Master Volume Mods for Marshall and Fender Style Tube Amps

Рет қаралды 69,308

5 жыл бұрын

In this vid we'll talk about 4 types of Master Volume controls outlined in Ken Fischer's excellent "Trainwreck Pages" and analyze the pros and cons of each type before installing one and testing it with a Gibson Les Paul in a SUPER LOUD, vintage 1971 Marshall Model 1959 Super Lead 100. The mod we choose is a post-phase-inverter-master-volume (PPIMV) control, which will allow the player to get thick crunch and juicy lead tones at bedroom volume levels. This information will also be useful for installing master volume controls in many amps such as Fender, Traynor, Ampeg, and Gibson.
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Пікірлер: 367

@jond63 5 жыл бұрын

Holy Crap, Brad! My amp sounds fabulous...without peeling the paint off of the walls! Good job, sir! I’m very impressed. I need to come over, pay my bill, and pick that bad baby up! Awesomeness!

@TheGuitologist 5 жыл бұрын

That'll work. Anytime after 5:00. Shoot me a text.

@xinsertusername 5 жыл бұрын

+points for Stinkfist. That Tone is unreal.

@PapaWheelie1 5 жыл бұрын

I was not expecting that - had to watch it twice! So good

@jahjah67 5 жыл бұрын

That thing sounds great. Any rock player would be happy to have that amp in their arsenal. Great job

@CR3W1SH03S 4 жыл бұрын

There is an upgraded version of the Type 2 called the Lar Mar PPIMV. Solves the loss of bias if the pot fails.

@vintagetubeamplifiers Жыл бұрын

I have learned more from Gerald Weber's books and videos in the last 18 days then I've learned in the last 18 months. In my opinion he is the best amp teacher.

@billedwards2657 5 жыл бұрын

Lots of good info on a topic that’s frequently asked on the online forums. Love it. Thanks for making this

@djosephp67 5 жыл бұрын

Great video series Brad.. Really enjoyed seeing the vintage Marshall content.

@crifox16 5 жыл бұрын

dream tone right there! seriously one of the best ones i've ever heard. also crazy that it's an amp from 71 and it has all this gain without any boost or overdrive

@50gary 5 жыл бұрын

I remember speaking with Ken Fisher on the phone back in the day. Tried to get him to build an amp for me but he had Chronic Fatigue at that point and just couldn't do it. Super knowledgable guy and easy to talk to.

@sski 5 жыл бұрын

I'm in lust! That amp sounds fantastic. Nice job, Brad.

@mikewallace1270 5 жыл бұрын

Tone is KILLER. Wow impressed with outcome.

@fiddlix 5 жыл бұрын

Great job Brad and my favorite style of master volume for old Marshalls for all the reasons you listed.

@jamesmccabe8736 5 жыл бұрын

I'm definitely interested in this video. Very glad you made it to help me understand the ppimv mod a little better. I've god a Peavey Roadmaster that could definitely use a mod like this. Thanks again Brad nice playing too!

@alexwoolridge94aw 3 жыл бұрын

Very cool series and thanks for talking in depth about the master volumes

@garyr081 5 жыл бұрын

Playing a little Tool through that amp made my day. Thanks Brad.

@hearpalhere 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome video Brad! I love these instructional types of videos that you make, it's a great opportunity to learn a lot. Thanks for doing this and the thing sounded great too!

@nuckinfuts5481 4 жыл бұрын

I want to thank you for creating and posting this video. I successfully installed this type of into a couple of my amps as well as a couple of amps owned by friends! Cheers!

@TheGuitologist 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Congrats!

@allboutthemojo Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitologist thank you for the fantastic video. I'm not technical at all but I've been trying to understand master volumes on Marshall amps before purchasing one and this definitely helped. 👍 . I do have a question for you, hopefully you can shed some light on it. I like the dsl 100 hr model and I'm looking to use it primarily at home. Do you know if the master volume on these amps is the " type 3" that you explained in the video? Asking because I want the master to keep as much of the tone as possible while being able to play at quiet levels at home. Visited a lot of forums and message boards and nobody is really able to say what type of master volume setup is stock in the dsl 100hr model. A lot of people are saying that because of the master in the dsl 100hr, I don't need a reactive load attenuator to play at home because it does the same thing. Appreciate your input since you are an expert on this. Thanks!

