Keep in mind that no matter how transparent the attenuator, the fact remains that people hear differently at different SPL. Perhaps you're already familiar with the research of Fletcher/Munson, which shows that the frequency response of our hearing is very different depending on how loud the sound source is. Also, the power rating of your speaker(s) in relation to the power the amp is putting out (or rather the power the speaker sees due to the attenuator) definitely could affect the difference in tone: for example, a speaker that is rated at 30 watts being driven by a 30 watt amp cranked is going to sound way different than that same amp cranked but also attenuated because you're not pushing the speaker nearly as close to its limit.RJ Guitars wrote:Well, this has been a long enduring thread and there ought to be a bunch of airbrakes out there. I'm curious what people think of them??
I've been attempting to get bedroom volume and big league tone for a few years now and I'm just about to convince myself that it's not gonna happen... not to say I haven't got some cool tones at reasonable volume, just seems my ears tell me that two watts cranked isn't a scale model of 50 watts cranked.
When I get the airbrake to squeeze down a Fender Deluxe, it seems sorta buzzy and not all that cool... as I back off the brake, the tone just seems to get better as the volume gets louder.
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Do you think it works better on some circuits than others?
rj
Hope this helps. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.
Ben