Power Attenuators

[jmdeno]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this (you may have to forgive some of my future threads, as I'm not too bright when it comes to forums) but...

I'm thinking of getting a power attenuator. Wondering what you guys recommend. I almost dropped on a THD today, but wanted to get y'alls opinions first. I've heard good things about THD and Dr. Z's airbrake, and I'm sure there's an old school group using the Marshall. Are they all pretty transparent? any of them allow me to use with different cabs of different ohm ratings? right now I have a Matchless 4 ohm cab. I'd like to get something I can interchange with other ratings. What are your thoughts! thanks!

J

PS, I've seen the old post from 2004 on this topic...but I know there are some new stuff out now. just want to try to revive it for my own pleasure! :-)

[santellavision]

I tried a few (THD, Marshall and even a Dr. Z) and the one I kept is the Weber MiniMass. (https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/minimass.htm)

[jmdeno]

Awesome. Thanks man! I'll be sure to check this out right away.

J

[tom]

i tried them all when i was looking, and they do respond different with different amps. for my amp the thd worked best, and i do sometimes use the extra bass boost feature. none are transparent when they are cutting more than a little. the hotplate does -8db really nice, -12 is still usable.

[SonicGator]

The Weber units with the speaker driven motor are really good, but I've also heard good things about the THD and Dr. Z Airbrake. They can all add in some compression and color the sound the more you attenuate the signal. Never tried the new BadCat Leash however...

[rockjock]

Bingo. Precisely what I've found too. I can't imagine anything working better with a Flexi than a Hotplate. I've heard a number of Marshall-like amps (e.g., um...Marshalls, heheh, and Mojaves) sound excellent with the Hotplate...but I've heard other amps (e.g., Alessandros, Matchless, et al) that sound a lot better through the MASS.


anyone tried one with a mesa stiletto? would the THD work well with the el-34's in the boogie like it does with the marshall amps? (or is it more about amp design than the tubes?)

all the best . . .

[jmdeno]

Wow, thanks guys. Never even heard of the weber. I'd definitely like something as transparent as I can get, but the flexibility of the weber is pretty appealing. Right now I'm running a Matchless HC-30 into a Matchless ESD 2x12 cab, but I just can't get it up to the matchless' signature "slight breakup", without shaking the walls. lol

J

[Yngve]

I use a THD Hotplate sometimes with my Matchless DC30. Sounds good, and you'll get that Matchless sound at a usable volume.

[jmdeno]

Sweet, thanks! I just don't like the idea of having to buy a new one, when I run a different cab...It eats into my "new TAG" fund. :-)

I'm gonna try to snatch up a hotplate.

J

[Guitarded]

I am been using the thd hotplate for a couple years... very happy camper with this unit... andy marshall makes some awesome stuff... solid as they come

[Pastor Jeff]

Another vote for Weber. I have two of them, bought them both used off E Bay, never had a problem with either one. I use them on Fender Blues Jr. amps, I have two. The Weber works great with them.

E Bay has them fairly regularly, less $$$ that most other brands.

Good luck

Jeff