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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 19, 2012 11:18:17 GMT -7
I've never liked attenuators. Had a Power Soak back in the day and didn't really like it. But after reading glowing reports and being asked more than once to turn down by bandmates I've caved I like to get the power tubes cooking , hoping I can get "my sound" at a reasonable volume and work the guitar volume control from there. Should have it in a few days. Here's hoping!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Nov 19, 2012 12:21:40 GMT -7
I've had an Aracom ($$$!!!) and a Weber MiniMASS, and so I always thought, "surely, I will be dissapointed with such a simple and rudimentary device such as the Brake Lite." And then I snagged myself a BL-SA, and ate my words. It's now my only attenuator, and I'm fine with that.
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Post by doctorice on Nov 19, 2012 12:28:08 GMT -7
A very useful tool, Frank. I think it works best if you set your tone with attenuation engaged, perhaps one click more than you need/want. Play it for a while and your ears will adjust. Then back it off a click and smile
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 19, 2012 13:34:12 GMT -7
Listen to doctorice - he knows of what he speaks. It always works way mo-betta to turn UP than to turn down. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 19, 2012 13:46:38 GMT -7
Thanks for the tips & encouragement guys - I'm looking forward to getting it and trying out the settings that you suggest.
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Post by Brian on Nov 19, 2012 13:52:31 GMT -7
It truly is a great tool...and if you set your sound like the Doc says...you will not be disappointed. I set my sound with the BL on 2 clicks...I usually end up with it on 1 click as the gig progresses....but that way you like the way it sound with it "braked" then when you open it up one notch...it sounds better.
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 19, 2012 19:12:22 GMT -7
^^ Cool. I can't believe I'm actually stoked about getting an attenuator! I'm getting the Stand Alone version to hook up to my Maz 18 head. I like the idea of what you guys say - starting a few clicks back, get my setting at that that level , then opening it up if needed.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 19, 2012 19:34:38 GMT -7
^^ Cool. I can't believe I'm actually stoked about getting an attenuator! I'm getting the Stand Alone version to hook up to my Maz 18 head. I like the idea of what you guys say - starting a few clicks back, get my setting at that that level , then opening it up if needed. For me that has been the secret to making the Brake Lite one of the best tools in my gig bag.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2012 20:12:09 GMT -7
that's a tip I should have taken from Mike when I had mine...I did it the other way and I think that is what prompted me to sell it. I felt it was choking the amp off a little...balls...now I really need to have one again Congrats on tne BL Frank, you will no doubt enjoy it.
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 19, 2012 20:30:26 GMT -7
that's a tip I should have taken from Mike when I had mine...I did it the other way and I think that is what prompted me to sell it. I felt it was choking the amp off a little...balls...now I really need to have one again Congrats on tne BL Frank, you will no doubt enjoy it. ;D Thanks Mark!
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Post by markT on Nov 21, 2012 19:20:48 GMT -7
Congrats Frank. It's a great tool. I never thought I would like or need an attenuator. Even after hearing Steve & Mike rave about them for months. I tried one at Humbucker for about 10 min. and said....nah... Then after hearing more raving....from Mike & Steve...lol...I got to thinking, maybe there is something to this.... Now I have an Air Brake, a Brake Lite SA, and a Brake Lite mounted in my Maz Jr....lol Enjoy....your family sure will!!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 22, 2012 7:25:32 GMT -7
I tell you, the secret is in setting more attenuation than you plan to use, then set up your sound, and turn up from the attenuator. Works every time, and you always feel your sound get bigger and better, instead of smaller and weaker. It's a perception thing, but it is also what drives a lot of guys away from attenuators when they do it the other way around. 1. Set four clicks. 2. Adjust amp for great sound. 3. Turn up to 2 clicks and try NOT to grin too much.
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 22, 2012 9:37:28 GMT -7
^ I have the amp and speaker cables standing by for arrival ! MarkT - I was the same as you , so glad to see I'm finally getting what these things are all about. I already have an idea rattling around in my head about a specific sound I want to try to hit , aside from the general use of the brake lite: Have you ever listened to the rhythm guitar in Creams "I Feel Free" - low volume yet powerful. I imagine plugging in my LP std. , setting the BL on 4 , and REALLY cranking the MV on the amp. Yeah , baby!!
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Post by doctorice on Nov 22, 2012 9:43:46 GMT -7
Frank, there's a whole lot of tone available with some cranked settings that are "off limits" for most of us due to volume constraints. Using the BL is helpful in exploring the preamp vs/paired with power amp overdrive the MAZ can generate.
