Saturating a Tube Amp?

If you increase your tube amp volume 100%, then use either a volume pedal or master volume on a pedal, are you still saturating the amp tubes for all that good tone? I know backing off the guitar’s vol reduces the amp’s gain/ overdrive, is it the same with a vol pedal or master vol on a pedal? I’m working with EH Tube Zipper (with Master Vol, Gain, Drive), EB Vol Pedal, Tele, and Champ 600 or Heathkit A-9 amp (going into a 1×12 cab). I get good sounds just using gain and master vol from the Tube Zipper, and I know about attenuators (hot plate etc), just playing with this option, too.

The amp distorts when the tubes can’t handle the full strength of the signal. When you crank the master, you’re pushing the power tubes harder. When you back off your guitars volume to get a clean sound, the signal going into the power amp isn’t as strong, which reduces the amount of distortion.

You’re still pushing those tubes though. I’m sure if you try it for yourself, you’ll see a marked difference in tonal complexity between a cranked master with low guitar volume, and low master with cranked guitar volume.

Learning how those differences affect the tone is part of mastering your instrument. Experiment!

Tube Amps 6: Attenuators