• jimR8
  • Bronze Member
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  • Registered: 2008-06-11
  • Posts: 44

Topic: Amp Advice

Need some advice from the gear heads in the group.  I currently own a Marshall JCM 2000, DSL 100 watt half stack.  I love the sound if I can get the volume to around 6.  The issue is I can't stay in the same county with the amp at that volume.

Saw a Marshall Silver Jubilee 25 / 50 head at GC for $ 1949.00.  I did play through it at it seem awesome.  Great harmonics at low volume.   Not distortion, but just tone for days.

It does not have the channel foot switch.  WOndering if any of you have used the 25 / 50 and if that's a fair price.  Anyone heard of any issues?

Thanks folks!

  • Ocean
  • Silver Member
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: Amp Advice

I know you're mentioning new amps but have you looked into an attenuator for your current amp?  The Weber Mass series are very good.  Just a thought...

Ocean's Website

  • jimR8
  • Bronze Member
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  • Registered: 2008-06-11
  • Posts: 44

Re: Amp Advice

you mean like a THD Power Soak?

  • Ocean
  • Silver Member
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: Amp Advice

jimR8 wrote:

you mean like a THD Power Soak?

Well, the THD is the Hotplate...Marshall makes the Power Soak.  But I was talking about the Weber attenuators.  All will serve essentially the same purpose but I've just heard the most positive comments on the Webers.  Just go to http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm and check out the MASS series.  If you did decide to keep your current amp and be able to tap into its natural overdrive, this would be the place to start IMO.

Ocean's Website

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Amp Advice

Ocean wrote:
jimR8 wrote:

you mean like a THD Power Soak?

Well, the THD is the Hotplate...Marshall makes the Power Soak.  But I was talking about the Weber attenuators.  All will serve essentially the same purpose but I've just heard the most positive comments on the Webers.  Just go to http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm and check out the MASS series.  If you did decide to keep your current amp and be able to tap into its natural overdrive, this would be the place to start IMO.

The mass is way cheaper than a hotplate too. I've just never pulled the trigger, but would like to try the weber. Any first hand experience with one?

  • From: Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2008-03-28
  • Posts: 263

Re: Amp Advice

ken wrote:
Ocean wrote:
jimR8 wrote:

you mean like a THD Power Soak?

Well, the THD is the Hotplate...Marshall makes the Power Soak.  But I was talking about the Weber attenuators.  All will serve essentially the same purpose but I've just heard the most positive comments on the Webers.  Just go to http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm and check out the MASS series.  If you did decide to keep your current amp and be able to tap into its natural overdrive, this would be the place to start IMO.

The mass is way cheaper than a hotplate too. I've just never pulled the trigger, but would like to try the weber. Any first hand experience with one?

I actually used to have one for an Ampeg head I used.  It was great until I lost it.  sad  I had the 100W Mass model and it really worked well.  No loss of tone and it seemed to add a compression like quality to the signal.  Harmonics seemed richer than without it too.  The only reason I didn't buy a new one was because I sold the Ampeg.

Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn
  • Ocean
  • Silver Member
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: Amp Advice

A good friend of mine has the Mass Lite (i think that's what its called) and his tone was huge the other day.  I had not heard it in a while but when he cranked it up, it was rockin'.  I've tried the THD and the Dr. Z one.  The Webers are hands down the best at not robbing your amps tonal character.  They're tweakable and come in several different models...

Ocean's Website

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Amp Advice

Hi,

I have various attenuators (Weber Mass, THD Hotplate, Tubejuice, Powerbrake) and I can tell you one thing. At bedroom level they all sound pretty lame. But if you pick out the best of them then I'd go for the Tubejuice. Funnily its the cheapest of them but for low volume issues they sound best. At higher stage volume they all do the job equally.

Have a look:
http://www.tubejuiceattenuators.com/

Good luck
/Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • Registered: 2008-07-23
  • Posts: 27

Re: Amp Advice

Stratovari wrote:

Hi,

I have various attenuators (Weber Mass, THD Hotplate, Tubejuice, Powerbrake) and I can tell you one thing. At bedroom level they all sound pretty lame.

Alex is absolutely right. I use THD 8ohm Hotplates for gigging and they are a brilliant tool.

Mine allows me to run my amps on 8 irrespective of venue size...and some of the places we play are so small I get a bruise on my left arm because I keep getting hit by one of the crash cymbals.

However, once you dip down to so-called bedroom level you still end ep with the fly-buzzing-around-in-box kinda thing. You'd be better off goosing your amp with a good pedal, IMHO.

It may sound obvious, but would it not work better if you get a less powerful amp?

For years I tugged a Marshall and a 4x12 around pubs and bars, irrespective of the fact I couldn't get the volume past about 2 without the landlord screaming at me to turn down.

Now I use two 10watt Cornells with Celestion speakers that are hooked together. We're a bass/drum/guitar three piece and I never have problems getting heard. And at soundchecks we still sometimes get asked to turn down, hence the need for the Hotplates.

I'm not pretending this is a cheap alternative, it's not...and I have the credit card bills to prove it. But it does work if you play small venues or simply like to work out at home.

Cheers,

Neil

  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 5

Re: Amp Advice

If you are looking for a fantastic attenuator look for a "Ultimate attenuator" is the best out there. you can order one with a lot of fantastic futures including a bedroom switch that let you your amp at very low volume without loosing quality..