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Post by lowbudget on Jul 25, 2007 17:42:36 GMT -7
Just wondering if an Air Brake, when used with a Ghia or a Maz 18 Jr., would make the use of a small sub 5 watt "bedroom" amp unnecessary? Assuming of course, that you liked the sound of your amp in the first place.
Are they really that good? I guess I've kinda ignored them after reading bad reviews of other attenuators over the years, but hey, anything that simplifies life is a good thing, right?
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 25, 2007 20:26:57 GMT -7
They really are pretty doggone good, but you have to realize that when you lower the volume that much, physiological things affect your interpretation of what's going on. As volume goes down, we hear treble and bass differently than we do at higher volume. So you have to be prepared to make adjustments to compensate for that. But the Airbrake is pretty transparent. You may have missed the attenuator test I did a couple weeks back - it's in the sounds section here: drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=soundfiles&action=display&thread=1183466889. I think it shows that the Airbrake is a hell of a product!
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Post by dixiechicken on Jul 26, 2007 3:08:45 GMT -7
Hi "fasteddie". I recently bought a Weber Minimass to my Route66 I have on order. I have given it a good shake down in my rehearsal studio with 2 different speakers. Also a lesser try at home. Far as I can tell it works great - it remains for me to try it out on my coming Route66 and on a gig - of course. Keep in mind also what "benttop" said - our ears react differently to bass and treble according to the actual sound volume. ( i.e. the Fletcher-Munson curves ) Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by dixiechicken on Jul 26, 2007 8:28:04 GMT -7
Yes probably - you should really try this out for yourselves - if you have the opportunity - to see/hear what you like.
Ask the help of somebody you trust to get a second opinion. You can discuss & get a few ideas perhaps.
Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jul 26, 2007 19:38:50 GMT -7
Well I seldom use my Airbrake for very low volume playing. I use it to get the power amp up to where it is a major contributor to the overall tone. So I don't ever get to a place where I feel I need to make tone adjustments. I mentioned it because you want to use it in the other common mode for an attenuator - to drastically lower the volume. In that mode, I do believe you will be happier with it if you're willing to play with your tone knob a bit. If you go into it knowing that, and being ok with it, you'll be a happy camper.
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Post by cbstrat on Oct 17, 2007 7:02:50 GMT -7
you should try the Ab on the Champ.Nut'n like a Champ on 11
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2007 13:39:03 GMT -7
I agree with what Bentopp said.......your settings at low volume will typically be different at attenuated volumes. I find myself turning the bass up alot higher at low volumes. I must admit, I am pretty excited about the Mini-Z head with built in attenuator.....might be my next Z purchase.
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Post by Telemanic on Oct 18, 2007 15:13:41 GMT -7
Yeah for me the AB is mostly a stage tool to control the volume in very subtle steps. It stays pretty natural for that usage if ya stick with about 3 clicks or less. I do still think the bedroom mode is very useful if you accept the tone and work with it, meaning it is what it is at that point. For truly bedroom sounds i go with an old ampeg solid state combo. You can get the tone at ridiculously low volumes, where your tube amps are just not sounding right at all, even with a pedal. This particular 80's ampeg is the best SS amp ive ever heard, and i usually hate them! Almost gig worthy, ......for a quickie open mike nite etc.
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