Members dkerwood Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Does diming the master volume and using the gain knob for volume do anything differently than not having a master volume at all? I really like the clean tone on a lot of amps I've tried this way, but I wasn't able to get this tone on my Traynor (non-MV) until I was playing around with a boost in the effects loop. This got me thinking- Is the Master Volume situated after some or all of the preamp tubes? The "post" moniker seems to suggest it... I assume the MV can only cut gain, right? Wide open is the same as bypassing it? I'm just trying to figure out why I like the tone of MV on 10 better than similar volumes with a non-MV amp... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members evets618 Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Generally, running a Master Volume all the way up is like having no Master at all. But also generally, most amps with a Master Volume probably have more gain and distortion available in the pre-amp. Yup, the Master usually is situated after the pre-amp tubes. Master Volume controls, when dimed, do add more gain overall, but it's less distortion than a cranked pre-amp. If you run the pre-amp gain at 10, then run the Master Volume at 2, the Master will not be adding much, if anything, to the dirt mix. In order to get a Master Volume to add gain (in the power amp) it will always be much much louder, unless you use an attenuator like a Power Soak or Hot Plate. Attenuators are different animals. They hook up between the amplifier output and the speaker itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Krallum Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Play loud son Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spoonie g Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 I'm the same way, but now that I think of it, it's always been with 4x12's (master) vs. combos (non-master), so I might attribute some of it to the cab choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cirrus Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by dkerwood I'm just trying to figure out why I like the tone of MV on 10 better than similar volumes with a non-MV amp... Well, they're different amps... so it's hardly a controlled test. Too many other things are different when you're talking about two different amps, the master volume situation is only going to be a small part of the difference.My AC30 has a master volume bypass switch and it does make a small difference - it's a bit clearer sounding when the volume knob is out of the circuit. But that's because they used a certain value of volume pot which changes the sound even when maxed but gives a nice usable taper. If they'd used a different value pot there'd probably be no audible difference switched in or out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LSDis4me Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Doesn't your Traynor have a volume and gain knob? This model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dkerwood Posted November 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by LSDis4me Doesn't your Traynor have a volume and gain knob? This model? Hmmmm, no, mine is the 40 watter, and the clean channel only has a volume.Interesting, though. I know the YCV40 came first, so maybe the 20's controls reflect feedback from players? I know although the dual EQ controls are nice, I generally end up voicing both channels about the same. I think I'd prefer dual gain controls instead. Too bad the 20 is out of my price range for a smaller amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poltergeist Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 you can get it modded for Master Volume, i think. aren't Traynors big in the amp modding community? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dkerwood Posted November 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by Cirrus Well, they're different amps... so it's hardly a controlled test. Too many other things are different when you're talking about two different amps, the master volume situation is only going to be a small part of the difference. This is true, but I've noticed this across all brands and all amps. Peavey, Fender, Vox, Jet City... and those are just a few that I've tried recently. It's probably just in my head. I'm going to bring my Traynor to a rehearsal this afternoon to see if I can't coax some sweet cleans with a little bigger volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dkerwood Posted November 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by Poltergeist you can get it modded for Master Volume, i think.aren't Traynors big in the amp modding community? First I've heard of it. I may have to look into that. Of course, if all it does is insert a potentiometer in the circuit, there's really no point. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members macadood Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 i'm with you OP. every amp should have a master volume. ridiculous to me that many don't...its quite a useful control too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Reaganomics! Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by Poltergeist you can get it modded for Master Volume, i think.aren't Traynors big in the amp modding community? the old ones from the 70s were. Looks like he has a modern YCV40, which looks like a DVD player on the inside if it's anything like the YCV50 I had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dkerwood Posted November 28, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 28, 2012 I played with the dirty channel on my Traynor today before rehearsal, maxing the volume and setting volume with the gain. The channel is voiced for quick breakup, which results in a more mid-heavy tone, but it's actually quite nice. I was able to get a nice rich tone with just my guitar tone knob without completely jacking up the EQ knobs. I also got a great tone out of my clean channel. Part of the problem I was having was due to limitations of volume in my practice room. A 40W tube combo in a 10x12 room with hard floors is ridiculously loud. The rehearsal space is a much bigger area with higher ceilings and carpet. Thus, I could put some juice into the amp and get those tubes working. All the amps I've been demoing lately have been lower wattage (I'm shopping for a grab-and-go combo or head/cab), so they get the tubes rocking before it gets too loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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