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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Aug 10, 2012 15:47:28 GMT -7
I have read up a lot about this, especially since 65amps brought out their Master Voltage control, and it's a bit of a minefield technically. I know one of our brothers up here uses a Variable Voltage solution from Hall Amplification to great effect.
That solution is not easy to get over here, and has its detractors (I believe heat sinking is the issue, and therefore component failure in the VVR unit is not unknown), so I have been pointed strongly in the direction of London Power power scaling. This is becoming more prevalent over here, and seems to address the issue very logically. I am keen to abandon attenuation, but have to control volume without loss of tone.
Anyone any experience with these technologies?
I'm thinking of having it installed in my Z28 - it's completely reversible, and when maxed, is effectively out of circuit.
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Aug 10, 2012 15:55:15 GMT -7
I have a 65amps London Pro (had a Tupelo also) and their Master Voltage works great. I also have a Suhr Badger and the London Power Scaling works even better. It's truly amazing.
I've thought about trying it out on a Z too. Go for it!!!! I don't see anything wrong with it. I read a post by Doc on TGP where he said he was thinking about making it an option on his amps next year.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Aug 10, 2012 16:00:20 GMT -7
^^^
Thank you Ryan! Just what I wanted to hear - I SO want to be able to control my Z28 without an attenuator. I have it booked in for Sep, provisionally, but I think I'll go ahead and see how it goes.
Cheers
Pete ;D
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Post by digitalkettle on Aug 10, 2012 16:15:48 GMT -7
I also have a Suhr Badger and the London Power Scaling works even better. It's truly amazing. +1
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Post by doveman on Aug 10, 2012 16:28:41 GMT -7
I have been running the VVR in a 30+ watt tweed amp for over a year now with no issues. I did have trouble with the Route 66 amp but mainly due to my not noticing there were only 3 filter caps in the amp vs. the 4 on the instructions. So, that was basically my mistake. I have had it on for another month without incident after moving a couple of wires. I had it running directly after the rectifier rather than the first of 3 filter caps. I think all of the solutions are basically doing the same thing. Even the London Power guys talk about devices generating heat ... but it's not a lot even on the Route 66. Here's a link to the Q&A page at London Power ... www.londonpower.com/pscaling.htmThe guys over at The Amp Garage help me see my mistake. Nobody here could really answer my question. Later Doc chimed in over there that it looked like it might be something worth looking into after he watched my video. I'm sold on this technology ... I have two of my three amps with it. Every day there is a post here ... my amp's too loud ... this is a solution worth looking at. I'm satisfied ... Route 66 is killer now. Z28 looks pretty similar in design ... just different power tubes.
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Post by Jefferson on Aug 10, 2012 22:35:36 GMT -7
Morgan Amps DAG15-power scaling way,way better than an attenuator, including Docs wonderful creations!
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Aug 10, 2012 23:46:03 GMT -7
All good news chaps - thanks! ;D
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Post by digitalkettle on Aug 11, 2012 0:01:19 GMT -7
Get yourself over to Peachville...I think they've got a Badger or two in stock
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Post by doveman on Aug 11, 2012 3:59:38 GMT -7
The cool thing about all of this power scaling is that you can take an amp that you like (like your Z28) and make it much more flexible rather than shop for another amp "flavor" that happens to have the scaling. For me it was not really expensive. I think London Power is a little more expensive but I'm not sure how much.
Frankly, I think if you really enjoy the amp but don't really get what you want out of an attenuator, you will be thrilled. Cheaper than a new amp ... takes the amp you like and makes it better.
I doubt I need more than three amps ... but if I buy any more they are going to have this technology loaded stock.
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Post by Ben on Aug 11, 2012 5:38:25 GMT -7
I also have a Suhr Badger and the London Power Scaling works even better. It's truly amazing. +1 Local shop had a Badger a couple years ago (actually was #3 serial!) and as said above, it works VERY well. Don't hold back on it Pete - go right ahead with it!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 7:47:50 GMT -7
I have a 65 amps empire. The master voltage works great. There does not seem to be any problem from heat. I bought the amp new in Feb. of 2011.
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Aug 11, 2012 9:15:36 GMT -7
Hey doveman, hope you don't mind me posting your videos. They're just too good. Here's Doc's TGP post from a few weeks ago in response to someone asking about power scaling on Z's: I'm looking into it. Some Z owners have been quite happy with the add on VVR from Hall Amplification.
