Brian, I love watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us nerds. I don't know of ANY other CEO of any other gear manufacturer that interacts like this with the public. You are one cool dude and I look forward to more of your fabulous creations!
It’s not a “problem” anyone should expect Fender to “solve.” First of all, a 40 watt amp isn’t made to play in your bedroom. You could rattle the pictures off the wall and get the law called on you with a 15 watt amp. Second, the amp has a master volume already on the drive channel AND it has an effects loop so you can add another volume control as Brian shows here, just in case your Spark amp ever fails to update and you’re forced to switch on your 40 watt touring amp in a residential neighborhood. This is great advice from Brian for newbies, but it’s not a solution to any engineering problem that Fender is “ignoring.” The PROBLEM is consumers buying a 20lb. sledge hammer when what they needed was a 5oz tack hammer.
I use a passive volume pedal. It works awesome on stage. I love your videos and insight. What you teach used to be trade secrets that nobody would teach. Thank you!
This is probably my favorite video find on youtube. I had this box assembled and working inside of 15 minutes, and it was JUST what I needed for my Deluxe. Love it.
Good tip. Speaking of tips you are calling the sleeve connection ring on the Jack. The plugs and jacks go back over 100 years with the old telephone switchboards and electro-mechanical telephone switches. Tip Ring Sleeve are the three parts of the Jack and plug. Tip & Ring are the two that go out to your home land line if you still have one and ringing voltage ( usually 90v) would go down the Ring side of the line. In the switching office the sleeve is used for controlling or “holding” relays operated to hold up the call. Fast forward fifty years and stereo plugs used the same technology for left right and ground ( which the sleeve is). Mono plugs are just Tip and Sleeve. I don’t know anything about pedals and why I watch your videos which are great but I’m an old dinosaur telephone guy who worked on cord switchboards back in the day. Like this video showing how to make a master volume and using the amp send receive jacks to attenuate the volume. Two thumbs up!
@@StopTheRot Not sure about Paul, but I personally always used a boss GE7 just because it's got good controls and also has a good buffer built in. It doesn't really matter that much though. Just as long as it has a level control and is quiet.
Until you click it off and forget your amp is running full volume, I like the idea of the dial and no on/off button. That volume box doesn't need 9v power either. Cheers
Another great quick and easy mod for the hot rods is to put a 12AU7 in the V1 position. Makes the clean channel more controllable and decreases the gain on the distortion channels. This is what fender does to the George Benson model hot rod.
I didn't see this comment before I said the same shit. Hilarious, man. I guess if you really dont know how, youd never even know you just watched him show you...
@@donaldmusic6274 I'd like to know too, the pot used in the video is a 100k one, but on the website brian showed at the beginning, the potentiometer is a 25k one :/ does it really make a difference? I don't don't know much about electronics, but I really want to get this right hehe
This is Brian being awesome as usual!! Thanks for your kindness Brian, sharing your expertise with the world. The world is a better place because of people like you!
Brian, you're awesome! I always love your willingness to help us learn and your humility in the face of your vast amount of knowledge. I've learned so much from you and have benefitted more than I can measure from the pedals you have created and what you have shared about them. Thank you for doing what you do!
I am just getting into pedal mods and such, working on my first build (klon clone) and I have to say this channel is a WEALTH of cool knowledge and fun to listen to. Thanks man! Keep ‘em coming!
Awesome...a volume pedal in a box. I always use a volume pedal in the effects loop for this purpose to adjust volume on the fly while gigging. This is a cool option for those with a few parts and a soldering iron. Bravo.
Lmao "I'm not going to show you how to solder..." **Shows exactly how to solder the wire to the lug with pretty much professional fluidity and ease, in approximately five seconds as he's even saying it** "...its just that easy." Your videos rule, dude. I'm hooked. You should not show me how to do my taxes while we're at it.
I haven't placed a small bear order in years! Brian, you owe me 17 dollars now. I love your channel man, as everyone else always confirms, you are the man. And it is way cool to see the amp on TPS, watching it now!
And we’ve come full circle from taking the master volume out of the silver face” circuit to putting it back in! I never could afford a good blackface, but I do love some silver face fenders with master volumes! Thanks for the “how to!”
Great video! I solved the volume problem on my Hot Rod Deluxe with a Weber Minimass, which is an attenuator, for real. I have been very happy with the Minimass, but now I am wondering if I could have achieved the same results for less cash by using your method. If only I had known about this trick a few years ago. Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge with us. Also, your video about putting an EQ pedal into the effects loop of a Hot Rod Deluxe has been life changing for me. I can finally get usable tones with the amp set to drive/more drive. Thank you so much for that!
Thats pretty slick. My hot rod Deville has been collecting dust for years. I go back to it every once and a while, and quickly remember why it is moth balled. It is very dark, loud and the over drive is crap. I cant bring myself to sell it, so this may be just the thing to give it a second chance. Thanks!!!
