What attenuator for my 1974x?

[BDUNN]

I apologize if this topic has been discussed recently.

I was hoping to get some input from you guys on what is a good attenuator to use with my 1974x? I was looking at the bad cat leash, and z airbrake. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks!!!!
-BDUNN

 

[SlyStrat]

Dr Z all the way. No tone sucking. Just the bass goes down some. It blows away a Hot Plate.

 

[QRSS]

weber used to make some low-watt attenuators made to mount inside the combo. never used one but that would be what i would look at.

 

[Samsun19]

I just researched this, and landed on the Ho Attenuator, who is the man that designed the UA Attenuator. Mr YuKong Ho is a amazingly cool cat. He is in Canada, and offers base models at a very resonable price, compared to the competition that is.....

His attenuator is really a "re-amping" device. And the result is, you eliminate almost all of the negatives associated with the old style attenuators...... compressed/mushy/non organic feel. The Ho/UA approach is very transparent.

http://hoelectronics.com/Product2.php

Give him a call, you'll be glad you did.

Best,

 

[soldano16]

Consensus is that the Mr. Ho's device is the clear winner in terms of what's readily available today.

 

[jamme61]

Which is better, the HO or the ultimate attenuator, are they the same thing?

 

[sickboy79]

Dr Z all the way. No tone sucking. Just the bass goes down some. It blows away a Hot Plate.

Funny - I'm the opposite. I've got both the Z Air Brake and a few Hot Plates. I personally prefer the Hot Plate. Both for tone and flexability. Both are great but, I lean towards the Plate myself.

 

[mitch236]

Which is better, the HO or the ultimate attenuator, are they the same thing?

They started out being the same. It's been a while since I've researched it but if things are still the same, the Ho is handmade by Mr. Ho (the original designer) and the Ultimate Attenuator is mass produced overseas.

 

[gbravo]

Just received my Ho attenuator and plugged it in for the first time this weekend. I paid just over $400 for it. It absolutely works as advertised. I've got a Marshall 1987X with an Avatar 4X12; I had the amp turned up to 8 and it sounded amazing. Slight coloration of the tone and you miss the thump from the speakers, but it definitely gets 2 :AOK.

Another note...Mr Ho is incredible to work with. He will build the box in any configuration that you choose.

 

[andrekp]

I use a Hot Plate on an 18 watt clone. Sounds great.

 

[FJTurner]

weber used to make some low-watt attenuators made to mount inside the combo. never used one but that would be what i would look at.

I used the Weber Mini Mass 25W on my Marshall 2061X with great results...

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/minimass.htm

 

[LesPaulPlayer]

Some folks at 18watt.com (there are true experts of Marshall's original 18 watt circuit on this board) have successfully used a Radio Shack In-Wall Mono Volume Control. These are ridiculously affordable at $20 USD.

Here's the in-depth discussion from 18watt.com

 

[GearHeadFred]

Hot plate with my JTM45 here... Sounds great!

 

[MatDK]

Considered Vari-watt?