Is it realistic to have a tube amp at home?

[mercifulfuzziness]

Just get one that doesn't say Fender on it!

Seriously though, a buddy had an old Marshall Plexi, and that amp just doesn't come alive at low volumes. But I had the pleasure of hearing it with his Marshall Power Brake, at low volumes, and it blew my mind! He just sets it on top of his amp, and uses 2 short cables that hang down behind the amp, out of sight. He actually gigs with it.

That sounds nice.

What about a blues jr with an attentiator. Or doesn’t that make any sense?

 

[FuzzyAce]

I've thought a time or 14 about grabbing one to try with the LX. Not sure if it's enough of a preamp to really do the trick though.

It's the best clean boost I ever owned. It's worth it just for that. We've mentioned it before -- the gain tones leave a bit to be desired all in all -- unless you get it modded Ola style. But then it's probably money better spent other places.

 

[JiveTurkey]

It's the best clean boost I ever owned. It's worth it just for that. We've mentioned it before -- the gain tones leave a bit to be desired all in all -- unless you get it modded Ola style. But then it's probably money better spent other places.

I would LOVE the Ola version

 

[SillyOctpuss]

It's the best clean boost I ever owned. It's worth it just for that. We've mentioned it before -- the gain tones leave a bit to be desired all in all -- unless you get it modded Ola style. But then it's probably money better spent other places.

That's how I used it into my Marshall. They go for crazy money these days.

I tried it into a few other amps and didn't really like it but for some reason it worked really well with the jcm900.

 

[FuzzyAce]

They go for crazy money these days.

Figures!

 

[Shredder777]

Do you have a store near enough that you can go try out some amps? Cuz I think that was your best advice. What someone here thinks would be best for you may not even come close.

Or, you may find that none are capable of giving you a satisfying sound at (whatever you consider to be) low volumes. You'd probably have to figure out the best time to visit though. Translation: When there aren't 5 other people all around you playing at the same time. Or check that they have a room to listen in.

And why not an attenuator?

This is 2024. What music store has even one person playing?

 

[TSJMajesty]

This is 2024. What music store has even one person playing?

Good point. I haven't been to one in probably 10 years myself. Just going by memory...

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

This is 2024. What music store has even one person playing?

Im probably lucky. I live near two stores where people order all over the world from and also visit.

I always feel a bit overwhelmed with the quality of stuff but also often the quality of
playing

 

[holoholo]

The last bastion of toan is at the spl you can hear your strings when your kids are sleeping.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

The last bastion of toan is at the spl you can hear your strings when your kids are sleeping.

I think I understand what you mean. Yes, I often still hear my strings when playing.

 

[Whizzinby]

Somehow guitar players managed to use amps in their houses ***almost exclusively*** until about 10-15 years ago.

All of my amps are usable at moderate volume levels. And dismissing attenuators for amps that might not have good master volumes seems arbitrarily silly.

Ultimately there is no right answer, use whatever floats your boat.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Playing Quietly Sucks TM

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Somehow guitar players managed to use amps in their houses ***almost exclusively*** until about 10-15 years ago.

All of my amps are usable at moderate volume levels. And dismissing attenuators for amps that might not have good master volumes seems arbitrarily silly.

Ultimately there is no right answer, use whatever floats your boat.

That is also true of course.

The dismissing of the attentuator is because I don’t want to have to many cables in our living room. With guests it doesn’t have to look like a guitar store.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Playing Quietly Sucks TM

Absolutely.

I'm with @Eagle though. I'd rather play a good sounding electric unplugged than play through headphones.

 

[mk5]

Depends. I have a full on Marshall Super Lead 100 with a 4x12 and at 0 on the volume, it’s barely passable bedroom volume.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Absolutely.

I'm with @Eagle though. I'd rather play a good sounding electric unplugged than play through headphones.

Me too. I dislike headphones. AirPods are doable for gym time and to avoid noise on busy venues.

 

[Orvillain]

Somehow guitar players managed to use amps in their houses ***almost exclusively*** until about 10-15 years ago.

All of my amps are usable at moderate volume levels. And dismissing attenuators for amps that might not have good master volumes seems arbitrarily silly.

Ultimately there is no right answer, use whatever floats your boat.

Agreed. Speaking of attenuators, what are the good ones today?

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

I've skipped CK for no real reason? I keep meaning to catch a standup at some point but he just doesn't trip my trigger.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Sorry wrong one

This is the one:

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I'll summarize my post first, because attention spans: Stick with the Yammy, or get an acoustic.

Just like any post from anyone on any forum, this is my opinion based on my experience.

I've never played a Yamaha desktop amp, but I do have a Spark GO and a Roland Mobile Cube that can do the job of any-room practice. Not as dynamic as my Stomp can be through studio monitors or headphones.

I don't like headphones either but sometimes they're necessary so I got a good pair of open-back headphones that sound very natural. My headphones never leave my room/desk. Also in my room, my 5153 Stealth is 50w but can get quieter than my 15w MT15 and still sound okay. I only say okay because louder is more better, so I actually prefer headphones and modeling/profiling if worrying about my kids sleeping.

If I'm in the living room and want to play at off-practice times when there are guests, family, or nothing else to do - - I worry less about tone and dynamics and would rather use something small/portable. I'd probably be more inclined to play an acoustic instrument rather than compete with conversations using any permanently set-up speaker sitting across the room, it needs to be next to me, but at that point I'd rather have an acoustic or play electric unplugged.