Does Mesa recommend a particular power attenuator

rockanomicon · Oct 31, 2008

Does Mesa recommend a particular power attenuator for use with there amps??
Does anyone have any advise to the contrary?

ShamefulAddiction · Oct 31, 2008

120V straight from the wall is good enough.

EDIT: BLEH sorry it's late and I thought you meant conditioner... as far as attenuators go I am uncertain if they recommend them at all.

rockanomicon · Oct 31, 2008

Someone said they recommended the THD Hotplate, but I havent really heard much else one way or the other. I'm in the market for a new head, either a standard dual rec, or the Roadster. I like the 50w/half power option included on the roadster (mainly to appease the sound man at gigs). However, I like the option of running a power attenuator with the dual rec.

fishyfishfish · Nov 2, 2008

I called them a while back when I was getting all cracked out on attenuators and variacs and "Getting a cranked tone at whisper volume", and it was hinted that it was not needed/hard on the amp and could cause damage that would not be covered under warranty. Since I was having my amp repaired I didn't want to press the issue. I will say that the Hollywood Store has a big stack of THD plates near the counter

I did love my Z Airbrake, but when I started going through tubes like crazy, it was time to hang it up

Miller72 · Nov 2, 2008

I've owned a Weber Mass that I thought was pretty well made. FWIW, I got some cool tones with it, but it still wasn't as good as cranking the amp w/out an attenuator, and I eventually sold it when it became just another thing to haul around.

domct203 · Nov 2, 2008

The only time I use my Hotplate is when I'm dialing in new patches on the G-Major at home.

For smaller club gigs I use the 50W setting on my Roadster, and for the small bar shows 50W in Spongy with a 2X12 or 1X12 does the trick better than an attenuator IMO. The more you attenuate, the more they suck tone.

Save your money to buy a good 1X12 or 2X12, and use the options in the amp. Even at 100W, using the right cab, Spongy (or Tweed power), and an EQ in the loop should be all you'll need.

Dom