Elmwood M 60 MODENA User manual

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 1 Elmwood Amps AB
M 6 0 / M 9 0 M O D E N A
Owner’s Manual

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 2 Elmwood Amps AB
CONTENT
Content
Welcome …………………………………………….. 3
Introduction …………………………………………….. 4
Precautions …………………………………………….. 5
Getting started …………………………………………….. 6
Channel 1 …………………………………………….. 7
Channel 2 …………………………………………….. 8
Toggle switches …………………………………………….. 9
Master Volumes …………………………………………….. 10
Back panel …………………………………………….. 11
Tubes Maintenance …………………………………………….. 12
Specifications …………………………………………….. 14
Contact …………………………………………….. 15

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 3 Elmwood Amps AB
WELCOME
Congratulations
to your purchase of an ELMWOOD MODENA. We hope that you will find a new best
friend in your MODENA and that you can look forward to many hours of inspiring
musical creativity and pleasuring tones.
M60 Modena
The M60 MODENA is a 60 watt pure tube amp with two channels including separate
EQ on each channel and with boost functionality on both channels.
The sound and feeling of this amp will help you express everything from heaven to hell
and its 60 watts in Pentode mode are specially optimized to give you all the power you
need. But the M60 MODENA can also easily be switched to Triode mode to reduce
output power to about 30 watts. ^
M90 Modena
The M90 MODENA is the Big Brother of Modena M60 with the same superior
functionality and external design. But - it differs from the M60 not only by its muscular
90 watts, it's equipped with 2 KT88 power amp tubes that runs on a significant higher
anode voltage and the preamp is slightly modified from the M60.
Due to its higher performance the M90 has a special designed transformer for the
power supply and a heat fan on the back side
Modena Features
•2 channel, all tube amplifier
•M60 Modena has two power modes – Pentode 60 watts and Triode 30 watts
•Separate EQ section for each channel
•Separate Drive control for Drive mode on each channel
•Separate Drive Volume control for Drive mode on channel 1
•Two Master volumes independent of channel and channel settings.
•Controls for Edge, Fat and F/X Loop
•Four different jack sockets for connecting different speaker impedances.
•Two jack sockets for connecting the accompanying foot switch
•Foot switch - controlling Master Volumes, Channel selection and Drive

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 4 Elmwood Amps AB
INTRODUCTION
About Elmwood Amps
Elmwood Amps was founded in 1998 in Sweden. The goal was to build guitar tube
amplifiers with the most outstanding sound and functionality available.
The Elmwood staff and everyone who has ever tried an Elmwood are of the opinion
that Elmwood has succeeded.
From the beginning, the goal was to take the best parts of historical tube amplifiers
while critically questioning the original ideas - making them better - re-inventing the
great potential of tube characteristics to create a sound that would stun the world - the
Elmwood sound.
The Elmwood amps are built to last. Only parts of highest possible quality are used
and each Elmwood product is carefully tested and approved before shipping.
An Elmwood amp is an amazing extension of the performing guitarist's heart and soul,
providing the most genuine and expressive tones imaginable. Elmwood users all over
the world give testimonials of the fantastic response, versatility and tone of their
Elmwood amps.
The amps are designed with a special attention to live performance versatility - giving
endless possibilities of shaping your sound with your guitar volume, tone settings,
picking technique, string handling, EQ settings and channel switching.
An Elmwood will be your best companion no matter what your style of playing - from
soft whispers to hard punches - from lush clean to screaming high gain - from heaven
to hell - always interacting with your deepest musical intentions.
We are always glad to get to know our existing and future users - to get your feedback
and to give you the best service possible.
The Elmwood team

