Z Air Brake (Trainwreck) Attenuator

[Hankandthetanktops]

whats the difference between the "train wreck" version as opposed to the regular version?

[qthrul]

@Hankandthetanktops it's just a licensing deal I think but the boxes are the same... this is an older video

[InFuriatedShadows]

Do you find the bass response of your VTM a little muddy or the high end a little brittle/shrill? Maybe too much high end?

[qthrul]

@InFuriatedShadows I've never thought about it that way but you can get some rather diverse sounds if you shift EQ and the dip switches to favor one or the other

[itayash]

i want to buy a airbrake

but some one told me that when u use Attenuator

the tubes die in 2 weeks

in the time u used the Attenuator how manny times did u changed ur tubes?

[MrCheese5]

actually thats completely false. if you crank your tubes sure youll wear them faster but two weeks?? it wouldnt wear them more than cranking them the same with out the attenuator, but i guess because of the attenuator you will be cranking them more, but two weeks, they shoud definitely last longer than that.

[flint757]

@itayash ya definitely not two weeks but shorter. If I had to guess to wear them out in two weeks you would have to play like 8 hours a day everyday at full volume and improperly start up and shutdown when finished. I mean the hotter glass gets the more likely it is to brake but prob not two weeks just dont overkill it.

[7572970097]

Confused...If your vtm head already has a cascading gain (pre, post). Why attenuate? Certainly the gain structure of that head will allow you to get plenty of preamp tube saturation at bedroom volumes. Is it a power tube thing? If you wanted power tube saturation, I would kill the gain(pre), dime the post, attenuate that signal and then increase the pre to taste. It seems you're essentially attenuating an already attenuated signal. This usually results in some very nasty compression, no?

[qthrul]

Sure. My VTM sounds best loud (as with other VTMx) with one setting... post wide open i.e. dime/10/whatever -- trust me, I've played around with variations and this is the combination I like personally. But while the wide open effect is brilliant, it doesn't lend to having neighbors nearby.

I've had the head serviced before and asked about other dime-quality-at-sane-volume options and have elected to keep everything inside mine is stock. Hence, the Z.

[meta1983]

how to use this air brake with a combo amp?

[qthrul]

I'd guess you'd need to have 1/4" connectors on the speaker (female) and 1/4" connectors from the head (male) assuming that this is a tube combo.

[johnathandk42134]

hey my freind moved into this house recently and the person left some amps there... my freind said one was a peavy 120 head (im assuming like the one in this video) and a peavey casino head

you know how these amps sound?

how much their worth?

[qthrul]

$500 or so stock on ebay maybe more if they've had work done on them to mod it up

[Tedzomplin]

I love my VTM60 ! Sell me your VTM120 ? :)

[qthrul]

Hah! Make me an offer ;-)

[acdcrocks0323]

Nice! How is the tone on that Peavey? I heard it is like a JCM800 with some extra little gadgets. True? I am looking to buy one if it could do some classic rock and dirty blues and a bit of Metallica well. Thanks!

[qthrul]

It's a very distinct tone. If you can pick one up for under $500 do it!

[AviatorAndyK]

hey man u reckon this thing will sound good with a marshall 1987x?

[qthrul]

as long as you match the cabinet and head -- sure

[guitaratic]

Thanks for the vid man!

Do you know if the air brake works for all amp ohmages or are they specific like the thd hotplates? Thanks.

sorry if this is a stupid question but I can't find the answer anywhere.

[qthrul]

No specifics are needed. You just need to match the head and the cabinet. That is the critical part. Just google for airbrake impedance and it should be the first two links or so on the first page of results.

[nicholassz]

sorry for these dumb questions:

1) what kind of cable do you use from amp to attenuator?

2) is there a difference between the dr. Z air brake and dr. z air break "trainwreck"?

thanks!

[qthrul]

1) Monster brand speaker cable -- don't skimp! :)

2) Here is a great link to review on the amptone site just google for trainwreck power soak

[qthrul]

1) in the video I am using a store brand -- I replaced it and _yes_ there is a difference when you use Monster (like it works even if you move the cable, heh!)

[GearBoy]

Hi....cool tone from that Peavey. Can you post how you have the DIP switches set?

[qthrul]

- - -_ _ _ - -

:)

[jacknarcotta]

Pretty neat indeed!

[qthrul]

Rock on!

[acdc126]

hi, i got 2 of that vtm120, but use with the THD attenuator and it work fine too. i try to make video of it too.

[qthrul]

Cool! Link it when you get done. Just do the same licks I tried. We can contrast and compare. :)

[acdc126]

sorry my amp of same years than your is a little bit modded to be like a marshall 1959slp and my second who was made late 80's is on the way to be a jtm45-

100 with a dual rectifier. maybe ill get a weber for that amp because it give more options. but z air is the best on the market.

[qthrul]

I love mine. My neighbors love it more ;-)

[acdc126]

hahahaha my neighboor hate me! i dont understand i only play my bass at 1 on an hartke 3500h and guitar at 10 on my vtm120. with an attenuator! :P

[qthrul]

Hah! You cannot hide bass. Bass sneaks around and pops people in the chest! :)

[qthrul]

I'm very happy with mine. How large is the weber?

[acdc126]

you can easily find it, its weber mass 100. i seen 7 result on youtube and all information on the sites...

[qthrul]

Found it!

[brebajebanda]

Greate video. Thanks for the info.! Z Air Brake

[qthrul]

Rock on!