@richardhubbard2151 4 жыл бұрын

Just what i was looking for! Thanks for the info and great refrence book!

@johnhuyton7966 5 жыл бұрын

Did the mod on my 800 2203 and tried in rehearsel last night! Sounds awesome. Cant beleive how simple it was! Cheers brad! First time ive modded something myself. Thanx for the inspiration!

@GTguitarworks 3 жыл бұрын

did you just keep the stock Master volume on 10 to bypass it? or did you use them in conjunction with each other? Thanks..

@soapboxearth2 11 ай бұрын

Jesus Brad. What a great video man !!!

@Eventual420 5 жыл бұрын

Very useful. Monday is turning out great. Thanks Brad!

@brianneill3609 5 жыл бұрын

great job on that one Brad. Super cranky but balanced at the same time. sounds great!

@johnhuyton7966 5 жыл бұрын

So glad you've done this ive been reading up a lot on ppimv for my jcm800 2203. Ive ordered a 1meg pot and will be doing the exact same mod when it arrives. Thanx brad

@pwnEdge1 5 жыл бұрын

Great sounding ,sustain ,clarity, and dirt . As I alway say, clean distortion😀

@mikeh2599 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the trainwreck, a wealth of info.

@bhosterman 4 жыл бұрын

Sounds awesome. I could watch these all day

@ralphballinger2159 5 жыл бұрын

It sounds fantastic through my phone. I cannot imagine how awesome it must of sounded in the room! I’m trying to learn/teach myself how to build/modify pedals/amps these days. I really admire amp builders/hot rodders like Ken and Howard Dumble to name a few.

@TononiaWorld 5 жыл бұрын

This is one awesome mod, it makes the amp more versatile and to boot doesn't kill tone or "mojo"

@murphyhowey3109 5 жыл бұрын

Same amp, same mod here, but I put the pot in front, replacing one of the 2nd chan 1/4" jack. I use an external jumper from the 1st chan to the second as well. Having that knob avail is necessary on stage.

@joelspaulding5964 5 жыл бұрын

Maybe my favorite of the 20+ vids watched so far. Tool didn't hurt. Who is this that is so gifted in the ways of science (and music)? Proper playing and amazing amp/electrical knowledge.

@TheGuitologist 5 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the channel. Pull up a chair!

@oimate4201 11 ай бұрын

Great explanations and presentation. Thank you!

@deth800lg 5 жыл бұрын

i love the content brad and i found this video surprisingly educating

@robertcalkjr.8325 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brad! It sounds great!

@TheVanShow 5 жыл бұрын

That woke the old Marshall up!!! Awesome work.

@MrGTO-ze7vb 5 жыл бұрын

Great circuit review Brad..!! Fisher's book must be in any tube amp lovers library

@99gwest 5 жыл бұрын

Hell Yeah Brad! Great job, great sound!

@jimbeaux4988 5 жыл бұрын

Really an ingenious and simple mod!

@Bsquared1972 4 жыл бұрын

Very cool. Gerald Weber is the MAN when it comes to tube amps...went to one of his seminars, and he wound me a 1959 spec output transformer for my '57 Bassman!

@niekdriesschen3376 5 жыл бұрын

awesome man! and killer riffs dude!

@robertbevilacqua8548 5 жыл бұрын

Fantastic. Love that you used stinkfist as a demo song. Been ages since I heard that and you just rekindled my live for that song (at least I thouht it was that song lol)

@blkjckgtr3075 5 жыл бұрын

Yep!sounds like a Marshal,good job Brad,Cheers

@stevemcgee510 4 жыл бұрын

Bad Brad, you are my favorite amp tech. By far bro.

@Wildman9 5 жыл бұрын

What a great sounding amp bud.And the mod was simple as hell.Great book too!That owner is going to be happy as a clam with the new found sounds.Hahaha.👍🎸

@scottjamable 11 ай бұрын

Excellent Video Brad!! I know this is an old video but I just acquired a nice 99% original 1970 SB I have converted to SL. It came with a type 4 MV Mod off the treble pot and it seems more like a MV for cleaner loud headroom. It still works better than not having one but I can't wait to try the type 3 to get the crunch at lower volumes!! Thanks man

@rtopia 5 жыл бұрын

that mod was a good call! (drive sounds a lot tighter ) That Weber book is a must have. I did one of his (Gerald Weber) two day “camps” where we brought in our own amps and overhauled them while he supervised.

