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Post subject: has anyone tried a DrZ airbrake on a vibrolux custom?
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:30 pm
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I wondering if an air brake from Dr Z would do well on a vibrolux custom. I love the tone of this amp at about 5 or 6, but I only play in a small room at home, I can't be in there at those volumes long. The neighborhood can't take it either, I am not very good. I was also concidering getting a small 1-5 watt champ, vox, marshall, for overdriven tube tone if I don't do something like the air brake. I really don't need another tone, the vibrolux has everything that I need, it is just the volume thing.


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Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:20 am
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I've only tried the Weber attenuator, does the trick for me, doesnt kill the sound too much.


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Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:55 am
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Have the Brake Lite on my Bandmaster 2x12 combo and love it. Lets me dial down the volume but still get the power tubes working. Sounds great.

FYI - unless you're worried about screwing the Brake Lite into the side of your amp, the Air Brake is overkill; the Brake Lite is fine for 40 watts and under.

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'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
'74 SF Princeton; '77 SF Princeton Reverb; Dr. Z Mini Z

Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:04 am
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No I am not worried about mounting inside, the " brake light" looks even better! Ooooh! That Band master you have is a real fine amp.


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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:20 am
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Thanks! it was a fun project last year, and is now my main gigging amp. It's a 65 head that was rescued, recapped and put into the combo cabinet courtesy of JD Newell. Speakers are Weber California 12 ceramic with the aluminum dust caps. 40 watts of 6L6 never sounded so good, but with the Brake Lite, I can tame it down at the beginning of the night when the crowd's thinner, and then open it up for later.

This amp combined with the DR. Z Mini Z is intoxicating.

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'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
'74 SF Princeton; '77 SF Princeton Reverb; Dr. Z Mini Z

Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:35 am
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Im also considering a brake lite for a Fender deluxe VM. Bit concerned on how much effect it would make to the tone. Is a pedal or something in an effects loop a better option?


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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:42 am
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The attenuator is great when you want the fender clean and the benefit of power tube interaction, but at lower volumes.

There are some pedals that do it, but most don't. I also like the fact that I can have all my pedals set the way I like them, and then instead of having to change all of them for different volume settings, I just dial back the attenuator.

Is there a change to the sound? Yes, somewhat as you are limiting the amount of speaker interaction compared to playing it at full volume. Practically, this isn't always an option, so it's a good compromise.

On something like the VM series, it won't make a sonic difference; you could just use the gain and volume knobs on your drive channel and get there without spending the $180.

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'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
'74 SF Princeton; '77 SF Princeton Reverb; Dr. Z Mini Z

Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:49 pm
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When you say sonic difference, are you meaning actual loudness or tonal quality? I generally switch between channles when playing and like a touch of break up on the clean channel and a touch more gain on channel 2.


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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:44 pm
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As to sonic difference, I'm not as aware of the amp topology in the VM series and how hard the power tubes are used vs. the classic BF/SF designs.

If you switch channels, then it may help; best bet is to find a good guitar dealer near you that carries the Dr. Z Brake Lite or the THD Hot Plate and bring your amp in and try it and see if it works for you. If you can't do that, make sure you can get a money back guarantee if you don't like the results.

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'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
'74 SF Princeton; '77 SF Princeton Reverb; Dr. Z Mini Z

Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


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