THD Hotplate Attenuator (8 Ohm)

Equipment used: Fender Hot-Rod Deluxe w/Svetlana 6L6's and Sovtek 5751's in V1 & V2, GrooveTubes 12AT7 in V3 (phase inverter.) Fender American Stratocaster w/EMG DG-20 pickup set. Custom Warmoth Strat with hollow body & Lindy Fralin Blues-Special pickups. Fender 3150R pure nickel wound strings.

I bought this because I have a Fender Hot-Rod Deluxe, and as users here will attest, it is VERY loud for a 40W amp! Since I live in an aparment, I needed to keep the level down.

The first thing I noticed, (and loved!), was the ability to get power-amp distortion out of my amp! Since I've never been able to crank my amp up that high, I've never heard it. Now I can! Turn the clean channel all the way up and put the Hotplate on -16db, then adjust to second attenuator knob to the desired listening level. VIOLA! SWEET POWER-AMP DISTORTION! Play harder, and it distorts more. Back off your attack, and it cleans up. THIS is what a tube amp is SUPPOSED to do! The amp sounds chimey and alive, not fuzzy. (And your neighbors won't call the cops on you any more for being too loud.) Turn your amp's master down to about half, and switch the Hotplate to -12db, and you have plenty of clean headroom. The bright and deep switches are good for correcting some of the failings of the Hot-Rod Deluxe, which is known to be a bit "bass-heavy."

Switch the Hotplate to LOAD and plug the line-out to your board, recorder or computer, and you can record silently, use the it to drive the front-end of another amp, or even listen with headphones, (you'll need a mono-stereo converter or you just get the left channel.)

This thing is GREAT! Now you can get that sweet power-amp distortion without pissing-off your neighbors or your sound-engineer.

Power amp input. Speaker outputs (2), Line-level out with volume knob, Attenuation, (-0db, -4db, -8db, -12db, -16db to infinity, Load only>) Bright (Treble) switch, Deep (Bass) switch, Noise reduction, (with a light that shows it's active, which can be switched off.) Internal self-powered fan, (for cooling.)

Since each version of the Hotplate is tailored to the output impedence of your amp/speakers, make SURE you get the correct one! (8 Ohm if your amp has an 8 Ohm speaker, 16 Ohm if you have a 16 Ohm speaker, etc.)

No problems yet. There isn't much to break down in this thing. It's mainly just a series of capacitors and inductors. It's housed in a heavy aluminum chassis that doubles as the heat-sink. I suppose one of them could go bad, but how often does that happen? The main weak points for failure would be the knobs (pots), the input jacks or the cooling fan.

Haven't needed it yet.

I've been playing about 15 years, and play mostly classic rock and blues.
If this were lost, I'd definitely buy a new one. If it were stolen, I'd hunt the dirty rotten theif down!
There really is nothing else that compares to this out there. Marshall had the Power-Brake, but I hear that they were plagued with problems and eventually discontinued.
The only thing I wish this had would be one version for all impedence values, but I suppose that would make it about 4 times larger and 4 times more expensive.

If you have a tube amp you NEED one of these! (Unless you only play large venues and can play at full volume, and how many of us do that.) If you want that sweet power-amp distortion from your amp without bleeding from your ears and going deaf, this is it!!!

Plug it in, adjust the attenuation as desired. Even an old lady could operate this thing.

I am using this with a Rivera R55-12. Since the amp is running harder, there is a bit more hiss when the gain is up and the master is around 7.5 - where it sounds sweet. It's not really a problem though. I have always loved EVH's tone circa 1984 and have tried to get that vibe but not duplcate it. I don't want to sound like anyone specific, but I've learned what other players use to get their tone so that I can shape mine to reflect my own sound.

I like a rig with a core tone that inspires. I constantly messed with the Rivera until I bought the Hot Plate. Now, I know what I was missing - the power tube burn. If you've ever experienced the sonic orgasm that only sizzling tubes can create - you know what I mean. If you haven't, you don't know what your missing.

