Duncan Lava BoxTM Distortion SFX-05 User manual

TM
Congratulations on your purchase of the Seymour Duncan
SFX-05 Lava Box™ distortion.You can start using your Lava Box
right away and you’ll be able to immediately crank out the dynamic, throaty,
singing tones that this pedal is capable of.You might want to first read
through these instructions in their entirety to gain valuable information that
will enhance your enjoyment of your Lava Box.
ForToneThat SetsYou Apart
TM

General Information
The Lava Box is not your ordinary distortion/overdrive pedal. It actually
reacts more like a great amp than a stompbox, with the depth and
dynamics that give well-made amps so much character.
When you think about the tones that defined so many of the true guitar
heroes throughout history, they all really speak.They cut through.They say
something. A huge part of that is in the rich midrange frequencies that the
amplifiers of the day naturally produced. And, because those amps were
typically cranked up to full volume, they were also incredibly dynamic,
responding to different picking attacks and even subtle changes to the
guitar’s volume control.The Lava Box brings that magic back with its broad
array of midrange timbres and its amazing sensitivity to picking intensity
and volume changes. Even at the highest gain settings, turn down your
guitar’s volume control and the Lava Box will clean up beautifully. Onstage,
set the Lava Box for a loud lead tone and simply use your guitar’s volume
control to get your clean and crunch tones—all without switching channels
or kicking in other effects. In the studio, you can explore the huge array of
tones that are available with the intuitive controls, creating special-effect
thin tones or spooky dark sounds that are perfect for layering and
overdubs.
Any distortion box can give you a sound.The SFX-05 Lava Box will
give you a voice.
1

Explanation of Controls
Front Panel
1. Volume – This control regulates the overall level of your signal when the
effect is engaged. CAUTION:The Lava Box is capable of serious output
so go easy with this control at first, starting at the fully counterclockwise
position. Once you get the Volume knob past 10:00 or so, you’ll see
what we mean.
2. Rumble –This 6-position rotary knob changes the sonic character of the
Lava Box’s distortion for a huge range of tones, from bright and spanky to
deep and warm. Whether you have the thinnest single-coil in the bridge
of your guitar or the woolliest humbucker in the neck, there is a Rumble
setting that’s perfect for it.
3. Gain – This knob adjusts the amount of distortion when the effect is
engaged, from a punchy clean boost to a full-on roar.
4.True-Bypass Footswitch –This removes the circuit from your guitar’s
signal chain, allowing your guitar’s signal to pass through the Lava Box
without affecting your tone or gain.
FRONT PANEL
2

Explanation of Controls
Back Panel
1. Input Jack – Plug in your guitar here.
2. Output Jack – Provides the output signal. Run a cable from this jack to
the input of a guitar amp or to the input of the next effect in your chain.
3. Power Jack –This is where you can connect a Seymour Duncan
regulated 9-volt DC adapter if you opt not to run the Lava Box on a
9-volt battery.
The Lava Box is an incredibly flexible effect and, as a result, it can be
worked into your setup in a variety of ways. Let’s examine a couple
of possibilities.
Take the ¼” mono instrument cable from your guitar and plug it into the
Lava Box’s Input jack. Run another cable from the Lava Box’s Output jack
to the input of your amplifier. Set the Volume and Rumble knobs fully
counterclockwise, turn the Gain to 12:00 for starters, hit the On/Bypass
footswitch, and gradually bring the Volume control up.You should be
greeted with a bright, punchy tone with a great squawk. Go through the
other Rumble settings and hear how more low end kicks in with each
subsequent click. Rotating the Gain control will give you cleaner or dirtier
versions of these tones.
If you have other stompboxes in your chain, such as wah-wah or chorus
pedals, experiment with placing the Lava Box before or after them.
You can’t really go wrong, but the character of the Lava Box effect will
change depending on where you put it in your signal chain, so see what
sounds best to you.
BACK PANEL
3

