Am I gonna need an Attenuator?!?

[mapleleaf14]

Just bought a Two-Channel Custom 20 Combo...one of the plum colored with fawn faces. It'll be here tomorrow.


I had the 50-watt head version with a 2x12 cab a few years back when I lived in a house and remember I was able to get some great sounds that didn't seem "too" loud at the time, but that was a house where I wasn't worried about neighbors, and a house is different than a condo and a 50-watt head is different than a 20-watt combo.


I don't want to be the annoying, loud, rock & roller neighbor (especially in a nice neighborhood, with nice neighbors).


I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to get sounds I like without an attenuator or if I made a mistake! If I need to, I was thinking of getting one of the Rivera Rock Crusher attenuators as they seem nice (and it's a bonus that they are purple!)


Since getting back into playing electric recently, I've been using a "loaner" Line 6 Flextone 2x12 combo and obviously you can get wicked crazy overdrive sounds and still hear the television with one of those things, but I started yearning for a sweet tube amp.

 

[László]

I use my 30 watt HXDA and DG30 heads in my condo studio all the time, if that helps!

I do find that the master volumes on PRS amps are very effective, and I don't use an attenuator.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Isn't that what the master (volume) is, essentially?

 

[mapleleaf14]

Thanks Les - that makes me feel a bit better!

I do realize the Masters on these will probably be the ticket, but I also know that most tube amps sound better when those tubes are pushed!

I didn't want to spend $1220 on an amp (even if I do dig the plum color!) if either a) it wasn't going to work for me or b) I needed to add a $500 attenuator!

I plan on giving the amp a thorough going over when I get it tomorrow before the neighbors get home from work, but just in case I fall in love with it and it is too loud, I know I have the attenuator option.

Never thought I'd have a purple amp! LOL

 

[bodia]

I use my 30 watt HXDA and DG30 heads in my condo studio all the time, if that helps!

I do find that the master volumes on PRS amps are very effective, and I don't use an attenuator.

Really? All of those sweet pics you've posted of your studio are in a condo? I would've bet a healthy sum that it was in the basement of a single family home. That makes me appreciate it even more.

 

[BrianC]

Power scaling and attenuators never worked for me - I run it full out power using the Master Volume and Gain.

 

[alantig]

I don't want to be the annoying, loud, rock & roller neighbor (especially in a nice neighborhood, with nice neighbors).

Good idea.

I'm already filling that role. (Some would say overfilling it, but they're just jealous of my humps.)

 

[11top]

My 2 channel custom 50 watter sounds good at bedroom levels. You will be pleased with yours I'll bet.

 

[László]

Really? All of those sweet pics you've posted of your studio are in a condo? I would've bet a healthy sum that it was in the basement of a single family home. That makes me appreciate it even more.

Yup in a condo! It has a roomy basement.

I was in a house for nearly 30 years, but once the kids grew up and moved out, it was way too big for my wife and I, so we went condo. I'm not sure if it was a great idea, but we're still not sure where we want to end up when we grow up.

So we're biding our time here until we get inspired. Thanks for the kind words!

 

[bodia]

Yup in a condo! It has a roomy basement.

I was in a house for nearly 30 years, but once the kids grew up and moved out, it was way too big for my wife and I, so we went condo. I'm not sure if it was a great idea, but we're still not sure where we want to end up when we grow up.

So we're biding our time here until we get inspired. Thanks for the kind words!

Sure it was a great idea. No lawn to mow, etc, etc, means more time in the studio. Makes perfect sense from a business standpoint! As far as growing up, I hope to end up in the old folks home when I finally grow up! It's all a state of mind, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[László]

Sure it was a great idea. No lawn to mow, etc, etc, means more time in the studio. Makes perfect sense from a business standpoint! As far as growing up, I hope to end up in the old folks home when I finally grow up! It's all a state of mind, as far as I'm concerned.

Well...I always had landscapers mow the lawn at my old house...because...yeah. I'm not a lawn care guy!

 

[Boogie]

. I'm not a lawn care guy!

Why does this not shock me? :laugh:

 

[László]

Why does this not shock me? :laugh:

Maybe it's because I look like a lazy slob studio rat?

 

[alantig]

Maybe it's because I look like a lazy slob studio rat?

Oh, you don't look like a studio rat...

 

[László]

Oh, you don't look like a studio rat...

Oh?

 

[CVS]

Yup in a condo! It has a roomy basement.

Just what exactly is a basement? If you live in my neck of the woods, you know why I am asking:biggrin:.
I am with you on lawn maintenance - Leave it to someone else. In process of converting to artificial turf ATM.

 

[László]

Just what exactly is a basement? If you live in my neck of the woods, you know why I am asking:biggrin:.
I am with you on lawn maintenance - Leave it to someone else. In process of converting to artificial turf ATM.

I'll trade you my basement for Southern Cal any day!

Actually, the basement isn't really my first choice of places for a studio. But there's this woman I live with who thinks that a "living room" and a "den" are somehow more important than a studio.

 

[ozboy]

Considering the view from my studio, i say no attenuator.

 

[László]

That's a great view, Oz!

 

[ozboy]

Long discussion with the wife about downsizing, but we are staying.