Mater vol vs preamp vol.

[mike]

What the diffrence having the master volume almost cranked and adjusting the preamp level for over all volume....to having the preamp level set around noon then adjusting the master for volume?...

 

[crankyrayhanky]

you'll get that huge tube saturation when the Master is cranked
Try some extreme settings and you'll hear it- it becomes too much at a certain point- my sweet spot is master just before noon, mods adjusted for loudness. Of course, it is cumbersome to always adjust and even out the mods when you go from bedroom to stage, but that's my basic plan

I don't hear much difference in tone re:where the mod volumes are set

 

[Bluesguitar]

What the diffrence having the master volume almost cranked and adjusting the preamp level for over all volume....to having the preamp level set around noon then adjusting the master for volume?...

If you don't mind doing a little reading, here are links to 2 great articles from recent editions of Premier Guitar mag. One covers Pre-amp tubes in depth and the other covers Power amp tubes. They should provide a detailed insight into you question....They are fantastic articles for tube amp users.
Hope they help!
James


http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Jan/Everything_You_Ever_Wanted_to_Know_About_Preamp_Tubes.aspx

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Feb/Everything_You_Ever_Wanted_to_Know_About_Output_Tubes.aspx

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

From reading the ultimate tone series of books from london power I think that what you are talking about is a standard master volume design. Depending on where the master volume is in the signal change it can have a completely different sound. for example if it is after a stage coupling cap it will create a high pass filter, and you will loose bass, and clarity. I am not sure on how these are designed, but you will not get power tube distortion until you are at maximum volume. But once you reach a certain point on the volume control the high pass filter point drops to below the bandwidth of the amplifier, and then it is like it isn't there.