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any EE's can offer insight on this?

post #1 of 7
Thread Starter 
I have a tube electric guitar amplifier that puts out 50watts. This is a lot more power than I need, yet I am seeking the distortion that is produced by overdriven tubes. Is there an easy way to add some sort of load to the amplifier, perhaps in series with the speakers, in order to work the tubes harder and produce this distortion? I was thinking some sort of resistive load that could handle a lot of wattage. Something like a lightbulb?
post #2 of 7
Google THD Hotplate or Marshall Power Brake.
post #3 of 7
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Febs View Post
Google THD Hotplate or Marshall Power Brake.
i've heard of the marshall power brake before, i'm trying make something similar for cheaper, since both versions are quite pricy. THD claims it uses a frequency compensated inductive load? So it seems like more than just resistors are required to account for the frequency affects? I have very little knowledge in electronics and specifically audio amplifiers. How does a reactive load change how the amplified audio signal sounds?
post #4 of 7
If I understand correctly, the distortion you want is caused when the amp goes into clipping. It would probably be enough to reduce the bias on a gain stage tube for the desired effect. Schematics would help.
post #5 of 7
post #6 of 7

Try controlling your volume with the guitar. Turn the guitar way down, then to get the volume you want out of the amplifier you have to turn it up loud. This is enough for me to get the distortion I want and not be kicked out of my apartment building...

post #7 of 7

Thread is almost 6 years old...

 

RIP the previous poster to you.

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