Byeby Shiva ?

[6Tones]

Well after a long debate Ive decided to sell my Shiva El34 head with verb.
I posted it today and can revoke it before anyone bids on it.
My reason for selling is that this amp sounds KILLER at highervolumes(nails the allmans/ford type tone imo)
but at lower volumes its just decentsounding.
Most bars/clubs I play doesnt require a screaming 80watts ,so the shiva has seen little if any use for me.

But how I LOVE LOVE how it sounds cranked!..am I making a mistake selling it ??
I sure as hell cant afford a $2k amp to replace it :( Im hoping there are options around to fill its shoes (30-50watt range)

[Thwap]

That's exactly the reason I sold mine.

If you can't crank it, it's an average amp.

IMO, of course.

[Rocco Siffredi]

Check out a used Rockerverb. Great master volume.

[joemesser]

Have you thought about a high quality attenuator?

I've heard crazy good raves about the Faustine, so I got on the list.
Supposedly it's absolutely transparent. The Ultimate is considered top
of the heap as well and you could find one used for around $300.
There's also the Komet Airbrake.

Then you could fine tune your amps volume to saturation, after you get
the master set where you need it for tone. Then you also have your big watts
on hand when you need them. What if you sell your amp and then need those watts back?

That would be a great investment whether or not you keep your Shiva down the road.

[sickboy79]

Have you thought about a high quality attenuator?

I've heard crazy good raves about the Faustine, so I got on the list.
Supposedly it's absolutely transparent. The Ultimate is considered top
of the heap as well and you could find one used for around $300.
There's also the Komet Airbrake.

Then you could fine tune your amps volume to saturation, after you get
the master set where you need it for tone. Then you also have your big watts
on hand when you need them. What if you sell your amp and then need those watts back?

That would be a great investment whether or not you keep your Shiva down the road.

+1 - I'd grab and attenuator before you let her go. I think it would change you mind. I'm personally a fan of the THD Hot Plate.

[6Tones]

Is it true that the new attenuators though reliable do still have a possibilty to fry or burn out the tube fast on a amp??

[vds5000]

Is it true that the new attenuators though reliable do still have a possibilty to fry or burn out the tube fast on a amp??

I think that's just the nature of power soaks/attenuators.

[Ian]

I always wondered if the power tube burn out thing happens because people crank the p on "10"?

I think my amp's sweet spot is around "7" (or 2 O'clock on the dial). It's a 50 watt modded Variplex.

I'm waiting for the Faustine to come out with a 16 Ohm version.....hopefully it won't be too long!

[waini001]

I agree go for the attenuator. My buddy just got a THD hot plate off Ebay for $150...he uses it with a Cornford Roadhouse and it sounds great. Please don't get rid of the Shiva...I originally sold my first one due to GAS, then I realized I liked the Shiva tone too much and bought another...for the lower gain stuff it's great.

[soldano16]

Is it true that the new attenuators though reliable do still have a possibilty to fry or burn out the tube fast on a amp??

It's not the attenuator - it's the fact that you are now running your amp a lot hotter overall. If the tubes are weak, the extra push will show that. But it's no different than if you suddenly decided, without the attenuator, that now you want to run your amp full up.

[Alex_S]

Hi 6Tones,

I find the Shiva actually sounds pretty good at lower volumes. Have you tried maxing out the master and only using the channel volume for volume control. That combined with the EQ gives me everything I want at lower volume. (I do have the newer Shiva version and also sometimes use the bright switch).
What speakers do you use?

Ciao Alex

[phillyred79]

Is it true that the new attenuators though reliable do still have a possibilty to fry or burn out the tube fast on a amp??

PM sent to ya sir...

[DaveNJ]

I just did the same thing - sold my boogie MkIV and got a Suhr Badger 30 - I'd do it again in a heartbeat...

[Eric Dahlberg]

My reason for selling is that this amp sounds KILLER at highervolumes(nails the allmans/ford type tone imo)
but at lower volumes its just decentsounding.

Good to know. I've only played a Shiva once, it was loud but probably not cranked and so that might explain why it sounded so unimpressive. In any case, the Badger 18 next to it blew it away at all volumes.

If you do decide to go with an attenuator, the Koch has served me well for the last couple years and has not blown up any of my amps.

[6Tones]

Hi 6Tones,

I find the Shiva actually sounds pretty good at lower volumes. Have you tried maxing out the master and only using the channel volume for volume control. That combined with the EQ gives me everything I want at lower volume. (I do have the newer Shiva version and also sometimes use the bright switch).
What speakers do you use?

Ciao Alex
Im using a 2x12 thd with classicleads

[Alex_S]

Im using a 2x12 thd with classicleads

Well that should be fine. I use a 1x12 with a CL60 as well. As they are more transparent and even a bit sharp sounding they compensate the loss of highs of the amp at the lower volumes.
As said, with keeping the Master high or even at MAX I like the sound a lot even at lower volumes. Maybe I should add, that I play with little gain from the amp (Gain at 10-11 o'clock). If I need more gain, I use pedals to push it.

Ciao Alex