Fryette Power Station Demo by Joe Gamble

An in-depth look at the new Fryette Power Station Attenuator/Power Amp. This video addresses questions about the transparency of the unit, attenuation capabilities, EQ options, FX loop and possible applications for the Power Station.
Gear used in demo:
'57 Fender Strat
Grosh Set Neck
Grosh Electrajet Custom
Grosh DG50 plexi-style amp
Jedamp V18 amp
Grosh 2x12 cab w/Scumback M75s
Native Instruments Guitar Rig
SM57
Apogee Duet
For more info visit these links:
www.fryette.com/
/ fryetteamps
/ fryetteamps
www.joegamble.com
/ joegambleguitar

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Thanks for the great demo… when playing at lower volumes I tend to have the reactive load eq on warm+bright. That seams to even out the loss in high and low end you get when turning down perfectly. What an awesome piece of kit 💪

[@tempjohn1111]

Great demo. A quantum leap from the old "power soak" days ...

[@brianmckenzie1318]

Thanks for this video. Beautiful job of explaining the Power Station to someone who is new at this! I've always thought about it taming loud amps, but not letting small amps let loose! I learned something today! : )

[@dannybrazen]

ive been trying to figure a way of getting a decent effects loop into my JTM45 head for a while now and this is EXACTLY what i need! thanks fryette!

[@nigel7880]

Steve/Joe, I wanted to let you know that this video has consistently appeared in my KZbin feed for TWO YEARS STRAIGHT. I've already watched it, but the algorithm is still pushing it and I thought you'd appreciate the feedback.

[@jerrymcgeorge4117]

Thanks Joe, great demo. I've been using some 2000s THD Hot Plates in the various impedances for a long time, before that a Marshall Power Brake. Never really been happy with the things. I rolled the dice on the PS2 and am really happy with it so far. The demo probably saved me a few nights of twiddling to find a sweet spot. All the best!

[@sleggarri]

This is the most transparent attenuator that I have ever heard. That tone is awesome and it preserves it perfectly.

[@MCHiphopotamus]

Check out the Plug and Play Attenuator 100. Amazing and much cheaper (but fewer options !)

[@andyracksthecams]

Great video and demonstration as the mic in the room is consistent and helps tell the story. Thank you.

[@nickthenail]

Excellent demo Joe.

[@msromike123]

Very entertaining and thorough demo. TY!

[@marsattacks7071]

That thing is fantastic ! I have a Marshall JMP-1C (1 watt...). It sounds fabulous and now I have a possible option ! Thanks !

[@Mondoslug]

Killer demo...thanks!

[@rubikstube1]

Great, great video! Thanks for posting!

[@lespaul6550]

Great demo! Gear demos work best when you have REAL musicians doing them! Thanks for posting that!

[@PabloRomero1991]

And not the deftone king

[@gwgwgwgw1854]

Excellent demo and it's nice to hear a good player doing the playing. So often the quality of gear is obscured by mediocre playing.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Oh man this is opening up a LOT of amps i could not play at low volumes before and still get a great tone. I am talking TV volume

[@edwinmartinez9787]

Dude you are a beast on that guitar and thank just what I need

[@CammedFox]

just bought a Power Station along with a hot rodded '80 JMP. so stoked to learn this beast and tame that nasty Marshall. please have Joe do all your demos, he is awesome and a great explainer. can I run my amp into the PS into my Digi 003 interface for silent recording?

[@mrslate1]

You are a smooth FaddaMooka on the guitar. GREAT playing and flow. Came to the site as I 'm trying to decide Kemper Powered or no. This thing sounds pretty transparent

[@michaelsykes4309]

Good demonstrator, cheers.

[@lushkordz6643]

Very cool the stuff you're doing @ 7:56 ...i've never seen that before im gonna try ^^ Very nice playing BTW i love your style not too fancy but very effective

[@rocker8692]

Thats cool two different cabs.

[@karlboman]

Huh! Very informative, very helpful. Well done :)

[@razmusik]

I tried my PS2 with my Super Reverb, which doesn't have a fx loop. The loop of the PS2 works, of course, but the delays/reverbs get dirty when I crank the Super Reverb. I'd like to keep them clean. Am I doing something wrong?

[@marco06061994]

Great video!! I have a question, i have bought this model and since i turned on for the first time i heard the fan at full speed, a bit loud without music, i mean you can hear it really good, is that OK? Thank you

[@thedddemon]

Great demonstrator.

