What you need is one of the Reborn triples that does a possible 150watts and 50watts for each channel! =-p In all seriousness, we had a thread talking about getting good tones at low volumes. The general comments were 1) tubes that break up earlier 2) Attenuator 3) pulling tubes 4) lower efficiency speaker. Generally, using several options all at once makes the results much more effective.
So you won't pull tubes, eh? This is unfortunate, since yanking tubes is the best possible way to get more tube breakup (good tone) at low volumes. I was about to suggest putting Yellow Jackets / EL-84s in it for home use when I read that. *IF* you were to use this solution, you'd drop the amp down from about 150watts to approx 45 - 60watts which would be perfect for low volume playing and this is with no tube sockets empty! I mean the tone isn't EXACTLY the same, but tube crunch is always preferable to anything else. And Hey, you might actually find that the between 45 - 60watt option comes in handy for smaller gigs!!
Since you won't pull tubes, there is always the 'chance' that you will blow the 60watt speaker because you have SO MUCH more power on tap. Still, you don't HAVE to turn it up that loud so the speaker will probably be fine. Just use common sense and keep the volume down. You can also buy a good attenuator. Yes, they suck tone when they are turned up HIGH ( -12 db+) but you can run one at -3 db for a minimal hit to tone. Hey, this is the same as cutting your amps power in half, which really isn't all that bad after all!
Just a comment on this, why a 60watt 1 x 12? I have a 2 x 12 and it really honestly isn't much louder than my 1 x 12, ESPECIALLY when the 1 x 12 is loaded with something like a Celestion v30 that puts out 100db / watt / metre. IF you want a 1 x 12 it is probably better to invest in a speaker that is a lower sensitivity to suck up some of the power. I was thinking g12T-75s but there is also the option of the g12T 100 that handles 100watts. When it comes to the G12T 100, More power handling capability plus lower sensitivity (97 db/ watt / metre) is a real win in my book. Consider that a 3db difference in volume is roughly the same as cutting the power of your amp by half, that isn't quite so bad! Now all you need is to make / buy yourself a thiele cab for that speaker and you should be set. So, Attenuator at -3db and a speaker that puts out 3db less = -6 db from your rig. OH, and you won't supercede the power rating on the 100watt speaker either anymore. Next step, throw in preamp tubes that distort at lower volumes and throw in the Yellow Jackets. All tube sockets full and VIOLA, you have good tones at bedroom volumes! The only problem is that you will have spent enough money to buy yourself a small tube head such as an Orange Tiny Terror by the time you factor in all the costs.
You could also run recabinet on your computer and take the FX send and plug that into your computer . . . OR, there is also the Wampler Triple Wreck. Best stomp box EVER!!!!
UnderJollyRoger said:
Hi,
I'm pretty sure playing at lower volumes won't damage your cab. Probably listen for sounds of dying speakers ^^
On the other hand, I am also pretty sure you won't get that Rectifier sound at volumes you can pull at home (at least, I know I can't). These babies need far too much volume to sound good at home. I would be surprised if you could crank them loud enough, but, if you want to give it a try ...
That is why I run 2 YellowJackets for practicing. 20watt high gain head = WIN!!
94Tremoverb said:
If you keep the volume down there's no issue at all - as long as the amp is putting out less than 60W it won't blow the speaker. 60W is LOUD, even with a 1x12" - you would know if you were even close to that volume in a home recording context, you're more likely to be playing at 1-10W.
The easiest way to get a quick guide is to connect your Behringer to the cab and crank it up full. If you're playing your Mesa at less than that volume, there can't be any risk to the cab.
But we had that thread on getting good tone at low volumes. Is a 1 x 12 with an efficient speaker really going to give him the tone he wants at LOW volumes?