---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have an amp that doesn't have a master…"
description: "\"I have an amp that doesn't have a master volume. It sounds awesome, but we just can't get an appropriate decibel level out of it.\" — Joe Trohman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg"
---

#  I have an amp that doesn't have a master volume. It sounds…

![“I have an amp that doesn't have a master volume. It sounds awesome, but we just can't get an appropriate decibel level out of it.” quote by Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg)

> “I have an amp that doesn't have a master volume. It sounds awesome, but we just can't get an appropriate decibel level out of it.”

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker lacks a master volume control, making it difficult to achieve a suitable loudness despite its tonal quality.

**In simple terms:** Control limitation hinders proper volume.

Key Takeaway

Missing master volume restricts usable output level.

Themes

audio engineering equipment design sound quality user experience technical constraints

Mood

frustration determination

Type

technical observation practical complaint

When to use this quote

- live performance
- studio recording
- rehearsal settings
- home practice

Key Concepts

volume control signal chain amplifier design

Practical Applications

- adjusting gain staging
- using external attenuators

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you compensate for missing volume controls?
- What alternatives exist to manage output level?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Amp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amp/) [Appropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate/) [Appropriate Decibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate-decibel-1026465/) [Awesome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awesome/) [Decibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decibel-1026467/) [Decibel Level](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decibel-level-1026463/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Level](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/level/) [Master](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master/) [Master Volume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master-volume-1026464/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Sounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sounds/) [Volume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volume/) [Volume Sounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volume-sounds-1026466/)

## Related quotes

> [“My internal voice raised its decibel level. Sam O. Same”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/my-internal-voice-raised-its-decibel-level-sam-o-same/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [Are we all ready? (Deimos) (Letting out a blood-chilling war cry, he and the rest of the Dolophoni ran through the caverns.) I hate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/are-we-all-ready-deimos-letting-out-a-blood-chilling-war-cry-he-and/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [In the studio, I don't use an amp, I just go direct into the desk. It's virtually acoustic, what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaco-pastorius/in-the-studio-i-don-t-use-an-amp-i-just-go-direct-into-the-desk-it-s/)

[Jaco Pastorius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaco-pastorius/)

> [My Portuguese uncle had a Portuguese version of a ukulele. The family would pull it out after dinner and play Portuguese folk songs on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-perry/my-portuguese-uncle-had-a-portuguese-version-of-a-ukulele-the-family/)

[Joe Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-perry/)

> [My stepfather had an electric guitar. He went to his pawn store one day to get a guitar and an amp, and I couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-benson/my-stepfather-had-an-electric-guitar-he-went-to-his-pawn-store-one/)

[George Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-benson/)

> [I had the humble beginnings. I was doing comedy in laundry mats in 1992, literally where I would bring a little gorilla amp and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/i-had-the-humble-beginnings-i-was-doing-comedy-in-laundry-mats-in/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

> [I'm so used to knowing what to do with an electric guitar and amplifier, but with an acoustic guitar, it's different, but I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-ranaldo/i-m-so-used-to-knowing-what-to-do-with-an-electric-guitar-and/)

[Lee Ranaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-ranaldo/)

> [In my touring rig, there's a pedal drawer, where I'm able to switch pedals in and out, going into the front of the amp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/in-my-touring-rig-there-s-a-pedal-drawer-where-i-m-able-to-switch/)

[John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/)

> [I have a couple of basses in my office. And I try to be courteous of my co-workers, but sometimes I get carried away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/i-have-a-couple-of-basses-in-my-office-and-i-try-to-be-courteous-of/)

[Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/)

> [When I was 14 years old, I had the opportunity to meet Buddy Holly. I asked him how he got that big, powerful sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-robertson/when-i-was-14-years-old-i-had-the-opportunity-to-meet-buddy-holly-i/)

[Robbie Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-robertson/)

> [I've said before that my favorite way to brighten an outfit is to amp up the jewels, and the holiday season is no exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stassi-schroeder/i-ve-said-before-that-my-favorite-way-to-brighten-an-outfit-is-to-amp/)

[Stassi Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stassi-schroeder/)

> [Surf music is played through a Showman amp with a Stratocaster guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-dale/surf-music-is-played-through-a-showman-amp-with-a-stratocaster-guitar/)

[Dick Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-dale/)

> [When I'm at home or in the studio, I have a 1963 Martin. It's a D-28, and I love that guitar. I write on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-worsham/when-i-m-at-home-or-in-the-studio-i-have-a-1963-martin-it-s-a-d-28/)

[Charlie Worsham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-worsham/)

> [For me, anything can be music! I can get huge enjoyment and be moved totally by the purity and perfection of some Renaissance polyphony,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-price/for-me-anything-can-be-music-i-can-get-huge-enjoyment-and-be-moved/)

[Steven Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-price/)

