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Post subject: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:06 am
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Hi guys, I've been toying with the idea of getting one of those attenuators however I've read that they are just basically a volume pedal, I have an old volume pedal lying around would this work in the same ie using the foot pedal to control the volume.
many thanks
Tom

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Post subject: Re: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:21 am
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Tom,
No, a real attenuator will allow you to get the benefit of tube saturation at low volumes. It goes between your amp and speaker.
Here's an example.
http://www.drzamps.com/products/z_air_brake.html

This box
http://www.amazon.com/Box-Attenuator-Fe ... B0046Q9TNI
Is NOT an attenuator. It's a simple volume control that goes in your effects loop. You can do the same thing better with a volume pedal. It doesn't allow the tubes to saturate but makes it easier to control the volume.

The drawback of an attenuator is if you crank your amp constantly it will be hard on the tubes and you'll be replacing them more often.

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Post subject: Re: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:42 am
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A bit pricey especially after forking out a load for the amp:-) what about carls custom guitars original Volume box, he's had some good write ups
Thanks as always guys
Tom

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Post subject: Re: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:56 am
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You can build one yourself for under ten bucks. It's a volume control. Just a audio taper pot and two jacks. http://www.regiscoyne.com/tech/VolumeBox/

Personally, I'd just use a volume pedal in the loop if you go the volume box route. Like I said, you just won't get that tube saturation, you'll just get a little more control of the volume.
I thought the HRD III series addressed the touch volume pot.

That way you have foot control. There are cheaper attenuators but they tend to alter the tone a bit.

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Post subject: Re: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:53 am
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What I'm after is to drive the tubes. When the volumes at 2 I get a light drive but I want to get to full saturation and get the benefit of a tube driven amp at lower volumes, would this do, I thought a volume pedal would be jut like turning the guitar down
Tom

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Post subject: Re: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:10 pm
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It won't do it.
This will.
https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/minimass.htm
A couple other options could be a tube change.
https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph ... gory_id=32
Or just have the bias checked. The tubes are probably biased really cold. I ran JJ's and biased at around 85-90mv at the bias test point. It gave me earlier breakup and smoother distortion.

Another option would be to return the amp and purchase a lower wattage model like the DRRI or jump ship like I did with my HRDlx and buy a Egnater Rebel or maybe a Mesa Trans Atlantic.

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Post subject: Re: HRDIII attenuator
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:43 pm
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I'll probably wait until Sunday when I'm in the studio, if sounds fine then I can handle the lower volumes at home with a distortion pedal. Thanks for the advise guys
Tom

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Gibson Les Paul Studio in Satin Yellow with burstbucker pros
Fender Telecaster with Kinman Noiseless pickups.
Gordon Smith GS
Hot Rod Deluxe III
MXR MC402 Boost/Overdrive
Boss ME25 (for studio work)
Behringer Tuner
Cry Baby wah


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