Help with tube amps


heknowsnothing
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heknowsnothing
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02/18/2006 10:10 pm
I am planning to buy a DSL100 head and 1960A 4x12 cab. I am really confused about tube amps though. How much more money is it gonna cost me? I now understand about tube replacements etc but now im really confused about power attenuators. Ive heard that to get a good tone on a tube amp, the volume has to be up and the tubes have to warm up (how long does that take?) I can't be having it loud so i was looking at attenuators to reduce sound without sacrificing tone. How do these wire up to the head and cab? is it complicated? how do you use it?
These may seem like daft questions but ive never had a tube amp and don't want to waste my money.
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# 1
bigbuda
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bigbuda
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02/18/2006 11:09 pm
Originally Posted by: heknowsnothingI am planning to buy a DSL100 head and 1960A 4x12 cab. I am really confused about tube amps though. How much more money is it gonna cost me? I now understand about tube replacements etc but now im really confused about power attenuators. Ive heard that to get a good tone on a tube amp, the volume has to be up and the tubes have to warm up (how long does that take?) I can't be having it loud so i was looking at attenuators to reduce sound without sacrificing tone. How do these wire up to the head and cab? is it complicated? how do you use it?
These may seem like daft questions but ive never had a tube amp and don't want to waste my money.


Are you asking how much more an attenuator will cost you? Roughly 200 bucks. They are easy to hook up. The cable from the amp goes into the attenuator and then you hook a cable from the attenuator to your cab. So, it is inbetween the amp and cab. I'm looking at buying one myself. Schmange turned me onto weber attenuators. I think I'm gonna go with the MASS 150. Here's a link.
http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm
I am a constant evolving music machine. Oh Man, I just forgot what I was playing. Oh well, on to the next song. :rolleyes:
# 2
bigbuda
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bigbuda
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02/19/2006 12:05 am
Correction, I just purchased the MASS 150. I can't wait to get that bad boy!
I am a constant evolving music machine. Oh Man, I just forgot what I was playing. Oh well, on to the next song. :rolleyes:
# 3
PRSplaya
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02/19/2006 7:44 am
Why on God's green earth would you buy a 100 watt tube head / half stack if you can't play loudly? :confused: This is quite confusing to me.
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# 4
heknowsnothing
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heknowsnothing
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02/19/2006 9:51 am
Originally Posted by: PRSplayaWhy on God's green earth would you buy a 100 watt tube head / half stack if you can't play loudly? :confused: This is quite confusing to me.



Its for giging but for home use aswell. I dunno if youve been to england but the house are small and close together. Im not gonna be playin it loud at home coz i dont want the cops around :(
Ivefound two attenuators but i don't which is best for the amp ...
This one
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=287
Or this one?
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=66713
Im not ok. Im not okhayhay. Im not ok.
Im not O f****n K.
# 5
heknowsnothing
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heknowsnothing
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02/19/2006 10:22 am
Egnore the last thread. I just found out that it has a VPR switch (something like that) that allowes you to switch the amp from a 100 watt to 20! So I'm gonna buy it today! can't wait till i get it home
Im not ok. Im not okhayhay. Im not ok.
Im not O f****n K.
# 6
Dr_simon
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Dr_simon
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02/19/2006 2:11 pm
I have a TSL (very smiler to the DSL) and it also has the VPR function.

It is too loud for bedroom playing even with the VPR on. I use it with a Marshall PB100 Powerbreak.

It works well.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Amps?sku=483191
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# 7
Andrew Sa
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Andrew Sa
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02/19/2006 3:27 pm
yeah, 20watts is still a pretty loud amp...way too loud for England.
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bigbuda
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bigbuda
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02/19/2006 5:22 pm
Originally Posted by: Andrew Sayeah, 20watts is still a pretty loud amp...way too loud for England.


