moojiefulagin Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Hi! Does anyone know how to wire up a simple half-power switch for a tube amp? My particular amp is a Fender Deville, and it doesn't have an effects loop. Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Most half-power switches work by removing a pair of power tubes from the amp circuit. Since your Deville only has one pair of power tubes, that's not possible. You might try a pair of Yellow Jackets if you're looking for cranked tone at lower volumes. Check THD's Yellow Jacket page for more info. Also remember that tube amps have lethal voltages present even after they've been unplugged. Don't try any mods unless you know what you're doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moojiefulagin Posted February 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Thanks, actually Im just looking for a way for the amp to exist at lower volumes at all! Im not worried about cranked tubes. I have one of those horrible neighbors who has nothing better to do than screw up other people. She threatened to call the police when I played my twin reverb on 2.5, and remember, sound doesn't even come out until you get up to 2. I want to be able to use the amp distortion at a lower volume, preferably without adjusting the guitar's volume knob. Could I wire something in between the amp and the speaker? Some sort of volume pot thing? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 You could install an L-pad - try Parts Express, and get one rated higher than your amp's output for a margin of safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moojiefulagin Posted February 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 How does it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 It's basically a rheostat for your speaker, but it keeps the load matched so it won't affect your amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moojiefulagin Posted February 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 Great, so what wattage one would I buy if my amp is 60 watts? I think they only sell 50 and 100. Also, how do I know what ohm value one to buy? Thank you very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 What's your speaker's impedance? Buy a 100w pad that matches your speaker's impedance, and don't turn your amp up (loud) with the pad in the circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moojiefulagin Posted February 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 OK, that sounds good. Ill probably make some sort of simple pedal with an in and out jack for easy hookup and removal. So this goes in between the speakers and the amp? Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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