Options for bedroom level volumes 5150 50W

[lieu910]

Hello,

Looking for some suggestions to get better tone and volume levels from my 5150 50W 2 x 12. At home I am only able to set the master volume up to 1. Anything else is too much in our new home.

At that low volume, the amp is not exactly in it's element tonally.

Would a variac help, or something along those lines? I was looking at an ox amp top box as well. It looks like I can send the amp into the top box and scale the volume.

The other option I suppose is to look at an LBX, but I think I'd have similar issues even at 3.5 watts.

[Finster]

Hello,

Looking for some suggestions to get better tone and volume levels from my 5150 50W 2 x 12. At home I am only able to set the master volume up to 1. Anything else is too much in our new home.

At that low volume, the amp is not exactly in it's element tonally.

Would a variac help, or something along those lines? I was looking at an ox amp top box as well. It looks like I can send the amp into the top box and scale the volume.

The other option I suppose is to look at an LBX, but I think I'd have similar issues even at 3.5 watts.

I had my EVH 50w modded by Kruse and added the variac switch on it...sounds awesome at lower volume.


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[Jedi McFly]

An attenuator would do what you’re looking for more effectively than a variac.

Or you could switch to an EVH combo that has power scaling built in.

[Mikey Metalhead]

An attenuator would do what you’re looking for more effectively than a variac.

Or you could switch to an EVH combo that has power scaling built in.

plus one
a variac is very hard on your amp

[Brett]

You do not want to use a variac on your amp in this day and age. It is very bad for it.

Get an attenuator it will do what you want and it is safe for your amp.

[MF5150]

If you have the dough, check out the UA Audio Ox Box.


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[rvk5150]

Ox box seems awesome but man.....almost as expensive as the amp! I purchased the Harley Benton from Thomann Music; came in less than a week and really like it. Durable and used the guitar signal to push a fan that keeps it cool.

I have a 50W el34 among others and use it...allows me to play at reasonable levels with the amp pretty much dim'ed.

https://m.thomannmusic.com/harley_be...attenuator.htm

[iplayguitaralot]

The only way to do it correctly is to slave it to an attenuator and take a line out to another power amp. Nothing else will scratch the itch, believe me. Yes it’s very expensive. I slave a 5150 into a Palmer load box, and have a line out box to send to my rack for my stereo power amp, a vht 2/50/2.

[Dave not David]

I don't want to be the guy to say it, but a modeler with headphones is always an option.

Those are getting pretty good nowadays, and not much more expensive (or even cheaper) than a proper attenuator.

Fractal's AxeFx III/FM3 have all three channels of the 5153, including a 50w blue channel too.

[Brett]

I don't want to be the guy to say it, but a modeler with headphones is always an option.

Those are getting pretty good nowadays, and not much more expensive (or even cheaper) than a proper attenuator.

Fractal's AxeFx III/FM3 have all three channels of the 5153, including a 50w blue channel too.

Hey dude there’s nothing wrong with that, that’s how I play 95% of the time in the house. My 5150 sits down in the garage never getting used anymore since of course nobody can play in their bands right now. I do have a small Orange amp and a Yamaha THR10x that I will use from time to time, but most of the time I’m using the computer modeler.

[Dave not David]

Hey dude there’s nothing wrong with that, that’s how I play 95% of the time in the house. My 5150 sits down in the garage never getting used anymore since of course nobody can play in their bands right now. I do have a small Orange amp and a Yamaha THR10x that I will use from time to time, but most of the time I’m using the computer modeler.

Right, same situation here.

I have a 50w 5153 and a Randall NB King, and I don't really play through either, I just use my AxeFX (modeling a hotrodded plexi, SLO, or 5153 95%+ of the time).

Rarely turn on my poweramps and cabs, unless it's a rehearsal session, it's all headphones.

[KS 5150]

I use my 5150 combo at home on volume level 3 & I think it sounds amazing! That said, I echo the previous comments about the usefulness of an attenuator. I have an old JCM 800 combo that someone had added an attenuator to, and it really improves the sound of that amp at low volume.

[Guitardavept]

Right, same situation here.

I have a 50w 5153 and a Randall NB King, and I don't really play through either, I just use my AxeFX (modeling a hotrodded plexi, SLO, or 5153 95%+ of the time).

A Randall NB King? Don’t hear of many of those - I used to have the 30w combo. Ultimately sold it, and after going through a load of other amps have ended up with the 50w 1x12 5153 el34 combo. What do you think of the Randall? Have you got the combo or head?

[FAN4EVER]

Hey Lieu910 - Here is a thread I started when I got my 5150 50w with an EVH 2x12 that was helpful for me. https://www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/thr...ator-Good-idea
Bottom line - an attenuator worked for me.

[joezlo]

Hello,

Looking for some suggestions to get better tone and volume levels from my 5150 50W 2 x 12. At home I am only able to set the master volume up to 1. Anything else is too much in our new home.

At that low volume, the amp is not exactly in it's element tonally.

Would a variac help, or something along those lines? I was looking at an ox amp top box as well. It looks like I can send the amp into the top box and scale the volume.

The other option I suppose is to look at an LBX, but I think I'd have similar issues even at 3.5 watts.

* Don't get a new amp.

* Don't get an attenuator

*Don't use variac.

This will work wonders and be your cheapest alternative. It's passive. Needs no voltage. Goes thru your FX loop. And works like an attenuator/variac. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...SABEgLVcvD_BwE

I stand by the Little Black Box 100%.