power attenuators

[Marshall Fiend]

I have a handwired reissue 2061x and a Vox Heritage AC15. I run the 2061x through an Avatar cabinet with a 25w greenback, and the AC15 has an Alnico blue speaker in it. Neither amp has a master volume. Occasionally I have the opportunity to crank each amp up without complaints, but I think it's about time that I got one or two power attenuators so that I can best appreciate these amps on a regular basis.

I have looked around and the only two attenuators that I have seen are the Marshall Powerbrake and the THD Hot Plate. I am inclined to get a THD Hot Plate. Each of my speaker options is 16 ohms, so I understand that a Hot Plate or other attenuator should work with a 16 ohm load.

Could any of you please recommend a power attenuator to me? Thanks.

[JkGriffin]

Well... according to an acquaintance of mine (whom I played in a band with some years ago) who owns a guitar store that specialize on vintage and boutique guitar stuff, the Dr.Z Airbrake is the best there is.
He sells them himself of course, but do not import stuff that he can't recommend himself.

He claims that there is no such thing as "no tone loss" when it comes to attenuators, but if you want one, then you want the Dr.Z Airbrake.
I've ordered one of those myself today. I tried it once and it really is good.

[youtube][/youtube]

[Herbvis]

Just checked the website and saw the airbrake lite. That is such a cool thing, mounts inside your amp!! Too bad they dont have the lite in a 100 watt version. I like big guitar toys in a tiny box!

[Onza_Jk]

I've got a THD hotplate, it's alright. I find that attenuator's kinda cut the high's, i have to use the bright switch to compensate then use the deep switch to make it not sound as harsh.

[Tnjpekar]

Marshall powerbrake if you can find one
been using mine with my jmp for 7 years now
wish I had it back in the day, many a sound man would
have hated me a bit less I think :cuss :cuss

[surfnorthwest]

[revrandfaze]

I have a handwired reissue 2061x and a Vox Heritage AC15. I run the 2061x through an Avatar cabinet with a 25w greenback, and the AC15 has an Alnico blue speaker in it. Neither amp has a master volume. Occasionally I have the opportunity to crank each amp up without complaints, but I think it's about time that I got one or two power attenuators so that I can best appreciate these amps on a regular basis.

I have looked around and the only two attenuators that I have seen are the Marshall Powerbrake and the THD Hot Plate. I am inclined to get a THD Hot Plate. Each of my speaker options is 16 ohms, so I understand that a Hot Plate or other attenuator should work with a 16 ohm load.

Could any of you please recommend a power attenuator to me? Thanks.

I have the same amp as you and I use the DR Z Brake light and it works great. The THD sucks tone I had one and sold it. Surf hates attenuators and he can attest to this.
They suck tone! However the Dr Z Brake light or the Airbrake is your best option I use mine at home and it sounds great put it at about 2-3 and you are good to go.
No tone suck at those levels all the way up at 4 and it sounds a bit compressed. You can still get great tone at 2-3. I have two 1/12 cabs they are both Dr Z cabs
one with a G12H 30 and one with a Celestion Gold. I am very happy with the brake light.

[sugarkane]

Never understood the antipathy to attenuators - use a Hot Plate myself. I cannot make the VM sound worse by using it and turning up the MV. By that I mean that all sorts of changes occur as the MV goes up and the Hot Plate steps down its optional volumes decreases - but all of the changes are an improvement on not using attenuation.

YES - attenuation will suck some tone (marginally) but by allowing the MV to increase the benefits far outweigh the downside. By a long way.

Here's a list of items that will suck FAR more tone (but nobody ever grumbles about):

Any pedal ever made and put in front of the amp (I don't mean activated - just in the signal path and off). That includes any with True By-Pass.

The wrong speaker choice (for the VM 9 out 10 being a non-greenback line).

Cheap guitar/amp cables (i.e. probaby less than $100 a pop) - including cheap patch leads.

Recording with an SM57 (the most popular microphone in Rock history and used by every guitar hero ever).

... I could give many other examples ... They all suck tone but it's a balance against benefits added.

This is the point where I have to put "Your mileage may vary".

[Mats A]

I agree with you on most of what you say. I mean who cares if an attenuator changes the tone. Everything affects the tone and change it when set differently. I mean is there such a thing as a true tone as how an amp should sound. The benefit of beeing able to play a 100W 1959 or old 2203 master volume loud is far greater then to play these amps at a low level.

-- Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:06 pm --

Well... according to an acquaintance of mine (whom I played in a band with some years ago) who owns a guitar store that specialize on vintage and boutique guitar stuff, the Dr.Z Airbrake is the best there is.
He sells them himself of course, but do not import stuff that he can't recommend himself.

He claims that there is no such thing as "no tone loss" when it comes to attenuators, but if you want one, then you want the Dr.Z Airbrake.
I've ordered one of those myself today. I tried it once and it really is good.

[youtube][/youtube]

Is this Dr Z Airbrake a passive or active load? How does it work?

[revrandfaze]

Valid points guys no doubt about it you are right on. I agree its great to be able to play your amps at a reasonable volume level and still get good tone.
Nothing personal on the hot plate I had one and compared to the Dr Z I like the Z much better.