Just ordered a Weber Mass 100w Attenuator

[Texas07R8]

I decided to pull the trigger and get an attenuator for my Marshall Vintage Modern 50w Combo.

I checked out as many as I could and kept coming back to the Weber MASS units. They seem to be fairly priced and well thought out. Plus they offer some features others don't or not as nice.

The unit I got was the MASS 100w. It uses a speaker motor (without the speaker cone attached) as a real time load plus your usual resistors, etc. that other attenuators use.

This attenuator has a low-mid volume and a separate mid-high volume that controls the sound level to the speakers plus a bypass and a range switch.

Instead of having one rheostat that attenuates everything, this one has two so you can variably add in any treble loss you may get because of attenuation. Zero both knobs and there is no sound to the speakers but the line out is still functional so you can do silent recording if need be. My VM amp doesn't have a line/DI out so this may be something to play with. The main reason is to use light attenuation to get a little more gain and moderate sound levels. It was $160.00 which isn't too bad for an attenuator. My amp is 50w but they caution about using a hotter attenuator so you're not maxing it out when you dime your tube amp and suddenly it's really putting out close to 70w or higher depending the model of tube amp.

I hope it's what I need, I don't want to dime my master volume, I just play in my home studio and I want to get my MV up around 6-7 but the actual output volume level is around my current level which is around 3 on the MV and my preamp about gain on about 7-8 on the low gain setting.

I hope to have it by the weekend.

 

[noslen1968]

Cool, I am eyeing one on the 'Bay for $160, but I am trying desperately to get a THD Hotplate for just under $200 with no luck. The Weber will be exactly what you need, I loved mine with my Blues Junior.

 

[nakleh]

I look forward to hearing your review, I've been eyeing one of these for a while and would love to hear a first hand report. I have a JMP 2204 that I'd love to play with the MV at around 7 or 8 but don't get the opportunity to do so unless at the studio..

 

[txmikester]

I hope to have it by the weekend.

You do know that their lead time is 1-2 weeeks? I ordered a MiniMass 25 last week and am hoping to have it sometime next week.

I agree though, they seem to be the best deal going when it comes to attenuators. I've read very good reviews of the Weber's on other forums.

 

[Texas07R8]

I got this one of ebay for $160 as well. Seems to be only one Powerseller selling the Weber Attenuators so I'm sure it's from the same guy I got mine from.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one. I hope I can get just enough attenuation to drive the mains to that full fat tone and still keep the delicate dynamics of the Vintage Modern amp.

txmikester, when you order from their ebay store they are in stock and can ship right away. If you order from the weber website then yes they build to order so it takes 3-4 weeks. I read that from the ebay ad.

 

[txmikester]

Ah, didn't realize you went the EBay route. I ordered mine directly from Weber, hence the 2 week wait.

 

[noslen1968]

I got this one of ebay for $160 as well. Seems to be only one Powerseller selling the Weber Attenuators so I'm sure it's from the same guy I got mine from.

Just ordered the same one. The THDs were always ending up over my $200 budget and I took advantage of the 10% off Saint Patty's day sale. I have tried and liked the Webers before, I was just interested in trying a THD. I am sure I will be happy with my 100 Lite.

 

[agejaded]

I decided to pull the trigger and get an attenuator for my Marshall Vintage Modern 50w Combo.

I checked out as many as I could and kept coming back to the Weber MASS units. They seem to be fairly priced and well thought out. Plus they offer some features others don't or not as nice.

The unit I got was the MASS 100w. It uses a speaker motor (without the speaker cone attached) as a real time load plus your usual resistors, etc. that other attenuators use.

This attenuator has a low-mid volume and a separate mid-high volume that controls the sound level to the speakers plus a bypass and a range switch.

Instead of having one rheostat that attenuates everything, this one has two so you can variably add in any treble loss you may get because of attenuation. Zero both knobs and there is no sound to the speakers but the line out is still functional so you can do silent recording if need be. My VM amp doesn't have a line/DI out so this may be something to play with. The main reason is to use light attenuation to get a little more gain and moderate sound levels. It was $160.00 which isn't too bad for an attenuator. My amp is 50w but they caution about using a hotter attenuator so you're not maxing it out when you dime your tube amp and suddenly it's really putting out close to 70w or higher depending the model of tube amp.

I hope it's what I need, I don't want to dime my master volume, I just play in my home studio and I want to get my MV up around 6-7 but the actual output volume level is around my current level which is around 3 on the MV and my preamp about gain on about 7-8 on the low gain setting.

I hope to have it by the weekend.

I'm a bit confused about the specs you give for the Mass 100W.
The Mass Lite has two power level controls, one for the bass-mid frequencies and one for the upper mids-treble frequencies. The Mass 100W has one control for attenuation and a couple of switches to vary the treble. Can you post a link for the Mass that you bought?


I have a Mass 100W, treble loss is not one of the problems I would worry about. As with any attenuator bass loss is the big problem.