Sounds like you may need a Micro Cube for home use. ;)
I am a constant evolving music machine. Oh Man, I just forgot what I was playing. Oh well, on to the next song. :rolleyes:
# 9
Andrew Sa
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Andrew Sa
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02/19/2006 6:09 pm
I think that si a good plan...I wanna buy a small amp for home use...and an Ibanez Thermion (i'm still in love with that amp) for gigging and rehearsahl purposes...just such a mission to cart a 4x12 cab around...especially without a trailer.
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# 10
bigbuda
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bigbuda
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02/19/2006 6:56 pm
Originally Posted by: Andrew SaI think that si a good plan...I wanna buy a small amp for home use...and an Ibanez Thermion (i'm still in love with that amp) for gigging and rehearsahl purposes...just such a mission to cart a 4x12 cab around...especially without a trailer.


I don't mind movin my cab much 'cause it has wheels. My amp on the other hand weighs in at 51 lbs. and does not have wheels. :D
Buying a small practice amp for the house is a great idea. I have a micro cube myself and use it mostly with headphones. It is a loud little amp for it's size. You won't be dissapointed with one. I suggest you buy it from Musicians Friend, if you don't like it for any reason you can send it back within 45 days of your purchase. I like that policy! :cool:
I am a constant evolving music machine. Oh Man, I just forgot what I was playing. Oh well, on to the next song. :rolleyes:
# 11
PRSplaya
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02/19/2006 7:16 pm
That's understandable. Didn't meant to come off like a smart ass, if that's how you took it.

Personally, I would go the the THD Hot Plate, but over here, they cost about half of what the Marshall Power Break costs. I would still rather have it because of it's features. The Weber Mass is a great attenuator as well.

Two more things you could do... Go with the DSL50 instead of the 100. It will still be loud enough to make your ears cry. Get a 1x12 cabinet for home use, and use the 4x12 for giging.
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>HERE'S WHERE I AM NOW<
# 12
heknowsnothing
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heknowsnothing
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02/19/2006 10:56 pm
Originally Posted by: PRSplayaTwo more things you could do... Go with the DSL50 instead of the 100. It will still be loud enough to make your ears cry. Get a 1x12 cabinet for home use, and use the 4x12 for giging.


I'm thinking thats a smart idea :rolleyes: BTW PowerBrakes are less money than the Hotplate. I dont know if thats what you meant. There about £180 for a PowerBrake and well over £200 for the THD
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Im not O f****n K.
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PRSplaya
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02/19/2006 11:20 pm
In the states, the power brake costs almost twice what the hot plate does.

Power Brake - $520 USD
Hot Plate - $300 USD
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# 14
heknowsnothing
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heknowsnothing
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02/20/2006 11:03 am
:eek: the price differences are weird
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Im not O f****n K.
# 15
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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02/20/2006 4:12 pm
Originally Posted by: heknowsnothing:eek: the price differences are weird

Shipping costs and taxes make imported gear pricy on either side of the pond.
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# 16
Tele Master
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02/20/2006 8:27 pm
NOTE - Your tubes will wear faster using a Power Attenuator because you are still pushing the tubes harder than normal.
Electric Guitars are the inspiration for cries of "Turn that damn thing down"-Gibson website
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bigbuda
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bigbuda
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02/20/2006 8:47 pm
Originally Posted by: Tele MasterNOTE - Your tubes will wear faster using a Power Attenuator because you are still pushing the tubes harder than normal.


I'm not sure about that. I haven't had much experience with an attenuator yet but I know some folks here that have and they say otherwise.
I am a constant evolving music machine. Oh Man, I just forgot what I was playing. Oh well, on to the next song. :rolleyes:
# 18
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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02/20/2006 9:15 pm
When you use an attenuator to get power-tube distortion at low volume, you are putting as much stress on the tubes as if you were pushing them that hard into a normal speaker cab. So yes, they wear out faster than if you didn't push them that hard.

The power scaling technique I described earlier is a different thing altogether. That circuit design applies lower voltage to the tubes, which reduces the stress on them. They live longer that way.
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