do you need an attenuator?

[ZEN Amps]

get a 4x12 and play as loud as you want.

This is the answer, regardless of the question.

 

[HellraiserJohnny]

what ear plugs are good

Eargasm - I started using them when the tinitus hit. These are the only one that don't sound like I have my fingers in my ears while playing live.

 

[cragginshred]

All attenuators kill tone period
Get an amp with a proper system volume. Allows you to crank the MV then either a loop return volume or system volume is the only solution.

Or with a fractal fM3 or 9 you use the 4 cable method and get all your effects in the unit and where you set the level acts like a system volume with out killing the tone. You can also change amp channels using the FM# too, it's what I do and could not be happier!

 

[rsm]

what ear plugs are good

I've been using these from Amazon:

 

[rsm]

All attenuators kill tone period
Get an amp with a proper system volume. Allows you to crank the MV then either a loop return volume or system volume is the only solution.

Or with a fractal fM3 or 9 you use the 4 cable method and get all your effects in the unit and where you set the level acts like a system volume with out killing the tone. You can also change amp channels using the FM# too, it's what I do and could not be happier!

I use a Boss GX-100 with my Mesa JP-2C in 4CM, the same way. It also does channel switching. I can use Master Output level to control the level of the signal being sent to the power amp.

With Marshalls, I just go straight in, and channel switch. I may use an EQ pedal in front of the amp, especially with a single channel amp, to boost the input and/or the EQ to shape the tone going in...I don't really use effects with my Marshalls, I think they sound best old school with the power amp / MV cooking.