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Post subject: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:23 pm
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OK guys here are my questions. How would my 73 super reverb sound at low volume (recording and practice) with a attenuator? Do you think I would be better off with a smaller amp? I had bad luck with the tweed blues jr but I did like the tone. I may be able to get my hands on a princeton 65RI.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:07 pm
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I see That Taskerc brought this up on his SR project. Looks LIke if I went with the Weber mass 50 I would be able to use it on other amps.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:02 pm
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I have read that attenuators work well if you don't attenuate too much, otherwise they can affect your tone. I can't speak about the Webers, but I have had a Dr Z Airbrake for a couple of weeks and doesn't seem to affect the tone of my 67 Bassman much, even attenuating to bedroom volumes. The Webers have multiple ohm settings, but the Airbrake runs at any impedance so you can use it with other amps as well.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:19 am
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The Ted Weber website has some good info on attenuation and how it only affect 2 of the 4 factors contributing to tone and overdrive. The Princeton Reverb has a history of being a great recording amp for it's lower power and great sound.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:24 pm
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At this time I would have to sell my SR to get a Princeton. I checket out youtube but its difficult to tell. I am leaning towards the atenuator. I go to see a hearing specialist this week it will have a bearing on my future plans for sure. BT


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:30 am
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I'd keep the 73 SR. I'd also get a smaller amp to practice with. A used DRRI or Princeton would be good or step outside the Fender camp. A friend of mine has a VHT Special 6 that I really like and the Jet City amps sound great too. I use an Egnater Rebel 20 and I really like it a lot. It has tons of versatility. The Egnater Tweaker's pretty nice too.

Every attenuator I've bought got sent back. It just seemed to color my tone a bit too much for my liking. Try one and see how it works out for you. I just like little amps. Most places I gig 20 watts is plenty. The Princeton is a little tougher to gig with. I'm not surprised you had problems with the Blues Jr.

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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:40 pm
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I picked up a class 5 the other day. It sounds good with my TS-9.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:44 pm
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I have the Dr. Z Brakelite installed on my Bandmaster combo, and it does the trick without affecting tone that much. Yes, speaker interaction is changed, but if you can't play it that loud at a show, I'd rather get the power tubes growling and lose some speaker interaction at lower volume.

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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:22 am
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nedorama wrote:
I have the Dr. Z Brakelite installed on my Bandmaster combo, and it does the trick without affecting tone that much. Yes, speaker interaction is changed, but if you can't play it that loud at a show, I'd rather get the power tubes growling and lose some speaker interaction at lower volume.

nedorame, that is a beautiful amp. If and when I decide on a atenuator I would want to use it on more then one amp, and I am not sure it would bother me if it colored the tone. I hate buying things and then sending them back. I saw a clip on youtube for a atenuator along with a old Fender twin and it sounded like what I would want. I think he may heve been using something else along with it, but that was a great sounding amp. If the tone was colored I like that color. As for the speaker interaction. I'm not sure. I have been keeping my volume down below 90db along with a ear plug in my right ear and it still bothers me after about 30 min. That is the same level as my wifes vaccum. I hope to be able to play out in the future at the coffie house and other small venues but there is alot of prejudice around toward the SR. The so called blues society has refused to let me use the amp saying it is to loud. Anyway screw them. Sorry to ramble on . Later. BT


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:39 am
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If you are going to gig at small coffee houses etc. I would give serious consideration to getting a smaller amp such as the Princeton Reverb or as 63 said the Egnater is a nice amp. While most of us appreciate the SR, it's just overkill for small venues. Besides your ears, your back will appreciate a smaller amp. Believe me I'm almost 57 and taking a smaller amp with great tone such as a Princeton Reverb or Deluxe Reverb is preferable to lugging around a 65lb. amp. Unless you're playing large venues I think you'll be happier with a smaller amp than going with an attenuator for the Super. Should you play a larger event you can always mic the smaller amp.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:01 am
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l88vette wrote:
Besides your ears, your back will appreciate a smaller amp. Believe me I'm almost 57 and taking a smaller amp with great tone such as a Princeton Reverb or Deluxe Reverb is preferable to lugging around a 65lb. amp.


+1

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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:41 pm
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+1 as well. I use a handtruck for my Bandmaster combo (68 lbs) but can carry my princeton Reverb in one hand easily.

Super Reverb - great amp. Not for a coffeehouse; you'll never get a good sound. Better to have the right amp for the job.

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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:44 pm
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bluestrucker wrote:
nedorama wrote:
I have the Dr. Z Brakelite installed on my Bandmaster combo, and it does the trick without affecting tone that much. Yes, speaker interaction is changed, but if you can't play it that loud at a show, I'd rather get the power tubes growling and lose some speaker interaction at lower volume.

nedorame, that is a beautiful amp. If and when I decide on a atenuator I would want to use it on more then one amp, and I am not sure it would bother me if it colored the tone.


Thanks for the complement - it was a rescue project from a '65 that had seen better days, both on internal and the head cab. Has Weber ceramic California 12's and just love the way it sounds. I also like the fact that it's a Fender that Fender never made - I do get some funny looks from folks who do a double take... here's the link to the process from buying it from a drummer off ebay to final finished amp:

http://gallery.me.com/nedorama/100188

On attenuators, only you'll be able to decide how much it affects your tone with your amp and signal chain - if you're ordering mail order, I see no guilt in sending it back if you don't like the way it works. For you, the Brake Lite may not be as flexible an option as an Air Brake or Weber or THD hotplate or even an old Scholz Power Soak - they all do the same thing.

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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:08 pm
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The tricky thing about attenuating the Super Reverb signal is the amplifier's stock output impedance, which is fixed at 2 ohms. There are several tube amp attenuators that are designed for 2 ohm output, but I've found that they are not variable and fixed at 2 ohms. This means that you can't use them effectively with other amps of higher output impedance. The other consideration is if you want to attach an extension cab to your rig. Most attenuators that support two outputs, suggest that the impedance of the two outputs be matched for optimal performance. This would mean that the extension cab attached to a stock Super Reverb would have be 2 ohms ( 4, 8 ohm speakers in parallel or 2, 4 ohm speakers in parallel, etc.). The combined impedance of the two cabs through the attenuator to the amp would then be 1 ohm, which is dangerously low. There are several ways around this. One is to employ an impedance matching device that delivers the correct 2 ohms to the attenuator, and subsequently the amplifier. The other is to rewire the Super cab to 8 ohms and attach an 8 ohm extension cab to the attenuator, along with the combo cab's 8 ohm load. This would provide a matched cab impendance and a 4 ohm load to the amp and attenuator. This higher, though mismatched impedance, can be handled well by the Super and the 4 ohm (or 50% higher than the amp's) impedance is much better for the amp than 1 ohm.


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Post subject: Re: Attenuator for super reverb
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:30 pm
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Thanks for the info. After getting my class 5 I have decided against the attenuator. I was wondering if the amp could be run at 4ohms. A Fender rep. told me not to, but I have had several others tell me its alright.


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