MASS 150 is on its way!

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:20 pm

I was very pleased when I got it so maybe I sounded a bit overly impressed. It has the same drawbacks as every other attenuator and Im not crazy about them on the whole but the Hi and Lo knobs do make this one very versatile. Im pleased.

edwardz · Post by **edwardz** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:57 pm

I just received my new MASS 150 today. I waited over two months for it and didn't use my Metro during that time.

Now I'm seriously contemplating selling the MASS 150, as well as my Metro (built by George in August '04) and possibly my Avatar 2x12 cab (black with open and closed backs, loaded with 2-8 ohm Weber 12Vs).

Not using this stuff for over two months caused me to rethink my gear. Now I'm thinking about going in a different direction with it.

Anybody out there interested in more info?

gnugear · Post by **gnugear** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:33 pm

Hey Dan, now that I've got some Fenders I think I might pick up a MASS so I can have an impedence switch.

Do you know what the difference is between the 150 and the 100?

The 100 looks like it has a lot more features but probably can't handle a 100 watt Marshall? I'm wondering if all those extra features are going to be a waste. One thing I noticed on my old MASS 50 was that it was dark, but the treble switches were a waste (too harsh).

Star*Guitar · Post by **Star*Guitar** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:53 pm

Hey gnugear....The new Mass 100 is totally redesigned. The treble booster is in 3db increments and more use able. I agree it was too much at 6 db alone.

Also...the motor size is smaller. A much lighter unit...It sounds so much more organic it is incredable.

As far as the units getting hot are concerned...Guys..come on...put a fan on them...That keeps em cool and stops the burning smell. Ted recommends keeping the air moving on them and I agree. All that latent heat will eat it up someday even if it takes years.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:12 pm

Both the MASSes I had got very hot. No fan. THDs have a built in fan that runs off the energy fromt he dissipated wattage.

PlexiMan · Post by **PlexiMan** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 7:57 am

Gnu..the main differences are that the 150 does not have the tone stack for the DI out (i would never use so a waste for me anyway) and the 150 does not have an impedence switch as it's set at 8 ohms, however Ted told me that it would work fine with a 16 ohm load (swamped impedence).
The thing i really like about the 150 other than the power handling is the low and high knobs. They let you dial it in a little better IMO. Not really tone knobs but kinda like the volume I and volume II on a Marshall.
The 150's also come in the new chassis that's nice. You can get rack ears for it that make it rackmountable

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:39 am

You dont need any tone comp switches when you have the attenuation split seperate for highs and lows. Its very nice but in actuallity the Lo/Mid knob goes high enough in frequency that you could use only that with the high knob all the way off and with a bright amp it wont sound muddy at all. So the Hi knob is more like a presence. Actually its just what it says. The left knob is Low-Mid and the right is Highs.

gnugear · Post by **gnugear** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:18 pm

Cool. I recall having the tone stack on my old MASS but couldn't remember if it was only functional with the line out. Sounds like I don't need it.

One more quick question. I recall the older MASS as being darker sounding than the HotPlate. Does the hi and low control eliminate that?

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:39 pm

Definitely. You can dial highs in until your hearts content. I dont think that eliminates the overall tone but if you thought it needed to be brighter then the 150 will do it.

PlexiMan · Post by **PlexiMan** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 5:02 pm

+1 on what Dan said..the two knobs sure make it fairly versatile as far as attenuators go ..I have been able to get some decent sounds out of it even at highly attenuated settings and you can bring up Mid/Hi knob if you think it sounds muddy. Like Dan mentioned earlier it still has the negatives that are inherent with most attenuators have but i still recommend it.