Mastering Volume on a non-Master Volume Amp!

[@052RC]

A volume control is an attenuator. An attenuator is something that limits, or restricts electricity flowing through a circuit. Having a 2nd volume control in your preamp helps isolate the pre and power amps. Its typically used to get more distortion at lower volumes. I think the most common mistake when it comes to gain and volume, is most people don't understand the difference between the two. Gain controls are always placed on the input of a component and volume controls are always put on the output of a component. When it comes to overdriving/distorting the signal, it can only be done with gain. Excess gain overdrives your preamp tubes and directly causes distortion to the signal. A volume control can't effect the signal in any way. Its transparent. Once the signal leaves the preamp and ends up in the power amp, it won't be altered from that point on. If you want to distort your power tubes, it has to be done in a different way. Power tubes don't get overdriven with excess gain like your preamp tubes do. You push your power tubes to failure with volume. For an example, imagine your home or car stereo. If you keep increasing the volume, you'll get to a point where your amp and speakers start to distort because you are just pushing them too hard. Back off the volume, and it will sound normal again. The thing to keep in mind is, the signal is not touched when you do this. Its just from playing the stereo too loud. This is exactly how you distort your power tubes. You push them to fail. And it goes without saying, this is why you have a loudness problem. Also, you'll notice that its very common for someone to put a pedal (overdrive, boost, preamp, etc..) in between the guitar and amp in order to tighten up the low end. That's because your power tubes are failing, and an amp has to work harder to play low frequencies over mids and highs. The lows are the first to go. You can use a pedal to cover it up. If you don't have 2 volume controls to work with, you can use a preamp pedal. That will allow you to do basically the same thing a master volume does.

[@TheVoiceofUnreason]

Holy cow you got some gorgeous kit there! 😍 must have cost a pretty penny 🤑😎

[@zandig666]

This video is a gem my dsl20 has one vol and gain I always wondered what that volume does if there was a master as well

[@zandig666]

I've been tinkering like this lately as my highs can take more signal thrown at them than the lows !✊️⬆️✊️⬇️✊️

[@graemero5532]

That 355 is a beauty

[@JamesOnGuitar]

It is the only guitar i keep in its case... too scared that something will happen to it 😮

[@TheLula26]

@@JamesOnGuitar Gorgeous guitar. I gotta say that in my current environment (living in a flat) I can't see myself getting an amp that wouldn't have a good master volume control. So, James, what's your journey been like re guitar playing? You took lessons in your youth and then stopped playing for 15 years? Are you taking lessons atm?

[@JamesOnGuitar]

@TheLula26 yeah, probably best - but you can always use an attenuator! So i started spanish guitar at 9 and electric at 11. Played solidly for about 8 years - lessons, bands, recording - the lot. Now i teach myself - but i use all the amazing internet resources we didn’t have then. I used to learn pieces from cassette tapes where the teacher would just read out the tablature note by note and phrase by phrase, it worked well! I had areal teacher too. I played lots of instruments - cello, trumbone, piano - in orchestras etc. But yeah then a 15 year gap! Also - this sort of guitar volume pot control technique works well for master volume amps too - if you can get the amp to its sweetest spot, it will improve the tone even when you turn the volume down on your guitar and it gives you just that bit of extra breakup

[@TheLula26]

@@JamesOnGuitar Interesting. Funny also that you were interested (maybe still are) in cuisine. In a previous life, I was a chef (well, a cook really) for a few years. Then worked in the wine trade for a while. So it was funny to see your video the other day about various kinds of beef with the accompanying bottle of St Julien. Good choices!

[@joseespinosa619]

Another good video. We seem to have similar tastes in guitars. How are you liking the hombre? Ive considered it but went a different way in the end. Im now eyeing a sky king but really need to get through lockdown so I can play one. Keep the great content coming.

[@JamesOnGuitar]

Thanks man 🤟🏼 i have to say the Hombre is not on my ‘keeper’ list. If i can get a handwired brown face, i will let this go - it is ok, but doesn’t quite match up to the quality of my handwired Princeton (blackface), for example, tone wise. The Sky King is a real keeper though! Cheers

[@joseespinosa619]

@@JamesOnGuitar Haha I have a 64 Princeton custom too. Love that amp. I run both inputs at the same time (using an abc box). killer sound.

[@JamesOnGuitar]

Classic 🤟🏼that is a good idea - running both inputs, i’ll try it out!

[@nathanadkins2985]

Non master is the way to go. Better cranked tunes.