HENNING BOTTLE ROCKET User manual

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HIGH VOLTAGE LND150-BASED TWO CHANNEL PREAMP PEDAL
MODEL: BOTTLE ROCKET PREAMP PEDAL
OWNER’S MANUAL

VERY IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ!
This information is repeated in another section of the user manual. However, it is so important that we felt it should
be front and center. We don’t want to see anyone damage their pedal and void their warranty.
DO NOT connect an AC power supply/adapter, a lower DC voltage (e.g.,
9VDC) power supply/adapter, a higher DC voltage power supply/adapter (e.g.,
18VDC) or a center positive power supply/adapter to the pedal as any of these
may cause damage to the unit and void your warranty.
DO NOT use the Voodoo Lab Voltage Doubler Cable by mistake when
combining two 12V 400mA outputs of a Voodoo labs power supply to power the
pedal as it may cause damage to the unit and void your warranty. Always make
sure you are using the Voodoo Lab Current Doubler Cable.

WELCOME TO HENNING AMPLIFICATION
The Bottle Rocket Preamp Pedal delivers two channels of tube-like tone because of its unique design. The
Clean channel produces gorgeous cleans that can even get gritty as the volume is increased, and the Bottle
Rocket high gain channel is basically identical to our 50-watt Bottle Rocket amplifier's preamp in both
controls and gain stage design. The difference is that the pedal uses a high voltage (325V B+) LND150
MOSFET-based design to deliver its tones. It actually sounds amazingly close to the tube preamp section of
the actual Bottle Rocket amplifier. This pedal is a great starting point for a fly rig pedalboard that will allow
you to get great tones no matter what backline amp you are provided with. Plug it into the effects return of
an amp, in front of a clean amp, or add a pedal board power amp and effects and you're ready to play with
the tones you expect from Henning Amplification.
SPECIFICATIONS:
• Two channels - Clean and Bottle Rocket (high gain)
• High Voltage LND150 MOSFET gain stages for tube tone without the tubes
• Gloss white with black silkscreen heavy-duty enclosure
• Footswitchable channel selection
• Two footswitchable masters (Regular and Solo Boost), each with 3-way saturation switches
• External control of Master and Channel selection for use with switching systems
• Clean channel (and pedal) can be bypassed in either buffered or true bypass modes
• Two gain controls for the first two gain stages of the Bottle Rocket high gain channel, each with a
3-way "Bright" switch for ultimate tonal versatility
DESCRIPTION:
The Bottle Rocket high gain channel provides great tonal versatility due to the dual gain controls and their
corresponding 3-way bright switches, just like its big brother, the Bottle Rocket amplifier. The dual gain
controls provide you with the ability to control the amp's gain in both the first and second preamp stages,
allowing you to shape the tone to your exact taste. The 3-way bright switches on each gain control not only
affect the high-end response of the preamp, but also tighten the response and add considerable perceived
gain in the left and right positions (center position is off). You can mix the bright switch settings and gain
control settings to get everything from classic rock tones to the heaviest modern metal tones. The dedicated
clean channel provides gorgeous pristine cleans that can even get that pushed sound as the volume is
increased and can be easily bypassed if you are running it into the front of a clean amp you already like the
tone of.
The Bottle Rocket channel also allows you to change the gain response of the amp with the 3-way
saturation switches associated with the main channel master (labeled VOLUME) and footswitchable solo
master volume (labeled SOLO), allowing tremendous flexibility in sculpting YOUR ultimate tone. Singing lead
tones and massive power chords can be dialed in with ease. The Bottle Rocket channel's footswitchable solo
master volume and associated 3-way saturation switch can be set to provide a gain and volume boost for
live soloing.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This symbol warns the user of dangerous voltage levels localized within the enclosure.
This symbol advises the user to read all accompanying literature for safe operation of the
unit.
Read, retain, and follow all instructions. Heed all warnings.
WARNING: To prevent damage, fire or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
Unplug the power supply/wall adapter before cleaning the unit exterior (use a damp cloth only). Wait until
the unit is completely dry before reconnecting it to power.
This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products
that produce heat.
This product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: objects have fallen on, or liquid has
been spilled onto the product; or the product has been exposed to rain; or the product does not appear to
operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or the product has been dropped, or the
enclosure damaged.
Do not drip or splash liquids, nor place liquid filled containers near the unit.
CAUTION: DO NOT OPEN THE ENCLOSURE! There are no user serviceable parts inside,
refer servicing to qualified personnel only. Hazardous voltages may be present within the
enclosure even when disconnected from power.

