Master volume and preamp volume

[MysteryFever]

Greetings, I've been working on a circuit that is based on a jcm800 preamp and experimenting with master and preamp volume configurations. I've run into an issue that doesn't make sense to me and I was hoping someone could help clarify. Originally, all I did was place the volume knob at the end of the preamp before the phase inverter, right after the tone stack. What I got was a clean clear sound and maybe 1/3 of the volume this amp should produce, if that. No clipping. I know I'm probably making a silly mistake but I was under the impression that with no volume knob earlier in the preamp there would be nothing to impede the signal and the circuit would be driven fully. Now what I have is a pre at the input jack and post (the post in the aforementioned place), and with both knobs wide open, I get pretty much the same thing. What am I doing wrong? I may note that my current circuit does not have the extra input stage for the "High" input like the jcm800 does. It simply copies the circuit from the low input on. Much appreciation for any help.

[diagrammatiks]

what's the power amp you're running it into and how is that power amp biased?

what's the value of your volume pot?

[MysteryFever]

The power amp is a push-pull pair of 6l6's with a long-tail pair PI. The tubes are biased in the traditional fender way, I'm not sure but I think that's grid-current bias? (my knowledge of power amps is still limited)
The pre and post volume pots are both 1 meg.

[plexitone]

...I may note that my current circuit does not have the extra input stage for the "High" input like the jcm800 does. It simply copies the circuit from the low input on.

Plug into the low input of a 2203 and that's what you get: clean, even with the preamp volume on 10. Without the usual first gain stage, you are basically starting with a very cold-biased stage that won't generate enough signal to overdrive the following stages.

I would suggest either the full 2203/2204 preamp design or just use the bright channel of a typical plexi (1959/1987). Either way would only require a few simple changes to what you have.