Weber Micromass

[GuitarJunkie84]

Just thought I'd see if anyone else has one of these. I did a search and didn't find too much on them. I know it seems silly putting an attenuator on a 5 watt amp (my fender champ 600 reissue), but I don't have to tell you guys that this thing is obviously too loud for apartment use. I haven't ordered it yet, its just something I am thinking about. I want to be able to get cranked tube sounds out of a quieter amp. If I thought I had the know how to add a master volume to the amp I would do just that, but I think the micromass would be good, also seems like it would be good for pulling different sounds out of my amp (what with the controls being two eq knobs). Will I kill my tubes with this thing? I have an expensive power tube in the amp and would hate to destroy it too fast. My only thought was that 5 watt tube amps are probably not too hard on tubes anyways, and that I'd be ok, but I wanted to know what you guys thought. I emailed Ted, but he is no doubt busy and hasn't got back to me yet (I'm reasonable, its only been 2 days), so I assume I'll hear from him soon enough.

[xjazzy]

I have a Champ RI and the best advice I can give to you is to buy a Microcube. It's way less expensive and you can get a great sound from it. I have to tell you my Tele loves it in the british combo mode. Is it tube? No, but it sounds as good in low volume.

[GuitarJunkie84]

Xjazzy, I already own the champ, and have put a lot of money and time into modifying it. A micromass is 70 bucks, and microcube is closer to 125 and I'd have to find one used. I don't really want a different amp, I like the way this one sounds, its just too loud. I just need some info on the micromass from people who have owned one. Thanks though!

[xjazzy]

Oh, ok. My bad.
I like the Champ cranked through a 12" speaker. The 6" that come stock is very unnificient at loud volumes.
Don't have a clue about how it will sound with the micromass but the amp as it comes don't brake up that much with single coils.
I've modded mine and than I have drive enought to play AC/DC if I want.
Check the Champion thread here.

[GuitarJunkie84]

Yea I thought about building a new cab for mine and upping the speaker size, its really a matter of money though at this point. I've probably already spent way too much on this little amp, but I like the way it sounds now, so I don't really regret it, I just want cranked tones at lower volumes now. I haven't been able to crank the amp as of now, I'm sure I would have a lot of angry neighbors!
I do like your posts on the mod thread, that thread is the reason I both bought and made a lot of changes to my own champ.

[Axis29]

I am currently borrowing a MiniMass from Lance (he's trying to convince me to buy one for my own, so he left his for me to mess with)

I will say that if I step way down on my amp, it gets little mushy, you lose a lot of the highs and the bite. But I'm talking about a DRRI and really stomping on it. If you play at a reasonable volume, relative to the output of the amp, it sounds nice.

I would say if you wanted to use the miniMass on your 5 watter, and keep it seriously at apartment levels, you should be fine.

I think if you wanted to use the amp while your significant other wanted to watch TV in the same room, you might be outta luck! I know my wife doesn't even like me playing unplugged on my electrics while she's watching TV.... I get the stink-eye!

[GuitarJunkie84]

Makes sense. I usually play when I'm the only one home, so keeping it loud enough but not overly loud is no problem. I know he has a mini and a micro mass. Just seems like I won't ever own more than a 5w amp due to the fact that I only ever play at home, so the micro seems like a better choice. I am pretty sure that Ted says the attenuators work at 4, 8 and 16 ohms, but rated for 8. I just don't want to damage my amp if it does adversely effect it (or the life of the tubes..).

Edit: Just noticed that the mini mass has a selector switch so it can be changed from 4 to 8 to 16, whereas the micromass is one setting. I'll wait until I hear from Ted before I order, the difference is 5 bucks, but it just seems like I could grab more tones out of my amp with the micromass. On the mini, that treble switch...what exactly does it do?

[tele-martini]

Originally Posted by Axis29

I get the stink-eye!

HAHAHAHA I know that look!

[eugenedunn]

Hey, maybe instead of the MicroMass, you should check into the Weber Headphone Tap.

It converts the speaker output to mono headphone level and provides not only a level control for headphones, but ALSO a variable line-out jack! It has a buit-in switch to allow you to switch between speaker and headphone. A well-thought-out device, I'd say.

Then you can play cranked up with all the tone you want, but at headphone level.... AND still have the ability to easily switch back to full speaker volume.

[Scott S]

Originally Posted by Axis29

I get the stink-eye!

Sure you didn't mean to say "hairy eyeball"?

- Scott

[Larry F]

I use mine with a Champ and really like it. I play at a very low level at home, but get a kind of sound that I like. Here is a youtube of my playing through it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_F8ZEAjeZ0.

[GuitarJunkie84]

Wow, Larry, nice. With the mini, does the treble switch give enough of a difference where you have some tones to play around with? Still on the fence between the micromass and mini mass. Keep up the awesome playing!

[vintage52]

Hi.

I use the 25 Watt mini mass on my 5 to whatever watt amp I have.

Not sure of the actuall wattage but its a single ended amp that runs either 6V6, 6L6 or EL34 valves.

No name thing a dude here in New Zealand built.

I like it. Does the job at practice levels. True, you lose a bit of treble and can get a bit mushy when pushed hard but all in all to be able to still play through existing without having to outfit other gear - it's very handy.

[GuitarJunkie84]

Nice, yea thats really what I'm looking for, and thats why I figured Weber's would be nice due to the price not being as high as I've seen some attenuators.

Anyone know if the 8 ohm micromass would hurt the fender champ 600 reissue? It say's it can also work for 4 and 16, but will it do so without overwhelming anything?

