2 Or 3 Position Wattage Mods?

[Shadoweclipse13]

Is it possible to mod an amp to have one? I've been really loving the 3-way wattage switch on my Marshall Origin, and have always wanted a Blues/Hot Rod Deville, but 40W is just way more than I need for home.

[sookwinder]

it's called a "Master Volume" ....

[Embenny]

it's called a "Master Volume" ....

Or an attenuator.

Switching power tubes from pentode to triode mode would involve enough modding that your amp tech would likely charge you as much or more than an attenuator, which is reusable across multiple amps and can have its cost recovered if you buy used and resell.

[Shadoweclipse13]

it's called a "Master Volume" ....

Or an attenuator.

Switching power tubes from pentode to triode mode would involve enough modding that your amp tech would likely charge you as much or more than an attenuator, which is reusable across multiple amps and can have its cost recovered if you buy used and resell.

I was hoping to avoid having another piece of equipment added to the amp, which is why I was avoiding the idea of an attenuator. As for the master volume, my Marshall Origin seems to sound a bit different at different output wattage, which is why I didn't think it would be as simple as that.

[Embenny]

Well, have you ever looked at Yellowjackets?

They let you plug in EL84's in place of those 6L6's in the Deville, in either pentode or triode mode depending which model you select.

It'll be a different tone (and output) depending on which you select, much like you are familiar with on the Origin, but it'll be totally reversible and doesn't involve external gear like an attenuator.

It just isn't selectable...it's just whichever model you've got plugged in.

[Shadoweclipse13]

That's pretty interesting. I honestly like the sound of the Deville, it's just more amp than I need. I'd love to have a 20W version of one honestly, but doubt that anyone makes one (like a clone). Aren't the Blues and Hot Rods EL84's anywho?

[øøøøøøø]

It is possible to do by disabling certain electrodes in the output tubes to modify their principle of operation.

A "Triode/Pentode switch" will disable the screen grids and negative suppressor grids of your pentode or beam-forming tetrode output tubes.

This reduces their efficiency, and therefore their output power.

It also changes the way the amp sounds... it doesn't JUST cut the power/volume. It's not exactly "half power..." more like 60% power output... but it is effective.

Note that "60% of power output" does not equal "60% as loud." It won't reduce the volume by nearly that much, in practice (power is linear, dB are logarithmic).

[øøøøøøø]

(A quick google turned up this how-to)

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/ ... ode-switch

[s_mcsleazy]

if you are looking into a fender hotrod deluxe, i've seen people bring these things up. it's meant to be a master volume to go between the preamp/power amp when plugged into the effects loop or whatever fender call it on those amps.
https://reverb.com/item/9884039-fender- ... ume-module

[Shadoweclipse13]

Brad, thanks for the information!! That article is really good information! I may try that if I do pick one up.

Sean, that little gizmo is actually really cool! And affordable too! I never would've thought of looking for something like that.

[s_mcsleazy]

Sean, that little gizmo is actually really cool! And affordable too! I never would've thought of looking for something like that.

i keep seeing them when i see people selling HRD's. i nearly brought a cheap HRD a while back and a friend suggested it.

[andy_tchp]

("HotRod" amps) - As is almost always the case on OSG, surely the answer is to buy a Princeton Reverb/Deluxe Reverb, instead of trying to modify an amp that's

• overwhelmingly loud for most purposes with a horrible taper to the volume control
• not actually very good
• earned a horrible reputation for reliability

to make it something it's not?

[Shadoweclipse13]

("HotRod" amps) - As is almost always the case on OSG, surely the answer is to buy a Princeton Reverb/Deluxe Reverb, instead of trying to modify an amp that's

• overwhelmingly loud for most purposes with a horrible taper to the volume control
• not actually very good
• earned a horrible reputation for reliability

to make it something it's not?

I would agree, especially for amps. I know nothing about their reliability, but I honestly like the sound. I've only ever played a 410 V2 or V3 Hot Rod, but I liked the tone. That said, I've been wanting a Fender sounding amp for a while, and a Princeton definitely sounds like it could be my thing too...

[MattK]

I bought a clone of a Peavey Classic 30 for pretty cheap - as soon as I plugged into it I thought, THERE it is ... sold my Twin the next week. I like Fender-y amps (and love Princetons) and that was the right thing at a liveable volume and a liveable price. Try one if you can.

[Shadoweclipse13]

The caveat with the HRD is--this mod might be difficult and/or a little bit more-expensive, plus more-permanent due to the way the amp is constructed.

The output tube sockets are mounted directly to the PCB.

It would involve cutting traces on the PCB, which... that's not impossible, but it's messy and not easily-reversed.

That might just kill my desire for a Hot Rod then. Thanks for the heads-up!

I bought a clone of a Peavey Classic 30 for pretty cheap - as soon as I plugged into it I thought, THERE it is ... sold my Twin the next week. I like Fender-y amps (and love Princetons) and that was the right thing at a liveable volume and a liveable price. Try one if you can.

I've got 2 amps, and one is a Peavey Delta Blues (very similar circuit I believe). I love it. You can do a lot with them for sure. I'm just looking to get something with the Fender-specific tone.