Marshall power brake worth buying?

[THISxISxMYxBOOMSTICK]

is a power brake worth getting does it suck the tone out or help it by using it at full volume?

 

[V-man]

is a power brake worth getting does it suck the tone out or help it by using it at full volume?

You may want to mention amp(s) used, and noise-level expectations to help form your answer.

 

[THISxISxMYxBOOMSTICK]

I use a JCM 800 2204 with two 1936 cabs and I plan to get an SLX.

 

[HOT TUBES 70]

Some guys love em , and other's hate'm !!
I think it all depends on you & your rig imo ...



My personal experience .... i didn't like it !

 

[Lespaulnmarshall]

I sold mine too. Didn't like it at all.

 

[nedcronin]

I didn't like the PB or hot plates one bit, but I love my DR Z Airbrake. Having said that, I think the output transformer in my TSL is blown so I am not convinced that they don't do any damage. Or maybe it's just that diming an amp every time you play it results in blown components. Sure does sound absolutely 100 % awesome though.

 

[ghostdriver]

Don't want to derail the original question but has anyone tried the Weber Mass compared to the Power Brake or Dr Z?

 

[Ewlman]

I didn't like the PB or hot plates one bit, but I love my DR Z Airbrake. Having said that, I think the output transformer in my TSL is blown so I am not convinced that they don't do any damage. Or maybe it's just that diming an amp every time you play it results in blown components. Sure does sound absolutely 100 % awesome though.

If it's blown you wouldn't have any sound at all... if it's damaged in some way it would be audible in many cases. A crackling noise would for example be shorting between the coils. That's what I have come to understand at least.

 

[nedcronin]

Nope the amp sounds normal, just way less volume. Maybe it's just a blown resistor...fingers crossed I hope that's all it is.

 

[Skotosynthesis]

I use a JCM 800 2204 with two 1936 cabs and I plan to get an SLX.

Well in that case, forget the attenuator...

JUST GET A BIGGER HOUSE!!!

AM I RIGHT GUYS?!

(snare roll, mike squeal)

 

[Ewlman]

Ned: that's strange... like a lot quieter? Anyway since I'm no pro it sounds like a question for the guys at the 'workbench'.

 

[Marshallmaniac]

Just buy a good overdrive pedal. It's not worth wearing your amp out in my opinion.

 

[nedcronin]

Dude an OD pedal does not even touch the tone of a cranked amp, it just isn't the same tone. I'm not saying it isn't good, it just is not the same at all. I'm not trying to sound like a corksniffer, but I never knew what I was missing NOT using a good attenuator. I'm also not saying that it's for everybody, but it's the tone I seek and I must have it!

Edelman, yes it's about 25% of the volume it should be normally. It does sound fine although there is more compression than there usually is too. It's on the verge of sag.

 

[GuitarBuilder]

is a power brake worth getting does it suck the tone out or help it by using it at full volume?

Yes, no, yes

 

[GuitarBuilder]

Nope the amp sounds normal, just way less volume. Maybe it's just a blown resistor...fingers crossed I hope that's all it is.

Or one less output tube.....

 

[Wycked Lester]

ive had 3 attenuators,....hated them on my 2203. Made it sound like there was a box over it.....

I think the were primairly designed for, and sound best when used with, Non MasterVolume amps.

 

[Marshallmaniac]

I know most od's don't sound like cranked amps but IMO, Speaker distortion and the way they heat and react when amps are loud is part of what we call power tube opverdrive. Our ear also perceived sounds differently at volume levels. Amps certainly do distort their power sections, but perceived sound is not as we believe it to be.

What I mean is: A good overdrive pedal sounds good to me at low volumes. most don't sound isentical to a cranked amp, but why should they? Horses for courses is all, just trying to give some options

 

[Australian]

ive had 3 attenuators,....hated them on my 2203. Made it sound like there was a box over it.....

I think the were primairly designed for, and sound best when used with, Non MasterVolume amps.

I was going to say a similar thing.

I use a powerbrake with my JMP's only.

 

[THISxISxMYxBOOMSTICK]

soo many opinions Haha that'd what this is about. well ill just have to find out on my own. for those of you that have one what's a good price on one?

 

[nedcronin]

Yeah if you have to keep the volume at like a household or apartment level, go with the OD. Attenuators can tame the beast but it will not be "un loud" by any means.