[GuitarJunkie84]

Not trying to bug you guys, I'll keep bumping to a minimum (unless I hear from Ted, then I'll be done of course), but still curious as to the use of the micromass on a 4 ohm amp and if it would be ok on the amp. Thanks!

[GuitarJunkie84]

Hmm... still nothing. Anyone heard from Ted lately on anything else?

[Joisey]

Originally Posted by GuitarJunkie84

Hmm... still nothing. Anyone heard from Ted lately on anything else?

Don't email. Call. They are not too responsive to email. I have a mini and headphone tap on order. I know he has been having some health issues based on what I read on his forum.

[postjob62]

Originally Posted by GuitarJunkie84

Hmm... still nothing. Anyone heard from Ted lately on anything else?

Nope. I gave up actually trying to get him to respond a long time back. I tried and tried to no avail.

Many here rushed to his defense and probably will again, and that's fine. And yes, I know they moved a while back.

But being completely non-responsive is a poor business model no matter what the excuse, at least for a guy like me who needs a little hand-holding sometimes on pre-purchase decisions.

I think he works fine for more knowledgeable folks who know just what they want.

[Joisey]

Originally Posted by postjob62

Nope. I gave up actually trying to get him to respond a long time back. I tried and tried to no avail.

Many here rushed to his defense and probably will again, and that's fine. And yes, I know they moved a while back.

But being completely non-responsive is a poor business model no matter what the excuse, at least for a guy like me who needs a little hand-holding sometimes on pre-purchase decisions.

I think he works fine for more knowledgeable folks who know just what they want.

I agree that basic communication is a must and expected.

[GuitarJunkie84]

Ouch. Decided to go ahead and give him a call. He wasn't taking calls because he didn't have time for them due to other calls taking so long, and his voicemail said to email him. Back where I started. I can only hope he goes through some emails tonight! My question I would imagine is a simple one to answer, it's a matter of me having absolutely no experience in this area. Ahh well, hopefully soon!

[BrassRat]

Expecting to use it with a 5E3 that is currently a contender for the "world's slowest amp build" prize. Currently using it on an old (96) Blues Junior.

Works as advertised. I like the dual rehostats (hi and lo freq attenuation), it allows you to add back some highs at lower volumes. Still degrades the tone substantially if you over-use it, but definitely behaves differently than just playing with the BJ's Master Vol.

For $70, clearly worth the price of admission.

[GuitarJunkie84]

The Blues junior is an 8 ohm amp though. The champ 600 reissue is a 4 ohm amp. I don't know if that would make a big difference, I know Ted's website says it can be used with 4 and 16 ohm amps, but because there is not a switch to go between 4, 8 and 16 ohms what does that mean? Will my unit get hotter? Will it burn my tubes faster? This is what I don't really understand very well. My knowledge of electronics is slim to none. I just need to make sure there will be no negative effects from using an 8 ohm micromass with a 4 ohm amp that already heats itself up pretty well.

That said, I do like the idea of the dual rheostat, which is probably the only reason I haven't already bought the minimass with the 4/8/16 toggle. I want more tone control.

[tele-martini]

I was hoping that you would have got more feedback on this thread myself. I'm thinking of buying the Weber 25 watt power attenuator. I want to use it with my 5E3 build and a 76 Princeton that's been heavily modded and probably puts out 14-18 watts. I'm also planning on building an 18 watt head and would most likely want to use it with that also. I've never read anything negative about either Micro or Mini except that people have bought them and don't use them anymore which makes me wonder. I always take what i read on HC with a grain of salt. I'll poke around the TGP site and see whats been said there.
Cheers,
Gene

[GuitarJunkie84]

When (if) I hear from Ted, I'll be sure to let you know what he tells me. I think as long as you know the ohm rating on your amp, any of the mini mass units would work for you Gene. Although, again, 14-18 watts, from what I understand, can be higher if the amp is pushed hard enough. To be on the safe side I'd imagine you would want to go with the 50 watt mini mass. I don't know that the micromass would work at all or even be safe because it only goes up to 15 watts. I'll let you know what I find out if I come across anything different or Ted tells me otherwise!

[biker joe]

You should be fine with the 25 watt version. I use the 25 one with a 64 princeton reverb and a 5e3. Cheeper than the 50 watt too. One of the best pieces of equipment I have ever bought.

[tele-martini]

Originally Posted by GuitarJunkie84

When (if) I hear from Ted, I'll be sure to let you know what he tells me. I think as long as you know the ohm rating on your amp, any of the mini mass units would work for you Gene. Although, again, 14-18 watts, from what I understand, can be higher if the amp is pushed hard enough. To be on the safe side I'd imagine you would want to go with the 50 watt mini mass. I don't know that the micromass would work at all or even be safe because it only goes up to 15 watts. I'll let you know what I find out if I come across anything different or Ted tells me otherwise!

Yeah I wouldn't chance buying the Micromass even though they say as long as your driving a spkr. you can overshoot the rated wattage by a little bit. Thanks I'd like to hear what Ted has to say on the impedance discrepancy.The website clearly states the Micromass can be used with OT's tapped for 4,8 & 16 ohm amps.

Originally Posted by biker joe

You should be fine with the 25 watt version. I use the 25 one with a 64 princeton reverb and a 5e3. Cheeper than the 50 watt too. One of the best pieces of equipment I have ever bought.

Sounds like $70 well invested. I do wish the Minimass did have dual tone controls like the Micro but not might be that big a deal.