The dangers of cranking up the master volume on a Amp.

[TUEP]

Yesterday I cranked my Ampeg SVT-350 solid state head to 8 on the master, while experimenting with different boosts and cuts to the EQ, just to see what the clarity on my old Fender Cab would be at loud volumes. Probably for like 20 minutes or so. Then I thought, "maybe that wasn't the best idea". Seems fine but I know sometimes the soldering joints in a 11 year old amp can be weak.

Anyone here ever push their amps very hard? I have heard that solid states tend to be a bit tougher, and some like old Peavey's and Acoustics you can push all day long. What is everyone's take on this? I remember, I had to really crank up my GK 600 Backline, with the volume on about 3 o clock, and the boost up to 12 o'clock. That was with a cranked EQ, and it seemed ok, but I am sure it was stressing it somewhere.

[waleross]

On my SvT-4Pro I went up to gain 5 and master vol past 6 or 7 while connected in stereo through (2) Svt 810-E cabs. Nothing bad , except that my next door neighbors mildly complained . This was just a test to see and hear it and it worked. Problems can happen when you suddenly turn it way up without thinking. I like to test the gain high and get a balance with more master vol. My thinking is that you have to have enough headroom with both amp and cabs.

[billfitzmaurice]

Cranking the master to full is the equivalent of having an amp with no master. It's not a problem.

[Nashrakh]

Once cranked gain and master to 10 on my 200 watts tube head and my amp lives to tell the tale.

Also, awesome sound.

[TUEP]

Originally Posted by Nashrakh

Once cranked gain and master to 10 on my 200 watts tube head and my amp lives to tell the tale.

Also, awesome sound.

What kind of amp was it? What kind of thunderous crunch did you get?

[TUEP]

Originally Posted by waleross

On my SvT-4Pro I went up to gain 5 and master vol past 6 or 7 while connected in stereo through (2) Svt 810-E cabs. Nothing bad , except that my next door neighbors mildly complained . This was just a test to see and hear it and it worked. Problems can happen when you suddenly turn it way up without thinking. I like to test the gain high and get a balance with more master vol. My thinking is that you have to have enough headroom with both amp and cabs.

Bet that flipped a few floor tiles? LOL 2x810's!! Mucho awesome!

[TUEP]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Cranking the master to full is the equivalent of having an amp with no master. It's not a problem.

Really? Like mmmmm....so its more of the gain you should becareful with as opposed to the master?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by TUEP

Really? Like mmmmm....so its more of the gain you should becareful with as opposed to the master?

You use the master to set the overall volume, the gain to dial in the preferred amount of crunch. The usual method is to set the master to a moderate setting, then set the gain, then raise the master as required. When you raise the master you might get some additional crunch from the speakers, so you might then lower the gain to compensate.

[bassmodder]

I crank the master on my Fender here and there. 200 tube watts. I would think you could only hurt your speakers if you were not careful.

Now it seems the louder I play the amp, the better it sounds! The bass WILL be heard.

[NecroticImbecil]

Have cranked small tube amps (200 wats or smaller) that's when they're at their best. Also ranked 70's Peavey and Acoustic solid state, reacted much like the tube amps did. Very nice. I wouldn't say solid state amps are tougher. I would say well built amps are tougher than poorly built ones, tubes or no.

[Johnny Crab]

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

Have cranked small tube amps (200 watts or smaller) that's when they're at their best.

+10000000000000000000000000

The 70's SVT with two 8x10's I had for over a decade sounded best when cranked to 10:30/11:00 o'clock or higher on the volume. There are more than a few famous bassists and guitarists who take advantage of this fact(cranked small tube amps) in both the studio and on tours. Don't be shocked if one day at a concert you walk behind a wall of Marshalls to see a very small tube amp wide open with a mike in front of it or read about a bassist with this killer tone who explains in an interview that it was a small tube amp with a completely worn out 2x10 cabinet but it "was perfect" for the tracks when run hard.

There is modeling now for those of us who grew tired of rebuilding SVT's, packing Fridges, and having nights where the club was too small to "turn up loud enough" for the amp to sound "good". Modeling is not 100% but VERY close, esp. in a live setting.

[pgk]

i've never used a master volume on a bass amp. i turn the gain down all the way, pin the master and then adjust the preamp gain from there. that's one big reason i love the Hartke LH500 so much; it has no master, just a straight up v/t/m/b fender showman front end with a lot of solid state muscle behind it

[B-string]

The only things that should be hurt by playing an amp at its designed power level are: your ears, electric bill and maybe your speakers (if they can't handle the power level).

[JimmyM]

put me down as someone who hates the sound of an amp with the master cranked and the gain used as the volume control, especially on ampegs. ampegs sound like crap when you do that, imho. too clean and no balls. but i say that about any master volume equipped amp.

[IPA]

I crank my vox tube amp all the time, but it was meant to be cranked. What's the point of a m.volume that goes to 10 (or 11) if you can't turn it up that high? \m/

[Govier966]

I can crank my 400rb with no strain that thing is really strong! At 8 ohms it puts out 125 i think i may have damaged my 2x10 with all that volume. I mean that thing is 200 watts rms 400 handling. Older gk's are really tough.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by IPA

I crank my vox tube amp all the time, but it was meant to be cranked. What's the point of a m.volume that goes to 10 (or 11) if you can't turn it up that high? \m/

ask all those kids who post "i think i just blew my cab" threads

[B-string]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

put me down as someone who hates the sound of an amp with the master cranked and the gain used as the volume control, especially on ampegs. ampegs sound like crap when you do that, imho. too clean and no balls. but i say that about any master volume equipped amp.

Interesting JimmyM. The gain structure is set up much different on most master volume amps. Most (non master) run out of clean adjustment after 11:00. I've always liked a hotter front end gain. Tried the master dimed before and didn't like it much either.

[mulchor]

I think ears and angry neighbors are the first things I'd usually worry about.

But I have a couple tube amps that I run full out. One is actually a g****r amp, the Nano by Zvex, less than 1 W. The other amp is an ancient cheapy tube combo (yard sale purchase decades ago), no brand, only as loud as a typical practice amp, but rounded crunch. I pretty much only run it full out.

There is something really tasty about the sound of tubes straining, even if they're tiny lil tubes.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by mulchor

I think ears and angry neighbors are the first things I'd usually worry about.

But I have a couple tube amps that I run full out. One is actually a g****r amp, the Nano by Zvex, less than 1 W. The other amp is an ancient cheapy tube combo (yard sale purchase decades ago), no brand, only as loud as a typical practice amp, but rounded crunch. I pretty much only run it full out.

There is something really tasty about the sound of tubes straining, even if they're tiny lil tubes.

agreed. the problem only comes in if the cab can't handle it.