[@robertbarcus2008]

It did a good demo you're a good player to

[@unclefish]

Guitar Rig 4? Can you do a video with a bit more modern solutions (e.g. Kemper, AxeFX)?

[@wakjob961]

Nice job. Any high-end loss (that I didn't notice here) could easily be compensated for by simply turning up the Treble and/or Presence on the amp.

[@busyboxst7]

Just FYI, if the high end loss is due to loss of transients (which it is), turning up the treble is not going to restore those temporary spikes of treble but apply treble to the whole signal continuously (thus the signal will be brighter now on average/continuously but still lacking the original bright spikes it had).

[@shobhachandra1975]

Yes thank you I just got mine

[@zsolttoth6948]

Very helpful video Sir!Thanks for taking the time for it!Would You personally recommend for only attenuation purposes the Fryette PS2? ...I´m considering to use it with my Jcm800 reissue (100W BEAST)Greetings from Austria!

[@nycLPplayer]

Just wondering if there any way you know of to use this with heaphones? I have the Badcat Unleash v1 black and the v2 has a headphone out but it is solid state so its probably easier to rig that way.

[@jonathanmccoy9803]

I am wondering whether they're going to demo the new PS2 version. Thomann has it in Europe, but unfortunately, there is no demo of it. Also, the manual in the website is not updated yet! :(

[@johnmiller-in5bt]

can you tell me what year the first version of this came out? was it 2014?

[@BruceReynoldsMusic]

Excellent piece of gear. The company name is slightly alarming considering they are in the electronics business 8)

[@totalcontrast]

Nice humbuckers in that Grosh(?) What are they if you don't mind me asking?

[@glenc741]

I'll certainly be getting one to tame my D120. I've had it modded to be pentode triode and half power capable but this will really make it scream.

[@Classix1969]

in the context of this video I can hear a difference as when the box is on it sounds more compressed and there is high end roll off

[@busyboxst7]

Yep. Which might be one in the same, lack of extremely fast transients = less treble (like a mic diaphragm which is thicker will not resonate as easily at super high frequencies, same idea)

[@lushkordz6643]

Yeah me too but just a lil' not that much

[@mika-hp5ch]

I hear a bit of compression as well

[@steveyankees1]

Agreed. I hear it as well.

[@nuclearguitarfare4653]

I heard it too. Almost gave it a darker tone. Might be able to dial it out considering he didn't mess with the presence in that segment. I've never tried this attenuator so i don't know for sure.

[@michaelmaier7262]

If Fryette gets the GP/DI out to the public, I will likely add a Power Station to that beast. I really want a GP/Di. :)

[@ziggyz2958]

Superb review of all the functions! Seems to do a lot more than I would ever need but who knows. A couple of questions if you don't mind: 1) I would be mostly using the attenuation function for playing at townhouse-friendly volume - how long would you expect the 6L6 tubes to last? 2) Is this a fixed bias amp or would I need to re-bias every time I change power tubes? Thanks!

[@FryetteAmps]

1) We generally advise 2 years. The PS has been on the market for 5 years and exhibits the same high tube reliability and infrequent need for tube replacement as our other offerings, so 2 years is very conservative. Your mileage may vary. 2) No bias adjustment is required and no adjuster is provided. Any good 6L6 is fine. We've recently switched to Sovtek 5881/6L6 due to interruption of supply from Ruby/China.

[@chrismurray2978]

Ah yes pretty much the sort of thing I've been looking for ever since I got a GT Studio Preamp for guitar, one of the best early load box oriented products. Now if only there were the same kind of thing but stereo after the reactive load and going into a Marshall type EL 34 100watt a side power stage,(not for the extra volume but the more supple attack and punch of the 100watt Marshall dynamic!)

[@taylorfusion]

Trying to understand. This can directly interface then to my LPX DAW on an audio track? I don't need any IR's or other host software? If i just want to capture my cranked up Carr Rambler I can use the FPS and I'm good to go? Was getting confused about other gear mentioned in this video like IRs, Kemper profiles etc. Also, If I did want to hear my cranked Carr in other cab sims how would I use the FPS and LPX together?

[@hannibalbarkas1350]

You need to run some IRs on your PC or get the Two Notes Torpedo, which has everything build in.

[@unclefish]

Do i understand this correctly: When i connect an amplifier to the "amp in" jack, the signal will pass the EQ of the reactive load and there is no way to bypass this?

