NAD!!!! 1999 SLP RI - Mod questions

[ewill52]

HOLY SHIT THIS MOFO IS INSANE!!!!! LOVE this amp. Been a long time since I played a single channel\loop-less amp, took it out and gigged it this weekend with a borrowed attenuator. So responsive to the volume knob, able to get really passable cleans with just volume control.

About to open a can o' worms. Thinking about PPIMV. Would love to hear from some folks have installed. For folks who have used both, whats the verdict on PPIMV vs attenuator? Tone implications? The amp is just too damn loud to run it without. Attenuation worked great (although it got hot by the end of the night).

So far I've used an Airbrake and an Ultimate.

Thanks in advance!

 

[stephen sawall]

Congratulations....

Personally I prefer a attenuator. I am sure you are aware the Ultimate is a load / re-amp devise. Even if I added a PPIMV I would use a attenuator to get the poweramp running hotter in most cases.

 

[Rogue]

I have never used a PPIMV, but I know that it removes the ability to adjust the presence of the amp, which I've found to be an instrumental control in getting varied tones from the circuit.

I did install a regular JCM800 type master, but it's usually cranked up. I actually keep it rolled off a few ticks as my brain wants to believe it might help save some tube life. It will bring the volume of the amp down, but the magic of that circuit requires the power amp to be running open.

So, all that, an attenuator for me. It's not a perfect solution, but I feel is it better than a normal master, and would suspect I would not like a PPIMV because of it's lack of presence control.

I currently use an Alex Attenuator. It does affect things at extreme attenuation, but does a pretty good job all the way down to bedroom levels. Even bedroom levels is playable and listenable, but you can tell the tone and feel isn't quite there.

 

[Badronald]

Just run a Plexitone, Fulldrive II, BB Preamp or Bogner Red in front of it and call it a day.

 

[guitarmike]

Just run a Plexitone, Fulldrive II, BB Preamp or Bogner Red in front of it and call it a day.

I have done just that for years but your amp becomes a pedal platform and you lose the tone from the amp.

If volume is the only issue, I'd send it to Friedman for a kitchen sink mod. His master volume circuit is as good as it gets and his mods allow the amp's tone to shine if desired. Your amp becomes your bedroom practice amp and your stadium slayer! I have used an attenuator on my old Marshalls a few times and they did not sound good attenuated down to practice at home levels. Perhaps the right attenuator will do the trick, I think I tried an older HotPlate and one I can't remember, I remember that I just wasn't that pleased with the results of the amp through them.

 

[Badronald]

Just run a Plexitone, Fulldrive II, BB Preamp or Bogner Red in front of it and call it a day.

I have done just that for years but your amp becomes a pedal platform and you lose the tone from the amp.

If volume is the only issue, I'd send it to Friedman for a kitchen sink mod. His master volume circuit is as good as it gets and his mods allow the amp's tone to shine if desired. Your amp becomes your bedroom practice amp and your stadium slayer! I have used an attenuator on my old Marshalls a few times and they did not sound good attenuated down to practice at home levels. Perhaps the right attenuator will do the trick, I think I tried an older HotPlate and one I can't remember, I remember that I just wasn't that pleased with the results of the amp through them.

Sure. However modding the amp is changing it from what it is to something different as well.

 

[mesa50w]

jcm800 type master and ts808 to boost mine ..love it

 

[BC Audio]

You won't get THAT sound with a MV, PPI or not. A MV takes the power tubes out of the equation in terms of contributing to the overdrive.

Use an attenuator, just don't expect it to sound good a bedroom volume. Decide what's more important: your bedroom sound or your gigging sound. The answer to that question determines whether you want a MV or not.

 

[joepete77]

HOLY SHIT THIS MOFO IS INSANE!!!!! LOVE this amp. Been a long time since I played a single channel\loop-less amp, took it out and gigged it this weekend with a borrowed attenuator. So responsive to the volume knob, able to get really passable cleans with just volume control.

About to open a can o' worms. Thinking about PPIMV. Would love to hear from some folks have installed. For folks who have used both, whats the verdict on PPIMV vs attenuator? Tone implications? The amp is just too damn loud to run it without. Attenuation worked great (although it got hot by the end of the night).

So far I've used an Airbrake and an Ultimate.

Thanks in advance!

Congrats on nice amp!! How did you like the ultimate atten? I have had great results by plugging amp into the variac 400v plug on back as using this along with or without attenuation allows for a browner tone at really low volume levels. If you are considering mods then I would recommend Dave bray. His ppimv is the best I have ever tried and the presence knob still is functional and his mods are the best I have tried and I have tried them all. Don't be afraid of using a master as these amps can be pretty useless without unless using an attenuator. I never was big on using pedals for overall voicing and gain on these, just for lead boosts or a touch of compression for leads.

 

[ewill52]

Really liked the ultimate - there's some controversy over the ultimate and the way that it works...I'll be honest I thought it sounded great! One of my bandmates uses it on an AC30 with fantastic results also.

Looks like there are several options for PPIMV kits that when are turned all the way up are out of the circuit. I may just try both!

 

[joepete77]

Really liked the ultimate - there's some controversy over the ultimate and the way that it works...I'll be honest I thought it sounded great! One of my bandmates uses it on an AC30 with fantastic results also.

Looks like there are several options for PPIMV kits that when are turned all the way up are out of the circuit. I may just try both!

I like the ultimate/ho atten. I am more interested in how it makes my rig sound and not so much the technical aspects. Judge with your ears. There are a few different versions or tweaks with the ppimv that can sound really great. Internally jumpered input channels can be really cool too with many tonal options.

 

[dstroud]

I much prefer an attenuator with my 1987 and 1959 than any ppimv. And I tried a couple different ppimv circuits. I got an ultimate attenuator direct from HO and it's worked great for many years with lots of use. However that Bad Cat Unleash also looks very cool too.