Controlling amp volume with a pedal..

[vangit]

I'm thinking of getting an amp that does not have a master volume. Is there any type of clean\transparent pedal to put in front of the amp that will preserve the amps tone of the amp but allow me to lower the overall volume with the pedal volume? Thanks

[SteveO]

A pedal in front of the amp will have the same effect as the volume knob on your guitar. If the amp has a loop, a 25K volume pedal will work, but it will still alter the signal hitting the power section by making it quieter, which will affect the tone as the power section won't be pushed as hard.

[vangit]

Thanks for the reply. Some more info. The amp I'm interested has no effects loop, and has a Mercury Transformer so i can't use an attenuator. My understanding is even though it is low wattage, it's pretty damn loud. So I didn't' know if there was a way to dial a nice tone, then control the volume with some kind of transparent pedal (clean boost rolled back, eq, etc) without coloring the tone of the amp.

[walterw]

why can't you use an attenuator with a mercury transformer?

also, are you going to run this mysterious amp clean or crunchy? pedals for overdrive or no?

[PLAYLOUD]

check out the Scott Henderson Sublte Volume control unit.

[jchan]

I use a plexi reissue 50 watt head. The amp is set for mostly clean and I'm using pedals for gain. The amp is loud and I use a 25K volume pedal at the end of the pedal chain, before the amp input, to control volume. As long as 1 pedal is on, there is enough buffering to make any potential tone suck not noticeable. Its a practical and effective solution IMO.

[vangit]

why can't you use an attenuator with a mercury transformer?

also, are you going to run this mysterious amp clean or crunchy? pedals for overdrive or no?

No mystery, it's Greer. The dudes over at Mercury highly recommend not to use an attenuator. If there is a transformer problem and an attenuator was used, it voids the warranty. I have no idea if they can tell if i did or didn't use one, but I'd rather take their advice and not risk it

[vangit]

check out the Scott Henderson Sublte Volume control unit.
I believe that's meant to be used in a loop? The amp I want has no loop

[walterw]

why can't you use an attenuator with a mercury transformer?

also, are you going to run this mysterious amp clean or crunchy? pedals for overdrive or no?

No mystery, it's Greer. The dudes over at Mercury highly recommend not to use an attenuator. If there is a transformer problem and an attenuator was used, it voids the warranty. I have no idea if they can tell if i did or didn't use one, but I'd rather take their advice and not risk it
OK, that answers half the question :bonk

the more info you give, the more useful the answers you will get.

[vangit]

OK, that answers half the question :bonk

the more info you give, the more useful the answers you will get.

Sorry about that:) forgot about the questions (thanks for the help by the way). If I was to get the amp, I'd go for clean to bluesy break up. Main pedals are BB pre-amp and Greer Relic Drive

[jbt7764]

VOX AC 30. Marshall 1974X, Trace Elliot Velocette. All amps that I have run an OCD in front of the amp with great results. Plug guitar into OCD, Set gain to 0. Volume and tone to unity so that you cannot tell if the pedal is on or off. Set switch to LP (low peak) You may have to adjust down the vol to match the level of gain you add.

You should get similar results with the Xotic BB Preamp. In fact my favorite gigging rig at the moment is a Mesa 5;50 Express 1x12. I play through the clean channel with two OCDs in line one set to mild "fenderish" breakup and the second one set to solo boost. Three tones ready to go on the floor.

Great stuff! Good luck and I hope this was helpful.