[@FryetteAmps]

+unclefish There is no EQ in the reactive load. It is reactive at high and low frequencies more or less to the degree that you set it to be - and depends on the amp you are using and at what volume that amp is running. Or you set it "FLAT". Or you set the whole thing to Bypass entirely. You have a lot of choices. For more detail download the manual at www.fryette.com, or contact [e-mail].

[@sessionfan]

Hi. I have a power station and love it. I'm thinking about getting a boss gt 001 desktop effects unit. That unit should work awesome with the power station correct? Like if I do guitar into boss , then out of boss into the line in of the power station ? Thankyou !!

[@stretch90]

How is the quality of the tone when you attenuate it to a whisper level?

[@Dismemberizerify]

i have a marshall dsl5c and i can use it only at volume level 1, but i was offered a jmp '77 100watt for a guitar that i'm selling. can i get a better tone with the same loudness using this attenuator?I mean would it sound like a plexi at lower levels? thanks

[@FryetteAmps]

It'll sound like a 77 JMP cranked at lower level:)

[@centraliafuckcorruption]

What tubes does this ship with eg ( Sylvania, Sed winged c etc ) I have a clean boost pedal, will this boost the volume for solos if placed in your loop How is a wet dry setup achieved A good option would be footswitch attenuation like the Suhl jim Kelley power attenuator Thanks

[@FryetteAmps]

+Steve Richter Please contact [e-mail] for details or check the manual online. Thank you!

[@MrHitthespot]

I just purchased one of these for my AX8 that is on its way. My question is, I read somewhere that I should use the PS FX return instead of the PS line in from the AX8. This seems a little confusing. Can someone at Fryette explain why this is better in this usage situation, and if it is actually a better way to use it in this situation? I want the best possible tube experience. Thanks. AX8 to Power Station to 2X12 cabinet.

[@FryetteAmps]

That would depend on the output capability of the AX8. Using the PS FX Return will simply give you more input gain, though it's a safe assumption that the AX8 puts out sufficient level to use the PS Line In.

[@samueldandoy7577]

How about the effect loop? Is it as good as one in today's modern amp? I would love to have one in my JCM800 Marshall head and also to be able to play this beast at a reasonable sound...gotta use this piece of gear!

[@FryetteAmps]

Excellent effects loop. As good as any amp out there. including ours.

[@ctld5266]

There s clearly a dulling effect on the attack of the note. It sound good though

[@centraliafuckcorruption]

When in bypass mode is the amplification from you head driving you speaker box unattenuated ?

[@FryetteAmps]

+Steve Richter Yes. 100% bypass.

[@hootowl6354]

I'm tempted to buy one, but I'm not impressed by the range of tone control in either the switches or the two knobs. I'd like more variability. Some limited cab sim capabilities would be appreciated too. And headphones out. That's my wish list.

[@ai4nlp]

Fryette Amps ... Hi, tnx a lot for demo. I'm seriously considering to buy this. I have two quick questions: (1) When power station is between the amp and speakers, should I use speaker cable or instrument cable to connect amp to power station? Should I use speaker or instrument cable to connect power station to speaker? (2) Is the internal amp always on or I can use the attenuation without using the power amp? does the unit needs power cable all the time even when it is by-passed? Thanks a lot! :)

[@jonathanmccoy9803]

Bio NLP That's also my question!

[@FryetteAmps]

Speaker cables are required for connecting the Power Station to your amp and speakers. This is a reamper composed of 2 parts - the load which absorbs the power from your amp, and the reamp, which drives the speaker and determines the playing volume. You can use each part separately - the load as a silent load for recording, and the reamp as a power amp for your preamp or modeling device. To obtain attenuation for a biog amp or boosting a small amp, you need both parts together.

[@davidzais]

What i'm seeing at 7:00 is very strange to me, because that volume level you are getting at 0 is not nearly what i get with mine. When the power station is on 0 the volume is MUCH louder than what you are displaying. It is attenuating down, but to what i would call bedroom volume. Not just a little bleed through. Im using it with an Sv20h. Is this indicative of a potential problem with the unit?

[@FryetteAmps]

It depends on your amps volume, which version you have (PS-1 vs PS-2) and whether or not you are using a device in the loop that may affect the level.

[@davidzais]

@@FryetteAmps Hi and thanks for the Reply. This is a ps-2a. I have nothing in the loop. The amp is on 5 watt mode jumped with the high treble and normal around 2 oclock. Just as a side note, when i was running my HX stomp in the loop even with the PS-2 on 0 it was extremely loud. I am using high quality Speaker TS cables as well. I have the high sensitivity switch pushed in as well if that matters. Thanks again

[@erniewalker1324]

Can you go from your guitar into an Overdrive pedal into a boost pedal into the line in on the power station without going into some kind of a preamp first and get a good sound of the Overdrive and boost pedals?