Sweet. Now for an encore. How to build a passive eq into this master volume mod and an overdrive with another passive eq inside that. All in 1 box. Lol
To be honest, I thought that by using it I would get the same fizzy sound out from the second channel of my bugera v22. I tried this anyway and the truth is that the amp sounds almost as good as it would ("open" sound) if it was cranked but at lower volume! Yeah, Brian thumbs up man!
I came up with this a long time ago, on the Fender Discussion Page. During discussions of the original Blues Deluxe, I suggested patching a level controlling device, compressor, EQ with volume control or even a 100k Audio taper pot in a box. One FDP'r wanted to know what that would look like, I put up a crude BMP drawing. It was dubbed the "Volume Box." A few guys took my little drawing and started selling them on Ebay. The first guy does credit me. I didn't "invent" it. I had a comercial Ampeg pedal to use in my SVT loop in the mid 70's.
Brian, thank you so much for this latest video. I use a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue amp which has the same volume issue. I happen to have the identical Ernie Ball volume pedal which you suggested as an option. I've always used this volume pedal in line with my guitar input and effects chain BUT NO LONGER. You've just totally transformed the usability of my amp, I can control the overall volume easily and now roll out as much of my amps natural hair/grit by using my guitar's volume pots beyond say 5 or 6, my go to guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Custom. I use a number of your pedals but this video has just completely increased my sound options and released the true versatility of my amp. You're a total star!
I know you probably won't see this, but for the hot rod deluxe, it would be nice to have a foot switch to turn the reverb on and off (instead of having to turn the knob up and down). Any ideas on how to do this?
@@matthewkennedy7283 on the hotrod deluxe the 2 button switch toggles Clean/Drive and Drive/More Drive. You'd need to modify the circuit with a relay to short the reverb out.
Thank Brian. It's obvious and logical to me but this is a nice video for beginners and those starting along the technical route. The dog should and must wag the tail so guitarists really should learn to solder, rewire and customise their instruments.
I just made mine today and it worked awesome. Even though I’m dumb when it comes to electronics like this I was able to follow the instructions. Appreciate you making this video sir.
lil volume box like that is such a handy piece of equipment for touring artist, fly gigs or venues with back lines can lead to needing a volume box like this
Great video! Maybe a weird question but could you do more amp mod videos? For example the one wire mod on a plexi, I know its an easy mod but there is no video about how to do this.
Thanks! Going to make this. Will probably add a switch that can add in a fixed amount of extra resistance. That way I have a quick fixed amount of attenuation. Need to figure out the R value tho.
I made one of these a while ago to tame my Blues Deluxe Reissue. It works ok, but I also fitted treble bleed circuits (just a resistor & capacitor from ebay) to my guitars, so I can use the guitar's volume control to reduce the level without the tone going muddy. I prefer this method.
That's a fair question E.g typically I use my eq pedal in the loop But if you have looper post the eq pedal Then a master volume as a final tweak, would make sense.
Thanks for the video! I built one to use with a Fender Frontman 65R to tame the clean channel volume control. This reduced pre-amp noise as well by allowing me to boost the guitar signal above the pre-amp noise, then turn everything down before hitting the power amp. This resolved my biggest issue with this amp.
These amps have a separate volume and drive knobs so what does this volume box do differently to the existing volume? Is it just that the original control is too sensitive or are you actually driving the tubes more somehow.
The master volume doesn't affect the clean channel. On these amps, the clean volume is way too sensitive. Basically, it's just adding a master control to the clean channel. It's redundant if you use the dirt channel of the amp, however very few use that dirt channel on those amps.
Thank you for this video. My son painted up an old pedal for me, now I'll be making my volume pedal soon for my hot rod deluxe. Thank you again for your diy.
Put an 12at6 preamp tube in the first position it dimes back the volume, you dont go from like zero to 5 in volume. Doesnt do what Brian is doing here , but at least its a cheap option if you dont have any sodering skills ( ala me :).
Edit: ah, ok, you mean the clean channel, right? -I guess the point is to also reach high gain levels at low volume, which is hindered by a weaker preamp tube. This is a master volume retrofit, not a tube swap.-
In case you already have something into your effects loop and have an extra hole or space to drill one on the back of your amp, like me... you can put a potentiometer there without having to mess up with Jacks. To me a 1nF capacitor was mandatory, because when I turned my effects loop volume down there was I huge treble loss. A volume pedal could be great, but you'll need two long cables to reach you effects loop and by the way you'll add capacitance, buzz and maybe hum... if you're lucky!
There's a cool device called the "lion tamer" that you can buy online. It's basically a volume pot with in/out jacks designed for this issue. It works great.
Veritas072 it isn't like that. At max the pots is like connecting directly the signal to output, and at min it's like sending the signal to ground directly.
I think the big thing here is that if the pot can handle the circuit voltage/amperage then the lower resistance of the 100k pot as opposed to the 1meg pot will give you a smoother sweep from full to off.