## More by Joe Trohman

> [I feel like touchscreen technology blows my mind still. It just makes me think of all of the sci-fi films I enjoyed as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-feel-like-touchscreen-technology-blows-my-mind-still-it-just-makes/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [I've been touring a lot, and I don't always know how to get around. Google Maps on the iPhone is pretty helpful with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-ve-been-touring-a-lot-and-i-don-t-always-know-how-to-get-around/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [I like guitar sounds to be a little somber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-like-guitar-sounds-to-be-a-little-somber/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [I don't tolerate anything that runs slowly. Whether it be a phone, tablet or computer, it has to run at optimum speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-don-t-tolerate-anything-that-runs-slowly-whether-it-be-a-phone/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [If I was going to do Fall Out Boy, I wanted it to be a real outlet for my writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/if-i-was-going-to-do-fall-out-boy-i-wanted-it-to-be-a-real-outlet-for/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [I love what I do and the music I make and the bands I've done, especially Fall Out Boy. I also love what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-love-what-i-do-and-the-music-i-make-and-the-bands-i-ve-done/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [I'll never like virtual keypads. Nothing can compete with an actual QWERTY-style keypad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-ll-never-like-virtual-keypads-nothing-can-compete-with-an-actual/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [People would be surprised at how much of an electronic dude I am, and I like new wave, post-punk and proto-punk stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/people-would-be-surprised-at-how-much-of-an-electronic-dude-i-am-and/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

> [I feel like I've become less of a music snob and less of a snob about a lot of things because I realize I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-feel-like-i-ve-become-less-of-a-music-snob-and-less-of-a-snob-about/)

[Joe Trohman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

[Explore all 10 Joe Trohman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/)

## More Amp quotes

> [In my touring rig, there's a pedal drawer, where I'm able to switch pedals in and out, going into the front of the amp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/in-my-touring-rig-there-s-a-pedal-drawer-where-i-m-able-to-switch/)

[John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/)

> [When I'm at home or in the studio, I have a 1963 Martin. It's a D-28, and I love that guitar. I write on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-worsham/when-i-m-at-home-or-in-the-studio-i-have-a-1963-martin-it-s-a-d-28/)

[Charlie Worsham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-worsham/)

> [Surf music is played through a Showman amp with a Stratocaster guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-dale/surf-music-is-played-through-a-showman-amp-with-a-stratocaster-guitar/)

[Dick Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-dale/)

> [I've said before that my favorite way to brighten an outfit is to amp up the jewels, and the holiday season is no exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stassi-schroeder/i-ve-said-before-that-my-favorite-way-to-brighten-an-outfit-is-to-amp/)

[Stassi Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stassi-schroeder/)

> [When I was 14 years old, I had the opportunity to meet Buddy Holly. I asked him how he got that big, powerful sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-robertson/when-i-was-14-years-old-i-had-the-opportunity-to-meet-buddy-holly-i/)

[Robbie Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-robertson/)

> [I have a couple of basses in my office. And I try to be courteous of my co-workers, but sometimes I get carried away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/i-have-a-couple-of-basses-in-my-office-and-i-try-to-be-courteous-of/)

[Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/)

> [I'm so used to knowing what to do with an electric guitar and amplifier, but with an acoustic guitar, it's different, but I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-ranaldo/i-m-so-used-to-knowing-what-to-do-with-an-electric-guitar-and/)

[Lee Ranaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-ranaldo/)

> [I had the humble beginnings. I was doing comedy in laundry mats in 1992, literally where I would bring a little gorilla amp and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/i-had-the-humble-beginnings-i-was-doing-comedy-in-laundry-mats-in/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

> [My stepfather had an electric guitar. He went to his pawn store one day to get a guitar and an amp, and I couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-benson/my-stepfather-had-an-electric-guitar-he-went-to-his-pawn-store-one/)

[George Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-benson/)

> [My Portuguese uncle had a Portuguese version of a ukulele. The family would pull it out after dinner and play Portuguese folk songs on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-perry/my-portuguese-uncle-had-a-portuguese-version-of-a-ukulele-the-family/)

[Joe Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-perry/)

> [In the studio, I don't use an amp, I just go direct into the desk. It's virtually acoustic, what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaco-pastorius/in-the-studio-i-don-t-use-an-amp-i-just-go-direct-into-the-desk-it-s/)

[Jaco Pastorius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaco-pastorius/)

> [For me, anything can be music! I can get huge enjoyment and be moved totally by the purity and perfection of some Renaissance polyphony,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-price/for-me-anything-can-be-music-i-can-get-huge-enjoyment-and-be-moved/)

[Steven Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-price/)

[Browse all 13 Amp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amp/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I have an amp that doesn't have a master volume. It sounds awesome, but we just can't get an appropriate decibel level out of it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joe Trohman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master-volume-it-sounds-awesome-but/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Amp"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master-volume-it-sounds-awesome-but/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/joe-trohman-42731_amp_i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master_80261.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I have an amp that doesn't have a master volume. It sounds awesome, but we just can't get an appropriate…” — Joe Trohman",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joe Trohman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-trohman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I have an amp that doesn't...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master-volume-it-sounds-awesome-but/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-trohman/i-have-an-amp-that-doesn-t-have-a-master-volume-it-sounds-awesome-but/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
