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Topic: -10db PAD vs GAIN Control |
Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 9 Nov 2020 7:33 pm |
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The Fender Steel King amplifier has only one input jack.
Right next to it is a -10db button.
Next to that is a gain control.
In layman's terms, how do those controls differ?
(I know, I know, one's a button and the other is a knob!  )
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Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 9 Nov 2020 7:57 pm
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I'll make a S.W.A.G. >
The -10db switch lowers the input signal before it gets to any amp stages. Whereas, the volume control is between amp stages. So if you're inputting a very high signal that overloads the first amp stage (IC), lowering the volume won't help reduce that distortion, but the -10db pad switch will. |
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Scott Swartz
From:
St. Louis, MO
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Posted 9 Nov 2020 8:07 pm
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I am not looking at the schematic, but the normal arrangement is the pad keeps the first amplification stage from being overdriven. The gain control is after this first amplification stage, so a hot pickup can overdrive the first stage regardless of the gain control setting.
Same problem that people discuss when using a hot pickup into a black face or silver face Fender tube amp. The volume control is after the first gain stage so that first 1/2 12ax7 stage can distort. The Number 2 input on these amps functions as a sort of pad, however it also rolls off the highs due to the way it lowers the input impedance.
Donny posted the same thing while I was typing.
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 10 Nov 2020 2:14 am
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What Donny says is very true and accurate, but there is another factor. The 10 db pad ( or 2nd input) was included for instruments that have very strong input signals compared to a guitar pickup, such as a keyboard.
Guitar pickups ,sure they vary, a single coil vs a Humbucker, there is a difference , we all know this but its NOT like a guitar vs a keyboard. Planets apart.
So, when we use the PAD or 2nd input for a guitar , we may find that the first stage of the amp is lacking input signal strength to perform efficiently, thus WE DON'T like the tone . Our tones can all of a sudden be "thinner" with less bottom end. Fender amps especially can be subject to this because the tone controls are interactive,( tone stack) well at least they used to be. This would especially be possible if the front end preamps tubes were something other than the higher gain 12AX7 using a lower gain 12A... something or other. Amp builders know this stuff. Lowering the INPUT signal is not exactly the same as CONTROLLING the first stage output gain with a volume control.
One of my gig amps, Dr Z Maz 38, has 2 inputs HI and Lo. I can tell in a NY minute the difference in tone between the two inputs, same guitar, same front end peds etc... Even by turning the amp gain up there is a noticeable difference in overall EQ from the amp using #1 vs #2 at the same levels. Electronic circuits can be funny this way.
Just be aware is all.
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Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Steven Paris
From:
Los Angeles
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Posted 20 Nov 2020 9:59 pm
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"... I can tell in a NY minute the difference..."
That SHOULD be a New York nanosecond
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Emmons & Peavey |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 21 Nov 2020 2:06 pm
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Thanks, guys.
I appreciate y'all's input.
(Pun intended!) |
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