Aclam Guitars Vox UL 730 Operator's manual

USER MANUAL & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DR. ROBERT · UNKNOWN PLEASURES LTD. EDITION

Overview
Features
Specs & Material Included
Powering Requirements
Operating Diagram
Controls
Advanced Internal Controls
Setting Examples
Setting Up on a Pedalboard
Trouble Shooting
Security Instructions
Warranty Terms
4
6
9
10
12
13
18
20
26
29
30
31
Index
www.aclamguitars.com
C/ Consell de Cent, 201 - local
08011 Barcelona. Spain
Llevinac S.L.
CIF: B64412406
Thank you for purchasing the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition!
The most accurate replica of the legendary Vox® UL 730 amplier!

4 5
Version 4.1
In 1966, Vox® released the UL 730 amp along with an
entire lineup of wattage options, ranging from 10 to 120w.
back then, they were the leading edge in guitar amps
featuring a mixed a solid-state preamp with a tube power
amp section.
As Vox had a close relationship with The Beatles, just as
they were released, some UL 700 series units were sent to
the Fab Four for live use and recording.
Eventually they ended up being extensively used on the
Revolver album when it was recorded at EMI Studio.
Unfortunately, even though being endorsed by The
Beatles, those amps did not achieve commercial success
and most of them met their fate being returned to Vox for
their disposal.
Only a small number of UL 730 got to escape the
death row (around 20/30 units as some renown Vox
connoisseurs state), attaining an almost unicorn-like
status in the amp world.
Overview
Luckily, one of those UL 730 ended in Manchester to be

During the recording of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures,
guitarist and co-founder Bernard Sumner tracked almost
if not every cut through his Vox UL 730 paired with an Altair
PW-5 to tame its raw power and get saturation at reasonable
volumes. Songs like 'Shadowplay' and 'She’s Lost Control'
are great examples of the unique tone he attained with his
Gibson and Shergold guitars through the UL.
Seems like it was a happy accident, since that amp was
not very popular in the late '70s, and he probably bought
it for very little money. He really liked it though, since he
used it for both live performances and studio sessions
from the band’s early days until today, where you can still
see him using it live with New Order
The Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition is based
on the Normal channel of our Vox® UL 730 S/N: 3042.
We traced the original tag board circuits and measured
each component’s value to make the closest replica of the
amp’s soul and character.
One of the keys of its tone is the “Mids” control which is
one of the most interesting mid-range eq ever found on
an amp. By turning it counterclockwise, a great amount
of mid-frequencies will be subtracted creating a scooped
sound. On the other hand, when it's turned clockwise it
will bring out all the mids and the signal will build up in
gain. By tailoring the “Mids” knob you can control both
midrange and saturation.
As the solid-state preamp of the UL 730 doesn’t create
much distortion by itself we’ve coupled it with a custom
FET saturation engine to mimic the attributes of the
tube power amp section. Not happy with that, we’ve
gone even further creating the “Disorder!” section, which
adds saturation to your main sound and includes an
independent volume control to allow you to have both a
rhythmic and a solo tone.

6 7
Features
THE MOST ACCURATE REPLICA OF THE ORIGINAL
UL 730 PREAMP:
Sometimes you can’t trust the internet or an old

the published schematic and the real thing, such as
component types and values, so we can assure this is the

Following the preamp there’s a custom FET based circuit
emulating the saturation produced by the UL 730 EL84’s
tube power amp section.
DISORDER! FUNCTION:
Extra saturation function via a footswitch with an
independent volume control. Hit it when you want the

CIRCUIT TAILORED FOR BOTH GUITAR AND
BASS INSTRUMENTS:
Although based on the UL 730 preamp, the UL 400 series
(designed for bass) shared almost the same circuitry.
When doing tests using different instruments and amps
we noticed the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition

