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Post subject: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:50 am
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Hi Fender Fans,

Got my mex Strat and borrowing a Fender Stage 112 SE amp with a view to purchasing. Sounds great. Only problem is - it's sooooo loud that I can't turn the volume past 1 in my flat.
I appreciate that the amp is for stage use (the clue is in the name!) but this is a fluke bargain purchase / loan from a good friend so beggars can't be choosers, if you know what I mean.

Is there anything I can do to tame it a bit and let me crank up the volume knobs to get the full effect or is it just too big for a bedroom player like me?

BTW, (sounds rude but) I've got one crackly knob - 1st treble - does that mean a replacement or could I clean it myself?

Cheers,

Rik


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:52 am
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Answering my own question but are headphones the answer? Never tried, would feel weird, I think. Any advice?

Rik


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:04 am
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Maybe stupid answer #55. :D

When I had a job that actually had some downtime, I snuck a Steinberger Spirit into work and used a Korg Pandora PX4D processor. It has a headphone jack. And can be used inline with your amp to sorta create certain brand of amp overdrive at reasonable volume. Just a thought.

Oh, and try potentiometer-safe contact cleaner on that pot. Should be ok, after that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Korg-PX4D-Pandora-P ... 3f0b1000fc


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:48 am
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Arnt the 112 stage amps about 160 watts, albeit of the transistor variety? The answer MAY be quite straightforward hard to say but how much do you want to spend?

If you bung an L pad attenuator, either of the variable resistor type or made up of fixed resistor values between the amp o/p and the speaker this will reduce the wattage going to the speaker somewhat. It should allow you to hear people complaining more easily
:wink:

Heres a link to a site that gives an overveiw of the issue.

http://amps.zugster.net/articles/attenuation


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:10 am
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The amp develops 100 watts at 8 ohms (using the internal speaker only). Adding an 8-ohm enclosure to the extension speaker jack takes the output to 160 watts.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:34 am
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Some amps just aren't meant for home use. :D Unless you like getting visits from the cops. :lol:

I had a Hot Rod Deluxe that went from Zero to earsplitting. No one was happy - I certainly didn't like playing it. I traded it for a vintage blackface Champ. (Yeah.... I got the better part of the deal) I play for my own enjoyment..... and if the family is always complaining about the volume, then there's no enjoyment. :lol:

I would recommend looking around for something a little smaller for home - no matter what a great deal the Stage was/is, if you can't enjoy playing it, its just not worth it. Of course - its a great deal because its not a tube amp, the solid state units just don't demand the cash. :(


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:20 am
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ToneBone PENTODE or power-soak/attenuator (weber mini-mass: http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm)


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:25 pm
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stuuy wrote:
ToneBone PENTODE or power-soak/attenuator (weber mini-mass: http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm)


Nothing wrong with attenuator - but.......

If I am reading the Weber website correctly- he would need a 200 w attenuator (2x the power of the amp). That would require the Weber MASS 200, which has a base price of $215. Then add on all the other accessories/features at $25 a pop.

So an attenuator might not be the answer if its going to cost the price of the amp plus some (assuming the amp is being sold for cheap). And its still a Solid State amp - good luck repairing it.

It would be better to just purchase an amp that meets your needs. IMHO. You can pick-up a nice vintage small watt tube amp for under $500 and get all the Fender tone you want. Particularly if you renting a flat and would like to not get evicted for disturbing your neighbors :lol:

(not arguing with you.... just looking at the math - :lol: )


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:16 am
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Great replies, thanks,

Hmm, maybe it is just too loud. I''ve managed to tame it a bit with tweaking the knobs but still so sensitive at low range and can't really crank it up.

This would not be my 1st choice of amp to be honest. Nothing wrong with it at all but I was aiming for a £200 -ish amp in a couple of months, it's just this one has arrived by fluke for £100.

I'll have a look at this attenuator business.

Thanks again,

Rik


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:37 am
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100 pounds would be about $165 dollars US. That's a good price. IMHO. Adding the attenuator for $250 - then gets it over the value - IMHO. For $300-$400 US you can get yourself a nice vintage Champ or Vibro Champ. I picked up my Princeton (non-reverb) for $325 US.

Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:12 pm
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Here you go - these sell for from $15 to $20. You can crank your amp volume up, yet turn it down with this thing. Works good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VOLUME-BOX-GUITAR-A ... 2eb5f2678a


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:13 pm
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Unplug it


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:55 pm
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tjinca1 wrote:
Here you go - these sell for from $15 to $20. You can crank your amp volume up, yet turn it down with this thing. Works good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VOLUME-BOX-GUITAR-A ... 2eb5f2678a


Only works if your amp has a send/receive effects loop.

The wrong piece of gear at any price, no matter how low, is always the wrong piece of gear. Get something low wattage (champ/princeton) and you'll be much happier. Don't throw good money at something that will then be a compromise - you won't be happy with the sound, and you won't be happy you spent so much money.

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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:34 am
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nedorama wrote:
Only works if your amp has a send/receive effects loop.


The Stage 112 SE is so equipped.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Stupid Question #54 - How do I keep my amp quiet?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:46 am
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tjinca1 wrote:
Here you go - these sell for from $15 to $20. You can crank your amp volume up, yet turn it down with this thing. Works good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VOLUME-BOX-GUITAR-A ... 2eb5f2678a


Now this looks like the kinda thing I'm after,

Cheers,

Will let you know how I get on.

Rik


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