I needed something so that our drummer wouldn't further damage his already damaged guitar. I like the way a guitar feels when the amp is cranked. There had to be something that fit the bill, and this was it. The decrease in volume is more of a psychoacoustic phenomenon. It makes less of an impact, but I'd be hard pressed to say that the amp didn't sound the same, albeit at very decreased volumes, which is noticeable when it comes to how the sound is perceived. I recorded a track with no attenuation, and another with, and the difference in tone was there, although nominal.