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Just ordered a HO Attenuator (same as Ultimate) for my 18w

BobMello

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Jan 1, 2006
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818
Hi there,
I jammed with my band on Sunday and brought my new 18w amp. I had a feeling it was too loud for the room we practice in and sure enough. It was too loud. I only had it on 2 and the band was saying it was too loud...JEEZ!

I lowered it a tad and used a overdrive pedal to get some dirt but it just didn't sound good to my ears.

I used to own an Ultimate Attenuator and sold it like an idiot last year when I sold my last non master volume amp....now I need another attenuator or start to do some mods to this amp..which I don't want to do (like a master volume PPIMV)

So, I looked around and decided I need another UA. But, have you seen those prices now for a 100w model with all the features? The UA guy is asking close to $700 for it and I heard they are made in asia now.

I called the source. I called HO and he is building me one. A 100w model with 100v tap, plexi switch for a very fair price.

I can't wait to get it and to jam this amp properly!
 

Nathan F

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Aug 17, 2006
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390
What is the difference between a HO attenuator and the $430 Ultimate attenuators on ebay?
 

BobMello

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Jan 1, 2006
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818
What is the difference between a HO attenuator and the $430 Ultimate attenuators on ebay?

The $430 one on eBay costs more for shipping and doesn't have all the same features plus I paid less for mine from HO who invented the UA.

For those who don't know HO invented the unit and Mark from Ultimate licensed the product from HO. HO gets a royalty for those that sell from ultimate. That's my understanding.
 

BobMello

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Jan 1, 2006
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HO?? WTF are you talking about?
Could you please be more specific?

No need to use WTF when writing about things that you can easily look up in the search button...but i'll give you the info.

Like this: http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150801&highlight=attenuator"

Ho is a guy in Canada who invented the product most know as the Ultimate Attenuator. HO licensed the product to a guy in California who named the product Ultimate Attenuator and sells it with that branded name.

Ho doesnt name his product but it is the same as the Ultimate Attenuator...just less money.

The Ho Attenuator is also still handmade by HO. The Ultimate is made in asia now and is made in a bigger box.

I decided to go right to the source this time and not pay the extra money for a Ultimate name. HO is a great guy and my product shipped yesterday...3 days early!

http://hoelectronics.com/Product2.php

Call Ho directly and order one to your specs
 
Last edited:

soldano16

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Aug 1, 2001
Messages
3,043
HO is a great guy

+1

He worked me through the upgrade to 100 watt version when I got my Super Lead. He was very helpful and a lot of fun to talk to. I hooked up with him pretty early on and kept telling him how he was becoming a music hero on the internet, that everyone loved his product. I really think that's true. The UA has given the "attenuator" market a new level of performance. Yes there are better units, but the UA has been available for people to buy, unlike the other top of the line makes. So many stories of folks buying or using again big iron Marshall type amps (and many others also) and having a great time, now that they have the UA. He really has made an outstanding contribution to music with his product. He's a truly humble man doing what he loves.
 

BobMello

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Messages
818
+1

He worked me through the upgrade to 100 watt version when I got my Super Lead. He was very helpful and a lot of fun to talk to. I hooked up with him pretty early on and kept telling him how he was becoming a music hero on the internet, that everyone loved his product. I really think that's true. The UA has given the "attenuator" market a new level of performance. Yes there are better units, but the UA has been available for people to buy, unlike the other top of the line makes. So many stories of folks buying or using again big iron Marshall type amps (and many others also) and having a great time, now that they have the UA. He really has made an outstanding contribution to music with his product. He's a truly humble man doing what he loves.

+1
 

Wannatone

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Feb 10, 2003
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Ho is a guy in Canada who invented the product most know as the Ultimate Attenuator.

Thanks. Sorry but it seemed like you were talking about a new product, as opposed to THE Ultimate attenuator.

Btw. get one without the series inductor. With the inductor in series to the rather large internal (mismatch) load, your 18 watter would get into heavy blocking distortion, which doesn't sound pleasing at all.
 

BobMello

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Messages
818
Thanks. Sorry but it seemed like you were talking about a new product, as opposed to THE Ultimate attenuator.

Btw. get one without the series inductor. With the inductor in series to the rather large internal (mismatch) load, your 18 watter would get into heavy blocking distortion, which doesn't sound pleasing at all.

No problem I had assumed most on here knew who Ho was...my mistake really.

Ho already shipped the unit so tell me again (in basic terms because i'm a novice) why this will sound bad on my 18w? Now i'm concerned.

Thanks
 

Nathan F

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Aug 17, 2006
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390
I've put tape over the "ULTIMATE" on my attenuator. I never liked the logo, but like what it does.
 

Wannatone

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Feb 10, 2003
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No problem I had assumed most on here knew who Ho was...my mistake really.

Ho already shipped the unit so tell me again (in basic terms because i'm a novice) why this will sound bad on my 18w? Now i'm concerned.

Thanks

The one I tried with an 18 watter had the 'Plexi' switch option.
I don't know if the inductor is there without the option, and the switch only bridges it, or the option includes both, switch and inductor.
If you're gonna get one with the plexi switch, you can switch the inductor in and out. You'll see that it sounds much better without the inductor (that's the switch position with less treble).
I'm assuming that the inductor is part of the plexi option, but if it should be otherwise, and your unit should come with inductor and w/o swtitch, it would still be a very easy mod to bridge the inductor.

So, nothing to worry about :)
 
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