Must be nice being Brian Wampler! You've got some really nice tricks up your sleeve. Quite a lot of them.. Wish I had your knack for electronics. Thanks for sharing some of your knowledge with the rest of us. Very cool of you..
12AY7 tube has a lower amplification factor than 12AX7 so it reduces the volume sensitivity. It will also improve the frequency response of the pre-amp. It does not affect the max output since you have more room in the volume control to reach the peak power.
Was going to buy the JHS little black amp box for my Hot Rod Deluxe. Stubbled across this video and turned an old self made boost pedal into this instead. Saved £50. Put said £50 towards a Euphoria instead. Happy as a pig in you know what. Cheers Brian!
By the way I have your Tumnus which is a killer boost , that adds thump and a killer transparent mild "klon" distortion, goes great with a Strat and Deville! I follow it with a Sovereign.....great for hard and cleaner rock sounds, gives me ample options and sounds so nice!
fantastic mod Brian really loved the DIY soldering and making stuff.would love to see you build more stuff on camera that we could maybe build ourselves 👍
I have a Fender Performer 1000 , 100 watt tranny amp . The volume goes from silent to deafening at about 1.5 and is very difficult to get a usable volume . Somewhere on the tinterwebs I read that using a patch lead to loop the line out to effects return ( doing this from memory as the amp is in a rehearsal room , but I think thats right ) , the volume could be tamed by then setting the effects mix dial to about 5 ( or whatever suits ) . This is what I did and it worked a treat .
How’s it going I just made this for my hrd and it sounds great thanks for the vid for those not using a case or anything I just grounded the last jack input to the back of the pot and it works great!
I have found that if I run my Champ 100 off the preamp out from my Hot Rod DeVille, it has a similar effect and gives me the preamp tube quality sound out the champ 100 and changes the dynamic from earbleeding loud to holy crap the room is so full of sound that I can swim in it. helps to place the amps opposing, Nice thing about the champ 100 manages to model blackface fender amps pretty well. Using it to shunt power a bit and to supplement the Hot Rod really sounds phenominal.
hey , Mr Wampler. Thank you very much. I saw your video and it's really clear. a 100k pot and 2 mono jacks later, i have myself a "volume tamer" for my Fender Deluxe.
im running a 100k log pot but my Eric Clapton strat with its inbuilt TBX control is still a bit too loud on my Fender Deluxe. Even on my 100k pot, I can't wind it past 20-25% without the amp going into distortion. Would running a 25k pot be better as in i can further lower the overall volume?
@@wampler_pedals Yep, i was. by the way, i built another one of these boxes during the xmas break with a 10k pot. Omg... It overdrives so much easier... Love it !!!!! It's like a little tube screamer LOL
It's a handy gizmo to have, but don't expect to get the sound of a cranked amp out of it. For that, the poweramp needs to be pushed hard by the preamp, and this box is reducing the preamp signal before it hits the poweramp.
Because my Fender Twin Reverb does not have a Looper in the back I have to do that but into the front of the amp so what I do is I run my pedalboard into JHS amp box with a master volume just like you built on this video and I run that into the front of my amp and keep my volume on five on the amp in the summer and seven or eight in the winter and use the master volume after my board on the pedal
Fantastic video! I've made a couple of these for me and one for a friend, and I love 'em. You have to dial it waaaay down before things start to sound cruddy. Thanks for the tip. And FYI, in deference to my German heritage, I call mine the LautKnopf (LoudKnob). :-)
I enjoy your videos so much. I built one of these boxes tonight. It is amazing the difference in my Blues Deluxe. Hard to believe about $10 in parts and a little time and now I can enjoy this amp at lower bedroom volumes. My family and neighbors thank you. I do too.
I built one of these for a Peavey Classic 30, essential for home playing. But also when playing live if your turn the amp up too much the fx in the loop will clip, so you can reel it back a bit with a volume knob.
Thanks 4 this! Got the parts yesterday.. Just made. Didn't have a box so used an old smoke detector that I was gonna throw out. Briefly tested with my 60 dollar MIM Fender Deluxe. Cannot wait to play with it to try to find it's sweet spot now. Thanks again!!!
I can attest that this volume box works with my Hot Rod. I added a DPDT switch so I can turn it off. Tip: make an outline on graph paper and plot out your holes ahead of time, then rubber cement the outline onto the casing, it should peel off really easily after you've made your guide holes. All totaled it cost me around $25, but that includes a new 3/8" HSS drill bit for making the holes. Google "tubes and more" for a great place to buy small parts cheaply.
Good video if you're a professional effects box maker, or an electrician. It's beyond the skill level of most of us. But I still found it useful if I ever have an electronics lab.
I have been trying to figure out how to use this amp for home practice. Forget about modding the volume control knob, or adding the above mentioned stupid added volume control in the effects loop. Try this instead - it worked like a charm for me, and the tone is better: replace the first tube 12AX7 with a lower gain tube like the 12AT7 or 12AY7. Easy to do, and cheap. Try it, you won't regret it.