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 5 Elmwood Amps AB
PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS
PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS
Always follow the safety instructions listed here and use common sense.
•Read this manual carefully before switching on your amplifier.
•Do not try to open the amplifier chassis – there are no serviceable parts.
•Vacuum tube amplifiers generate heat. Insure proper ventilation.
Keep away from curtains or any flammable objects.
•Tubes may be extremely hot after the amplifier has been on. Never touch a hot tube.
•Do not expose the amplifier to rain, moisture, or any kind of water or liquids. Never use
the amplifier in wet condition.
•Do not block ventilation openings on the rear of the amplifier.
•Never operate the amplifier without a connected speaker or load
since this can cause severe damage to the amplifier.
•Always insure that amplifier is properly grounded.
•Always unplug power cord before changing fuses or any tubes. When replacing fuse,
use only same type and rating. Avoid direct contact with heated tubes.
•Keep children away from the amplifier.
•Be sure to always connect an AC power supply that corresponds to the amplifiers
power supply specification / setup.
•Always turn off the power of all related equipment before making any connections.
•Make sure that you are using a correct speaker cable for the speaker outputs. Low
signal cables, such as regular guitar cables, might seriously damage the output stage of
the amplifier.
•Always remove power plug from the wall socket if there is any risk of lightning occurring
nearby or if the amplifier is not used for longer periods.
•Always treat your amplifier with caution and never use excessive force.
•Never use solvents for cleaning. Wipe of the exterior with a soft cloth.
•Your amplifier can create high sound volumes. Do not exposure yourself or others to
high sound volumes that may cause permanent hearing damage.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 6 Elmwood Amps AB
GETTING STARTED
Getting started
1. Connect the amplifier to the mains. Always connect the mains to an earthed outlet
with a 3 pole CE approved mains cord.
2. Make sure that there’s a speaker cabinet connected to the appropriate jack socket,
regarding impedance, on the back of the amplifier.
3. Make sure that you are using a correct speaker cable for the speaker outputs. Low
signal cables, such as regular guitar cables, might seriously damage the output
stage of the amplifier.
4. Connect the accompanying foot switch to the jack sockets marked 1 and 2
respectively.
5. Set the Power switch to position ON.
6. Check that Master 1 and Master 2 volumes are set fully counter clock wise.
7. Allow the amplifier to build up heater and bias voltages for approximately 30
seconds before enabling the Standby switch.
8. [M60 only] When switching between Pentode and Triode, allow the switch to “land”
in its middle position for about 5-10 seconds before proceeding.
Pentode mode enables full output power of about 60 watt.
Triode mode reduces the output power to about 30 watts, softening the sound.
The amplifier is now ready for use.
Plug in your guitar cable in the Input jack socket.
Getting some sound
1. Adjust all the knobs except the Master volumes, on the front of the amplifier to
12 o’clock.
2. Set the toggle switches at the front of the amplifier to position OFF and Channel 1
respectively.
3. Press the Master 1 switch on the foot switch so the Master 1 led will light up and
slowly turn up the Master 1 control on the amplifier.
You should now be able to hear some sound coming out the speaker(s).
Note: Never operate the amplifier without a connected speaker
since this can cause severe damage to the amplifier.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 7 Elmwood Amps AB
CHANNEL 1
Channel 1
•Press the Channel switch on the foot switch so that the led will go dark to
activate Channel 1.
By adjusting Volume, Treble, Mid and Bass you can change the sound and vary from
clean to distortion. The EQ section is very effective and you will not have any problem
finding your favourite sounds.
For cleaner sounds it’s recommended to keep the channel 1 volume control below 12
o’clock (some low output single coil equipped guitars might stay clean beyond 12
o’clock, while a hum bucker equipped guitar needs lower settings for clean sounds)
and adjust the overall output with the master volume(s).
Channel 1 – Drive mode
•Press the Boost/Drive switch on the foot switch so that the led will light up.
You have now activated the Drive mode.
•Still on Channel 1 - slowly turn up the controls for Drive Ch1 and Drive Ch1
Volume.
The Drive Ch1 control decides the amount of distortion and the Drive Ch1 Volume
control controls the volume in drive mode.
The EQ section and the Volume on Channel1 are still active also when Drive is
activated.
By adjusting the controls for Drive Ch1 and Volume differently, there are a wide range
of different sounds to achieve - from lightly break-ups to heavy crunch.
•To turn off Drive mode; simply press the Boost/Drive switch again.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 8 Elmwood Amps AB
CHANNEL 2
Channel 2 / Channel 2 – Drive
•Press the Channel switch on the foot switch so that the led will light up to
activate Channel 2.