Still have another amp to release this year ( Antidote ) so maybe next year you'll see them stock and up gradeable on select models.
DR.Z
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Post by doveman on Aug 11, 2012 10:09:13 GMT -7
Hey doveman, hope you don't mind me posting your videos. They're just too good. Here's Doc's TGP post from a few weeks ago in response to someone asking about power scaling on Z's: I'm looking into it. Some Z owners have been quite happy with the add on VVR from Hall Amplification.
Still have another amp to release this year ( Antidote ) so maybe next year you'll see them stock and up gradeable on select models.
DR.ZNo problem - post away. Good news about scaling next year from Dr Z.
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Post by markT on Aug 11, 2012 12:38:36 GMT -7
Very interesting.... I may be getting another Z amp next year! ;D
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Post by digiTED aka 'Ted' on Aug 11, 2012 13:34:15 GMT -7
It sure would be cool if the good Dr. added Power Scaling to the Z-28 mod list...
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Aug 11, 2012 14:29:54 GMT -7
Hey doveman, hope you don't mind me posting your videos. They're just too good. Here's Doc's TGP post from a few weeks ago in response to someone asking about power scaling on Z's: I'm looking into it. Some Z owners have been quite happy with the add on VVR from Hall Amplification.
Still have another amp to release this year ( Antidote ) so maybe next year you'll see them stock and up gradeable on select models.
DR.ZNo problem - post away. Good news about scaling next year from Dr Z. I can't believe you got that tone out of the 66 at that volume. I love that big bottle tone.
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Aug 11, 2012 15:14:25 GMT -7
This is just encouraging me to get it done even more! ;D Z28 first, then we'll see about the Remedy
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Post by doveman on Aug 12, 2012 3:47:58 GMT -7
I can't believe you got that tone out of the 66 at that volume. I love that big bottle tone. I am very happy with the amp now. Struggled at first since my other two amps were so flexible. Now this one is too. I think the tones are excellent and getting better as I get used to the amp. Also, with the RC I can get even better cleans when it's cranked up ... so more blackface options too. That is nice. I like the Timmy in front of the amp, as well.
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Post by jjtelarson on Aug 12, 2012 15:47:43 GMT -7
It sure would be cool if the good Dr. added Power Scaling to the Z-28 mod list... Yes! Just, yes! Do it Doc!!
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billy7
Junior Member
Dr Z rocks
Posts: 54
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Post by billy7 on Sept 2, 2012 13:50:42 GMT -7
+1 on VVR/Power scaling for Dr. Z amps. Adding a power scale/VVR option to my 66 would be the best.
Doc - if you can, please add a VVR kit for the Rt. 66.
Thanks, Bill
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Post by Andy 67 on Sept 2, 2012 15:33:24 GMT -7
A Remedy with the power scaling feature would be awesome... Tons of tone!!
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Post by cpa2guitar on Sept 2, 2012 16:03:41 GMT -7
I have read up a lot about this, especially since 65amps brought out their Master Voltage control, and it's a bit of a minefield technically. I know one of our brothers up here uses a Variable Voltage solution from Hall Amplification to great effect. That solution is not easy to get over here, and has its detractors (I believe heat sinking is the issue, and therefore component failure in the VVR unit is not unknown), so I have been pointed strongly in the direction of London Power power scaling. This is becoming more prevalent over here, and seems to address the issue very logically. I am keen to abandon attenuation, but have to control volume without loss of tone. Anyone any experience with these technologies? I'm thinking of having it installed in my Z28 - it's completely reversible, and when maxed, is effectively out of circuit. I bought a new 65 Amps Stone Pony two months ago, and my experience with this amp led me to order a Producer this past week - I can give the Stone Pony no higher compliment. To my ear, the master voltage control on the Stone Pony works as well as Dr. Z's Brake Lite works on my Remedy, except the master voltage can quiet the Stone Pony even more than the Brake Lite can quiet my Remedy, and it does this without degrading the tone. It's an awesome solution to the volume wars.
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Post by doctorice on Sept 3, 2012 6:08:31 GMT -7
It would be great if Z offered this as an option on new amps and retrofit on existing.
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Post by Jefferson on Sept 3, 2012 7:08:13 GMT -7
I agree with Mike. Would love to see this as a new and retrofit option.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Sept 3, 2012 14:19:52 GMT -7
Hey doveman, hope you don't mind me posting your videos. They're just too good. Here's Doc's TGP post from a few weeks ago in response to someone asking about power scaling on Z's: I'm looking into it. Some Z owners have been quite happy with the add on VVR from Hall Amplification.
