Vypyr Tube 120-Any Way To Attenuate?

[Kidderman3]

I just bought a Tube 120 combo and Sanpera 2 foot unit. The amp's in mint condition and has been well cared for by the guy who I bought it from. It's way too powerful for my home and rehearsal use, but the price was too good for me to pass up. I've barely had time to get to know my way around it, but the first thing I'm looking at is how to use it at lower volumes (bedroom practice, home recording etc) and get the best possible sound making use of the tubes. I've discovered that the Vypyr T120 doesn't have an output which would enable me to use an attenuator/power soak. It also doesn't have the built-in Power Sponge facility which some of the other Vypyr models have. Does anyone with experience of these amps know how they sound at low levels? I'd be happy to hear any opinions. Also, if there is any known way to use one of these amps with some kind of attenuator, it would be useful to know.

[GaryMadore]

Like any tube amp, it sounds best when pushed a little. There's absolutely no reason you can't use an attenuator, though, and the 'net is full of plans to DIY them.

Welcome to the club. I suspect that you'll be hearing from Uncle D shortly...

Cheers!

Gary

[Kidderman3]

Thanks for that, Gary. I'm getting to know the amp a little better now. Great sounds at low volumes,but I've seen mixed reviews on using the USB Out for recording and at some point would like to try mic'ing up the amp and pushing the tubes. I've never used an attenuator before, but I get the principle. Thing is, it seems that because the Vypyr T120 doesn't have a main speaker output socket or an effects send/return, that pretty much rules out being able to use an attenuator. Have I got that right?

[bgh]

The idea with an attenuator is it goes between the amp and the speakers, working its magic from there.

Since the Vypyr tube 120 (and tube 60, which I have) both "hard-wire" their speakers, you will need to do some minor surgery in order to use a classic attenuator. All that should be required is to replace the twisted pair going to the speaker with a longer cable - with a male connector on the end. Then, replace the cable coming from the speaker itself with one terminating in a female connector. Once that is complete, you have everything you need to successfully insert an attenuator.

If you want to get fancy, the twisted pair coming from the amp can be replaced with one that terminates in a female jack. You will have to drill a hole into the back plate of your amp in order to do this though. But, it would make it a lot easier. When an attenuator is not in use, simply plug the cable coming from the speaker into you new female jack.

Context: I have done this on other amps, but not on my Vypyr.

[Kidderman3]

That's great. Tells me that it can be done. Appreciate it.

[Kidderman3]

After a few months of playing with the amp, I've decided to go ahead and have it modded. Although it's too powerful (in terms of being able to push the valves) for home practice, rehearsal and small gigs, it's such a great amp that I don't want to part with it. The solution is therefore for me to have the mod done-as in the second suggestion above from bgh-so that I can put an attenuator between the amp and the speakers. I've just taken delivery of an Audiostorm Hotbox 125 Inductive attenuator. It has settings to reduce power to 30%, 10%, 3% and 1% according to particular situations. The modded amp should be back with me in a few days, after
which I'm hoping to be able to enjoy the sound and flexibility which the attenuater should provide.
Final post to follow

[Landshark]

have you tried turning up the Master Volume to crank the tubes, and lowering the Post Gain to bedroom level volume?

i never tried a Vypyr Tube, so this may not be the best way if the Post Gain knob ends up being a hair trigger between bedroom and concert levels.

[Kidderman3]

Hi Landshark,
I've tried that, but for whatever reason the sound doesn't appear to reflect what I'd expect from having the master volume at a high setting on a tube amp. I should have the modded amp back later today. Hopefully, when I hook the attenuator up and set it on 10% or 1%, it'll give the desired result. Thanks for your post.

[Kidderman3]

I just got the modded amp back from an amp specialist here in the UK. The job was done at a very reasonable cost, certainly less than I'd been expecting. Hooked everything up to the attenuator (an Audiostorm Hotbox 125 @16 Ohms) and glad to say it all works perfectly. I can now get tube-driven sounds at bedroom levels. The attenuator has five settings: 30%, 10%, 3%, 1% and bypass. That gives me the option to push the tubes when using the amp at smaller gigs. It also gives two types of attenuation, namely Inductive and Resistive. (there is an audible difference between the two). So, all in all I'm very happy with the result. I could thoroughly recommend the mod to any T120 owners out there. Thanks to those of you who took the time to respond to my original post