How to Use a Power Attenuator
- 1). Turn off your amplifier. If you've been playing it, leave the amp for approximately ten minutes, so the tubes cool down. The tubes are more likely to shatter when hot, so it pays not to move the amplifier during the cool down period.
- 2). Fit a 1/4-inch jack cable to the Send jack on the effects loop, at the back of your amplifier. Connect the other end to the Input jack on the power attenuator.
- 3). Fit a second 1/4-inch jack cable to the Return jack on the effects loop. Connect the other end to the Output jack on the power attenuator.
The effects loop is a circuit that enables you to inert signal processing devices, such as effects pedals and power attenuators in between the power stage of the amplifier and the speaker. When used for effects, the effects loop permits you to preserve more of the guitar's natural tone. For a power attenuation application, the effects loop enables you to soak some of the volume out of the amplifier. - 4). Turn on the power attenuator. Select a level of volume attenuation. The options vary, according to which model you are using, but they are typically offered in increments of four decibels. For example, the Gibson Power Stealth has options for -4db, -8db, -12db and -16db attenuation.
- 5). Turn the volume dial on your amplifier to zero.
- 6). Put the amplifier into standby mode for a minute. When in standby mode, tube amplifiers deliver a partial current to the tubes. This lets the tubes warm up gradually, rather than jolting them with an instant delivery of the full current.
- 7). Turn the amplifier on and adjust the master volume to a suitable level. You'll need to turn the dial up to a higher level than before, in order to achieve your regular volume.
