If you’re a musician who likes to play at home, you know the importance of having an amp attenuator. This little gadget can help you keep your volume down so you don’t wake up the kids or disturb your neighbors. But with so many different models on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the best guitar amp attenuators available today. We’ll discuss what to look for when picking one out and recommend a few of our favorites. So if you’re in the market for a new attenuator, read on!
What is a guitar amp attenuator?
A guitar amp attenuator is a device that allows you to reduce the volume of your amplifier without sacrificing tone. This is important for two reasons. First, it allows you to play at lower volumes without losing sound quality. Second, it helps protect your amp from damage caused by excessive volume.
Why would you use a guitar amp attenuator?
There are a few reasons why you might want to use a guitar amp attenuator.
- First, if you live in an apartment or shared housing, using an attenuator can help keep the noise down.
- Second, if you’re playing at a gig and the venue has a low stage volume limit, using an attenuator can help you stay within the limit.
- Third, if you’re a guitarist who likes to play at home, using an attenuator can help you keep the volume down so you don’t disturb your family or neighbors.
Can an attenuator damage the amp?
Attenuators can’t damage your amp if they’re used correctly. However, if you use an attenuator to turn your amp up to full volume, it could potentially damage the amp. So be sure to use your attenuator at the correct volume setting for your needs.
Factors to consider when picking the best attenuator
There are a variety of different attenuators on the market, and each has its own set of features. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing an attenuator:
- How much power does your amp produce?
The first thing you need to consider is how much power your amplifier produces. Most attenuators are rated for a certain amount of watts. If your amp produces more watts than the attenuator can handle, it will not be effective.
- What type of speaker cabinet do you have?
Another thing to consider is the type of speaker cabinet you have. Some attenuators are designed for use with combo amps, while others are designed for use with head cabinets. Make sure the attenuator you choose is compatible with your setup.
- What features do you need?
Finally, think about the features you need. Do you need an attenuator that can also be used as a power booster? Do you need one with a built-in tuner? Think about what you’ll use the attenuator for and make sure the model you choose has the features you need.
Reviews of the Best Guitar Amp Attenuators 2022
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s take a look at some of the best guitar amp attenuators on the market today.
Rivera RockCrusher
Our top pick is the Rivera RockCrusher. This attenuator is perfect for players who want to reduce the volume of their amp without sacrificing tone. It’s rated for up to 150 watts, and it has a built-in load box that allows you to use it with both combo amps and head cabinets.
It also has 8-ohm and 16-ohm impedance options. It also has a bypass switch, so you can easily go from attenuated to full-powered mode.
It can match a wide range of amps and has an attenuator dial and two-level dials for the two different outputs.
The RockCrusher is invaluable & unbeatably versatile because you can place it between your amp & speaker cab as a power attenuator, or use it in place of your speaker cabinet as a load box while sending its balanced XLR or unbalanced ¼” line out to another amp as a slave, or even send its output to a mixer for recording or live performance.
The Rivera RockCrusher is the perfect tool for matching tube amps and speaker cabinets. It provides superior tone and impedance matching, making your amp last longer. The RockCrusher is easy to use on-stage or in the studio, with a front-panel full bypass switch that removes the load entirely.
Pros:
- -Can be used as a power attenuator or load box
- -Has 8-ohm and 16-ohm impedance options
- -Bypass switch for easy switching between modes
- -Dial control for attenuation level
Cons:
- Its fairly large and not ideal for small gigging.
BUGERA PS1
Our second best attenuator is BUGERA PS1. The BUGERA PS1 Soak Passive 100-watt Power Attenuator is the perfect way to get the ultimate overdriven tone at any volume. With multi-impedance input connectors (4, 8 and 16 Ohms), the PS1 will match virtually any amplifier.
The line output with dedicated Level control allows for easy connection to a mixing board or recording device, while the emulated Mic Output mimics a microphone in front of a speaker cabinet. Plus, the 3-Year Warranty Program* gives you peace of mind.
Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo Reload Advanced Attenuator
Torpedo Reload is a revolutionary new guitar amp simulator that brings the sound of Two Notes’ award-winning Torpedo Live to your studio.
The Torpedo Reload has been designed from the ground up to provide an authentic, dynamic, and responsive tone for recording guitarists. It is a brilliantly designed amalgam of four critical components of your recording signal path: microphone preamp, DI box, speaker cabinet simulation, and power amplifier. These components are seamlessly integrated into one compact unit using innovative technology and with loads of attention to detail ensuring both ease-of-use.