[@FryetteAmps]

There are a couple of ways to do this. You can do as you described, or if the pedals don't send enough signal to the Line In to get you to band level, you can go into the FX return to get more volume.

[@erniewalker1324]

Fryette Amps Ok. Thanks.

[@ai4nlp]

I seriously wish if you could demo and review your PS-2!!! I have heard it works even when the power amp is off and even when there is no load attached! I really like to see how the sound differs when power is on/off, or how it can be used without the load, what the new switches on ps-2 do, etc etc. Why don't you guys demo your awesome product?!??! I really need to understand and see it before ordering online! there is no local dealer and this is not a device I dare to test without proper knowledge cause I might easily melt the transformer! By the way, can fx be used when power is off? please don't explain, just show!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Does Fryette still make this unit? Is this PS-2 good for a 65 Fender Princeton Reverb reissue? I can only put my Amp Volume on 2 in my NYC apartment. I'd love to go to 4. I Don't want to Damage my Amplifier. Any input is greatly appreciated. Nice demo. I do like the sound and functionality. Stay Safe.

[@FryetteAmps]

Yes we still make it and yes, it's safe. PS: We responded to your email and it bounced back.

[@patreidcocolditzcastle632]

just want to add you can use an yamp with a fx return to play git sims threw

[@PainterDans]

Can you use the line in and the amp in at the same time ?

[@FryetteAmps]

No. But you can use an AB box to select one or the other. Contact [e-mail] for details.

[@rodmclean2066]

Love that Strat..... what model is it / color ? Oh the Fryette PS is awesome got to get one.

[@JoeGambleGuitar]

Hi Rod, it's a '57 body only refin. I think the finish is Daphne blue.

[@hugotyson308]

Is it really an attenuator? Its more like the Boss TAE which acts as a load box and then reamps the signal with its own amplifier. I suppose it serves the same purpose? I'll probably get one of these Fryette units. I like the idea of a tube power amp instead of the Boss unit's Class D. I had a TAE and it was good but had more features than I needed at the time. Apparently hooking the Boss TAE up to a computer and actually using its programmable features is a pain?!! Like the Boss TAE the effects loops on the Fryette is an excellent feature. The Fryette seems more user friendly though!

[@ilovemywah]

yeah I noticed the difference in tone, it lost what I refer to as "Zing" sweet top end treble.. but me not being a defeatist I'd simply increase the amps treble/presence after all once set you'd leave it alone..

[@FryetteAmps]

This video was done with the PS-1. On the current model PS-2, you simply switch out the Low Pass Filter on the back panel and the zing will come back.

[@busyboxst7]

@@FryetteAmps, is the Low Pass Filter on at all times in this video? I mean anytime the bypass switch is set to engage?

[@FryetteAmps]

@@busyboxst7 This video was done using a PS-1 which has no bypass switch, so yes. It's on all the time.

[@busyboxst7]

@@FryetteAmps, What frequency is the LPF ? (on the PS1 and on the PS2 ... if different)

[@stretch90]

What's the difference between the ps-1 and ps-2?

[@FryetteAmps]

See here for details:www.fryette.com/power-station-integrated-reactance-amplifier/

[@stretch90]

Fryette Amps Too late, already bought it from your site =P

[@FryetteAmps]

Sorry about that :)

[@stretch90]

Fryette Amps It's alright. I'm really liking it so far

[@spakuloid]

WOW

[@Filterbear]

hello,is it possible to have this like a clean platform ?

[@Filterbear]

Fryette Amps because someone tried it with a Friedman BE OD pedal and it s seems to be great as a clean sound platform. Maybe cool to see an other test with the PS2 in this set up

[@FryetteAmps]

Hmmm...OK!

[@erszebet]

Hi, I have a hi gain 100w Marshall amp with KT88s with no FX loop. So does this basically provide me a fx loop? If so, how do I connect a delay pedal? What would be the schematic for this setup? Thank you.

[@FryetteAmps]

Yes, there is an easy to use FX loop that you can connect your delay to. Manual: www.fryette.com/content/Power_Station_Manual_Eng_Rev1.pdf

[@erszebet]

Fryette Amps thx for the reply. keep up the good customer service, dont be like mesa boogie.

[@davidclark3603]

That amp looks like an old grandad Marshall JTM45!?

