Fortin Cali User manual

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Cali50W TUBE AMPLIFIER

We are pleased to present our newest weapon of sonic destruction, the CALI!"CALI is
an all-tube, 50 watt, 3-channel amplifier, that"brings you sweet lush cleans to crushing
gain brutality."The CALI"features a clean channel, and two gain channels that have
assignable VIOLENCE 4th gain stage from the FORTIN KILLER KALI ++ that can be
added to either overdrive channels for more searing gain. The CALI is an extremely
versatile amplifier, with a nod to vintage British voicing, that also puts forth the
blistering modern high-gain tones Fortin are known for delivering. Given the high-
demand for the Cali and KK++ mods in the past, we wanted to cover all the best
features in a single 3-channel amplifier, making it ideal for live use, smaller/lighter-
weight format, and all the best features from all the variations.!
!
Califront panel overview (right to left)
INPUT: Where you connect your instrument.!
GAIN 1 (inner concentric): Sets the input gain for OD1 and works with GAIN 2 OD1.
OD1 has a hardwired bright cap that makes it edgier compared to OD2 if not set to
max.!
GAIN 1 (outer concentric): Sets the input gain for OD2 and works with GAIN 2 OD2.!
BRIGHT :3-way bright switch for GAIN 2 OD1 high frequency boost that becomes
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less active as the gain control is increased and allows you to select 2 different cap
values with the center position no bright cap. Working both GAIN 1 and GAIN 2 pots
for OD1 in different position with all the combinations of the bright switch positions
gives you a plethora of options to tailor your tone.!
GAIN 2 (inner concentric): Sets your 2nd gain for OD1 with a dedicated 3-way
BRIGHT switch. Settings 12 o’clock and below will can cause high frequency top end
distortion if the BRIGHT switch is engaged. !
GAIN 2 (outer concentric): Sets your 2nd gain for OD2 with a dedicated 3-way
BRIGHT switch. Settings 12 o’clock and below will can cause high frequency top end
distortion if the BRIGHT switch is engaged.!
BRIGHT: 3-way bright switch for GAIN 2 OD2 high frequency boost that becomes
less active as gain control is increased. Working both GAIN 1 and GAIN 2 pots for
OD2 in different position with all the combinations of the bright switch positions gives
you multiple options to tailor your tone.!
CLEAN: Sets your clean channel level. This channel will dirty up a bit after 2 o’clock
and even more with the global SAT switch pulled on the BASS control. This channel !
also loves boost pedals. !
BRIGHT: 3-way bright switch for CLEAN high frequency boost that becomes less
active as gain control is increased. Working the CLEAN pot in different position s
with all the combinations of the bright switch positions gives you tons of options to
tailor your tone.!
TREBLE: Passive interactive high frequency equalization for all channels.!
VIOLENCE OD2: Adds an assignable 4th tube gain stage for OD2 channel.!
MIDDLE: Passive interactive midrange frequency equalization for all channels.!
VIOLENCE OD1: Adds an assignable 4th tube gain stage for OD1channel.!
BASS w/ PULL SAT: Passive interactive low frequency equalization for all channels.
PULL SAT is global saturation for more gain and compression. It is normal for the
sound to drop a bit. In the CLEAN channel, the SAT does not affect the CLEAN channel
until 2 o’clock and beyond on the CLEAN gain control. This way you can set up your
CLEAN channel as clean or crunch with the SAT pulled and higher than 2 o’clock
settings. !
HAIR: 3-way select switch for negative feedback power amp control of high frequency
interaction between amplifier and speakers.!

PRESENCE: Power amp control of high frequency variable feedback.!
THUMP: 3-way select switch for power amp control of low frequency interaction
between amplifier and speakers.!
MASTER: Outer concentric is for CLEAN, inner concentric is for OD1 & OD2.!
STANDBY: Pre-heat for tubes, down engages the amp to operate. !
POWER: Down position engages the mains to the amplifier.!
INDICATOR: NOS Avionics light with adjustable brightness by turning the bezel.!
Cali rear panel overview (right to left)
MAINS: Input to connect wall power. !
VOLTAGE: Switchable between 120VAC and 240VAC operation. !
MAINS FUSE: T2A fuse for 120VAC, T1A fuse for 240VAC. !
HT FUSE: T.500mA fuse for high voltage. !
BIAS 1 & BIAS 2: on the back panel allows you to set the bias of output tubes. It is
currently set to 32mV per tube. Use a Digital Multimeter. When changing tubes, always
start by turning the BIAS 1 and BIAS 2 pots fully counter-clockwise, a speaker load
connected, and MASTERs set to zero. As you turn the BIAS 1 and BIAS 2 pots
SLOWLY clockwise, the tubes with starting drawing current. Jump back and forth
between the two output tubes and bring them up together. !
OUTPUT: Selects the output impedance to match your speaker cabinet 16/8/4 ohms.!
SPEAKER: Jacks to connect your cabinet. Jacks are wired in parallel.!
RETURN: Series effects loop return.!
SEND: Series effects loop send, instrument level. !
FOOTSWITCH: Connect 1/4” TRS footswitch for control of the 3 channels. First button
switches between CLEAN & OD2, Second button engages OD1. For remote switching,
here is the truth table: OD1 = tip open, ring open, OD2 = tip open, ring short to ground,
CLEAN = tip shorted to ground, ring open.!