Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

vibratoking · Post by **vibratoking** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:02 pm

I am not a Marshall guy...yet. I am thinking of a 50W plexi style build. Thanks to Miles for sharing his experience. I know it will be loud. I would like to build in some method to reduce volume. Not bedroom levels. Just a small level reduction to take off the edge when desired.

I am looking for feedback on your experiences with different methods of volume reduction for a Marshall type amp:

PPIMV Type 1/2/3, LarMar, attenuator, VVR, Variac,...???

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Post by **xtian** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:44 pm

Check my thread about my 50 watt 1987 style plexi builds. I'm just starting my third one, I like them so much:

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19042

I used PPIMV LarMar, and think it's great. I play this all the time now in my office at home, very, very quietly so as not to bother anyone.

Reeltarded · Post by **Reeltarded** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:50 pm

Military surplus store. I make pads of three wool blankets that I rivet together. 2-3 blankets per pad with 4 rivets up each side and 4 in a square in the middle. Low volume 6-8 blankets. Small coffee can hole in lower right speaker area with a saddle blanket over them to dress it up.

hah

Use a safety pin to open up as much as you need. Totally works.

statorvane · Post by **statorvane** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:25 am

If you've got some robust 6V6s laying around (a crime I know) try swapping them for the EL34s. Amp breaks up earlier than EL34s - decent crunch at lower volume. Sounds really good. I've used JJ 6V6S tubes and tweaked the bias a little.

Roe · Post by **Roe** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:13 am

statorvane wrote:If you've got some robust 6V6s laying around (a crime I know) try swapping them for the EL34s. Amp breaks up earlier than EL34s - decent crunch at lower volume. Sounds really good. I've used JJ 6V6S tubes and tweaked the bias a little.

yes but change the z from 3k4 to 6k8

thejaf · Post by **thejaf** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:46 pm

Earplugs

PPIMV for me. I have a loud drummer, so this type of MV is never below "7", just shaves off a few dB

vibratoking · Post by **vibratoking** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:33 pm

...I have a loud drummer...

Me too, but aren't they all?

LeftyStrat · Post by **LeftyStrat** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:11 am

vibratoking wrote:
...I have a loud drummer...
Me too, but aren't they all?

Even when they're nowhere near a drum kit, especially the ones into Prog Rock.

tresspassor · Post by **tresspassor** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:21 pm

I recently built an October Club as posted on AX84 site. It's basically just a 20W plexi with some extra features. I found that it retains most of the sound / feel of a true 50 watter without the ear bleeding. I also installed a VVR on it to help reduce the volume even lower. 20W is still pretty loud for a cranked plexi crunch tone.

Badside · Post by **Badside** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:52 pm

Start by building a JTM45 instead, with KT66s, already more manageable than a "50W" EL34 build (really more like 70-80W while the JTM45 is around 35W)

Include the PPIMV (LarMar), worst case you leave it up and it changes nothing.

If that still doesn't do it, use an attenuator.

And of course stay away from 100dB speakers (Vintage 30, G12H30), Greenbacks are your friend.
(The sensitivity difference means a G12H30 is as loud as an amp twice the power compared to a Greenback)

ampmike · Post by **ampmike** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 12:53 pm

I built a 50 watt metro plexie.Put the lar/mar and just love that amp.You can no longer get the kits from George but the BOM and a step by step printable booklet is still free on his sight.I have a lot of amps here and to this day Ill play that one every night for a bit.Plugged into my mesa 2x12 it kills.
Good Luck in your quest !Mikey

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 1:52 pm

Best way to deal with a loud drummer.
Play louder.

Sooner or later he/she'll have sore wrists & stiff arms.
Play nice or play loud.

Reeltarded · Post by **Reeltarded** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 1:53 pm

hahaha I just imagined that battle.

vibratoking · Post by **vibratoking** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:20 pm

I could put in ear plugs or wear my IEMs and then pummel the hell out my band members, but that's just stupid. They'll put in ear plugs and then we'll all play loud as hell, not be able to listen to each other, and quit making music IMO. If you can't REALLY listen, what's the point? The goal is to get great tones at a reasonable level so that everyone can HEAR. I have fired musicians because they wore ear plugs. You can't hear for shit with ear plugs. Even the musicians ear plugs cut the spectrum down to next to nothing. As soon as I know that's happening, I know that guy is not really listening so he either removes them or he is gone. I am leaning towards a JTM45/100, but I am moving at a snails pace at this point. I'll figure out how to quiet it. I find low wattage amps don't ever get close to the headroom that I prefer. I have too many amps and not enough time at the moment.

The Amp Garage

Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

metro plexie

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp

Re: Methods to Reduce SPL for Marshall type amp