PB-1 100 Watt
The PB-1 100 Watt is a studio quality attenuator, that can be used to crank up your tubes and play at lower volumes. The PB-1 will adjust the amp’s output from -7.2 dB down to -30 dB.
The Studio Level: A rheostat that will adjust the amp’s output from -7.2 dB down to -30 dB for all tube amps up to 100 watt max., All alloy case allows the PB-1 to dissipate heat easy. Crank up your tubes, but play at a lower volume. The PB-1 is also a great pedal for boosting your amp’s signal into overdrive or distortion.
Rocktron Hush Super C
The Rocktron Hush Super C is an excellent choice for attenuating high-powered guitar amps without sacrificing tone.
This attenuator can handle up to 150 watts, and it has a built-in load box that allows you to use it with both combo amps and head cabinets. It also has 8-ohm and 16-ohm impedance options.
It can match a wide range of amps, and it has an attenuator dial and two-level dials for the two different outputs.
AmpRX BrownBox Brownie Gig Master
This AmpRX BrownBox is perfect for use with your typical 50-watt tube amp or below. It’s rated for 3 Amps, 340 watts max continuous instead of 5 Amps, 540 watts continuous.
The AmpRX BrownBox is a rugged and tough voltage and amperage monitoring device that is specifically designed for use with tube amplifiers. Its easy to read, back-lit L.C.D. display enables real-time voltage and amperage monitoring, making it an essential tool for diagnostics and troubleshooting. Additionally, its powder coated EMF neutral housing ensures safe operation.
The AmpRX BrownBox is a fully integrated in-rush current and transient protection, as well as an overload protection power supply. It is designed for silent operation and has a custom-wound 3 amp proprietary transformer. It will supply 340 watts max@ 120 Vac and comes with a LIFETIME WARRANTY.
Pros:
- Ideal for small amps
- Has a backlit easy-to-read LCD display for real-time voltage monitoring
- EMF neutral housing
- Overload protection
- Lifetime warranty
- Made here in the US
Cons:
- It’s a little on the expensive side.
- Not available on Amazon – only on Reverb
FAQs:
Q: What is the use of attenuators?
A: Guitar amp attenuators are devices that allow you to reduce the volume of your amplifier without sacrificing tone. They’re perfect for players who want to be able to crank up their amp without disturbing others, or who want to achieve the same tone at a lower volume.
Q: What wattage should my attenuator be rated for?
A: Your attenuator should be rated for the same wattage as your amplifier. If you’re not sure how many watts your amp produces, consult the manufacturer’s specifications.
Q: What are some of the best guitar amp attenuators on the market today?
A: Our top pick is the Rivera RockCrusher, followed by the BUGERA PS1. The Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo Reload Advanced Attenuator is also a great option, and the PB-1 100 Watt is perfect for studio use.
Q: How does an attenuator work?
A: An attenuator is a device that is placed between an amplifier and speaker that reduces the volume of the signal without affecting the tone. Attenuators are used to lower the volume of an amplifier so that it can be played at lower volumes, or to protect the speaker from being damaged
Q: How much power does an attenuator need?
A: Most attenuators will need at least 30 watts of power, but some may require more.
Summary of features to consider
When shopping for a guitar amp attenuator, there are a few features to look for:
– Wattage: The attenuator should be rated for the same wattage as your amplifier.
– Input impedance: The attenuator should have multiple input impedance options to match a variety of amps.
– Outputs: Look for an attenuator with two separate outputs, so you can adjust the volume level independently.
– Ease of use: The attenuator should be easy to use, with simple controls that are easy to understand.
Conclusion:
If you’re in the market for a guitar amp attenuator, the Rivera RockCrusher is a great option. It’s rated for up to 150 watts, and it has a built-in load box that allows you to use it with both combo amps and head cabinets. It also has 8-ohm and 16-ohm impedance options
Hi there! I am Jack Musau, the founder of this Best Guitar Amp Review site. I am an avid musician with several years using both traditional and electric guitars and created this site to assist others looking to find the best guitar amplifiers in the market today. I also offer private coaching and training on how to use guitars and guitars amps of all kinds. You can reach out to me using my email, jack@soundspros.com.