I made one of these with a true bypass switch in line so that I could run it on as a rhythm volume and off for lead. Great little trick, nice video, thanks!
I discovered that on some amps, you don't even need the box. Just a 3'' jumper cable from the "preamp out" to the "effects return" and there's a massive volume drop. Peavey style amps that have a lower output "preamp out" vs the effects send.
Thanks Brian. I love building pedals and I love learning! I also have a Blues Deville collecting dust because the kids are upstairs :) Awesome solution. Thanks for the posts!
Built mine with a 250 k pot and used an altoid box for enclosure..i did mine for a usa made peavy classic 30 .which suffers from the same issue with clean channel .👍👍
Does all this work for any Fender tube amp? Ha. Some talk about loud with a H R deluxe. Try my pro tube Twin. At 1 and a half or plenty of room before you get to 2, I had to point the amp at a wall (concrete) and put pillows around in a basement just so we could hear. Then I found a volume reduction box like this and.....I could get all the way up to 4. Even with something like this it's still so LOUD. But I love that amp. Great back up to my Boogie.
This is awesome solution. You can also use a 12ad7 in the preamp section instead of a 12ax7. It significantly increases the use of the volume knob. I use the second channel with light drive so I can use my master volume.
How many CEOs would encourage you to build your own instead of trying to sell something. Top dude 👍
@@KahruSuomiPerkele Why would you say that?
CEO? Is that why this dickhead solders like Stevie Wonder?
@@TheLexiconDevils lol
I know right!
Yeah, but lazy ass people like us have to get around to building one. 😂
Brian, I love watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us nerds. I don't know of ANY other CEO of any other gear manufacturer that interacts like this with the public. You are one cool dude and I look forward to more of your fabulous creations!
glad you like them!
jcoulter43: Totally agree! Brian is one-of-a-kind indeed. But everyone knows - the lovely Mrs. Wampler is the REAL CEO of Wampler Pedals. ;) :D
Your the best Brain, many thanks!!! Love your pedals dude!
you took the words out of my mouth. i watched his videos for a year before I realized he's THE Wampler! lol
Couldn´t have said it better! 👍🏻
Simple as that, you solved a problem Fender has been aware of (and ignoring) for decades. Bravo sir, and thank you.
Most people just insert a passive.volume pedal
It’s not a “problem” anyone should expect Fender to “solve.” First of all, a 40 watt amp isn’t made to play in your bedroom. You could rattle the pictures off the wall and get the law called on you with a 15 watt amp. Second, the amp has a master volume already on the drive channel AND it has an effects loop so you can add another volume control as Brian shows here, just in case your Spark amp ever fails to update and you’re forced to switch on your 40 watt touring amp in a residential neighborhood. This is great advice from Brian for newbies, but it’s not a solution to any engineering problem that Fender is “ignoring.” The PROBLEM is consumers buying a 20lb. sledge hammer when what they needed was a 5oz tack hammer.
I use a passive volume pedal. It works awesome on stage. I love your videos and insight. What you teach used to be trade secrets that nobody would teach. Thank you!
This is probably my favorite video find on youtube. I had this box assembled and working inside of 15 minutes, and it was JUST what I needed for my Deluxe. Love it.
Did you use a 100k ohm pot? Linear or logarithmic?? Mine is not working
I saw a mod where you change the first 12AX7 to a 12AT7 and that enables the clean volume to open slower. It also warms up the drive channel tone too.
Dr Watson Lion Tamer is a very high-priced alternative HRD apartment-use alternative.
When soldering on a pot make sure it's turned all the way on or all the way off so it will not burn up the wiper. See Dr. Z soldering tips video.
Good tip. Speaking of tips you are calling the sleeve connection ring on the Jack. The plugs and jacks go back over 100 years with the old telephone switchboards and electro-mechanical telephone switches. Tip Ring Sleeve are the three parts of the Jack and plug. Tip & Ring are the two that go out to your home land line if you still have one and ringing voltage ( usually 90v) would go down the Ring side of the line. In the switching office the sleeve is used for controlling or “holding” relays operated to hold up the call. Fast forward fifty years and stereo plugs used the same technology for left right and ground ( which the sleeve is). Mono plugs are just Tip and Sleeve. I don’t know anything about pedals and why I watch your videos which are great but I’m an old dinosaur telephone guy who worked on cord switchboards back in the day. Like this video showing how to make a master volume and using the amp send receive jacks to attenuate the volume. Two thumbs up!
Changing V1 to 12AT7 is a great update as well, helps tame the beast
Brian seems like a great guy that doesn't take himself too seriously. Love his pedals and gladly support him and his company.
I run an EQ in the loop, which has a volume slider that works like this as well. 👍
Good idea!
@@StopTheRot Not sure about Paul, but I personally always used a boss GE7 just because it's got good controls and also has a good buffer built in. It doesn't really matter that much though. Just as long as it has a level control and is quiet.