@PoppysGuitar 5 жыл бұрын

Where does he do a camp???

@tonyiommi74 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing job Brad!!!

@philipdonovan5127 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brad, well done video. I lost my mind and sprung for a PEC dual-ganged pot - $37.00. Its for a Type 2 MV in a 6V6 plexi that I"m almost finished building. The schematic calls out for grid leak resistors of 100K although Fender seemed historically happy with 220K in just about all their 6V6 amps. The PEC comes with the hope that the ganges with be better matched, more quiet and less prone to "wiper lift". For 37 bucks it ought to be! I hope my PPIMV type 2 works as well as your type 4 did! Great vids Brad, Thanks again. - Phil

@stevenwilliamdewitt 5 жыл бұрын

Great video and explanation!

@garyeggleton1142 5 жыл бұрын

this is a video from you that I have hoped to see....thats one of the books ive used to learn about this stuff, and having someone I respect make a video on it is great. The other book that made me interested in amp mods is Dan Torres book "inside tube amps"

@jjsant3250 5 жыл бұрын

Many say that type of MV can sound bad but I wish I had at least tried that one in the past based on the sound you got here. So much easier than a dual pot with 6 wires (and safety resistors to guarantee bias.) I added the Type 2 to my SFDR and there is no "whoosh" and it sounds great. I often go without pedals for jams. Even with the DC (bias voltage) on the pot there is no path for DC current to flow thru the wiper and no DC current is flowing thru the pot. So no mandatory "whoosh."

@demonaz9931 Жыл бұрын

Good choice of Tool riffs to show off the classic Marshall tone!

@auntjenifer7774 5 жыл бұрын

This is ACTUALLY pretty interesting ! This feels like it's about 2 years ago when we just looked at amps 😉

@Floodedisposition 5 жыл бұрын

Man, I need to get a Marshall head like this. The Tool Stinkfist riff sounded so good going through it. I was looking at the 1987X 50w head.

@7125Mhz 5 жыл бұрын

Quality video. Top notch!

@alguitarchristie 5 жыл бұрын

It sounds great man! Great video thanks :)

@Xpyburnt_ndz 5 жыл бұрын

Great vid Brad! Man I wish I knew about modding back in the 70's...I had a super lead 100 that needed a master volume, BAD!!!.Just too young n dumb back then to know any better! Thanks man for the great vids you do! Cheers!😎

@mikewallace1270 5 жыл бұрын

Chris Lake Me too. Actually had a 71 Marshall like the one in the video and did hundreds of gigs with it without a master volume. Sure wish I’d had one!

@robertbevilacqua8548 5 жыл бұрын

You really are either up really late or up really early uploading this... Bless you haha

@SeanKerns 5 жыл бұрын

Really cool. That amp sounded great.

@PhilipCockram 5 жыл бұрын

Nice Marshall Tones . That LP Classic is sweet too.

@timidater4803 5 жыл бұрын

just built a twe-1 trainwreck emulator pedal!! love it!!

@RockHardRiffs 5 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed the video!

@MrWilly2204 3 жыл бұрын

That sounded pretty wicked.

@toddflowers8052 5 жыл бұрын

Interesting stuff Brad, thanks !

@swaffy101 5 жыл бұрын

Sounds awesome!

@brentstewart59 4 жыл бұрын

The amp stuff was great but Stinkfist in PJs just makes you a legend here in Canada Brad. Great stuff

@DalHap 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes & yes! Fantastic! That's so pro dude.

@karlkonigshofer2629 3 жыл бұрын

Wowowow, that amps sounds great! 😮😮😮

@DBoonful 5 жыл бұрын

Your Channel is fantastic, I've been modding from those classic Tube books for over 30 years. One thing, you're a very experienced tech -so I'm a little surprised that you are wearing 2 rings when you're inside an amp, but I would mention to other noodlers watching your show, that no matter how confident you are that you've dissipated an amp properly, and no matter how much other precaution you take, probably best to remove them before noodling around. I've seen things you people wouldn't believe -horrible things ***inserts Bladerunner meme*** . anyways, keep the good stuff coming.