By tuning the FET circuit a bit, we managed to make the Dr.
Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition suitable for both
guitar and bass. No low-end drops resulting in a prefect
preamp and distortion tool to plug directly to the desk or
into an amp.
CUSTOM GRAPHICS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO JOY
DIVISION’S DEBUT ALBUM:
To please Joy Division and New Order fans we’ve adapted
Peter Saville’s artwork idea to this limited edition.
HIGH END COMPONENTS:

components to the original amp on the Dr. Robert
Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition Carbon comp resistors,
Nichicon Fine Gold and Wima caps, Alpha pots makes the
Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition a reliable pedal
with a superb tone.
TRUE BYPASS RELAY SWITCHING:
We’ve designed an intelligent true bypass relay switching
system which constantly monitors voltage supply (both
battery or DC jack input) and switches itself to true bypass
when it detects a drastic drop in voltage. This way you’ll
never get any signal interruption even if your power supply
or battery fails. It also tells you when the battery is close

Bypass LED’s (depending on your current setting) blink. So,
you have at least 2-3 hours to replace the battery before
the pedal goes into self-bypass.
SAME 3 BAND EQUALIZER VIA INTERNAL TREBLE
AND BASS TRIM CONTROLS:
The "Mids" control is a unique feature to shape the
particular sound of the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd.
Edition pedal. But we didn’t want to let you down in terms
of tone shaping so the Bass and Treble controls found on

SMART TRACK® FASTENING SYSTEM:
All our pedals use a custom enclosure designed to match
perfectly our Smart Track®pedalboards. Using the side
thumb screws, you’ll be able to lock safely the stompbox
into one of our pedalboards. It also was designed with the
other pedalboard options in the market in mind.
(see page 22).

8 9
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY:
This product complies with the requirements of
MADE IN SPAIN
MATERIAL INCLUDED
1 x Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition pedal
1 x Anti-sliding rubber pad
1 x Velcro®pad
1 x Carrying bag
DR. ROBERT REF:
AP0020-8
DIMENSIONS:
13,6 x 8,7 x 5,5cm (5.4” x 3.4” x 2.2”) with knobs.
WEIGHT:
410g. (0.90 lbs).
BYPASS:
True Bypass
POWER REQUIREMENTS:
9V DC Center Negative 100mA minimum or a 9V battery
CURRENT DRAW:

Specs &
Material included

10 11
Loosen the side thumb screws and disassemble the
Smart Track®system of both sides of the pedal.
Remove the screws of the baseplate to access the
inside of the pedal.
Power requirements
9V BATTERY
To operate the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition
with a 9V battery you’ll have to follow the next steps:
1
2
POWER SUPPLY
This unit can be powered with a 9VDC negative tip power
supply with the standard Boss type 2.1mm connector.
Current supply should be a minimum of 100 mA just to
leave a safety margin for the DC adapter.
Make sure you use a good quality power supply and avoid
using generic SMPS type adapter which can induce high
pitched noise to the audio.
CAUTION:
If used improperly, batteries may explode or leak
and cause damage or injury.
- The use of an incorrect type of battery can void the
safeguard mechanisms of the device (for example, in the
case of some lithium battery types)
- Batteries must never be recharged, heated, taken apart,

- Do not expose the unit to extremely high temperatures,
direct sunlight or other devices that radiate heat, as it may

Put the 9V battery in the position showed in the
diagram. Make sure to use a good quality alkaline
battery to ensure the longest time of operation.
Tight back the lid with the 4 screws and reassembly
the Smart Track®system.
9V BATTERY
3
4

12 13
Operating Diagram
GUITAR AMP INPUT OUTPUT INPUT
Controls
INPUT JACK POWER JACK OUTPUT JACK
1 2 3
1 32
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS

14 15
5
6
BYPASS SWITCH: Engages the unit allowing the
Unknown Pleasures Ltd.
Edition circuit. It also lights up the LED above it.
VOL: Controls the overall volume of the Dr. Robert
Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition when you’re not using

GAIN: This control is placed in the same position of
the circuit as the original UL 730’s volume control.
Since none of the Vox®UL series had a master
volume control the user had to turn it all the way up
to bring the amp into saturation, and believe us, this
thing is loud. To solve that we put the Vol control at
the end of the FET section so now, the volume control
on the original amp turns into a gain knob on the Dr.
Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition
At lower settings the Gain knob will produce a clean
tone, but as you approach the 12’o-clock mark the FET
section will start entering the saturation region.
Have in mind that due to Dr. Robert Unknown
Pleasures Ltd. Edition great dynamics, different
types of guitars and pickups will affect the clean
range of the Gain knob.
MIDS: This is the most critical knob to tailor your
sound. Unlike most equalizer circuits (which get placed
after or before the volume control) Vox® separated
the "Mids" control from the rest of the tone stack in the

