1972 hand wired Marshall 1959 sl/a

[M38a1]

I just got this amp, knowing it's gotta be cranked loud to get THAT great Marshall sound.... but omg it's just to loud..
I'm looking for your expert opinion on safely cutting back the power by removing two of the power tubes..and then the correct setting for amp and speaker ohm load.
I don't want to risk damaging any components as everything is original. Replacing Tubes I can deal with... transformers.. no
Thank you very much

 

[guitarded_1]

Remove two tubes and halve the impedance. Fair warning - it won't accomplish much of anything in terms of cutting the volume. You'll need to consider a PPIMV or an attenuator. You can Google all of the stuff by the way. There's a ton of information out there.

 

[LP Freak]

Yea, removing two tubes doesn't do a whole lot to cut back the volume. The LarMar MV sounds great on these. I have one on my '74. Throw one in one of the speaker jacks and it's easily reversible if you don't like it. I actually prefer it to an attenuator...even the Power Station.

 

[paulyc]

Pulling two tubes won't reduce volume much at all, been down that road.

 

[bdm]

Fryette Power Station, Rivera Rock Crusher, THD Hotplate; I've had good results with all three on old Marshalls.

 

[Del Rei]

I would look for an attenuator.

 

[paulyc]

All the attenuators I've tried kill tone if you take more than 3-6 db off. To get it down to apartment level would be hideous tone. Master volume mod, might as well be a Jose style at that.

 

[JerEvil]

All the attenuators I've tried kill tone if you take more than 3-6 db off. To get it down to apartment level would be hideous tone. Master volume mod, might as well be a Jose style at that.

Have you tried the Power Station? With the additional tone shaping knobs/switches it works pretty damn well.

I did not like the RockCrusher personally.

 

[fusedbrain]

I've had good results with the Lar/Mar master volume as well. It's not perfect, but it's better than all the attenuators I've tried, though I haven't used the Power Station.
The other thing you might want to consider is taking the output transformer tap or taps you plan to use, and hard wire it to a speaker jack(s). Those stupid 2 pin impedance selector plugs are a disaster waiting to happen. Easily reversible and won't affect the value of your amp, but will protect your output transformer.

 

[paulyc]

All the attenuators I've tried kill tone if you take more than 3-6 db off. To get it down to apartment level would be hideous tone. Master volume mod, might as well be a Jose style at that.

Have you tried the Power Station? With the additional tone shaping knobs/switches it works pretty damn well.

I did not like the RockCrusher personally.

No, not the Power Station, I've used others ( Hot Plate, Marshall Power Brake, Scholz, Altair ) and I didn't care for any of them if going past 3-6 db of attenuation. Lose all lows and highs, nothing but midrange, sound gets "blurry".

 

[LP Freak]

All the attenuators I've tried kill tone if you take more than 3-6 db off. To get it down to apartment level would be hideous tone. Master volume mod, might as well be a Jose style at that.

Have you tried the Power Station? With the additional tone shaping knobs/switches it works pretty damn well.

I did not like the RockCrusher personally.

No, not the Power Station, I've used others ( Hot Plate, Marshall Power Brake, Scholz, Altair ) and I didn't care for any of them if going past 3-6 db of attenuation. Lose all lows and highs, nothing but midrange, sound gets "blurry".

The PS is definitely the best of them. I had the PS1 and the PS2 but they both alter the tone and feel of the amp regardless of the volume. They both neuter the highs. Yes, you can add them back in through the PS but the problem is is that it's a different frequency when you do. I tried liking them but when I went back and plugged in direct it was like...yep, there it is.

 

[M38a1]

This metal face has been modified, late 70's
The owner said Bob Heil did the work.
He added two preamp gain pots.
Don't know how they are configured but I am starting to get the hang of this monster.
I've only had this amp for a week. Thanks everyone for the tips on everything.