variable amp attenuator (power soak / L Pad)

[mfdu]

ok. so the little 5W epiphone valve junior is fab. but even at 5 Watts, it can be too loud.

i've had the unit a whole three days, and now it's time for the first mod.

so - what do i need in order to build and fit a passive variable attenuator (L Pad / power soak) ?
i presume more than simply a 5W (50ohm?) pot is required?!

any advice would be appreciated.

chris
mfdu

edit - would this do? ER - 10 Watt Monaural Volume Level Control (Audio L-Pad) www.rsaustralia.com stock # 2508977497 - $19.90
2nd edit - www.jaycar.com.au - 50 Watt RMS Fader - Mono #AC1672?? - $19.90

[Kurt]

Pretty sure I saw a mod kit for those that included an output volume control, probably on ebay but I can't be sure.

[mfdu]

yeah - there's a few different things and i assure you i will be getting the mod kits soon enough.

a triode/pentode switch which drops the 5W to about 2W
standby switch
high boost switch (alternating b/w fender and marshall voicing)
high gain switch
tone knob (big muff style - one pot, low > high)

but no variable attenuator (or at least, there's a kit for $79 USD but i know i can DIY)

thanks tho, but.
chris
mfdu

[astrovic]

just reading Prodigy Pro - looks like you're sorted. Let us know how it goes :D

[mfdu]

yeah cheers astro

a $19 L pad from Jaycar seems to be the jobbie.

it's 50W, the amp is 5W - i'm supposed to have 10 times the power rating on the L pad to avoid letting the magic smoke out.

i'll collect and fit this weekend.

rockin

chris
mfdu

[Andrew]

Hi Chris,

Yeah I would just check to see to make sure the L pad isn't getting too hot when in use, but it sounds like you already know about that:
"to avoid letting the magic smoke out"

I'm keen to know how or if it affects the tone at all?

[rick]

what i like about this post is the way it starts

ie
you buy something have it for only three days and then start Modifing it

three days..?
what took you so long :)

[Martin]

agreed: i had this new mic all of 3 mins and it had a new connector and different mount etc...

its half the fun!

[mfdu]

i'll tell you what took so long, you cheeky monkey.

i had to wait for the tubes to cool down again, after giving it a thorough thrashing over the whole weekend.

chris.