DC-5 or DC-10 owners

[paintballnsk]

None of my friends have heard of the DC series amps.

I have a DC-10 head.

Schecter Hellraiser FR, Boss noisegate, Ibanez TS808 reissue

For recording it was almost hard to find a bad tone. But some are better than others. I came to find that I liked the one suggested in the manual for the high gain.

What I really need to know...
I bought the model that doesnt have the half-power switch built into it. This amp is unbelievably loud. It destorys my guitarsts Carvin V3 at about.. 3 master, 4 channel. I also just did a show and couldn't bring the amp above 3 master 3 channel.

Could someone please tell me how to saturate the sound and keep the volume at.. about half of what it puts out.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

I have a DC-5 and it's still loud as hell. I like to keep my masters at 3-4 and my main output at least 2-3 but it's too loud most the time. You might consider, as I am, getting some kind of power attenuator like a THD. The only thing keeping me from that is I already carry too much gear to a gig and the thought of yet another piece to hook up keeps me from doing so.

 

[SixVeeSix]

This is why I prefer the lower wattage Mesa amps. I see no good reason for 100 watts. Angus Young from AC/DC was on Howard Stern the other day and he said 15-20 watts is almost too much!!!

 

[paintballnsk]

I found a guy that custom makes attenuators on ebay. Someone that has two of them pointed me to the guy. He said it's absolutely amazing.

The THD ones cost like $300.. so forget that crap.

These are custom made for only like $25.

Search ebay for "omnisonic"

Mine is already on its way.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

That omnisonic sounds interesting but I don't know if it's what most really want. I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong but because this goes in the effects loop it is only controlling the volume from the preamp section and not the power amp. It's the power amp driven hard that gives you the sweat tube sound everyone likes. It looks like to me that you could achieve the same results from the omnisonic by cranking your master volume and keeping your individual channels volume low.

I really hope to be proven wrong and shown the error of my ways becasue I would buy one in a heartbeat if it allowed me to control the volume after cranking the power tube section.

Paintballnsk, please let us know how that works for you.

 

[disassembled]

These are not comparable to an attenuator that runs on the output section. What he sells is a volume knob that controls the level of the preamp and not the level of the power amp distortion. So for $25 you are buying something that comes on just about every Mesa.

Just FYI for everyone: this is a gimmick and does not give you something that wasn't already designed into your channel switching Mesa amp.

Does the guy make a claim? A little overinflated one but yes. I wish he was a little more honest about the differences between his product and say a THD hotplate but then he probably wouldn't see very many of his products. Does this distort the preamp more? Yes it can, by running his device in the loop you can run the preamp higher getting you more preamp distortion. This can also be done if you have Gain and Volume (or Pre and Post) controls on your amp. Does this unit give you power amp saturation at low volumes? NO, without a doubt, absolutely not. This device limits the amount of signal sent to the power section. How can the power section even distort if very little signal is sent to it? The answer is it can't; plain and simple.

Buyer beware.

Greg

 

[disassembled]

That omnisonic sounds interesting but I don't know if it's what most really want. I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong but because this goes in the effects loop it is only controlling the volume from the preamp section and not the power amp. It's the power amp driven hard that gives you the sweat tube sound everyone likes. It looks like to me that you could achieve the same results from the omnisonic by cranking your master volume and keeping your individual channels volume low.

I really hope to be proven wrong and shown the error of my ways becasue I would buy one in a heartbeat if it allowed me to control the volume after cranking the power tube section.

Paintballnsk, please let us know how that works for you.

No, sir, you are absolutely correct in your assumption. Actually, if you go to some of the DIY amp sites (like 18watt.com) you can find links how to build your own attenuators for very little $$$$. They list sources and a pretty good run down of how to build everything.


Greg

 

[Monsta-Tone]

I would stick with a Power Brake or Hot Plate if you want the real power tube breakup.

I have had a Hot Plate, and currently own a Power Brake.

They are great, except that they do not let the speakers push enough air, which I find to be an integral part of an amp's characteristics.

I rarely use mine.


You could easily add a 1/2 power switch, but it will not sound the same.

I use a DC-10 as well and normally have the channel master at 3 and the Output at 2. This does not let the amp sing like it should, but I can still get some really great tones for Blues/Classic Rock.


Another option that I've been considering is using small bottle 6L6's or even 6V6's since I have installed a bias pot in mine.

 

[dcgdc5]

I have a DC5. With Ch 1 master 3, ch2 master 4 and the main outs at 2 I never had a problem with "too loud".

 

[jamme61]

Man please don't spend your money on an attenuator. They work ok, on Marshalls but, they don't work the same on Mesa's IMHO. The Mesa sound is coming from the preamp and the power section is designed to stay clean. I have, and have had Attenuators and have even made that little box that they sell on Ebay (1 pot and two input jacks, not the same as an attenuator) I would suggest yellow jackets. I have used them on my MKIV with great results. I wish I had them when I had a DC5 (very loud amp) The YJ (2 el84's 15 watts) will still be loud enough for you, IMHO. If you must get an attenuator, I have had the PB100, THD, and Weber lite. IMHO the Weber is cheaper $160 new and sounds the best. The weber uses a real speaker voicecoil for a load(better feel) and also has two knobs to attenuate, low-mids and Mid- highs, so you can dial it in for better tone. Attenuators are ok if used a little IMHO.