@TheGuitologist 5 жыл бұрын

A Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitars Book: amzn.to/2JXr5Cq Download Trainwreck Pages in PDF: robrobinette.com/The_Trainwreck_Pages.htm For those asking...amp demo settings: Presence: 8 Bass: 2 Mid: 7 Treble: 7 Volume 1: 7 Volume 2: 6 Master Volume: 1.5 (ish)

@KTWap 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Brad! what is the name of the song you play at 22:33?

@LemmyBass 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Mr. Guitoogist, I installed the same mod in my lemmy style amplifiers and I simply added a 5K potentiometer in series, so fine-tuning even works up to bedroom level : )

@joshuaweiner6378 5 жыл бұрын

Great info!!

@smokepeddler 2 жыл бұрын

Good info. I moded my 67 Pro with a master volume. Realized it just isn't meant to push the front end. I changed it back to stock.

@KozmykJ 5 жыл бұрын

Sounds sweet, good choice of mod. I recall my lead guitarist back in 1974 having a Master mod done on his 100W Marshall. It worked fine but he had to get used to it's harsher tone. Maybe it was the style of mod that interacted with the Presence like you mentioned . Nice Les Paul you have there. You just showed me a new playing technique. Holding the barre at the nut position, I'll have to try that. I don't have my guitars at home, I'm being kicked out after 30 years of renting this place. 😡 Dirty tricks I can't fight... Life will go on... somewhere or other.

@boggsty 5 жыл бұрын

Oh yessssssss this is quality content

@rijosigns 5 жыл бұрын

sounds like older zz top good job as always brad cheers

@chuckelator 2 жыл бұрын

I have a 1973 50w that might benefit from this treatment! I think people don't realize how much you can actually get out of these NMV Marshalls in terms of grunt and grit! There's a reason that I play metal through a vintage Marshall. You double it up and it sounds MONSTEROUS!

@TheGuitologist 2 жыл бұрын

Marshall style tone stacks don't get lost in the mix. All this newer metal crap is way too dark, and it all sounds EXACTLY the same. You can't hear any dynamics from the player either, so all character gets lost.

@jerrymorganjr 5 жыл бұрын

I've never understood how the mod with the knob in the back of my super lead. Thanks Brad!

@Thatdavemarsh 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I’ve got a ‘74 Traynor that needs this “fix”. Love it’s sound, can’t turn it up past 1.5 in the house...

@Mark-iq6hi 5 жыл бұрын

Couldn't believe you busted out Tool ! Awesome brother.

@drmaawenz 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Brett. I'm really enjoying your videos, keep them coming. In terms of post PI master volumes, I only had success with those amps running "open loop" output stages, since the "closed loop" output stages will overdrive the PI, since it will try to compensate for the signal that is attenuated by the MV. I consider it a major design flaw (even practiced by professionals), and i need "to do it right" on my Orange OTR since it sounds like sh** unless the master volume is dialed up pretty high.

@marccarter1350 5 жыл бұрын

It's the very reason I bought the new "ish" Vox AC15HW1X. I obtain that classic Vox creamy drive' without the need to have the volume at home. My neighbours are sure happy too :-) Great stuff as always Brad!

@peterdavies5358 5 жыл бұрын

I've just got the cream AC4 TV and I've got a Rat Hot Rod Valve Special with the Power Scale on it. No conclusions yet but when you live somewhere you just can't make a row it's essential. I've got Guitar Rig 5 and a Yamaha THR10C, I don't think there is a best.

@marccarter1350 5 жыл бұрын

@@peterdavies5358 I only own one amp at a time. So i need it to cover everything. From home, live, rehearsal. With the master volume control, plus being about to lower the output from 15 watts down to 7.5, it covers all of my needs. Your correct, there is no best, but there is best for my needs. There is also the sound you want. This amp was built for me. I love it, warts n all!

@TheGuitologist 5 жыл бұрын

There's still nothing like cranking to the sweet spot on the power tubes and having the entire cabinet resonate with the harmonic feedback like a tuning fork! ;)

@goofy2009ify 5 жыл бұрын

Great sound!!!

