Express with Weber Mini MASS 50W Attenuators

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Redshoe
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 4:11 am

Express with Weber Mini MASS 50W Attenuators

Post by Redshoe »

I'm using Trainwreck Express with a Weber Mini MASS 50W.
The powertubes in trainwreck is 6L6GBs. I've been diggin some infos about using 6L6s in trainwrecks. There were no exact answers about the output value of this amp whether on EL34s or 6L6s... only a approx values... I bought a new Weber Mini MASS 50W for this amp and I'm getting this burning smell when I fully crank my amp and fully attenuate the amp.. Some say it's cause of melting grease on the pots(for brand new attenuators). Anyone had this kind of problems before? or Should I just buy a 100 watt attenuator?
Zippy
Posts: 2052
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:18 pm

Re: Express with Weber Mini MASS 50W Attenuators

Post by Zippy »

Redshoe wrote:I'm getting this burning smell when I fully crank my amp and fully attenuate the amp.. Some say it's cause of melting grease on the pots(for brand new attenuators).
I'd sort that out REAL fast - separate your amp and attenuator so you can determine the source of the smell. You may be cookin' your trannie. It's not a great idea to fully crank the amp and fully attenuate it. You're really stressing the output section.

P.S. Amps usually sound best just before they blow. Enjoy! :twisted:
Redshoe
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 4:11 am

Re: Express with Weber Mini MASS 50W Attenuators

Post by Redshoe »

In fact, I was smelling my amp and my attenuator like a search dog lol.
The transformer and other components were just fine... The smell definitely came out from the attenuator..
CapnCrunch
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:26 am
Location: Seattle

Re: Express with Weber Mini MASS 50W Attenuators

Post by CapnCrunch »

Redshoe,

I use a mini mass 50 watt with my 18 watt and AC15. I have also used it with my 4xel84 rocket (30 watts), but I don't dime the Rocket with it. I remember reading on the Weber site that Ted recommended an attenuator with twice the rating of the rated output of the amp. In other words for a 50 watt amp, he recommended a 100 watt attenuator, and the 50 watt attenuator for amps up to 25 watts. With my Rocket set at about 1 o'clock (just starting to transition into some overdrive) my mini mass starts to get warm. With your Express in full overdrive, it is probably putting out 70 to 80 watts with peaks over 100 watts. IIRC, the Express is rated at about 36 watts, but thats before it starts to clip. In full distortion, a tube amp will easily double its clean rating. I think you will quickly cook your 50 watt mini mass, if you haven't already. I'd get a 100 watter, or build an airbrake.
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