FAME GS2-158D User manual

ELECTRIC GUITAR AMP
Owner‘s Manual
GS2-158D

2
Congratulations!
We would like to thank you for purchasing the GS2-158D Electric Guitar Amplifier.
It has been specially designed and developed for the use with electric guitars.
Before using your new amplifier, we advise to read the following pages carefully.
Taking care of your GS2-158D
Safety Warnings
We want you to be aware of certain safety aspects,
for reasons of product safety and liability. With
all due respect, please read the following before
operating your new Fame amplifier.
• Do not use or store your amplifier in or near
moist or wet areas.
• Make sure that voltage shown on the back of
the amplifier is the correct voltage for the
location you are using it. The GS2-158D can
never be used at different voltages than shown.
• Opening the amplifier housing must only be
done by authorized personnel. No user
serviceable parts inside.
• The power amp is configured to deliver highest
tone at normal volume levels. We advise you
for your own good not to expose yourself to
very high volume levels for long periods of
time. It can lead to hearing damage.
Transporting the GS2-158D
• The GS2-158D is a solid state instrument
amplifier. The built-in circuits are sensitive to
hits, especially when hot. To avoid damaging
the unit, we recommend using care during
setup and tear down of the unit.
• Allow the amplifier to adjust to the ambient
temperature before operating, 10 minutes
should be sufficient in all cases. Especially the
change between a cold vehicle and, in most
cases, warm stages can cause condensing
fluid inside the electrical circuit. This can lead
to circuit shorts.
• For continued road use, please protect the
amplifier with a professional flight case. Trans-
port only in operating position. Do not trans-
port upside down or on its side.
Daily use
• Never be rough with knobs, connections
or other parts of the amplifier.
• Be careful while pulling out cables. Pulling
plugs quickly can cause damage.
• Disconnect all cables before transporting
the unit.
• Avoid physical shocks, such as hits or drops.
• You should never put any heavy items on top
of the GS2-158D.
Cleaning the GS2-158D
• Usually it is sufficient to wipe down the outside
of the amplifier with a slightly moist
cleaning rag.
• Do not use any abrasive cleaning chemicals.
• Sometimes a vacuum cleaner can be used to
remove dust and dirt from nooks and crevices.
• Avoid putting any vinyl on top of the unit.
It glues and discolours the surface.
Electric environment
• This amplifier contains electric circuits, which
can cause interference when operating near
Radio or TV units. If you notice any abnormal
noise, we recommend to put the amplifier
away from such devices.
• Blown fuses can only be replaced with fuses
of equal values. The use of incorrect fuses is
prohibited and can cause severe injury or
damage of the amplifier.
• Only use a grounded power cable in good
condition.

3
Content
Setting up the GS2-158D............................................................................................... 4
Peripheral Connections.................................................................................................. 5
Preamp Section ............................................................................................................... 5
Controls & Switches........................................................................................................ 6
DSP Effects........................................................................................................................ 7
Special Gimmicks............................................................................................................ 8
Specifications ................................................................................................................... 9

4
Setting up the GS2-158D
WARNING!
To avoid electrical shock or any other damage, make sure that the GS2-158D
and all other devices are switched off before you start connecting them to the
amplifier!
Power Connections/Mains
Before connecting to a grounded power outlet, make
sure the power switches are in the off position (facing
down). The GS2-158D is set up for 230 V of line
voltage. Once the amplifier is plugged in, you can
get started!
Connecting an electric guitar
The input jack on the left side of the frontpanel receives
your electric guitar signal by means of a shielded
guitar cord with 1/4” mono style plug. Make sure
the master volume of the amplifier is set to the lowest
position to avoid disturbing noise while connecting.
Speaker protection
The GS2-158D has a built-in 8” speaker. It can be
damaged by heavy feedbacks of the connected
instruments. You should always keep a sufficient
distance to the amplifier to avoid such feedbacks. This
will extend the life of the speaker and the power amp.
Travelling Abroad
If travelling to countries outside the EU, always check
their local voltage before operating the GS2-158D.
Mismatched voltages can and most likely will destroy
your amplifier. Should you encounter voltages and
frequencies other than those indicated, a transformer
must be used between the power socket and the GS2-
158D. This transformer must be able to transform
the voltage and frequency to one of the indicated
settings.
Main Fuse
The main fuse is situated in a little drawer which is
part of the power input jack. This sliding fuse holder
also hides a spare fuse. For 230 V, the fuse must be
a 0,5A slow blow. It is crucially important to use the
specified fuse values only.
Maintenance
All checkups and repairs must be undertaken
by authorized service personnel. With the right
treatment, the electric circuit and the power amp will
not need any kind of maintenance at all.