@@StopTheRot Gonna try that
Until you click it off and forget your amp is running full volume, I like the idea of the dial and no on/off button. That volume box doesn't need 9v power either. Cheers
Another great quick and easy mod for the hot rods is to put a 12AU7 in the V1 position. Makes the clean channel more controllable and decreases the gain on the distortion channels. This is what fender does to the George Benson model hot rod.
I'm not going to show you how to solder... proceeds to show how. LOL
+madmatt41187 😂
Wampler Pedals Hey Brian. How much of a difference does the pot value make? Would a 250k be alright,or a 50k?
I didn't see this comment before I said the same shit. Hilarious, man. I guess if you really dont know how, youd never even know you just watched him show you...
@@donaldmusic6274 I'd like to know too, the pot used in the video is a 100k one, but on the website brian showed at the beginning, the potentiometer is a 25k one :/ does it really make a difference? I don't don't know much about electronics, but I really want to get this right hehe
@@lucasvillaquiroz Potentiometers are like $2, just buy a couple different ones and find out for yourself what the difference is.
This is Brian being awesome as usual!! Thanks for your kindness Brian, sharing your expertise with the world. The world is a better place because of people like you!
Brian, you're awesome! I always love your willingness to help us learn and your humility in the face of your vast amount of knowledge. I've learned so much from you and have benefitted more than I can measure from the pedals you have created and what you have shared about them. Thank you for doing what you do!
That is the most simplest ( and most obvious as you explained ) and effective mod to this loud amp. Well done.
I am just getting into pedal mods and such, working on my first build (klon clone) and I have to say this channel is a WEALTH of cool knowledge and fun to listen to. Thanks man! Keep ‘em coming!
Awesome...a volume pedal in a box. I always use a volume pedal in the effects loop for this purpose to adjust volume on the fly while gigging. This is a cool option for those with a few parts and a soldering iron. Bravo.
Lmao "I'm not going to show you how to solder..."
**Shows exactly how to solder the wire to the lug with pretty much professional fluidity and ease, in approximately five seconds as he's even saying it**
"...its just that easy."
Your videos rule, dude. I'm hooked. You should not show me how to do my taxes while we're at it.
😂
Thanks Brian! This little trick also woks nicely to tame the send if your pedals in the loop don't like the signal too hot...
I haven't placed a small bear order in years! Brian, you owe me 17 dollars now. I love your channel man, as everyone else always confirms, you are the man. And it is way cool to see the amp on TPS, watching it now!
And we’ve come full circle from taking the master volume out of the silver face” circuit to putting it back in! I never could afford a good blackface, but I do love some silver face fenders with master volumes! Thanks for the “how to!”
Great video!
I solved the volume problem on my Hot Rod Deluxe with a Weber Minimass, which is an attenuator, for real. I have been very happy with the Minimass, but now I am wondering if I could have achieved the same results for less cash by using your method. If only I had known about this trick a few years ago.
Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge with us.
Also, your video about putting an EQ pedal into the effects loop of a Hot Rod Deluxe has been life changing for me. I can finally get usable tones with the amp set to drive/more drive. Thank you so much for that!
Thats pretty slick. My hot rod Deville has been collecting dust for years. I go back to it every once and a while, and quickly remember why it is moth balled. It is very dark, loud and the over drive is crap. I cant bring myself to sell it, so this may be just the thing to give it a second chance. Thanks!!!
Sweet. Now for an encore. How to build a passive eq into this master volume mod and an overdrive with another passive eq inside that. All in 1 box. Lol
To be honest, I thought that by using it I would get the same fizzy sound out from the second channel of my bugera v22. I tried this anyway and the truth is that the amp sounds almost as good as it would ("open" sound) if it was cranked but at lower volume!
Yeah, Brian thumbs up man!
I came up with this a long time ago, on the Fender Discussion Page. During discussions of the original Blues Deluxe, I suggested patching a level controlling device, compressor, EQ with volume control or even a 100k Audio taper pot in a box. One FDP'r wanted to know what that would look like, I put up a crude BMP drawing. It was dubbed the "Volume Box." A few guys took my little drawing and started selling them on Ebay. The first guy does credit me. I didn't "invent" it. I had a comercial Ampeg pedal to use in my SVT loop in the mid 70's.
well arent you fucking special! Go post your own video....
Thank you Steve. Those who know, know who you are.
Good job Brian, you're a good trainer, basic, thorough and practical.
So much respect for Wampler and JHS. So down to earth
Brian, thank you so much for this latest video. I use a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue amp which has the same volume issue. I happen to have the identical Ernie Ball volume pedal which you suggested as an option. I've always used this volume pedal in line with my guitar input and effects chain BUT NO LONGER. You've just totally transformed the usability of my amp, I can control the overall volume easily and now roll out as much of my amps natural hair/grit by using my guitar's volume pots beyond say 5 or 6, my go to guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Custom. I use a number of your pedals but this video has just completely increased my sound options and released the true versatility of my amp. You're a total star!