followed by the "Mids" control before the volume pot.
After this, Vox® placed a special gain stage coupled
with the Bass and Treble controls. Thus, you can
control the midrange without interacting with the rest
of the eq, as traditional tone stacks do.
By turning it counterclockwise, it will subtract a great
amount of mid-range, creating a really interesting
scooped sound.
Turning it clockwise will bring mid frequencies and the
overall gain builds up hitting harder the EL84 tubes,
creating saturation.
4
7
Just like the real amp does, Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition “Mids” control has the same behavior thanks to
the FET section specially tuned to mimic the power amp saturation on the UL 730.
So, keep in mind, the “Mids” knob will have a great effect on the overall saturation of the unit.
4
567
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS

16 17
THE DISORDER! SECTION

process of the Dr. Robert to make it more versatile in live
scenarios. Every now and then, you need an extra push
in terms of gain, to play solo parts or for songs you want
people to shake their waist at.
Taking Joy Division’s “Shadowplay” cut for example, there’s
a lead part, clearly saturated and the main rhythmic part
in a cleaner tone. With the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures

section for the lead parts.

by the "Gain" and "Mids" knob settings, meaning that the
heavier your main setting is, the grittier this section will
build up from. Paired with the extra gain circuit there’s an

allow you a better control of this section.
Easy and simple :)
DISORDER! SWITCH: 
It also lights up the LED above it.

the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition
bypass switch is activated. This function is not an
independent overdrive but an extra tone of Dr. Robert
Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition main circuit).
DISORDER! VOL: Independent volume control for the

8
9
7
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
9
8

18 19
Advanced Internal
Controls
The original UL 730 had a 3 band eq, but since the Middle
control is the one that helps to tailor the tone better we
decided to put the Bass and Treble controls inside the
pedal. Just to make the user interface cleaner and easier
to operate.
HOW TO ACCESS THE INTERNAL CONTROLS:
Just follow the same steps described on the 9V battery
replacement instructions. To adjust the internal controls,

TREBLE:
Controls the amount of high frequency content of the
signal before reaching the FET section. Setting this
knob will have an effect over the overall gain.
DISORDER! GAIN TRIM

This will allow you to lower the saturation and make
it a little bit less aggressive. At high gain settings
it’s less effective but a lower gain it will make the

Factory setting is fully clockwise (max gain)
BASS:
Sets the amount of low frequency content reaching
the FET section. The Treble and Bass controls work
together in a tone-stacked manner, so they are a bit
interactive.
Both controls are factory set at 12 o ‘clock.
2
3
1
BASS
1TREBLE DISORDER! GAIN TRIM 2 3
2
3
1

20 21
Setting
Examples
To show you the immense potential of the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition, we recommend you trying the following setting

guitar you use. The Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition pedal is pretty loud at mid to high gain settings so we recommend you to
start with both volume knobs at 9 o’clock and adjust them to match unity gain of the unit bypassed. This way you can make sure you’re
not overloading the amp’s preamp and all the saturation comes from the Dr. Robert Unknown Pleasures Ltd. Edition. 
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER SHE’S LOST CONTROLNEW DAWN FADES INTERZONE
Gibson SG Gibson SGGibson SG Gibson SG

ON

OFF 
ON

OFF

22 23
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS

ON

OFF 
ON

OFF
JOY DIVISION - SHADOW PLAY (SOLO) JOY DIVISION - SHADOW PLAY (RYTHM) DR. ROBERT
Epiphone Casino
PAPERBACK WRITER (LEAD GUITAR)
Epiphone Casino & Gretsch 7120
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
Gibson SG Gibson SG

24 25
TAXMAN TAXMAN (SOLO)
Fender Stratocaster Fender Stratocaster
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS
DISORDER!
VOL
MIDS GAIN VOL
DISORDER! BYPASS

ON

OFF 
ON

OFF

26 27
Setting up on
a pedalboard
All our effect pedals use a custom light aluminum
®
pedalboards. We incorporated a proprietary locking
system which allows the user to fasten the pedal without
the need of using the typical hook and loop method.
This custom fastening system follows the same
philosophy behind the Smart Track®fasteners but
integrated in the enclosure reducing the space occupied
by each pedal.
That translates into more pedal density for the same
space, and who doesn’t want that?
We strongly recommend you to take a look at our line of

Add the anti-sliding rubber pad at the bottom of your
pedal, specially shaped for this unit.
Surface must be clean and dry before applying
adhesive pad.
1
HOW TO MOUNT IT ON A SMART TRACK® PEDALBOARD:
!
Loosen the 2 thumb screws to unlock the bottom
pieces out of the pedal.
Place the pedal, inserting the bottom pieces inside
the grooves.

