Fryette S.A.S. Real Tube Discharge User manual

®
Real Tube Discharge®
Owner’s Manual

Introduction
Congratulations and thank you for choosing the FRYETTE S.A.S.®
Real Tube Discharge!
As a player, you are constantly searching for new sounds and new
ways to improve your existing setup. We understand the constantly
evolving nature of artistic creativity and the search for the perfect
sound to complement your musical vision.
The S.A.S.® is unique among distortion pedals in general and tube
distortion pedals in particular. It utilizes an EF86 “Pentode” type
preamp tube rather than the typical 12AX7 “Triode” type. The EF86
produces power amp distortion qualities not available from a triode
tube type and therefore delivers real amp distortion sounds similar to
that which you would experience with a cranked, low powered vintage
tube amp.
How it works
Most distortion pedals, in fact most pedals in general, operate at very
low voltages which typically limit dynamic range. Dynamic range is
the ability of a device to react to and reproduce large changes in
volume or string attack. If you hit your strings hard and the tone seems
thin and squeezed rather than fat and snappy, you may be experiencing
compression due to lack of dynamic range.
The S.A.S.® is a high-voltage pentode tube design which produces
greater dynamic range than a typical pedal. This coupled with a high
gain distortion stage produces not only a wide range of cool distortion
effects, but does so with the clarity of a clean amp. As a result, you will
be able to hear all of the notes and harmonics in a complex chord
pattern as well as the subtle sonic signatures of your different guitars.
You can also achieve a wide variety of vintage and modern tones at
any volume level.
Because of the unique design and wide dynamic range, the S.A.S.®
will work well with any instrument, such as bass, keyboards and it
even makes a great vintage blues harp tone!
Fryette products are renowned for outstanding performance and are
designed and built to last a lifetime. Your S.A.S.® will require very
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little maintenance. The EF86 tube is shock-mounted and will last typi-
cally 2-3 years depending on usage and other conditions. Should you
decide to replace the tube, we recommend that you refer this service to
qualified service personnel. However if you have electronic repair
experience and wish to replace the tube yourself, please observe all
necessary precautions and remove the power cord before opening the
unit.
An EF86 is the factory installed tube and is selected for its superior
performance, low noise, and low microphonic sensitivity.
CAUTION:
THE EF86 IS NOT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH A 12AX7 OR ANY
OTHER TUBE TYPE. USE ONLY AN EF86/6267 TYPE.
Since the
performance of this device is dependent upon the quality of the tube,
the warranty is only valid if the factory recommended tube is used.
Operation
GAIN: This is the amount of signal level that drives the tube. Turning
it up will provide additional sustain and distortion. You can also back
down the volume control on your guitar for a cleaner sound. Start with
the Gain set fully counter-clockwise and gradually increase the gain
while compensating with the Volume control for optimum balance.
BIAS: This control affects the operation of the tube. All the way to the
left (BLISS) is the least distorted setting and produces the most clean
headroom. As you progressively turn this knob to the right the tube gets
progressively more distorted and unbalanced, causing greater degrees
of interesting fuzz, distortion and overdrive effects. Start with this
control set fully counterclockwise. Set the Gain and Volume at around
9 o’clock and gradually turn up the Bias. As the bias is increased, also
increase the volume slightly to compensate for the reduction in output
level caused by the bias control. You may hear a slight “rushing” noise
as you turn the Bias control. This is normal.
VOLUME: This sets the output level. Simply set it for the desired
output. There is plenty of juice available to overdrive your tube amp
even with the gain and bias set low. Increasing the gain will increase the
output volume, so you will need to reduce the volume to compensate
for the gain increase. Conversely, increasing the bias will decrease the
output volume, so you will need to increase the volume to compensate
for the bias increase.

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FOOTSWITCH: Activates the true bypass internal relay. With the
effect switched off there is no load on the guitar pick-ups or previous
effects. In this state the internal tube and indicator LED produce a
warm amber color behind the tube vent grill. When the effect is
activated the LED changes to a bright red behind the tube vent grill. If
power to the pedal should be reduced or interrupted for any reason, the
device automatically goes into bypass mode.
External Power
Plugging the AC adapter into the 12VAC input jack turns on the power
to your S.A.S.® The Fryette S.A.S.® is powered externally with a
12VAC power supply. The external power supply connector is a
5.5x2.5mm barrel type. To insure reliable performance use only the
supplied AC adapter.
Specifications
Input Impedance: 1M ohm
Output Impedance: 100K ohm
Power Input Connector: 2.5mm x 5.5mm
Operating Voltage: 12VAC
Maximum Voltage: 14VAC
Current Consumption: 500mA
Tube Requirement: EF86/6267 or equivalent. NOT INTER-
CHANGEABLE WITH A 12AX7 OR ANY OTHER TYPE!
Dimensions: 5” W x 4.75” D x 1.25” H
Weight: 1.5 Pounds

