Attenuator?

Ryan Freeland · 01-29-2006, 04:19 PM

I'm looking into the posibility of getting an attenuator and using it for low volume practicing. Will it wear the tubes down quicker? How much do they cost, and what features are there?

Also: any links/suggestions for specific ones?

Thanks.

**Wesley7777** · 01-29-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Building429_Boy

I'm looking into the posibility of getting an attenuator and using it for low volume practicing. Will it wear the tubes down quicker? How much do they cost, and what features are there?

Also: any links/suggestions for specific ones?

Thanks.

do you have a tube amp? well if you do, talked to major tom, i know he used to selll them to people.

Ryan Freeland · 01-29-2006, 04:31 PM

Yep. The tube amp is on the way! I'll PM Major Tom.

**thesteve** · 01-29-2006, 05:00 PM

Attenuators don't cause your tubes to wear down faster...running your amp hotter because you're attenuating does.

Major Tom · 01-29-2006, 11:18 PM

Steve is correct. In and of themselves, no, but an attenuator allows you to actually turn up the amp to where the power tubes are sweating a bit, while still in the same room. The harder you make the tubes distort, the shorter their life, but as far as how much? I've never seen that quantified.

Ryan Freeland · 01-30-2006, 03:06 PM

Also, why do they cost so much? I haven't found one for under $150 anywhere.

**thesteve** · 01-30-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Building429_Boy

Also, why do they cost so much? I haven't found one for under $150 anywhere.

http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm

there's a few under $150...Weber is supposed to make some good stuff.

part of the reason they cost so much is because there's a low demand for them, but people who want them are generally willing to pay for them...the other reasons...no idea.

Ryan Freeland · 01-30-2006, 03:17 PM

It seems lot's of people make their own for cheap as well. What about using a wall-mounted attenuator for a guitar amp attenuator?

Edit: Also, since I can cut 2 powertubes and make it 50w, does that mean I only need a 50w attenuator? Or does the wattage on attenuators mean how far it will go down to?

RipVanWinkle · 01-30-2006, 03:21 PM

I would definenly be interested in a cheap/diy version.

**thesteve** · 01-30-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Building429_Boy

It seems lot's of people make their own for cheap as well. What about using a wall-mounted attenuator for a guitar amp attenuator?

Edit: Also, since I can cut 2 powertubes and make it 50w, does that mean I only need a 50w attenuator? Or does the wattage on attenuators mean how far it will go down to?

the wattage on attenuators is generally the maximum wattage the attenuator can handle. just in comparison, I have a DIY attenuator made by Major Tom that he rated around 50W...I'd imagine my amp is attenuated down to 8-125W...possibly lower.

Ryan Freeland · 01-30-2006, 03:29 PM

I'm definitly interested in DIY, because I have basic electronics knowledge and soldering skills. Does anyone have plans or sources for one?

My amp will probably be at 50w, 2 tubes most of the time. Would that make a 50w attenuator work, or is it still actually 100w?

**thesteve** · 01-30-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Building429_Boy

I'm definitly interested in DIY, because I have basic electronics knowledge and soldering skills. Does anyone have plans or sources for one?

My amp will probably be at 50w, 2 tubes most of the time. Would that make a 50w attenuator work, or is it still actually 100w?

if you have two tubes pulled and the power switch set to 50W, then a 50W attenuator should work (though Weber recommends going with a higher wattage one). See if Major Tom has any schematics he can send you about how he made his.

Ryan Freeland · 01-30-2006, 03:37 PM

Alright. Has anyone tried using wall attenuators? The most reasonable price one I've found is Weber's 50w Load Dump for $75.

What5647 · 01-30-2006, 03:39 PM

a general rule of thumb in electronics for determining how many watts a compnent should be able to handle is to take the watts that can be expected through the component then double it...i'd go with a 100w attenuator for the 50w mode and if you want an attenuator for the 100w mode i'd get a 150w one.

**thesteve** · 01-30-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Building429_Boy

Alright. Has anyone tried using wall attenuators? The most reasonable price one I've found is Weber's 50w Load Dump for $75.

what exactly do you mean by "wall attenuator" i'm not familiar with that term.