+Andrew Garner awesome, glad to hear that! 😊
I know you probably won't see this, but for the hot rod deluxe, it would be nice to have a foot switch to turn the reverb on and off (instead of having to turn the knob up and down). Any ideas on how to do this?
Get the hot rod deluxe foot switch, probably 40$. It’s gotta have “drive/more drive” and “reverb” 2 switches
@@matthewkennedy7283 on the hotrod deluxe the 2 button switch toggles Clean/Drive and Drive/More Drive. You'd need to modify the circuit with a relay to short the reverb out.
I love how it starts to break up ever so slightly now. Time to dig thru the toy box and find my volume pedal. Thanks for posting this.
I’ve done this with a volume pedal for a few gigs, works great.
i made this with a old ds1 i had. i recommend soldering both the grounds together on the input output jacks if it is not cutting enough signal.
Thank Brian. It's obvious and logical to me but this is a nice video for beginners and those starting along the technical route. The dog should and must wag the tail so guitarists really should learn to solder, rewire and customise their instruments.
I just made mine today and it worked awesome. Even though I’m dumb when it comes to electronics like this I was able to follow the instructions. Appreciate you making this video sir.
Good stuff, maybe could use an EQ pedal like boss that has a volume .
lil volume box like that is such a handy piece of equipment for touring artist, fly gigs or venues with back lines can lead to needing a volume box like this
Great video! Maybe a weird question but could you do more amp mod videos? For example the one wire mod on a plexi, I know its an easy mod but there is no video about how to do this.
Thanks! Going to make this. Will probably add a switch that can add in a fixed amount of extra resistance. That way I have a quick fixed amount of attenuation. Need to figure out the R value tho.
Could you similarly just use a volume pedal between the pre amp and power amp?
Why not?! Good idea!
14:30 ...
That’s all he’s created but not foot pedal format
You just gave away that you did NOT watch the whole video to the end. Lol... Fast forward the video to 14:30, he shows the volume pedal. 😁
You can replace the 12AX7 in the first stage or two of the pre-amp with a 12AU7 or similar lower gain tubes to quieten the amp down also.
Can you do a video compairing this to an attenuator?
It is an attenuator, it attenuates the signal from the preamp out, but it is not a power attenuator, which is a completely different thing.
I made one of these a while ago to tame my Blues Deluxe Reissue. It works ok, but I also fitted treble bleed circuits (just a resistor & capacitor from ebay) to my guitars, so I can use the guitar's volume control to reduce the level without the tone going muddy. I prefer this method.
Can one use the volume box along with all your time based effects pedals in the loop....and if so, where does it go in the chain?
That's a fair question
E.g typically I use my eq pedal in the loop
But if you have looper post the eq pedal
Then a master volume as a final tweak, would make sense.
After all the rest.
Thanks for the video! I built one to use with a Fender Frontman 65R to tame the clean channel volume control. This reduced pre-amp noise as well by allowing me to boost the guitar signal above the pre-amp noise, then turn everything down before hitting the power amp. This resolved my biggest issue with this amp.
These amps have a separate volume and drive knobs so what does this volume box do differently to the existing volume? Is it just that the original control is too sensitive or are you actually driving the tubes more somehow.
William Billington Drive only affects the dirt channel right?
Wondering the same exact thing
The master volume doesn't affect the clean channel. On these amps, the clean volume is way too sensitive. Basically, it's just adding a master control to the clean channel. It's redundant if you use the dirt channel of the amp, however very few use that dirt channel on those amps.
Ahh ok that makes sense. I did use one of these amps to record something a couple months back and it was like 0 to death by 2 on the dial.
exactly! :)
Thank you for this video. My son painted up an old pedal for me, now I'll be making my volume pedal soon for my hot rod deluxe. Thank you again for your diy.
Put an 12at6 preamp tube in the first position it dimes back the volume, you dont go from like zero to 5 in volume. Doesnt do what Brian is doing here , but at least its a cheap option if you dont have any sodering skills ( ala me :).
I just watched a video with a dude doing that on this Red HRD. Would something like that work on a Blues Junior or would I lose too much volume?
I cannot, nor will I ever, solder. So I need another option. Or another amp. 20Watts and some damn linear volume control.
12AT6´s are hard to come by, I suppose a 12AT7 would be better :-)
Edit: ah, ok, you mean the clean channel, right?
-I guess the point is to also reach high gain levels at low volume, which is hindered by a weaker preamp tube. This is a master volume retrofit, not a tube swap.-
I did this for my Fender Blues Deluxe: I think I used a 250k pot as it's all I had to hand but it worked fine. Cheers Bri :)
JHS makes a great one too “Little black box”
In case you already have something into your effects loop and have an extra hole or space to drill one on the back of your amp, like me... you can put a potentiometer there without having to mess up with Jacks. To me a 1nF capacitor was mandatory, because when I turned my effects loop volume down there was I huge treble loss. A volume pedal could be great, but you'll need two long cables to reach you effects loop and by the way you'll add capacitance, buzz and maybe hum... if you're lucky!