Tight RhythmTone
This is a great sound for power
chords and arpeggiated rhythm
lines alike. Hit it hard and it’s
dirty, pick soft (or roll your guitar’s
volume control back) and it cleans
up. Works equally well with
single-coils or humbuckers.
Screaming Lead Tone
This is a tone that will cut through
any mix with glorious midrange,
incredible detail, and endless
sustain. Roll your volume back
and it still cleans up like nobody’s
business. Use Rumble Setting #4
for humbucker, Setting #5 or #6 for
single coil.
Skinny IntroTone
A great studio trick: Record the
intro to a song with this tone. When
the main riff hits, kick the Rumble
control up a few notches.Try it—
it works!
Sample Settings
The SFX-05 Lava Box is capable of a huge range of sounds, from subtle
overdrive textures to skinny special-effect tones to humongous, singing
lead sounds.The settings below are great starting points.
4

(Not So) Clean Boost
Want to clobber the input of your
cool old tube amp? Play this sound
through it and hear how raunchy
that amp can really get. Use the
Rumble control to dial in just the
right amount of low end.Yeah!
Battery
To make your Lava Box work, you’ll either need to insure that a fresh
9-volt battery is installed or connect a regulated 9-volt DC power
supply—such as a Seymour Duncan 9-volt power adapter.
To install or replace the battery:
a. Remove the four screws on the underside of the box and disassemble
the chassis.
b. Remove the old battery from the clip, if applicable.
c. Install a fresh 9-volt alkaline battery, taking care to properly orient the
“+” and “-” terminals.
d. Reassemble the chassis and replace the screws.
When storing the Lava Box, or when it is not in use, make sure no cable is
plugged into the Input jack, as this will shorten battery life.
6

Specifications
Gain Range: 33dB-57dB
Input Impedance: 12KΩ
Output Impedance: 2.5KΩ
Max Output before Saturation: 2.9Vrms
S/N Ratio: 113dB referred to the input with 20KΩsource impedance
THD @ 1Vrms out @ 1 KHz with maximum gain: 0.38%
THD @ 1Vrms out @ 1 KHz with minimum gain: 0.065%
Type of Circuitry: 2 Stage Mosfet Input with CMOS Class A Output
Power: DC 9-12v; Battery or Regulated DC Adapter
Current Consumption: 4.0 mA Max
Dimensions: 4.62” Wide x 5.10” Deep x 2.20”Tall
Weight: 1.6 LBs
Chassis Material: 16-Gauge Steel
Rumble Control Low Frequency Roll Offs: 620Hz; 530Hz; 330Hz;
300Hz; 210Hz; 160Hz.
7

Limited Warranty / Disposal Guidelines
Seymour Duncan offers the original purchaser a one-year limited warranty on
both labor and materials starting from the day this product is purchased from
an Authorized Seymour Duncan Dealer. We will repair or replace this product,
at our option, if it fails due to faulty workmanship or materials during this
period. Defective products should be returned to your USA dealer, international
distributor, or sent direct to our factory postage prepaid along with dated proof
of purchase (e.g., original store receipt) and a RMA number clearly written on
the outside of the box. Please call our factory for issuance of an RMA number.
This warranty does not apply to damage to this product or an instrument
caused by misuse, mishandling, accident, abuse, alteration, modification,
or unauthorized repairs. Product appearance and normal wear and tear
(worn paint, scratches, etc.) are not covered by this warranty. Seymour Duncan
reserves the right to be the sole arbiter as to the misuse or abuse of this
product. Seymour Duncan assumes no liability for any incidental or
consequential damages, which may result from the failure of this product.
Any warranties implied in fact or by law are limited to the duration of this
express limited warranty.
Seymour Duncan is actively involved in global environmental protection
programs. If you ever need to dispose of this product, please ensure that it is
disposed of in a manner consistent with the regulations in your country.
Please see our website for more details.
Designed and Distributed by:
Seymour Duncan / Basslines
5427 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2345 USA
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]
www.seymourduncan.com
The SFX-05 is made in China. Designed and tested in USA.
Printed in China. © 2007
P/N: 501070-115 REV.A