Agree. I WISH I could try a variac before I buy one though, because that’s the main reason I’d want to try one. I’d expect it to get close though because the amps I’ve tried power scaling on definitely got brown sounding, regardless of their voice/eq, when voltage was reduced.
That’s interesting and brings up the question… has anyone yet assessed the changes and expected tonal impact that would occur from them?
I'm going to play with my variac tomorrow.
This is a good thing for anyone trying a Variac. I bought one brand new (still have it) and the dial on top isn’t usually accurate, and of course will fluctuate with the incoming voltage. You really need to put a meter on the output and set the dial with that, disregarding what number the dial is pointing towards, to make sure you’re getting the voltage you think you are.
I just got an HDRX 20 and if you want evh brown sound I'd say look elsewhere.
My HDRX 20 doesn't appear to like lower input voltage.
. JCM800s are a great starting place but even the unpopular models are crazy money now.
Did you try lower voltage and no attenuator? I've never thought through how an attenuator might play into the variac experience, but that doesn't mean that is the problem. What attenuator are you using? Did you go down to 105v, 100v, 95v, etc?
This is correct! It can get there but it takes a pedal for sure.
After having the HDRX 20 for months now, I'd completely agree that a JCM800 would be a better starting place for 80s hard rock and metal tones. the HDRX needs gain and EQ to get into that territory. Timmy, Amp11 or other similar pedal which can trim bass, add treble and add some gain, will get it sounding really good for those tones!Interestingly there's been threads on using Plexis for metal on the Marshall forums recently too.
As a fifty something who came from this time, I find it amusing. Firstly and most obviously, what is meant by 'metal' has changed a lot over the years. The sort of thing now meant would have been at home in an obscure subgenre back then. Second, Plexis were at the heart of a lot of 80s guitar - although usually modded, either with PPIMV or something that amounted to an extra gain stage in the preamp. Third, and core to the variac thing; it's the poweramp distortion that's really valued in Plexis and without adding variacs or power soaks of whatever kind - that means volume -and even a 50w Plexi is LOUD.
Regardless, look in the rigs of almost any period 80s metal hero and if they used Marshall you'd find some flavour of Plexi or JCM800 and a lot of outboard equipment.
I guess this is a really long way of saying 'yes, but there are easier ways...'
Well, that is interesting, for sure. Interesting approach. I'm probably not advanced enough to quickly analyze how this works and decide if this is a good option or not, but it certainly is interesting.
LOL
