Finkbiner Industries HOT HAVOC 15236 User manual

HOT HAVOC Preamplifier
User’s Manual Finkbiner Industries LLC
HOT HAVOC Preamplifier (Model 15236): User’s Manual 15254 Revision 0
Finkbiner Industries LLC

www.HavocAmps.com
HOT HAVOC Preamplifier (Model 15236): User’s Manual 15254 Revision 0
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Table of Contents
WARNINGS................................................................................................3
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK ..............................................................3
SERVICE AND SUPPORT.....................................................................3
OVERVIEW.................................................................................................3
FEATURES..................................................................................................4
FRONT PANEL............................................................................................4
REAR PANEL ..............................................................................................6
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................7
WARRANTY................................................................................................8
Warranty Coverage...............................................................................8
Items Not Covered................................................................................8
How to obtain warranty service............................................................8
Satisfaction Guarantee..........................................................................8

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WARNINGS
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
Do not open cover, risk of electrical shock inside.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, this
apparatus should not be exposed to rain or moisture
and objects filled with liquids should not be plated on
this apparatus. To prevent the risk of fire hazard,
replace with same type 250 volt fuse.
SERVICE AND SUPPORT
For service or support, contact:
[e-mail]
ALLOW ADEQUATE VENTILATION
Do not block the vents on top of the apparatus. Provide adequate
ventilation to prevent overheating.
OVERVIEW
Congratulations on your purchase of a HOT HAVOC preamplifier,
hand-built and hand-wired by Finkbiner Industries LLC in the USA. The
HOT HAVOC preamplifier features three 12AX7 tubes, TREBLE,
MIDDLE, and BASS controls to fine tune your tone, and an adjustable
level unbalanced line level output for connecting to your choice of a
HAVOC power amplifier, effects unit, mixer, or any other line input
audio device.
Start with the GAIN at minimum, and adjust output signal level with the
LEVEL control. This results in a relatively clean sound that is still capable

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HOT HAVOC Preamplifier (Model 15236): User’s Manual 15254 Revision 0
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of driving the line output to the full 0 dBV (1 volt rms) level (HAVOC
power amplifiers are designed to overdrive with a 0 dBV input signal, so
this combination results in clean preamplifier with overdriven power
amplifier).
OR
Crank the distortion with the GAIN control, and adjust output signal
level with the LEVEL control. This quickly results in an overdriven sound
and reaches into thick distortion. Use it for a harmonically rich overdrive
tone at low volume levels, or crank the power amplifier as well for the
full HAVOC experience.
FEATURES
Single channel design for circuit simplicity
Low noise design and layout
TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS tone controls
Line level output
FRONT PANEL
1. INPUT (Unbalanced)
The HOT HAVOC preamplifier has a single high impedance (1
MΩ ) input for use with standard guitar pickups. The input jack
accepts a standard 1/4” guitar cable.
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2. GAIN
The GAIN control sets the overall overdrive and distortion of the
preamplifier, as well as impacts output level. Low settings
result in a cleaner sound, while the maximum setting results in
an intense distortion tone.
3. TREBLE
The TREBLE control alters the high frequency content of your
sound.
4. MIDDLE
The MIDDLE control alters the middle frequency content of your
sound.
User’s Tip:
The MIDDLE control is quite interactive with the TREBLE and BASS
controls. With low settings of the TREBLE control, the MIDDLE control
will begin controlling the high frequency response as well; likewise for
low settings of the BASS control.
5. BASS
The BASS control alters the low frequency content of your
sound.
6. LEVEL
Use the LEVEL control (along with the GAIN control) to adjust
the overall signal level sent to the line output.
User’s Tip:
It is recommended to begin by setting the LEVEL control to minimum
and increasing until the volume/level is acceptable. The output stage of

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HOT HAVOC Preamplifier (Model 15236): User’s Manual 15254 Revision 0
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the amplifier is designed to clip once the output signal reaches over 1
Vrms; this is important to avoid damage to guitar pedals and other gear
you might plug into.
7. POWER
It turns it on when you want to rock, and turns it off when you
are finished.
REAR PANEL
8. POWER
Plug the included IEC power cable in here, and plug the other
end into a grounded 120 VAC outlet. Be sure to use a properly
grounded outlet. Do NOT remove the ground pin from the
power cord, due to shock hazard.
9. FUSE
The power cord receptacle contains a fuse for protection. Only
replace the fuse when the power cord has been disconnected,
and only with like specifications (see SPECIFICATIONS on page
7). If your amplifier is blowing fuses, send it in for service (see
SERVICE AND SUPPORT on page 3). Do NOT replace with a
larger current rating fuse.
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10

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10. LINE OUT (Unbalanced)
Accepts a 1/4” TS connector, and sends a line level signal to a
power amplifier, stomp box, mixing board, effects unit, etc.
Designed to produce a 0 dBV (1 volt RMS) signal. The GAIN and
LEVEL controls are used in concert to adjust the level of this
signal.
SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: 15236
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 1 MΩ
OUTPUT LEVEL: 0 dBV (1 volt RMS) nominal (see below), 1.5
volt RMS maximum
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: < 1KΩ
POWER CONSUMPTION: < 15 watts 60 Hz, 120 VAC
FUSE: 5x20mm, 250V, 0.50 amp, ceramic, slow blow
DIMENSIONS: 19” x 8” x 3.5”
WEIGHT: 6 lbs
TUBES: (3) 12AX7

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WARRANTY
Warranty Coverage
This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship in HAVOC
amplifiers purchased in the USA for a period of one year from the date
of original purchase. The warranty begins on the date of purchase.
Finkbiner Industries LLC will repair or replace, at its discretion, the
defective product.
Items Not Covered
The warranty does not cover:
1. Damage caused by accident, abuse, modification, misuse,
neglect or occurring during shipment.
2. Damage caused by service or repair performed by persons not
authorized by Finkbiner Industries LLC.
3. Products not purchased from an authorized HAVOC amplifiers
dealer.
4. Products on which the serial numbers have been removed,
defaced, or altered.
How to obtain warranty service
Contact [e-mail] to arrange for warranty service.
Include a copy of your sales receipt.
Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not satisfied with your HAVOC amplifier for any reason,
contact [e-mail] within 30 days of the original date of
purchase to return the product for a full refund of the purchase price,
less shipping costs. The product must be in original, undamaged
condition.