5
Periphal Connections/Preamp
Signal In Jack
On the very left side fo the frontpanel you will find a
6,35mm mono style input jack for the connection of
your electric guitar.
Phones
For quiet practicing at home you can also use
optional headphones. For best performance and a
brilliant sound, we recommend our Fame DT 790
studio headphones. Please note that the overall
volume of the amplifier will influence the master
volume of your headphones.
CONNECTIONS ON THE BACK
Mains
This jack is used to connect the GS2-158D to a
grounded power outlet. Please make sure that the
power cord works correctly and has a shielded plug.
PREAMP OF THE GS2-158D
Clean
In this mode, the amplifier produces a very bril-
liant and percussive sound. Due to the fact, that the
GS2-158D features a very small loudspeaker,
you will notice an enhancement on mid and high
frequencies.
Overdrive
This mode features an overdrive of the amplifier’s
preamp. The range goes from a slight overdrive up
to high gain distortion sounds.
Your guitar cord is an important part of our signal chain and its quality and
construction type clearly affect the overall tone of your rig. Try and buy the
best quality cord you can or want to afford for maximum sound!

6
Controls and Switches
We suggest you start exploring the channels with all controls set to 12:00
o‘clock and the master volume slightly cracked open.
Gain
Controls the preamp‘s intensity. With activated
Overdrive mode, it is responsible for the amount of
distortion in the overall sound.
CLEAN/OVERDRIVE
Switches between the two preamp modes of the
GS2-158D.
Volume
This knob adjusts the overall volume of the
GS2-158D. Please note that the maximum capacity
of the power amp will be reached at a setting around
1 to 2 o‘clock. You should not use the amplifier at a
higher setting for a longer period of time. A violation
of this rule will damage the power amp as well as the
built-in loudspeaker.
Treble, Middle, Bass
These three knobs represent the master equalization
of the GS2-158D. Treble controls the amount of high
frequencies in the overall sound, while Middle
and Bass are responsible for the mid and low
frequencies.
Effects
This screened knob offers you a wide variety of
useful DSP effects. All built-in programms cannot
be changed in speed, depth or intensity. You should
always be careful using effects while playing a
heavy distorted sound. This will sound very
intransparent and single notes will not be heard
clearly.
Power
Switches the GS2-158D on or off.

7
Off
In this setting, the DSP effects are bypassed.
Rot. Spk
Simulates the sound of a rotating leslie cabinet.
Hall 1
Offers the reverb of a small room with less reflection,
like in a small concert hall.
Hall 2
Simulates a bigger room with more reflection.
RM 1
Offers the reverb of a small room, while sounding a
little bit like a bathroom slap echo.
RM 2
Sounds a little bigger than RM 1 with a stronger
reflection.
RM 3
Similar to RM 2, bit with a longer and more intense
decay.
Plate 1
Simulates the sound of a so called hall plate, which is
used in many professional studios.
Plate 2
Sounds a little bit like Plate 1, but with a bigger hall
plate.
Plate 3
Similar to Plate 2, but with a stronger accent in the
mid and high frequencies.
Chorus
Produces a classical chorus effect. A second sig-
nal with a slight detune and delay is added to the
original signal, which creates a roomy and wide
sound. Reminds a little bit of the sound of a 12-string
guitar.
Flanger
Very modern flanging effect. This program also
adds a second signal to the original sound, which
modulates in pitch.
Delay 1
A short delay with a few recurrences and medium
intensity.
Delay 2
A longer delay with more repeatings and a higher
intensity.
CH. + RM 1
A combination of a room reverb and a classical
chorus.
CH. + RM 2
Similar to the above-mentioned programm, but with
a higher intensity.
DSP Effects
In this chapter we will introduce the built-in DSP effects. The programms
available are the most known and used actually.

8
External Effects
We are convinced that the basic sound of the Fame
GS2-158D will suit the demands of most guitar players.
Although, the usage of external effects devices can
provide a variety of new and interesting sounds.
These are divided into:
• Level-related effects are: Compressor, Limiter or
Noise Gate
• Time-based effects are: Delay/Echo, Chorus or
Flanger
• Volume-based effects are: Tremolo, Auto-Volume or
Pan
• Filtering-related effects are: Equalizer, Phaser,
Rotary or Vibe
Due to the fact that the GS2-158D does not feature a
built-in fx-loop, all effects devices will always have to be
connected between the guitar and the amplifier’s input.
How to choose the right device
High-quality effects like a vibrato or time-based units like
delays can round up the sound, when placed in front of the
amplifier. But the final sound is depending on the choice of
the specific unit.
A multieffects processor i.e. digitalizes the incoming
signal by using an AD-converter and inverts it after
adding several effects. Depending on the used model,
the sound can be influenced in a negative way.
Expensive units contain very capable converters, which
keep the signal in its original value and even improve the
sound quality.
Analogue units will not harm the signal’s quality, but they
are also limited and normally produce only one overall
sound.
Hints & Gimmicks
We came up with the following advice and “wisdom“ according to our
personal experiences. This will help you to improve the performance of your
GS2-158D.

9
Specifications
Power Output: 15 Watts
Speakers: 1 x 8“ Special Design
Switches: Clean/Overdrive, Mains
Equalization: Bass, Middle, Treble
Effects: DSP effects with 16 different programs
Connection Jacks: Input
Phones
Dimensions: 31,1 x 32,2 x 21 cm
Weight: 7 kg
Accessories: Owner‘s Manual, Power Cable
Optional:

GS2-158D
2007
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