Substituting the PrePIMV for a PostPIMV

[Kramer]

It's my understanding that the Master Volume on the 2203 and 2204 circuits is a Pre-Phase Inverter Master Volume. If this is not true, just stop here and correct me.

But, I was wondering. Post-Phase Inverter Master Volumes work so well in Marshall amps because there is still a lot of compression in the Phase Inverter. So what sense is there in having a Master Volume that is Pre-Phase Inverter?

Is it possible to substitute the Pre-Phase Inverter Master Volume with a Post-Phase Inverter Master Volume. What are your opinions on the stock Master Volume? Does it sound good? As good as or better than a PostPIMV? How hard is it to simply remove the PrePIMV from the circuit? What are some of the options for a PostPIMV design and which do you all think sounds best? (Rich, Lar/Mar, Metro, Trainwreck, etc.)

I'm not looking to drill holes. I'm not looking to drop one of my speaker jacks. If it is worth it to swap the PrePIMV on the front panel for a PostPIMV then I'd be interested in doing that.

Many Thanks

Alex

[demonufo]

Well, since the pre phase inverter Master Volume is the whole concept of the master volume marshalls, I wouldn't like to remove one in favour of a PPIMV.
The PPIMV's work well as attenuation up to a certain level, but for lower levels of playing get too fizzy and buzzy.
At lower levels of playing, despite it's shortcomings the original master volume sounds more like the amp should, if lacking and gain and balls, but at least it doesn't add stuff that shouldn't be there.
I would rather have both if I felt the need to go for a PPIMV, but I don't think I'd be prepared to do a big circuit chop and ditch the original.

Just one opinion among many.

[Structo]

Yes you can use both MV's to tailor your tone to your liking at the volume level you want to play at.

[demonufo]

Oh, I meant to say when comparing the Pre PI MV and the Post PI MV, they don't really compare very well at all. One isn't necessarily better than the other, they work very noticeably in completely different ways.
A bit like comparing apples with watermelons.

Yes, they both control the volume level overall, but have completely different effect on the amp and tone.

[neikeel]

Both is a great option

I recently built an amp with both and it is really versatile - lets you dial in at relatively low volumes

[Kramer]

Thanks demonufo. I was just under the impression that since these are both Master Volumes they would be very similar, but rather the PPIMV would keep the phase inverter pushed and be better at keeping that cranked sound when attenuated. So, I'll probably be trying a few different PPIMV's in my Plexi to see what I like and then use one in conjunction with the stock MV on the 2203. A lot of people like the Lar/Mar which I originally had installed, but did not get to hear since I had removed it to trouble shoot problems with the amp which ended up being an oxidized volume pot.