2
3
4

28 29
Tighten the two thumb screws with your hands or
with a screwdriver.
5
Hook and Loop: Take the included super strong Velcro®
pad and stick it on the base plate.
Again, make sure the base is clean of dirt and dust.
Pre-drilled pedalboard: Fix it with a bolt and a nut you

zip tie over the pedal you can take advantage of the Smart
Track®enclosure and put the zip ties over the holes.
DIY woodboard: You can screw the pedal directly with
wood bolts through the enclosure side holes.
No board: If you use the pedals standalone make sure
you place the included anti-sliding rubber pad on the
baseplate.
USING OTHER PEDALBOARDS:
Trouble
Shooting
SIGNAL PASSES THROUGH IN BYPASS BUT NOT
WHEN ENGAGED:
Make sure you´ve connected the input and output jacks
correctly.
PEDAL DOES NOT WORK WITH THE POWER SUPPLY:
Take a look at your power supply output voltage and
polarity. Make sure it’s 9V DC negative tip with a minimum
output of 100 mA.
PEDAL WON’T ENGAGE WITH BOTH THE POWER
SUPPLY AND BATTERY:
Check there’s a plug inserted into the Input Jack.
PEDAL SOUNDS DISTORTED AT REALLY LOW
SETTINGS:
- If you’re running on batteries replace it with a new one or
check the voltage with a multimeter.
- The Dr. Robert is a really dynamic pedal the same way the
original amp is. Different types of guitars and pickups will
make it saturate in different regions of the knobs. That is a
totally correct response from the unit.
- Make sure there’s not any pedal before the Dr. Robert
increasing too much the guitar’s signal output, like
boosters, preamps compressors and other overdrive
pedals.
THE LEDS ARE BLINKING:
If you’re powering your Dr. Robert with a battery replace it
with a fresh one. See page 7 for more info.

30 31
Security
Instructions
- Read these instructions carefully.
- Keep them for future reference.
- Heed all warnings.
- Aclam Guitars shall not be held liable for any damage
to persons or property caused by incorrect operation or
installation.
- Use the product in accordance with the assembly
instructions. Do not modify or operate the product
incorrectly.
- Incorrect installation could result in serious damage to
persons and property.
- Open the package and check that the assembly
instructions and all the parts of the product are there.
Check that none of the parts are defective.
- Keep out of reach of children. This product contains
small parts that represent a choking hazard if swallowed.
- If you do not understand these safety instructions,
or if you have any queries regarding the safety of the
installation, please contact Aclam Guitars:
[email protected]
- If you wish to contact Customer Services at Aclam
Guitars, please write to [email protected]
· Unsuitable use.
· Incorrect storage.
· Explosions or burns caused by incorrect power supplies.
· Other causes not attributable to the manufacturer.
To make a claim, the purchaser must return the product to
the store where it was purchased within one month from
discovering the fault, and report the nature of the problem,
the time and the circumstances under which it occurred.
If the product was purchased through our website, the
purchaser must refer to www.aclamguitars.com and
complete a RMA (Return to Manufacturer Authorization)
form before returning the unit.
We strongly recommend looking at the “Troubleshooting”

This product is covered by a two-year warranty from
the purchase date, under the conditions and supporting
evidence regulated by current Spanish Legislation.
The product warranty will only be applicable by presenting
the proof of purchase (which is the invoice or the receipt)
and serial number.
A product is covered under warranty if it presents lack of

product characteristics, is defective which prevents its
normal use according to its purpose, or does not function
as described. The purchaser has the right to have the
article repaired or replaced (either the product or the faulty
component, at the discretion of the manufacturer).
The warranty is not transferable and won’t cover the
following issues:

service center.
Warranty
Terms

www.aclamguitars.com