So basically Fender to save $0.25 left off the master volume on this amp
I'm sure they were thinking about cost but they probably did it to create the illusion that it's a lot more powerful than it is
I thought Hot Rods had master volume?
@@daveclinton4945 yup! Mine has. But it also is controling the drive channel. So if you switch. You can do it more easy.
Dave Clinton They do, but it only controls the dirty channel. Clean channel just has one volume.
Matt Laurence No need to create a illusion, I have the Blues DeVille and it’s way to powerful.
There's a cool device called the "lion tamer" that you can buy online. It's basically a volume pot with in/out jacks designed for this issue. It works great.
My lack of electronics is going to bring me to posting this question why not use a 1 meg or 500k pot instead of the 100k, to retain brightness?
Following
It's a low impedance loop. 100k works fine.
Veritas072 it isn't like that. At max the pots is like connecting directly the signal to output, and at min it's like sending the signal to ground directly.
I think the big thing here is that if the pot can handle the circuit voltage/amperage then the lower resistance of the 100k pot as opposed to the 1meg pot will give you a smoother sweep from full to off.
Must be nice being Brian Wampler! You've got some really nice tricks up your sleeve. Quite a lot of them..
Wish I had your knack for electronics. Thanks for sharing some of your knowledge with the rest of us. Very cool of you..
Or... you just swap the V1 12AX7 tube with a 12AY7 tube.
Exactly !
TimMer1981 hi, with that tube you had less volume?
12AY7 tube has a lower amplification factor than 12AX7 so it reduces the volume sensitivity. It will also improve the frequency response of the pre-amp. It does not affect the max output since you have more room in the volume control to reach the peak power.
I used a 12AU7 once. Buys about 8 db’s.
Does the 12AY7 reduce the volume more than the 12AT7?
Was going to buy the JHS little black amp box for my Hot Rod Deluxe. Stubbled across this video and turned an old self made boost pedal into this instead. Saved £50. Put said £50 towards a Euphoria instead. Happy as a pig in you know what. Cheers Brian!
By the way I have your Tumnus which is a killer boost , that adds thump and a killer transparent mild "klon" distortion, goes great with a Strat and Deville! I follow it with a Sovereign.....great for hard and cleaner rock sounds, gives me ample options and sounds so nice!
fantastic mod Brian really loved the DIY soldering and making stuff.would love to see you build more stuff on camera that we could maybe build ourselves 👍
I did it today.
Now I can play hot tubs with bedroom volume.
Thanks, Mate.
Greetings from the Polish Coast.
I have a Fender Performer 1000 , 100 watt tranny amp . The volume goes from silent to deafening at about 1.5 and is very difficult to get a usable volume . Somewhere on the tinterwebs I read that using a patch lead to loop the line out to effects return ( doing this from memory as the amp is in a rehearsal room , but I think thats right ) , the volume could be tamed by then setting the effects mix dial to about 5 ( or whatever suits ) . This is what I did and it worked a treat .
Smithers & Co but how then do you use the send & return inputs for your pedals?
How’s it going I just made this for my hrd and it sounds great thanks for the vid for those not using a case or anything I just grounded the last jack input to the back of the pot and it works great!
Thanks, Brian, JHS also makes the Little Black Amp Box.
I have found that if I run my Champ 100 off the preamp out from my Hot Rod DeVille, it has a similar effect and gives me the preamp tube quality sound out the champ 100 and changes the dynamic from earbleeding loud to holy crap the room is so full of sound that I can swim in it. helps to place the amps opposing, Nice thing about the champ 100 manages to model blackface fender amps pretty well. Using it to shunt power a bit and to supplement the Hot Rod really sounds phenominal.
hey , Mr Wampler. Thank you very much. I saw your video and it's really clear. a 100k pot and 2 mono jacks later, i have myself a "volume tamer" for my Fender Deluxe.
im running a 100k log pot but my Eric Clapton strat with its inbuilt TBX control is still a bit too loud on my Fender Deluxe. Even on my 100k pot, I can't wind it past 20-25% without the amp going into distortion.
Would running a 25k pot be better as in i can further lower the overall volume?
Are you using an audio taper?
@@wampler_pedals Yep, i was.
by the way, i built another one of these boxes during the xmas break with a 10k pot. Omg... It overdrives so much easier... Love it !!!!! It's like a little tube screamer LOL
It's a handy gizmo to have, but don't expect to get the sound of a cranked amp out of it. For that, the poweramp needs to be pushed hard by the preamp, and this box is reducing the preamp signal before it hits the poweramp.
Great video brian i just build my box last night and it sounds awesome can you make a video showing how to add the tone control really appreciate
Because my Fender Twin Reverb does not have a Looper in the back I have to do that but into the front of the amp so what I do is I run my pedalboard into JHS amp box with a master volume just like you built on this video and I run that into the front of my amp and keep my volume on five on the amp in the summer and seven or eight in the winter and use the master volume after my board on the pedal
Watching you put things together really helps with understanding how things tick! This is an awesome upload!
you can also use one of these at the end of your pedal board to regulate the overall signal going into the amp as well.