Quick Start Settings
Below are 4 sample settings to get you off on the right foot.
NOTE: Be sure to experiment with different guitar pick-ups, and the
guitar volume and tone controls. These will have a radical effect on the
behavior of the distortion circuit allowing you to fully explore the
capabilities of the S.A.S.® and your various instruments and amplifi-
ers. Even small amounts of Gain and Bias will open up a whole new
dimension of possibilities for your guitar. And once you add sufficient
boost to overload the front of your amplifier, there will be some inter-
esting frequency shifting depending on the amp and how it reacts to
being boosted. Every amp will react differently - to what extent
depends on your gear and the various settings, playing volume, other
effects etc.
Neck or Bridge pick-up.
Guitar volume down 1 or 2 notches
Guitar tone full up.
Example 1 - Clean Boost
Bridge pick-up.
Guitar volume and tone full up.
Example 2 - Vintage Small Amp Clean
Neck pick-up.
Guitar tone down about half.
Example 3 - Woman Tone
Bridge pick-up.
Guitar volume and tone full up.
Example 4 - Manic Depression
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Certificate of Compliance
Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
We certify that all of our products (exceptions see listed below) are compliant with the
European Union Direc-tive 2002/95/EC for the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous
Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS).
No Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6), PBB or
PBDE is intentionally added to these devices. Any trace impurities of these substances
contained in the parts are below the RoHS specified threshold levels.
All information provided in this Certificate of Compliance is accurate to the best of our
knowledge as of the date this Certification was issued.
Certificate of Compliance
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of
chemicals (REACh)
We declare that all of our products are compliant with European Union Directive
EC1907/206 for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of chemicals
(REACh), and contain none or less than 0.1% of the chemicals listed as hazardous chemi-
cals in the REACh regulation. All information provided in this Certificate of Compliance
is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date this Certification was issued.
Declaration of Conformity
EMC and Low Voltage Directive (CE)
Product Name: S.A.S.® Real Tube Discharge®
Model Number: SAS-PG
This is to certify that the product listed above complies with the following European
Union Council Directives and Standards relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC
Directive 89/336/EEC) and the low voltage Directive (73/23/EEC).
This declaration of conformity of the European Communities is the result of an examina-
tion carried out by Electromagnetic Engineering Services, Inc. in accordance with
European Standards EN 50081-1, EN 50082-1 and EN 60065 for low voltage, as laid
down in Article 10 of the EMC Directive.
Steven Fryette Design, Inc
6850 Vineland Avenue., Unit P
North Hollywood, CA 91605 USA
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LIMITED WARRANTY
Subject to the obligations and exclusions found below, this product is warranted by Steven
Fryette Design, Inc., (herein SFD) against manufacturing defects in materials and work-
manship for the period of Five (5) Years from the date of purchase, with the exception of
the tubes, fuses and speakers where applicable, which carry a 90 day warranty.
The warranty period commences on the date of purchase by the original user. Performance
under this warranty must be obtained at one of the following: an SFD Authorized Service
Station, by returning the unit to the SFD factory with prior written authorization, or (in
countries outside of the United States) by a representative SFD distributor.
Obligations
1. This warranty will be honored only on the presentation of the original proof
of purchase.
2. Transportation of the product to and from an authorized SFD service outlet is
the responsibility of the user. Units sent directly to the SFD factory for warranty
repairs must be authorized by SFD and shipped prepaid.
Exclusions
1. This warranty shall not cover adjustment of consumer-operated controls as
explained in the appropriate instruction manual, or products that have been
altered or have missing, or defaced serial numbers.
2. This warranty shall not apply to the appearance of accessory items including
but not limited to, cabinets, cabinet parts, or knobs.
3. This warranty does not apply to uncrating, setup, installation, or the removal
and reinstallation of products for repair.
4. This warranty shall not apply to repair or replacements necessitated by any
cause beyond the control of SFD including, but not limited to, any malfunction,
defects, or failure caused by or resulting from unauthorized service or parts,
damaged or broken tubes, incorrect line voltage, improper maintenance,
modification or repair by the user, abuse, misuse, neglect, accident, fire, flood,
or other Acts of God.
5. Responsibility for the repair of any SFD product sold outside of U.S. boundaries
is borne by the SFD representative in that particular country or territory.
Also, the warranty term and conditions may be different from those stated
above. Please contact the SFD distributor or dealer in your country for more
information.
The foregoing is in lieu of all other expressed warranties, and SFD does not authorize any
party to assume for it any other obligation or liability. In no event shall SFD be liable for
special or consequential damages arising from the use of this product, or for any delay in
the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond our control. Some states do not
allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitations on implied warranty and
consequential damages may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights. You may have other rights that vary from state to state.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
U.S. and Canadian residents may register their Fryette product(s) online at
www.fryette.com/support_form.aspx by selecting and completing the Warranty Registra-
tion form. All other international residents please contact the authorized distributor your
Fryette product was purchased from. For a list of international distributors please visit
www.fryette.com/dealers.html