-ish periods with a 2-6L6 (50 watt) amp, you may want to drill some holes in the sides & top of the enclosure for ventilation/cooling purposes. Those power resistors will get kinda hot. Cheers

I have been hitting it hard with a Silkyn 50w.
It does get warm. the resistors are bolted directly to the alum. enclosure.
I got lazy and didnt use heat sink paste on this one, but I look at the enclosure as a heat sink.
Good point though, I will have to pull the cover after it is warm and check the resistor body heat sink fins as well.

It makes a HUGE difference with the higher powered amp.
I can turn the volumes up a lot higher and while loud, it is not overpowering.
The amp really opens up a lot more turned up as opposed to around 3 on the volume pots.