Power Brake

[kirk]

Marshall makes a power brake, that to my understanding, will allow you to get the cranked sound of your amp without blowing the plaster off the wall or the tubes out of your kid's ears.

Will these work on any tube amp?

[J Todd Beachler]

As long as the impedece matches. *If you're recording and you're just trying to reduce the volume of your amp due to neighbors, check out *a speaker isolation box. Let me know if you get a good price on one of the Marshall Power Brakes. *Have fun!

[Josh Blagg]

Some people have been known to bitch about these things blowing your output transformer. *I don't think it is due to the powerbrake, but I have read this on more than one occasion. *Also, if you are a true tonehead, be sure to use the actual Marshall Powerbrake and not another attenuator. *They are expensive in my opinion by the way, but a great thing to have. *It will probably become your main volume control since the amp sounds so much better at full volume.

[pri0531]

Kirk:
I am having the same problem with my 5150 combo. *Way too loud!! *I just spoke to Peavey and they DO NOT recommend the Power Brake. *He stated that you can use a resistor (i.e. space heater element). *The requirements are as follows: *1500 watts or less (preferably 250 watts), 6 inches long, ceramic and 8 or 10 ohms. *
Out,
Gregory

[bob oakman]

Anyone remember the Tom Scholtz power brake thingy? I used to use one on a 100 watt Marshall. It never hurt the transformer, but I sure went through tubes fast.

[hamand]

I don't know if you're aware of intermusic.com? A collective effort from the people that put together most of the best guitar mags in the UK. UK reviewers are hard but fair (!) so I find they're normally spot-on about quality gear.

Short and sweet mention of the PB:

http://www.intermusic.com/article.as...mp;Channel=GTR

[Exotic Shredding]

Hey,
* * I use a Marshal Power Brake as part of my rig! *THe only real requirement is a seperate head from cab. (or power amp/preamp set up etc...) *It wont work on a combo. *Basically you can turn your amp up to 10 and then turn down the heard volume with the power brake. *You still get all the response and feel and tone of the amp turned up, but just not the volume. *It's great. *I use it live as well for smaller shows. *(always miced anyways though) *I feel it adds an element of control. *I use a Blue Voodoo120 stack and it is HOT. *I can't stress that enough. *Hot, and it roars. *I've never gotten better tone frm an amp. *The voodoo has alot of response, but its damn loud. *Normall i cant turn the clean up past 2 without the power brake. *I found a used powerbrake for around $100. *Perfect condition. *The person i guess just didn't have a need for it. *It's worth the retail if you need it. *It helps. *Great for recording too! *It can be 1am and you can be shredding with harmonics flying and the roar of an amp on full assault, with *someone sleeping in a room nearby! *It's worth trying out at least. *

[tomizm]

What about tube wear? *Are there any drawbacks to it additional to regular tube use on full volume?
If that confusing, lemme re-phrase it
Will an amp that has a Powerbrake on still last just as long as an amp without one used on high volume settings?