attenuator for Ampeg V4bH

[Low Sound Love]

I'm looking into an attenuator to use with my Ampeg V4BH, a 100 Watt tube amp. On practices and even on many gigs I can't turn it up as much as I'd like to get some grind without volume complaints (using a Mesa PH212, only cab I have).
I found this attenuator: the Invalid Link Removed. It can run at up to 150 Watts RMS, so that should work, right? Anyone see any reason why this would be a bad idea?

 

[M. Owen Santy]

I might email the manufacturer the ad says nothing about using it with bass, and that Ampeg may be 100w but with the frequencies completely different i would worry about overload.

I do know that the THD Hotplate works very well and comes in 2, 4 & 8 Ohm versions - is also a bit less expensive. http://www.thdelectronics.com/product_page_hotplate.html

 

[coreyfyfe]

It should work just fine, though you'll run into the common issues with attenuators - ie if you're running your tubes hotter they'll burn out faster.

The V4BH should have a master and pre-amp gain control, why not just play around with that to get a little more grind? Or use a pedal? Both would be simpler solutions, IMO.

 

[taurus1]

a 150W attenuator falls short imo, you want at least a 200W load for a 100W amp, to be safe.
I use a Ho's Electronics attenuator (200W) for my Hiwat DR-103 and Marshall SLP (for guitar), works great.

 

[C-60 Bass]

I had a V4BH and while it had great (non SVT) tone, it wasn't that loud and broke up quite early

 

[RickenBoogie]

It should work just fine, though you'll run into the common issues with attenuators - ie if you're running your tubes hotter they'll burn out faster.

The V4BH should have a master and pre-amp gain control, why not just play around with that to get a little more grind? Or use a pedal? Both would be simpler solutions, IMO.

this^

 

[bigchiefbc]

Yeah, you should be fine, as long as you're only taking off a handful of dBs, and not cranking it all the way down to bedroom levels. I've been running my amp (Bugera 1960, also 100 watts) through an attenuator for about a year and half now with no adverse effects. I'm using an old Tom Scholz Power Soak from the 80s, and it works great.

 

[B-string]

If the amp has a 8 ohm tap you can pull the two outside power tubes (leaving the center ones) and run the 4 ohm cab on the 8 ohm tap. Half power to the cab, swap the tubes once and awhile to keep wear even. Cost $0.00

 

[bigchiefbc]

If the amp has a 8 ohm tap you can pull the two outside power tubes (leaving the center ones) and run the 4 ohm cab on the 8 ohm tap. Half power to the cab, swap the tubes once and awhile to keep wear even. Cost $0.00

This is not a bad solution (I did it for a few months before I bought my power soak), however halving the power drops you only 3dBs. Not sure if that's too little for your needs.

 

[Low Sound Love]

If the amp has a 8 ohm tap you can pull the two outside power tubes (leaving the center ones) and run the 4 ohm cab on the 8 ohm tap. Half power to the cab, swap the tubes once and awhile to keep wear even. Cost $0.00

Sounds good, but my cab is 8 Ohm, so I'm guessing it wouldn't work?

And of course I know there is a master volume knob on it, but the tone I like most relies on a combination of pre and power tube grind. It just doesn't sound the same when I pull back on the master knob. Maybe what I'm after is impossible to achieve, even with an attenuator, but I think I'll try just to make sure. If I pick up a used attenuator I can sell it off again without loss if I don't like it.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Another option is to use a pedal such as a VT Bass to give you some grind. Then you could play at a lower volume level.

 

[Cirk]

The Weber Mass attenuator would suit your needs very well. Before buying a Sholz power soak, do some research. Heard some horror stories about transformer failure, but nothing concrete. +1 to pulling the outer pair of power tubes, at least to see if it works for you. If that's not enough of a power drop, leave them out and add the attenuator. That would save you some money in power tube replacement in the long run.