[@johnmiller9219]

these things have great reviews but arent available anywhere, nobody's got em

[@ritualcities]

Hi, how do you utilize this with the Aether?

[@FryetteAmps]

8 Ohm Speaker Out of Aether Power Module to Power Station AMP IN. Power Station SPKR OUT 1 to Speaker Cable input on back of Aether Cab. Set AMP IN and SPKR OUT impedance switches to 8 ohms. Have fun. The Aether slays when used with the Power Station and a nice delay pedal on the PS FX Loop.

[@ritualcities]

@@FryetteAmps ordered the Ps100. Should be rigging it up this weekend!!!

[@sylvainalain6637]

any idea how many db reduction this attenuator can do ?

[@yutuubfreak]

+Sylvain Alain it seems like it takes the full load and then gets amped again with the power section. thats what makes me skeptical about this. i dont mind an subtle amounts of attenuation, but fully loaded? idk how good that could sound

[@FryetteAmps]

+Sylvain Alain It will go all the way to zero. As far as the other reply above, ALL attenuators see the full load of an amplifier. It's not what the load is but how the sound of an amp under load translates to a pristine low volume version of the big sound that's important. That is where the Power Station excels over other solutions.

[@sylvainalain6637]

+Fryette Amps Do you plan to release a separate demo on those lower volume ? I really liked this demo by the way. There's not many demos on youtube about your product.

[@FryetteAmps]

+Sylvain Alain Look at time 7:35 and see the volume on the Power Station. It is very low!

[@sylvainalain6637]

I contacted the support for some questions and I'm still waiting. Replying here is much faster then the official website.

[@cast390]

Why would I want to use a kemper or any other modeler with the PS amp section?A direct profile made with the Kemper is the amp and pre amp of the REAL amplifier.Plugging the Kemper into the PS will give me an extra tube power amp section the will color the sound of the profile,.So its like going from preamp to power amp into another tube power amp into speaker cab..

[@FryetteAmps]

Because if you're using a guitar cab with it to play live you need real speaker/tube power amp interaction to restore natural feel. A SS power amp won't really cut it. You are also assuming that because it's a tube power amp, it will color the sound. That's not the case with the PS power amp. Tube amps only color the sound if designed to so so.

[@jmiles9368]

if I like to use two amps, one dry, one wet, or one dirtier and one cleaner, can I use this?? with an aby or how? would i need two??? thanks, and sorry lol

[@FryetteAmps]

There are a number of ways you could get away with one Power Station using two amps, but more info about what the 2 amps are and exactly how you use them is needed. Send that info to [e-mail].

[@christianboddum8783]

Been looking for a unit like this for far too long. Still need a speaker/mic sim. balanced Di. to be perfect ;-)

[@pcguruusa]

I could easily hear the change (essentially loss of presence, duller tone) and this was on my macbook pro speakers. I was surprised the demonstrator couldn't hear that (live!). I suppose on stage one could ultimately get used to the change in sound but I think I would be too distracted by this change and it would adversely affect my playing.

[@kirstensray]

I agree, I could clearly hear the difference between the bypassed and operate tones. It came across as you said duller. There are eq switches that can make up for that though. I doubt anyone is using attenuators like a pedal on stage. You set the attenuation for the venue and you don't touch it after that. So I'm not sure how it would be a distraction if you set it for the level you need and set the eq switches to make it sound like you want it to.

[@william53170]

I just received my Power Station 2 and they added a LP filter bypass so now all the highs are there. Attenuating my JVM410H I cant tell the difference and the feel is the same as well. I mainly purchased it for my Axe Fx 2 and it sounds great with that as well.

[@user-pu1jy1is4q]

To William Reinhardt: thanks. That increases my confidence to get one

[@odyssey6684]

I'm noticing a bit of loss in high end brilliance - string sounds in the quack position is where I notice it.

[@Stev0BabaGhanoush]

I noticed the shelf off the high end as well. Presence level may need to be turned up to match that.

[@LabelBob]

They all kill the tone but this is better than most

[@user-pu1jy1is4q]

Yep that's my impression so far (except 'harm' rather than 'kill'!), so I'm probably buying one for the reasons that we are all interested

[@kimblez]

the only thing the unit is missing is ...AN EFX BLEND KNOB (WET---DRY)

[@middle_pickup]

NoobTuber mistake #1: failing to mute the room mic during playback, leaving acoustic string noise in the recording.

[@lockednut2883]

There's hardly a difference if any at all.