A FEW COMMENT ON TUBE AMPLIFIER -------------------------------------------------------________________
Be sure to read this section before powering the amp up!
This amp´s input is extremely sensitive due to its high gain factor. In combination with inherent
microphonics of tubes, at certain settings this can elicit powerful feedback from the speakers – even
without a guitar being connected!
This occurs primarily when Crunch and Lead channels (that is, all channels whose preamp is easily
overdriven) are activated and the following settings are dialed in:
•Gain and / or Lead Gain knob past the 12 o´clock position
•Treble knob past the 12 o´clock position
•Crunch / Lead Volume knob past the 12 o´clock position
•Presence knob past the 12 o´clock position
Avoid setting the afore mentioned knobs to extreme positions (that is, combinations in which several of
these knobs are set past the 12 o´clock position). This type of configuration can cause considerable
feedback that could severely damage your hearing and destroy speakers.
If you set the Volume or Master knobs to higher volume levels, always make sure to back off amplification
levels to prevent feedback by turning the Lead channel Gain knobs down. The same applies to these
channel´s Treble and Presence knob settings.
Before you power the amp up, take a moment to check out the control panel and make sure that these knobs
are not set to any configuration similar to the one described above!
A FEW WORD ON BACKGROUND NOI E IN TUBE AMPLIFIER
You may hear slight background noise right after you power a tube amp up or even while you are operating.
It manifests as intermittent hissing or sizzling, crackling, or popping noises. Caused by tubes, this type of
noise may even occur with brand new tubes.
The noise is particularly noticeable in high-gain Lead channels. This is because the Lead
channels provide a very high gain factor, amplifying noise along with the usable guitar signal.
It is not necessary to swap tubes if you encounter this kind of noise every now and then, though you may
consider replacing tubes if it becomes a constant companion.