As on Channel 1 there are many possibilities to tailor the sound by adjusting; Gain,
Volume, Treble, Mid and Bass. At lower Gain settings there is the same smooth, touch
sensitive feel/sound as on Channel 1.
By activating Drive on Channel 2;
•Press the Drive switch on the foot switch so the led will light up
- and having low gain setting - the drive control can be turned up to achieve a
competent crunch/lead sound. With this setting you can go from bluesy break-ups to
fat crunch and lead simply by pressing the drive switch on the foot switch.
•Press the Drive switch on the foot switch so the led will go dark
When turning the Gain control more clockwise; the gain will increase and the sound will
become more compressed. Even if the gain and compression increases - the string
definition and tone will remain. If setting the Gain control to, say 12 o’clock, there will
be a very potent rock/hard rock rhythm sound.
With this gain setting you can again activate Drive;
•Press the Drive switch on the foot switch so the led will light up
- and increase Drive settings for even more fat, singing lead tones.
Note: Avoid having Drive, Gain and Channel 2 Volume set to
fully clockwise as it may cause oscillation due to the large
amount of gain.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 9 Elmwood Amps AB
TOGGLE SWITCHES
Toggle switches
Toggle switch marked Drive.
OFF - this is the default position when the foot switch’s connected.
The Drive mode is now switch able, on and off, from the Drive switch on the foot
switch.
ON - The Drive is activated at all times. If the foot switch is not connected you can still
activate Drive by setting the toggle switch to this position. Even with the foot switch
connected, this position takes the Drive switch on the foot switch out of function.
M1 - In this position, Drive will be automatically activated when Master 1 is chosen
from the foot switch. Even in this position you can still activate/deactivate the Drive
mode by pressing the Drive switch on the foot switch while playing on Master 2.
Toggle switch marked Channel select.
Enables switching between Channel 1 and Channel 2 when the foot switch is not
connected.
Connecting the foot switch will disable the function of the toggle switch and in that case
Channel selection is being made from the foot switch instead.
Note: The Drive led on the foot switch will not light up when
Master 1 is activated in this position.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 10 Elmwood Amps AB
MASTER VOLUMES
The two Master Volumes
The MODENA is equipped with two footswitch able Master Volumes.
This enables the possibility for increasing the volume of any sound.
Master 1 is controlling the maximum volume level of the amplifier and is used for
setting the lead volume level.
Master 2 is dependent of Master 1 and is used for setting the rhythm volume level.
Master volume set up:
•Press the foot switch marked Master 1 so the Master 1 led will light up.
•Adjust the Master 1 to the loudest volume you will be playing at.
•Press the foot switch marked Master 1 again so that the Led will go dark.
•Now adjust the Master 2 to rhythm level.
You have now set a relationship between the two Master Volumes.
If you want to adjust the overall volume - simply adjust Master 1 volume up or down
and the volume level of Master 2 will follow in relation to Master 1.
If you want to adjust the volume difference between the two Master Volumes - simply
adjust Master 2.
Channel 1
Volume control
Channel 2
Volume control
Guitar
Volume Control
Master 1
Volume control
Master 2
Volume control
Output
Dependency
Note :
When the Footswitch is not connected , only Master 1 is
active.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 11 Elmwood Amps AB
BACK PANEL
Back Panel
Speaker outputs
•Two jack sockets for 1x4 ohm or 2x8 ohms impedance.
Here you connect either one 4 ohm cabinet or two 8 ohms cabinets.
•Two jack sockets for 1x8 ohm or 2x16 ohms impedance.
Here you connect either one 8 ohm cabinet or two 16 ohms cabinets.
According to Ohms law: Two 8 ohms speakers in parallel equals 4 ohm and two 16
ohms speakers in parallel equals 8 ohm.
Back Panel - Control knobs
•Edge
The Edge control is global; it affects both channels.
Adjusting this clockwise will add high mid/treble to the sound.
•Fat
The Fat control is also global; it affects both channels.
Adjusting this clockwise will add low mid/bass to the sound.
•Mix
Mix control for the F/X loop. When set full counter clockwise at the 10% mark,
the loop is in parallel. Only a small amount of the connected effect pedal/rack
unit in the send/return jack sockets will be mixed in the dry signal.
By turning the Mix knob more towards the 100% mark the F/X loop becomes
more serial. When turned fully clockwise, to the 100% mark, the F/X loop is in
serial mode.
The F/X loop is designed to suit both stomp boxes and rack units and operates
at -10 dB level. The F/X loop is active on both channels.
Foot switch jack sockets
Connect the foot switch plugs marked 1 and 2 to the jack sockets respectively.
The foot switch jack sockets can also be operated from a Patch bay/ MIDI switcher.
This allows all the foot switch functions to be managed by a MIDI operated unit.
Mains input
Always connect the mains to an earthed outlet with a 3 pole CE approved mains cord.
Fuse
