Understanding Tube Amps: Volume
In this installment, I address the relationship between volume and the different kinds of distortion you can get from your amp.
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In this installment, I address the relationship between volume and the different kinds of distortion you can get from your amp.
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I have a Peavey Classic 30 amp that has two channels: a clean channel with just one volume control, and a lead/drive channel with both pre and post gain/volume controls. Being new to tube amps, how is the best way to use a clean boost pedal to push the pre-amp into overdrive (on the clean channel) or into more distortion (on the lead channel) without making the overall volume go way up. If I am playing a clean rhythm, then want to go into a nice overdrive at a minimal volume increase (staying on the clean channel), how would I do that? Would a clean boost give me that, or would an overdrive pedal that has the overdrive tone be better? Or if I was using a clean boost, would I just know that I would have to lower the volume on my guitar to compensate for the volume increase caused by the boost pedal?
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February 13th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Ok. Thanks Anthony!
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February 8th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Hey Anthony! One thing I’d like to see is a quick-o comparison of amps for different gigs. Right now I’m at the point where I want to get my band moving and gigging, but I know my little Peavey Studio Pro couldn’t pull off a decent Sized venue. Could, if nothing else, you give a quick rundown in the comments of places that say, a Blues Junior would be appropriate, a whole Half-Stack Marshall, etc? That’d be swell. Love the videos as always
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Anthony Stauffer reply on February 10th, 2010 11:09 am:
Hi Brandon,
The real deciding factor is whether you are going to put a mic on the amp or not, as well as how much stage volume the other musicians have. In my last band, we (both guitarists) tried to keep our stage volume relatively low so I could hear myself sing better. The sound system took care of getting the volume up out in the crowd. So I used it for small venues like small bars, as well as large outdoor shows.
If you can’t mic the amp, then a Blues Junior will probably only work in small to mid size rooms.
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