The comments about the Hot Plate coloring the tone is true to some extent. But if the tone gets better because of the coloring - then the change was a good thing. At practice or stage volume, the Hot Plate is awesome. If you're playing a bedroom levels - let's face it - it ain't gonna sound the same, but its close. Besides, you don't do any serious playing/recording at real low volumes anyway, so who really cares if it's not exactly the same as on higher settings. I like the -8 dB setting the best for overall tone - but that's loud enough to shake the walls.

I can't believe I waited this long to buy what I consider to be the most important addition to my rig.

I bought this used, and it works fine....

Haven't used it yet...

I play mostly harder edged rock with blues influences. A friend of mine called my style Eddie Ray Lynch - I guess that sums it up. I've been playing for (damn I'm getting old) 26 years and own 5 guitars, a few pedals and my Rivera running through a custom 2-12 cabinet with V30's. I like to keep it simple - my rack days are over. I won't run another tube amp without a power attenuator - now that I finally have.

I used this with a torres super texan and a curzon american classic.Works great.Much better than that dreadful power brake thing.I can set the clean channel to break-up "just on the edge" and then drop the volume down with the THD.It still sounds good not like a master volume.The bright/deep switches are useful and work well.No attenuator will ever sound EXACTLY like an amp at full song but this is very close.I actualy like the slight compression it gives.

From left-right load level' bright switch' bulbs on /off' deep'variable pot when load is set to-16db
Rear input/line output jack sockets line out level control 2 speaker outs.Finished in a very pretty anodised purple case.big 8 ohm logo on the rear auto cooling fan.Take care with that pretty finish!! Basically all you need.

Bulbs light failed so only a seven .It still works without it

Ring em' up .they're pleasant 'Instructions enough for most.

I play regulaly and would replace this if stolen at #209 ouch!!!

Setting the unit up was easy. The only thing I wish I would have understood was how the LINE OUT worked. I bought this item used, and I was hoping to feed the line out directly into my computer's sound card. After emailing THD, (Ed responded within hours :-), I found out that the line out required a speaker emulator. Oh. well! I connected within minutes to my amplifier. The manual, while only a few pages in length, is concise. MAKE SURE THE IMPEDANCE OF THE HOTPLATE MATCHES THE IMPEDANCE SETTING OF YOU AMP AND SPEAKERS. I would email THD with any questions BEFORE purchasing the hotplate if you are unsure about the impedance of your system.

The front of the unit has an attenuation selector (0 db, -4 db, -8 db, -12 db, -16 db, and LOAD). In the -16 db position, a "fine tune" attenuation pot becomes active to allow you to dial in a volume level. I REALLY like the "fine tune" pot for the -16 db position.

There are also to tone switches. One labeled 'BRIGHT" and one labeled "DEEP". The switch allows you to tailor the Trebel and Bass response at the different attenuation settings. Nice feature that works well.

There are two SPEAKER OUT connections, a LINE OUT (as mentioned above) and a LINE OUT level pot. I believe the LINE OUT could be run to the instrument input of another amp, but I haven't tried this yet.

There is also a noise reduction circuit that can be switched in and out. I must confess I can't notice a huge difference.

There is a cooling fan integrated into the base of the hotplate that activates from the power drained off the amp. Nice feature.

It seems to mee that the people at THD took their time to get this unit designed and constructed as well as possible. I haven't tried another other type of power soak to compare this to, however based on the buzz about this unit, I decided to give it a try. I am NOT disappointed. As mentioned above, I wish I would have understood the line out better, but I should have asked about its function first.

Another not. This unit is desinged to work with valve style amps only. (Valves in the power stage). Again email THD with any questions, they seem more than willing to answer any questions.