Replace broken fuse only with the same type of slow blow fuse - voltage/current.
Note: Never operate the amplifier without a connected speaker
since this can cause severe damage to the amplifier.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 12 Elmwood Amps AB
TUBES - MAINTENANCE
Tubes – Maintenance
Tubes – general
The great thing about a tube amplifier is… that’s right – the tubes.
Tubes are the components that provide your amplifier with heart and soul together with that
unmatched organic, dynamic response.
But as light bulbs, the tubes need to be replaced at some time and can occasionally malfunction.
How frequent you need to change tubes is depending on how often you use your amplifier and how
hard you push it. Normally you need to replace the tubes every 1 – 2 years, but if you are a pro-
guitarist on tour, you might want to replace them even more often to be sure your tubes are
performing at an optimal level.
A shortened lifetime of a tube can also be dependent on shocks during transportation, incorrect
speaker load, peaks from the power supply or other abuse.
To access the tubes, place your amplifier on a stable surface, remove the 5 screws on the back-grill
using a crosshead screwdriver and then remove the back-grill.
(For M90, pay attention to unplug the fan-connector. Remember to connect it when assembling)
See tube chart below for positions and functions for speeding up your diagnose.
Power tubes
If the power of the amplifier is getting weak and your tone is flattening, try replacing the power
tubes.
Power tubes can short-cut when malfunctioning, making the main fuse blow. If your amplifier should
act strange and/or then be out of business – first replace the power tubes – and, if needed, check
the main fuse and replace with a fuse of same type.
The power tubes should always be replaced in matched pairs for best performance.
See tube socket for match grade. Always use the same type of power tubes as the original ones.
If the replacement tubes have a different match grade – the amplifier needs to be re-biased by a
certified service technician. Bias instructions can be sent upon request.
If the amplifier is still not working properly, there are fuses inside the amplifier that needs to be
checked by a certified service technician.
Pre-amp tubes
If you experience noise, un-normal feedback - rattling or fuzzy sounds from the output of your
amplifier – it is very likely to be caused by a bad pre-amp tube. The best way to diagnose a bad pre-
amp tube is to use a replacement tube of the same type, that is known to be good and substitute it
in each possible tube location, one at the time, until the problem disappears. See tube chart for
positions and functions for speeding up your diagnose.
CAUTION: Tubes may be extremely hot after the amplifier has
been on. Never touch a hot tube.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 13 Elmwood Amps AB
TUBES - MAINTENANCE
Tubes – Microphonics
Microphonics is a term used for high-pitched clanging noises that can occur from bad tubes. You can test
for microphonics by gently tapping the tubes with a wooden pen, or similar, when amp is turned on. It’s
normal to hear some noise when tapping the tubes, especially the pre-amp tube located closest to the
input jacket is sensitive.
Which tubes will work with my amplifier?
PreAmp Tubes:
M60 / M90 MODENA – Any 12AX7 (ECC83) of good quality.
PreAmp tubes need no calibration or biasing.
Power Tubes:
M60 MODENA – Any EL34 of good quality.
KT66, KT77 and 6L6 can be used if preferred, but needs different biasing.
M90 MODENA – Any KT88 of good quality.
EL34 can be used if preferred, but needs different biasing.
Always check the match grade of your Power tubes before replacing them. If replaced with tubes with a
different match grade the amplifier may need to be re-biased. The match grade should be visible at the
power tube sockets.

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 14 Elmwood Amps AB
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications M60 Modena
Preamp tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x ECC83 (12AX7WA)
Poweramp tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 x EL34
Poweramp mode . . . . . . . . . .. . . Push-Pull class AB
Dimensions (W*D*H). . . . . . . . . . 585 x 240 x 270 mm
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 kg
.
Footswitch (W*D*H) . . . . . . . . . . 210 x 110 x 50 mm
Specifications M90 Modena
Preamp tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x ECC83 (12AX7WA)
Poweramp tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 x KT88
Poweramp mode . . . . . . . . . .. . . Push-Pull class AB
Dimensions (W*D*H). . . . . . . . . . 585 x 240 x 270 mm
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 kg
.
Footswitch (W*D*H) . . . . . . . . . . 210 x 110 x 50 mm
Specifications are subject to change without notice!

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 15 Elmwood Amps AB
CONTACT
Contact
The team at Elmwood Amps is always glad to get to know existing and future users,
to get your feedback and to give you the best service possible.
Elmwood Amps
Fröstorp 3
457 93 Tanumshede
SWEDEN
Phone: [phone] or [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.elmwood.se

M60 / M90 Modena – Owner’s Manual – Ver: 2.31 16 Elmwood Amps AB
www.elmwood.se