@SteveHacker 5 жыл бұрын

Love your channel and always love your videos! One of my favorites! One of the best in the world! I must say, though, that the background music while you are talking and explaining is quite distracting...

@TheGuitologist 5 жыл бұрын

Experiment. Thanks for the feedback.

@destaagengperwira 4 жыл бұрын

I've been googling for weeks and skip this video at first until i was stuck... And what do i need is only this. Gonna build my first amp which is 2061x, and impossible to use it in my neighborhood so i need this mod. Thanks in advance. Cool vid and playing....

@CR3W1SH03S 4 жыл бұрын

LoL!!! I suggested this mod on the repair video when you mentioned how loud the amp was.

@martincockburn6821 14 күн бұрын

thanks for this video... i just put a volume on my 59hw. works a treat. bit bassy and boomy way down low on the volume but thats no big deal. good job mate :-)

@roamershaker 5 жыл бұрын

great thanks Professor. wow great Guitaring .

@SanFranciscoFatboy Жыл бұрын

good vid....... i have had this PPMVM (#3 i think) to my 1973 twin reverb............. wow, a whole new rip roars Super Lead Killer !!!!!!!! a super lead w/ a hint o california tone

@niallstewart109 5 жыл бұрын

wow tone is pretty nice on that thing.

@wolfey4138 5 жыл бұрын

Les Paul through a Marshall... especially in Dropped D, nothing better.

@outthereassociates7155 5 жыл бұрын

Best one yet Brad.

@mikeh892 5 жыл бұрын

Love Rob's site. So much good info. Have you ever considered building a wreck style amp?

@normanmozley3659 3 жыл бұрын

I set a 200w stack on fire about 1974 playing a club (2500) capacity, luckily I had a spare, happened at Springfield Illinois. Your friend in tone, Norman Mozley

@tom1263 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome job! Any chance you can add part 2 that has you messing with the settings, input jumpers, high/low volume and Master etc? That would really be cool as my 1977 JMP 50w just might love this.

@webdca123 5 жыл бұрын

Love your videos Brad. Just was curious if you could do a videos on modifying an old Peavey 5150 60 watt amp? I’ve had mine forever, bought it new in the early 90’s, and your video here made me think of potential mods.

@UltraViolence74989 5 жыл бұрын

I have a book by Aspen Pittman called The Tube Amp Book Volume 3 I got in like 1991. It's chock full of all the tube amp schematics from every manufacturer. It looks almost identical to the book you have except the Trainwreck pages. Going to have to get me a copy of that.

@TheGuitologist 5 жыл бұрын

UltraViolence74 I have the Pittman book too. Both are worth owning. The Weber book is more "pro tip" oriented.

@mfowler8808 5 жыл бұрын

On most Marshalls I use the 1MA pot off the treble wiper for Master Volume. On many other types of amps Including Trainwreck I use the LAR-MAR Larry & Mark PPIMV it is very transparent no change in tone. I use a 250k linear dual pot, 2m2 safety resistors and coax.

@brianyork5510 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, that was fun.

@nicolasbolattieberhardt1127 4 жыл бұрын

Sos un groso, gracias por la explicación. Abrazo grande desde Argentina!

@KB_Joys 5 жыл бұрын

Nice, very informative brad. Sounds alright. No mention of the lar mar, i was suprised...

@IRIE33 5 жыл бұрын

lar mar is type 2 (I wont review the video for that). Larmar has the 220k res removed and replaces it with the dual pot. In my view the most "transparent" PPIMV you can install, since it does not add any parts to the curcuit (think about it)

@KB_Joys 5 жыл бұрын

Oh is that right? I noticed the larmar has the 2.2 meg resistors on the dual pot too. I think i heard it was a safety feature for a not so good quality pot, and can be ommitted with a higher quality unit, if i understand correctly, is that right?

@IRIE33 5 жыл бұрын

Bruce Carey you can remove then or do not install them whatsoever. But 2.2m at that point in the circuit does not matter at all, ill take the extra safety!

@GrrumpDaddo56 4 жыл бұрын

nice job , cool idea on the little earth tag on board securing bolt. Just a small point but it would be nice if you had done a single coil guitar and demonstrated clean up [ if any ] on the guitar volume