Review: Tube Tamer

AndyD

Well I have just spent about 6 weeks now with the tube Tamer and can say without a doubt I am suitably impressed.Firstly its built like a tank so as to reliability and don't forsee that being a problem.The construction is top class hand built stuff " Brilliant!As far as what it is supposed to do its an attenuator and does the job very well.There are options for various speaker loads 4, 8 ,16 ohm and also a treble boost to get rid of any in mud in yer sound.I have used this on my fender bassman and instead of the usual 3to 4 volume I can crank it to 6 and get that great natural breakup we all crave at 3 to 4 volume.Its locally built and well priced at R1995.Cant stop singing the Tube tamers Praises.Get one!

inflames

Fully agree Andy, this is something every valve amp owner should have.
www.tubetamer.co.za

Jack-Flash-Jr

I have to say it would make me nervous, losing that true crunch... but your review might make me check one out. As soon as I upgrade back to my once proud stack status.

AndyD

Yes Jack I also had reservations re losing the crunch but the key is to attenuate slightly to preserve your tone.As noted if you get radical you will lose tone.Works for me Fender.Makes my 5 watt valve junior sing!

AlanRatcliffe

I've posted the link before, but here is my review in Muse http://museonline.co.za/web/articles.php?artno=381

The amp still crunches nicely - in fact, that's the whole point: to turn the amp up to get the crunch, but keep volume levels sane. With some speakers that break up early (Like the Celestion Blue) you lose a bit of the speaker breakup, but that's not necessarily a bad thing either - I'm finding I can drive my Vox amp slightly harder to compensate and actually end up with a tighter low end overall. Also no fear of blowing the Blue (which Vox amps are prone to doing).

FenderBender

Hi guys

I see the link to Alan's review is broken.

Try this: http://museonline.co.za/?p=1326

Cheers!

Garren

Best part is you get to support a fellow member and truly awesome guy ?

Haha, I must say I'm saving for one in the future but being in school makes it
suuuper difficult to raise money... but i'm determined to get one ?

Nicholas-L

Definitely something to invest in

Blues-Brother

Almost got me self a hotplate

I like the idea of switching the speaker loads

Tube Tamer, here I come

BobC

Sounds like this may be of some value to me.

Just bought my first valve amp - Laney Lionheart 5T-112. Haven't even gotten to try it yet, as I'm still out of the country. I get home on Wednesday.

I believe the little Lionheart can get pretty loud so maybe this will help me explore the full tone of the amp without scaring the cats.

Interesting. I'll be contacting them.

BobC

Pity, looks like Tube Tamers are no longer in production.

Anybody know of other locally made (or at least locally available) attenuators worth considering?

Cheers

Bob

refuogee

How do you know? Thats a damn shame, this popped up and reading it from the top made me want to get one and then your message bummed me out!!

BobC

refuogee wrote: How do you know? Thats a damn shame, this popped up and reading it from the top made me want to get one and then your message bummed me out!!

I e-mailed the owner and he has changed professions. No longer making Tube Tamers for the time being.

AlanRatcliffe

I was afraid of that since Graham got himself a 9-5 job. ☹

There is the Swart model available from Guitar Tone (see banner ad above) and I've seen more than a few of the THD's around locally (you have to buy one made for the specific impedance of your amp though).

BobC

Thanks Alan, I'll try the Guitartone link.

Nicholas-L

Man o man the Swart Night light attenuator looks great but it's of no use to me :'( cause I have a 100W beast and this thing goes up to 20 or 30W ☹ What now? Maybe I should build my own then... I so wanted one at the end of this month.

[deleted]

Nicholas L wrote: Man o man the Swart Night light attenuator looks great but it's of no use to me :'( cause I have a 100W beast and this thing goes up to 20 or 30W ☹ What now?

The night light is superb, the lowest setting is so good for late night jamming. Use it with the AST alot.

Get a smaller amp... ?
or

Just get a Tuber Tamer ?

Nicholas-L

I would love to get a tube tamer but they mentioned Graeme doesn't make them anymore or at the moment.

IceCreamMan

BobC wrote: Thanks Alan, I'll try the Guitartone link.

And these guys were in Clarens so you sorta know em

BobC

IceCreamMan wrote:
BobC wrote: Thanks Alan, I'll try the Guitartone link.
And these guys were in Clarens so you sorta know em

Too true.

Just checked out the Night Light and it seems like just what I am looking for.

Cheers