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Big attenuators
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Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
No no...This is all well and good- using large resistors for testing. But it doesn't address the non-reactive load that a resistor presents to the amp, unlike a speaker. I don't have first-hand experience, but folks say that it just isn't the same and frankly, doesn't cut it.
Ah... You can definitely get them in smaller quantities by swapping brands or buying from different suppliers.
It isn't especially hard to make a load that behaves in a more speaker like fashion, but I've yet to find anyone who can really tell a difference with a bass signal.
I do have first hand experience... and I haven't found anyone who can reliably differentiate.
Oh, I've heard otherwise also.
...but then I've heard folks claim they can hear the difference between 48KHz and 96KHz sampling, and can hear the difference between two different speaker cables, and...
That being said - in a design with no/minimal NFB, and a load that is VERY peaky - I suspect one would be able to hear some differences. Single ended guitar amp - you'll probably notice a bit of a sound difference.
Well then how come nobody builds commercially available attenuators for 300w tube amps if they work?
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
Not enough people would buy them. People buy bass rigs for lots of power. Lugging an amp that size just to get rid of the power just means you have the wrong amp.
Or, it means that you love the SVT sound and nothing else will do, but it's too loud by the time it starts to 'work' a bit. That's what this is about. There really is no suitable smaller amp, if you must have SVT sound.
the the op, something you should understand about "Ultimate Attenuators", is that they are actually a rebranded (made in China) product that was designed by Ho's Electronics in Vancouver.
you can buy them handmade directly from Ho's Electronics.
they have a dummy load and solid state amp built in, it reamps your signal. this works extremely well for guitar amps because it allows you to get the volume lower than traditional attenuators that are really just giant resistors.
I have a Ho's model that can accept a 200w load, I use it for my 100w Super Lead and it works great, much better than the traditional attenuators I owned before it.
I'd bet money that Ho has made them for SVTs before. he also makes a tube overdrive unit that works in the effects loop of an SVT for more overdrive.
I too would not recommend going the attenuator route, not for danger of ruining your amp, but because bass doesn't benefit the same way as guitar does from the use of attenuators.
you can buy them handmade directly from Ho's Electronics.
they have a dummy load and solid state amp built in, it reamps your signal. this works extremely well for guitar amps because it allows you to get the volume lower than traditional attenuators that are really just giant resistors.
I have a Ho's model that can accept a 200w load, I use it for my 100w Super Lead and it works great, much better than the traditional attenuators I owned before it.
I'd bet money that Ho has made them for SVTs before. he also makes a tube overdrive unit that works in the effects loop of an SVT for more overdrive.
I too would not recommend going the attenuator route, not for danger of ruining your amp, but because bass doesn't benefit the same way as guitar does from the use of attenuators.
Coming from you, I'll take that as high praise
I don't mean to be rude, I know you know your stuff.
Lack of market.
There just aren't many folks who want one.
I'm sure you can find lots of folks willing to custom build one for you, but as a commercial product the market just isn't there.
