Attentuators

[jmgman69]

Don't really know much about these but thought I'd ask here and see what's good and what's not and why??Thanks in advance!!

 

[R.D.]

All you need to know, right here:

http://www.faustineamps.com/phantom.html

 

[jmgman69]

All you need to know, right here:

http://www.faustineamps.com/phantom.html

Unfortunately there is a 6 month wait anything else work good?

 

[dooredge]

10-14 day build time.

http://www.thevintagesound.com/store/we ... p-358.html


Understanding Attenuators: Article

 

[Scumback Speakers]

Google: Alex Attenuator

I have a 16 ohm model and it works really well. I prefer it to the UA, and it's right up there with the Faustine for tone, but only comes in one ohm setting, not 3 like the Faustine. So you have to know what ohm rating you want for your cabs.

They're less than $400 shipped in the USA.

Email: aortner@comcast.net

Alex Ortner is the builder, they're in stock as of two days ago.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Dang man, that's some coin. Are they really that much better than say the Weber Mass??

But, I guess if it gets you great cranked tone, then what's a few hundred extra!!

 

[Scumback Speakers]

The Faustine is a great product. If you need it's features, then that's the price. I found the Alex Attenuator provided the same tones, but only in a single ohm setting. It does have a 4 way adjustable treble control on the bedroom settings which is nice when you use different guitar pickups (P90/single/humbuckers). So you get to dial in your treble response at mouse fart volumes better than any other attenuator on the market.

The only drawback is the single ohm setting.

 

[jmgman69]

I had Mark Cameron build me one. So you know it sounds good.

I'm pretty sure that ain't gonna happen at least not for a long while

 

[Ultron]

I have an 8ohm Alex Attenuator (that I'm actually selling....PM me for details) that is LIGHTYEARS beyond the Weber Mass I had. Its pretty amazing as you increase the level of attenuation, the consistency of your tone remains...actually had me laughing a bit. I cranked my DSL50 (also for sale ) into it and even chopping it down -12db, noticed no discernable difference, outside of volume. Really great for gigging in smaller clubs.

The newer technology being used has leapfrogged them from the tonesuckers like Weber Mass and Hotplates.

 

[Rogue]

I can only speak of a Hotplate, a Weber Mass, and a Leash.

From what I have read, I would suggest the Alex is the best bang for the buck, but there are better ones for more money. If more budget minded than an Alex, I would suggest a used Leash. I had one for a long time running my 1959x. From my experience it worked better than the Mass or Hotplate, although it does lack a line out if that is important.

 

[TeleBlaster]

I find the Hotplate does not tone suck in the -4 and -8 settings. Just enough attenuation to open up your head a bit without the sound guys freaking.
But I know nothing of trying to make a 100w head a bedroom amp.

 

[Scumback Speakers]

I find the Hotplate does not tone suck in the -4 and -8 settings. Just enough attenuation to open up your head a bit without the sound guys freaking.
But I know nothing of trying to make a 100w head a bedroom amp.

You must be setting your amp up very clean, and using pedals for OD, then. When I tried (multiple Hot Plates) 3-4 years back, anything past 1 click down was a HUGE tone suck with an amp that had it's own natural overdrive going. It wasn't even usable at 2 clicks down and 1 click was an immediately noticeable degradation of tone.

 

[racerevlon]

I've been using SR&D Power Soak units since the 80's and they're rock-solid without tone suck.

 

[blackba]

I would really like to try the new Aracom attenuator, but their new special version is over $600. When an attenuator gets to cost 50% of my amp's cost, that just seems high.

I had a Dr.Z airbrake and it was pretty nice, but I sold it before I had really gotten into single channel amps. I do worry about running an attenuator with my vintage amps. If I blow the output transformer, the value of the amp goes down.

 

[Greazygeo]

I like the Hotplate....works great with my amps.....Didnt like the Airbrake.

 

[TeleBlaster]

You must be setting your amp up very clean, and using pedals for OD, then. When I tried (multiple Hot Plates) 3-4 years back, anything past 1 click down was a HUGE tone suck with an amp that had it's own natural overdrive going. It wasn't even usable at 2 clicks down and 1 click was an immediately noticeable degradation of tone.

Ummm.... no. Maybe it's your amp.

 

[Greazygeo]

You must be setting your amp up very clean, and using pedals for OD, then. When I tried (multiple Hot Plates) 3-4 years back, anything past 1 click down was a HUGE tone suck with an amp that had it's own natural overdrive going. It wasn't even usable at 2 clicks down and 1 click was an immediately noticeable degradation of tone.

Ummm.... no. Maybe it's your amp.

It doesnt affect mine until -12 and its very slight...-16 alittle more but nothing drastic.

 

[Digital Jams]

I like the Hotplate....works great with my amps.....Didnt like the Airbrake.

Me too, the hotplate works fine for me and Degenaro once threw up a clip going through the different levels and many people missed which was which.

Good tool to have.

 

[stratotone]

I dig the hotplate too.

 

[tweed]

Once in a while I use my Weber HP load dump. Works great for what it does and really helps in small clubs.

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/hpld.htm

I would really love to try the THD and see what the difference is one of these days.