I am using this with a 1980 Marshall JMP 50 watt MK II combo tube head, 2 Celestion G12-65 speakers. The amp is a master volume, so one might question why I would use a hotplate to get the extra power tube distortion. Well, I just wanted to. I also have a Boss CS-2 compressor and an old Ross 10 band EQ in the instrument line.

I couldn't be happier with the sound. Again, I haven't tried other power soaks, but based on the tone I can get from the Hotplate, I don't think I want to.

I have a 1983 Ibanez Roadstar II with a old DiMarzio Dual Sound in the Bridge and a stock humbucker in the Neck. This set up give me all the gain I would ever want.

There appear to be alot of tones here, and I'm still working on getting them all.

I need to get new tubes and a bias job, as I haven't ever had it done. (I bought the amp in 84, still using the orignal EL34's) On high amp volume settings, it gets kinda fizzy, but I think a tube and bias would correct that.

With the PRE on 10 and the master on 6, I'm in tone heaven!!

As I mentioned above, THD has designed what appears to be a very rugged, reliable, and quality piece of gear. I am so impressed that I believe a BiValve is in my future! My hats off to the guys at THD. NICE JOB!!

They have always answer my emails pomptly and completely. Again, hats off to them. This kind of customer service is hard to find anywhere!

I bought this unit off of EBAY, and I feel I got a fantastic bargin. It works great with my Master Volume amp, and if I had a non-master volume amp, I would consider this unit almost essential. I couldn't be happier with my Hotplate!!

I use it with Divine sounding Ashdown Peacemaker 40, class A all tube 112 three channel combo that weighs only 34lbs ... !

I can say that the hotplate does exactly what THD claim i.e.
reduces the power witout coloring the sound, so that I can now
play my Ashdown at ''11'' and get a singing distortion of the
power tubes - GREAT; also fabulous for sweet blues ...

Combined pre-amp and power-amp tube distortion is simply beyond words so every true guitarist should buy one :-)

As described by others wh use 16ohm hotplates.
Basically you set it at -16dB and then arrange your
finall sound with power valves singing 100% :-)

Easy to set up: 1 minute.

brand new :-)

They replied to my mails (Ed that is :-)

I play since 1960 and buy only the very best gear: this unit together with Ayan Enterprises Smooth & Slim is one of THE
secrets of a great tone, IF you know to play well :-)

In summary, if you after THE tone - buy one !

Really easy, couldn't be simpler, just select the attenuation and off you go

I use a PRS Mcarty, or one of several Strats or Strat clones, and I can get the great Mesa/Boogie distortion at bedroom levels without my wife going nuts or the neighbors complaining. I've not noticed any major coloration, the bright and deep switches help limit this in my opinion.

No problem, no power supply, looks like you could runa truck over it.

Haven't had to try

I'm very much an amatuer, but try and play some blues and rock.
I bought mine Mail Order from Steve's Music in Rock Hill NY, he's greta to deal with.

This unit is very easy to use. You only need to realize how the attenuation controls on the front function...then you're all set. The bright and deep switches work to put some of the frequencies back in that are "lost" in extreme attenuation.

I'm using it with several amps Budda superdrive 30 (PTP :)!) and older non master volumes....with the budda it works well, but you also realize that an attenuator is not a miracle. It does reduce the volume from your speaker, but you realize how much a certain level of volume and speaker "push" is a part of good tone. I think it works with a master volume amp, but it is a little tricky, you want to attenuate as little as possible, and balance between the master and the attenuation...like -8db and vol at 75% will work well but is still certainly not quiet. I would reccomend it for really high power non master amps (plexi-etc)as totally indespensible, really the only solution besides pulling tubes. For lower watt and master volume a helpful tool, but not as necessary. I give it a 7 only because it can only do what an attenuator does. I mean as far as attenuators go its a 10, but to reflect that none are perfect it's a 7.

It seems vey reliable....well built...heavy duty pots, jacks etc. makes me want to see some of their old (non-univalve) amps. There are light bulbs which work with the noise reduction circuit. They are replaced as needed.