Fantastic video! I've made a couple of these for me and one for a friend, and I love 'em. You have to dial it waaaay down before things start to sound cruddy. Thanks for the tip. And FYI, in deference to my German heritage, I call mine the LautKnopf (LoudKnob). :-)
I made one out of a gutted DOD Grunge pedal, works like a charm for the clean channel of my amp - Great tutorial!
Almost commented to ask whether this is the same as using a volume pedal in the loop. Glad I wait until the end of the video. LOL
I enjoy your videos so much. I built one of these boxes tonight. It is amazing the difference in my Blues Deluxe. Hard to believe about $10 in parts and a little time and now I can enjoy this amp at lower bedroom volumes. My family and neighbors thank you. I do too.
Thanks Brian. I suppose you could use a clean boost, turned down, or a simple volume pedal, but.... I'm gonna do it. My first Pedal build!!!!
I built one of these for a Peavey Classic 30, essential for home playing. But also when playing live if your turn the amp up too much the fx in the loop will clip, so you can reel it back a bit with a volume knob.
I've been needing to see this video for a long time. I bought my 4 x 10 Deville in 1996... so, since then. Thanks man.
Thanks 4 this! Got the parts yesterday.. Just made. Didn't have a box so used an old smoke detector that I was gonna throw out. Briefly tested with my 60 dollar MIM Fender Deluxe. Cannot wait to play with it to try to find it's sweet spot now. Thanks again!!!
I can attest that this volume box works with my Hot Rod. I added a DPDT switch so I can turn it off.
Tip: make an outline on graph paper and plot out your holes ahead of time, then rubber cement the outline onto the casing, it should peel off really easily after you've made your guide holes.
All totaled it cost me around $25, but that includes a new 3/8" HSS drill bit for making the holes. Google "tubes and more" for a great place to buy small parts cheaply.
Good video if you're a professional effects box maker, or an electrician. It's beyond the skill level of most of us. But I still found it useful if I ever have an electronics lab.
You can always buy one of these boxes for about $20.
I have been trying to figure out how to use this amp for home practice. Forget about modding the volume control knob, or adding the above mentioned stupid added volume control in the effects loop. Try this instead - it worked like a charm for me, and the tone is better: replace the first tube 12AX7 with a lower gain tube like the 12AT7 or 12AY7. Easy to do, and cheap. Try it, you won't regret it.
Thanks Brian for the entire soldering course in five seconds. 60 more credits and I graduate.
I love they way you have fun with these videos, so refreshing to not be overly serious. Can you do this too on a Triple Rectifier?
Thanks for helping the DIY folks.
That keeps it interesting and fun.
A 12ay7 tube in v1 makes the volume more adjustable also
You are definitely in your element bro!
i like how you cited your sources
Love this little box -- really helps keep a tight leash on an HRD. Thanks for the idea and the how-to!
This is brilliant. Thank you sir. I've always had problems controlling my volumes with this amp, but I love the sounds.
Cool. Was thinking of buying an attenuator. Will do this instead.
I made one of these with a true bypass switch in line so that I could run it on as a rhythm volume and off for lead. Great little trick, nice video, thanks!
That's a brilliant idea Brian.... that's why you're the Man!!! I've never heard a bad product with your name on it.... keep doing what your doing 👍
Thanks Jim!
I discovered that on some amps, you don't even need the box. Just a 3'' jumper cable from the "preamp out" to the "effects return" and there's a massive volume drop. Peavey style amps that have a lower output "preamp out" vs the effects send.
Thanks Brian. I love building pedals and I love learning! I also have a Blues Deville collecting dust because the kids are upstairs :) Awesome solution. Thanks for the posts!
James M
I just bought a blues deville 212 and am curious if you built a volume box for it. No way i can play this in the house, way too loud.
Built mine with a 250 k pot and used an altoid box for enclosure..i did mine for a usa made peavy classic 30 .which suffers from the same issue with clean channel .👍👍
used to put that in between pedal board and amp input with a foot switch for lead/rhythm vol cut, while leaving gain and boost pedals on.
Does all this work for any Fender tube amp? Ha. Some talk about loud with a H R deluxe. Try my pro tube Twin. At 1 and a half or plenty of room before you get to 2, I had to point the amp at a wall (concrete) and put pillows around in a basement just so we could hear. Then I found a volume reduction box like this and.....I could get all the way up to 4. Even with something like this it's still so LOUD. But I love that amp. Great back up to my Boogie.
This is awesome solution. You can also use a 12ad7 in the preamp section instead of a 12ax7. It significantly increases the use of the volume knob. I use the second channel with light drive so I can use my master volume.
I just built this! Unreal how this opens up the amp! Thanks so much for the demo...this is amazing to me