Look forward to hearing your findings.
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 22, 2012 10:03:50 GMT -7
Yeah Mike , anymore it's a rare day when I have a chance to really let the power section breathe. So much of the sound I like lies in that territory!
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 24, 2012 9:05:00 GMT -7
Just spent close to an hour with it. To be concise: Wow!! All I kept thinking while fooling around with it was Why the heck did I wait so long to get one of these things? Even a 4 clicks , I'm getting really great usable sound , with minimal knob tweaking. At 1 and 2 I just set it and forget it , no changes necessary from there to bypassed. At 3 , just a teeny tweaking and at 4 just a tad more. I did what you guys suggested - I started at 4 and then when I increased the volume via the brake , everything sounded terrific all the way up. And I was really happy at 4 in the house! I'm finding it opens up even more tonal options / settings. Man , I'm so glad I got this. Could have saved me some money on pedals if I had gotten it sooner , I think.
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Post by doctorice on Nov 24, 2012 9:10:51 GMT -7
Another convert. Welcome, Brother Frank ;D
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Post by markT on Nov 24, 2012 10:13:56 GMT -7
Glad you approve Frank- Enjoy~
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 24, 2012 13:39:20 GMT -7
Amazing little unit, isn't it? Congrats!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2012 14:37:58 GMT -7
Right on Frank...Congrats man! I am glad it's working for you!
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Post by BritInvasion on Nov 24, 2012 16:17:12 GMT -7
Thanks guys! I actually went back and played thru it for another hour and a half I feel like I got a new amp! My wife went out so I got to see what the power stages were like starting at 4 clicks with the master volume dimed. I was in old Marshall territory. I never clicked it all the way to "bypass". But even at 3 clicks , while it was loud , it wasn't overwhelming yet the guitar just sang. With my LP std with buckers , on 4 clicks it sounded great until I rolled the guitar volume down , which got a little muddy. So I grabbed the EP booster , and for rhythm just played with the guitar wide open (this is all at 4 clicks) and for leads kicked in the EP. Really cool. damn I'm having fun with this!!
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Post by LT on Dec 21, 2012 18:55:54 GMT -7
Can't wait to get the one I just bought via the BST forum. Lots of good tips here.....thanks guys!
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Post by BritInvasion on Dec 21, 2012 19:16:56 GMT -7
^^ You won't be disappointed ! I'm still loving mine.
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Post by justblues on Jan 14, 2013 6:02:28 GMT -7
I just ordered a Brake Lite SA ... I have a THD hot plate ... Just wan't to try a Dr Z.
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Post by justblues on Jan 19, 2013 6:32:40 GMT -7
Tried the Brake Lite SA out on a gig last night ... Great piece of equipment. It seems to have less effect on the tone than my Hot Plate ... Really works great with my new Maz 18NR
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Post by BritInvasion on Jan 19, 2013 14:03:27 GMT -7
I used my SA last week at rehearsal. Best gear investment I've made in a long,long time. Even my pedals sounded better. Couldn't be happier , wish I had gotten it a long time ago.
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Post by digs57 on Apr 26, 2013 15:48:48 GMT -7
Sounds like this is a must have for the maz.Some of the stories do mirror my first impressions.I like hearing the success of the unit in peoples amps...will be getting one soon.
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Post by BritInvasion on Apr 27, 2013 19:33:18 GMT -7
^^ Yeah , makes an already versatile amp even more so. Definitely a must have.
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Post by nmz on Apr 28, 2013 22:54:20 GMT -7
I just picked up one as well to replace a ultimate attenuator. Could not be happier huge difference between the two IMO. I then traded the ultimate for a Fender 63 reverb reissue unit with NOS tubes.
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Post by maverick on Sept 19, 2013 7:46:26 GMT -7
I know I'm reviving this thread, but I have a BL-SA coming my way. I run a Maz38 SR and recently had the EQ Bypass Mod performed by Doc. I LOVE what the amp sounds like cranked, but as we all know it can make your ears bleed. Anyhow, my Brake Lite should arrive tomorrow and I'm very excited to try all of your suggestions for setting it correctly. Happy to hear such positive feedback about it here. I've hesitated with the idea of getting an attenuator until recently when I began experimenting with louder volume settings and discovered some cool magic in that range. Here's to a new world of tone and overdrive...
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