Incredible...reallly....just the best I've ever encountered...I had bought one which was apparently used and missing the rubber "feet"...well I called THD and Ed helped me out. He was very nice and explained that it didn't matter how it was bought and that anything I needed they would help with... totally above and beyond expectations...really stellar service...

Really what motivatd me to post this is the amazing service Ed and the others at THD showed. They seem to be a model for customer support. Overall just an outstanding experience dealing with them. I am more interested now in the rest of their line after this positive experience.

Very straight forward and easy to use. Because you can blow up your amp very easily, I was extra careful setting it up. I actually tried the set up on a older (and less expensive) amp first as a experiment. Controls are pretty basic and easy to figure out. Instruction sheet was very helpful. You have to make sure you buy the right unit for the speakers you are using, otherwise amp damage will occur. You cannot use this unit with a soldi state amp

Sound quality is very good. I am using a Marshall TSL 122 with the hotplate unit. The gain controls on my amp are very dynamic as well as the lead and crunch channels. When driving the power stge of the amp with the master volume controls, I have to cut way back on the preamp gain, otherwisw to sound gets too messed up sounding. Through a distortion unit into the chain and things get really crappy sounding. you get a real nice grind with it if you cut back on the preamp gain. I like using the clean channel with my distortion units and crank the gain up to 10. That drives the power stage hard and really helps my distortion unit sound really good. The noise reduction circuits that are built in, work very well. the unit is very quiet.

Unit looks tough as hell. It performs as advertised. The unit dissapates heat very well. It seems that my amp runs cooler with the unit at 10 than without it set at 3.

Just got the unit last week, no opinion. I bought the unit form the Plexi Place in CA. When I ordered the unit the sales person aked me a bunch of general questions as to what I was going to do with the unit what type of amp I had, etc. They seem to endorse their product pretty good, so they like to know how it will be used to give feedback to other buyers, I guess.

I play mainly hard rock and it is hard for me to drive the power amp stage into distortion, so this unit is perfect for those folks who have a big amp but never get to drive it hard. You can get great sounds out of it with some experimenting and tweaking. I should have bought one of these a long time ago.

I'm using this with a SF Fender Deluxe Reverb. Though it's already a low powered amp, I do play rooms where I can't turn it up enough to hit the sweet spot -- that special place on the volume knob where it's equal parts distortion and definition. The Hot Plate allows me to produce that sound in any size room. Beautiful, full-bodied, "touch of power tube break-up" at almost any volume.
I love my amp's best sound; the Hot Plate lets me get that anywhere I play.

I won't detail the features here; most of you are probably more familiar with them than I am, anyway.

Bought this used, and it's worked perfectly for me so far. There's no AC, so I'm guessing there's less to go wrong. I know THD has a strong reputation for reliability.

Another area where THD really shines. I cold-called the company hoping to get a little product info, and wound up talking tone for twenty minutes with the company's president, Andy Marshall. More than helpful, he seemed down right INTERESTED in what I had to say, and I've never been more impressed with a music manufacturer's phone support.

If you like your sound, but wish you had a little more 'volume versatility', this might be the product for you. It's probably designed to be used with more powerful amps, but it works perfectly with my Deluxe. Now I don't have to tolerate the artificial sound of a pedal to get a bit of break-up at lower volumes. Great product, great service......... hats off to the fine folks at THD.

Very simple. Just plug it in with proper power cords, NOT PRE-AMP CORDS, between the amp and speaker.

I think it sounds incredible. I shopped around and was amazed at how well this product works with almost no tone loss. You have to use a proper cable designed for power though. There is a difference.

Built like a tank.

I never needed customer support.

If you want to overdrive any amp at reasonable listening volumes, this is the best thing I've ever seen. You definitely keep it for life. I use it on a Groove Tube Soul-o-75. It sounds incredible.