The Fryette Power Station PS-2A is one of those pieces of gear that solves several different problems in a guitar rig without being tied to just one job. At its core, it combines a tunable reactive load, attenuator and 50 watt valve power amplifier, allowing you to run an amplifier where it sounds and responds its best while controlling the actual volume reaching the speaker cabinet.

Rather than simply reducing volume with a conventional attenuator, the Power Station places a reactive load on the connected amplifier and then re-amplifies that signal through its own 50 watt valve power section. This means it can work in both directions. A loud valve amp can be brought back to sensible playing levels, while a small amp can effectively be given a 50 watt valve output stage for rehearsals or live use. The internal power amplifier uses a matched pair of 6L6 power valves driven by a 12AX7.

It's also useful well beyond attenuation. The PS-2A can operate as a standalone valve power amp for preamps and other line level sources, while the onboard effects loop allows effects to be placed after the connected amplifier's power section. This is particularly useful with older non-master-volume amplifiers that don't have an effects loop of their own.

The front panel provides Volume, Presence and Depth controls, along with Flat/Brite/Edge high frequency voicing and Flat/Warm/Deep low frequency voicing. Separate impedance selectors are provided for the amplifier and speaker sides, allowing 2/4, 8 and 16 ohm configurations to be matched independently. The PS-2A also adds an adjustable Line Output Level control, with both unbalanced 1/4" and balanced XLR outputs available for integrating the unit into a recording or live rig.

This example carries serial number PSF215050. For anyone using vintage valve amps, small heads, preamps or a mixture of traditional and modern equipment, the Power Station is a particularly useful piece of kit. It isn't simply an attenuator, but a practical interface between an amplifier, speaker cabinet and the rest of a modern guitar rig.

Specifications:

Model: Fryette Power Station PS-2A

Serial Number: PSF215050

Type: Reactive Load, Attenuator & Valve Power Amplifier

Output Power: 50 Watts

Power Valves: 2 x 6L6

Driver / Phase Inverter: 1 x 12AX7

Reactive Load Capacity: 200 Watts Maximum Continuous at 2/4 Ohms, 150 Watts at 8 Ohms, 200 Watts at 16 Ohms

Amplifier Impedance: Selectable 2/4, 8 or 16 Ohms

Speaker Impedance: Selectable 2/4, 8 or 16 Ohms

Speaker Outputs: 2 x Parallel Speaker Outputs

Controls: Volume, Presence, Depth

High Frequency Voicing: Flat / Brite / Edge

Low Frequency Voicing: Flat / Warm / Deep

Input Level: Hi / Lo

Effects Loop: Yes

Effects Loop Level: Hi / Lo Selectable

Line Outputs: 1/4" Unbalanced & XLR Balanced

Line Output Level: Adjustable

Safety Bypass: Yes

Made in: USA