Re: Unusual Amp. Mod question

[The Bernadettes <mdestefano@xxxxxxxx>]

Don't try modding the amp with a power resistor wired to the speaker output
unless you want to replace your output transformer or mount a fire
extinguisher to the side of your amp.  I would consider a Weber Mini-Mass
speaker attenuator.  It would be perfect for your situation, it's a smaller
speaker attenuator designed for amps up to 10 watts, relatively inexpensive
(I think $60) for an attenuator.  The Weber Mass Attenuators are considered
to be about the best ones on the market and will allow you to crank up your
amp but to lower the output of your speaker.  Info on the Weber Mass can be
found at:
http://www.webervst.com

No affiliation, ya da, ya da, ya da...

Regards,
Don D.

Grant Kester wrote:

> Dear Harp-L Folks,
>
> I have a somewhat unusual problem vis a vis amp. volume. I play with an
> acoustic guitarist and a pedal steel player (folk, blues stuff). We
> usually play in coffee houses, etc. (small venues, relatively quiet). I
> play some songs through an SM57 into the PA but we also do some blues
> things where I like to have a bit more of a distorted sound. I've been
> using a great little amp (a '59 Gibson Skylark) with an Electrovoice
> 638. I love this combination, the tone is crunchy but not TOO
> distorted. The problem is that even this little 5 watt amp can be TOO
> LOUD! It's got surprising volume for such a small amp, and if I get it
> past 4 or so on the volume pot it's too much. It's frustrating to not
> be able to get the tone I want out of the amp, but I can't drown out my
> band mates either. Our guitarist said it might be possible to have an
> amp. tech. wire a (switchable) resistor to the speaker line that would
> allow me to keep the tone at a lower volume. Has anyone done this? I'm
> really reluctant to meddle with this amp and I don' t want to do this
> if it won't make a significant difference. I also thought about using a
> Harp Commander (either with the amp, or just with the SM57 into the
> PA), but I'd really like to know if it would help my volume problem
> before spending that kind of money. Any thoughts? I know harp players
> usually have the opposite problem (can't get enough volume), so maybe
> this is a rare situation.
>
> Thanks,
> Grant Kester
> gkester@xxxxxxxx
>
> p.s. my apologies for any multiple postings of this query; I mistakenly
> used the old "garply" heading when I first tried to send it.
> --
> Harp-l is sponsored by SPAH.
> Hosted by ValuePricehosting.com, www.valuepricehosting.com