6. Volume Matters
How can you get a good tube amp sound without blasting your ears off?
This is one of the most common problems guitarists face when chasing that "perfect tone." Many amps sound their best when cranked up enough to distort the power amp. This isn't just an issue with amps lacking a master volume; they just get more distorted as you crank the volume knob louder. Even amps with gain and master volume knobs have this issue because preamp distortion is different, way scratchier, and less dynamic. If you drive both the preamp and power amp sections of these amps, the sound gains warmth and dynamism. Most amps nowadays range from 50 to 100 watts. Even 50 watts can be too loud for most musicians in rehearsal spaces or clubs if fully cranked. Besides, smaller clubs usually run the sound through the PA. But if the stage sound is unbearably loud, what's left for the mixer to adjust?
One possible solution is using smaller, lower-wattage amps. A 20-watt tube amp might suffice for many applications, even against the natural sound of drums (even if the drummer hits really hard). Simple reasoning: Less power in the power amp allows you to push it into saturation before hitting deafening levels. Check out "Our Top Guitar Combos" for a variety of smaller tube amps that fit this solution perfectly.
But what if you've got your dream amp and want to use it, yet it only sounds as you'd like when cranked up?
A solution many pros resort to is using various boosters and overdrive pedals set to amplify rather than distort the signal (low gain/distortion but volume boost). You'll find plenty of suitable devices in the Overdrive Online Guide. This approach drives the amp's preamp harder, increases distortion, and lets you lower the master or overall volume. While the resulting sound isn't 100% like a cranked amp, it's a suitable compromise for many.
Another option is employing a power attenuator.
Simplified, it's a load resistor placed between the power amp and the speaker/cabinet that reduces the output after the signal distorts in the power amp. Again, this method is a compromise because the final sound depends on the speaker's (in this case, reduced) load.
