Friedman amps needs attenuator? Or the same results with MV?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Del Rei
  • Start date Start date
Del Rei

Del Rei

Member
Hey, guys.

Well, I have the Smallbox, and yeah, I love it.
But I was never able to use the MV above 4 - It's too loud, even for my gigs.

So, did anyone had experienced attenuators with Friedman amps and got much better results?

Is it worth investing in an attenuator....?

Honestly, I think it has a great master volume and works great at low volumes.
But I would like to know the opinion of those who have used an attenuator.
 
I can't speak for the Smallbox but I tried a Power Station with my JJ-100 and sold it pretty quickly because it didn't gain me anything. I don't remember seeing anybody say they gained anything with an attenuator versus the master volume on a Friedman.
 
Well the MV at 4 is plenty loud to get the goods from that amp. MV knobs have a sweet spot just like gain knobs and other knobs, and 10 isn't necessarily better. Having said that, I have used a hot plate with my SB and the results were great.
 
I own a few attenuators (PowerStation, RockCrusher, Aracom) each with it's own positives, tone and capabilities. I like them more for Non-Master Volume Marshall etc. Tried them with my BE100, there was a difference with the width of the power tubes assuming your trying to get the "Push Power tube tone" rather than Preamp. I thought it didn't make a huge difference, overall. I primarily use mine for recording and get a great tone, live there's no need for an attenuator (adjust the amp). Also if you push your amp "Hard" your Power Tubes will need to be changed more often, something to consider.

I also like "at the point of breakup", less gain and an overdrive pedal for a little push in the front for Blues sounds killer with a nice Strat single coils!

I find the BE100 excels even at full gain & overdrive pedal, clear and articulate, better than most amps out there and it sounds "Incredible" High-Gain Plexi tones and yet I can still lower the guitar volume and Tame the output and that's with the OD pedal "On" the distortion clears up very close to "point of breakup", Dave's amps have that capability IMHO, and that's all "Without" an Attenuator.
 
Hey, guys... Thank you all for the comments.

Yeah, I guess there is no need of an attenuator.
I won't spend any money on it now.
 
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