Still have another amp to release this year ( Antidote ) so maybe next year you'll see them stock and up gradeable on select models.
DR.ZIf the Doc does this, I will have to get out my checkbook. I'm one of the guys who has posted about loving the tone from my Dr. Z amps - I have bought three of them, all new - but having issues with not being able to tame the volume. Now if the Doc incorporates this solution... I'll put it this way: I am currently trading my Remedy for a Producer, but if Doc incorporates this power scaling into the Remedy, and especially if he incorporates it into the Z-Wreck, I'll have to buy one! I imagine there are others on this forum who feel the same way.
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Post by rickc007 on Sept 3, 2012 16:57:53 GMT -7
If the Doc does this, I will have to get out my checkbook. I'm one of the guys who has posted about loving the tone from my Dr. Z amps - I have bought three of them, all new - but having issues with not being able to tame the volume. Now if the Doc incorporates this solution... I'll put it this way: I am currently trading my Remedy for a Producer, but if Doc incorporates this power scaling into the Remedy, and especially if he incorporates it into the Z-Wreck, I'll have to buy one! I imagine there are others on this forum who feel the same way. Out of curiosity, have you tried any attenuaters ? I had the Remedy, and I used the Weber speaker cone style. With Half Power and the attenuator, I was getting great tones at home levels. The Weber has a switch to let in more highs I got the Remedy dialed in to be a Screaming Rock Machine. I could not get that out of the Master Voltage, just got too soft.
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Post by cpa2guitar on Sept 3, 2012 17:25:05 GMT -7
Out of curiosity, have you tried any attenuaters ? I had the Remedy, and I used the Weber speaker cone style. With Half Power and the attenuator, I was getting great tones at home levels. The Weber has a switch to let in more highs I got the Remedy dialed in to be a Screaming Rock Machine. I could not get that out of the Master Voltage, just got too soft. I have an Aracom attenuator and a Dr. Z Brake Lite. The Aracom degrades the tone so badly that I don't use it; the Brake Lite preserves the tone, but even with the Remedy on half power, it is still too loud for playing around the house, and it was WAY TOO LOUD on the Z-Wreck. I'm not experiencing any tone degradation on the Stone Pony, even with the master voltage turned all the way down. Don't know if the cabs I'm using make a difference, but I'm running the Stone Pony through either a 16 ohm Z-Best with Greenbacks or a 16 ohm Bogner Ubercab.
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Post by doveman on Sept 3, 2012 17:42:28 GMT -7
Attenuators only strip off about 10% or so on my Route 66 ... power scaling can easily take 90%. I have a Brake Lite and it's no contest volume wise ... and I think the tone is better with the VVR (a flavor of power scaling).
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Post by rickc007 on Sept 3, 2012 17:50:26 GMT -7
Out of curiosity, have you tried any attenuaters ? I had the Remedy, and I used the Weber speaker cone style. With Half Power and the attenuator, I was getting great tones at home levels. The Weber has a switch to let in more highs I got the Remedy dialed in to be a Screaming Rock Machine. I could not get that out of the Master Voltage, just got too soft. I have an Aracom attenuator and a Dr. Z Brake Lite. The Aracom degrades the tone so badly that I don't use it; the Brake Lite preserves the tone, but even with the Remedy on half power, it is still too loud for playing around the house, and it was WAY TOO LOUD on the Z-Wreck. I'm not experiencing any tone degradation on the Stone Pony, even with the master voltage turned all the way down. Don't know if the cabs I'm using make a difference, but I'm running the Stone Pony through either a 16 ohm Z-Best with Greenbacks or a 16 ohm Bogner Ubercab. Sounds odd if you are "not" getting any tone degradation, even all the way down, if working properly, you would have a significant drop in power. I just played a Lil Elvis the other day, with P90s though, but below 3 on the Master I wouldn't even consider the tone usable Below was my setup, and I had the Weber Mass, and I got great tones at home levels
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Post by doveman on Sept 3, 2012 17:56:50 GMT -7
I have two 30+ watt amps (Route 66 and Richter Supra-Luxe) with the VVR and keep them both cranked up with the VVR turned all the way down at home. Tone is nice ... more than just usable. I can't play the Route 66 in the house with the Brake Lite ... just too loud. No contest for me.
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