BOTTLE ROCKET PREAMP PEDAL FUNCTIONS
TOP PANEL, LEFT TO RIGHT
1. 12VDC 800mA POWER JACK – This is where you connect the supplied 12VDC, 1A, center-negative
wall mount DC power adapter to power the pedal. Always connect the power adapter to the pedal
FIRST before plugging the adapter into the wall, power strip, or surge protector!
USING OTHER PEDAL POWER SUPPLIES OR WALL MOUNT 12VDC POWER ADAPTERS – please
note that this pedal requires a lot of current to start up, which is why it is spec’d at 800mA. We
recommend that any power supply used provide a minimum of 800mA of current to power this pedal,
however, there are many low quality 12VDC wall mount power adapters that say they provide 1A of
current that simply do not when tested and will not power the pedal. The supplied wall mount power
adapter has been thoroughly tested and as mentioned above, other third party power adapters may
not work even though by specification you would think they should. With regards to pedalboard
power supplies, we have specifically tested the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Mondo using their Current
Doubler Adapter Cable and combining two of the 12V 400mA High Current Isolated DC Outputs. This
combination can be considered verified to power the pedal. Given this, it is very likely that any Voodoo
Lab pedal power supply that has two 12V 400mA High Current Isolated DC Outputs will power the
pedal combing both with a Current Doubler Adapter Cable. This would include the Pedal Power 4x4
and Pedal Power Digital. Make sure you connect the Current Doubler Adapter Cable to the 12V output
of each 400mA output and NOT the 9V outputs! Do not connect anything to the 9V outputs of the
400mA outputs you are using to power the pedal as only one of the 9V or 12V outputs should be used
at a time for each of the two 400mA output sections! Never use a Voodoo Lab cable with a red end
from the Current Doubler Adapter Cable to the pedal as these cables change the power from center
negative to center positive. Always connect the Current Doubler Adapter Cable to a 2.1mm all black
Voodoo Lab cable that you the connect to the pedal. Always connect the power cable to the pedal
FIRST before powering up your Voodoo Lab power supply. If you decide to try other pedal power
supplies or wall mount DC power adapters, realize that you must provide 12VDC and at least 800mA
with center negative to power the pedal. We only provide support for the provided 12VDC 1A wall
mount adapter due to the fact that, as mentioned, other pedal power supplies and wall mount DC
adapters may not actually provide the specified voltage at the specified current and won’t power the
pedal.

VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ – If you connect the pedal to a power supply/adapter that provides
less than 800mA of current at 12VDC, or even an adapter or power supply that says it provides 1A or
more of current but actually doesn’t, it is possible that an under-voltage condition can occur in the
pedal’s power supply. If this happens, you will hear no output, or very low output from the pedal. To
remedy the situation, disconnect the power from the pedal, wait two (2) full minutes so the filter
capacitors can discharge, then connect a correct power supply (like the provided 12VDC, 1A wall
mount DC power adapter) to the pedal to power it. Failure to wait two minutes can result in the pedal
continuing to provide low or no output, even though it is now properly powered. In any case, simply
unplugging the power cable from the pedal, waiting two full minutes and then re-connecting a proper
power supply/adapter will always result in proper operation of the pedal. As mentioned previously,
always connect the pedal to your power supply/wall adapter before plugging the power
supply/adapter into the wall, power strip, or surge protector.
DO NOT connect an AC power supply/adapter, a lower DC voltage (e.g., 9VDC) power
supply/adapter, a higher DC voltage power supply/adapter (e.g., 18VDC) or a center positive
power supply/adapter to the pedal as any of these may cause damage to the unit and void your
warranty.
DO NOT use the Voodoo Lab Voltage Doubler Cable by mistake when combining two 12V
400mA outputs of a Voodoo labs power supply to power the pedal as it may cause damage to the
unit and void your warranty. Always make sure you are using the Voodoo Lab Current Doubler
Cable.
2. INPUT – Plug your guitar or stomp box from your pedalboard in here
3. MAIN OUT – This is the main output from the pedal.
4. AUX OUT – This auxiliary output can be used for a parallel signal path. For example, you could send
the MAIN OUT to your power amp and an onstage guitar cab and the AUX OUT to a cabinet
simulator and then to FOH.
5. CONTROL (TRS) – This allows the pedal to be controlled by an external switcher. The jack is a 1/4”
TRS style jack and so you should only connect a TRS cable between your switcher and the pedal. If
your switcher’s output provides two relays with a TRS jack, control will likely work with a TRS cable to
connect the switcher to the cable. If the switcher relay outputs are split between two TS jacks, a Y-
cable to combine these to a TRS connection will be needed. To operate the pedal remotely, simply
connect the Tip to Sleeve to activate the SOLO boost. Connect the Ring to Sleeve to activate the
Bottle Rocket channel. Latching-style relay control is required. Note if you use external control
(plugging a cable into this jack), the CHANNEL SELECT and SOLO switches on the pedal will not
operate.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
CLEAN CHANNEL CONTROLS
1. BASS – Passive Low frequency equalization.
2. TREBLE – Passive High frequency equalization.
3. VOLUME – Volume control.
4. CLEAN ON/TRUE BYPASS/BUFFERED BYPASS – This 3-way switch, in the center of the second row
of controls, selects the pedal's Clean mode. Basically, whenever the CHANNEL SELECT footswitch is
depressed so that the CLEAN GREEN LED is lit, one of these three modes is active:
a. The left position (CLEAN ON) engages the CLEAN CHANNEL and the corresponding controls
will operate.
b. The center position (TRUE BYPASS) bypasses the CLEAN CHANNEL (and the entire pedal) in
True Bypass mode and works just like any pedal that uses a switch or relay to bypass the
signal through the pedal from the input to the output. You'd use this mode with a loop switcher
or pedalboard with other pedals handling buffering/clean tones.
c. The right position (BUFFERED BYPASS) bypasses the CLEAN CHANNEL (and the entire
pedal) in Buffered Bypass mode, which runs the signal through a buffer, but does not alter the
tone in any way. This is useful for driving other pedals on a pedal board into the front of a clean
amp.

BOTTLE ROCKET CHANNEL CONTROLS
5. BRIGHT – This bright switch sets the value of the bright cap for the first gain stage, which can increase
the high-end response, tighten the amp’s response and add considerable perceived gain. It is a 3-way
switch and the center position is OFF, meaning no additional high end, tightness or perceived gain. If
the switch is set to the left position, the highest value bright cap is in the circuit. In the right position, a
more moderate bright cap is in the circuit.
6. GAIN I - Sets the overdrive level of the first gain stage.
7. BRIGHT – This bright switch sets the value of the bright cap for the second gain stage. It operates
exactly like the first bright switch described in 5. above.
8. GAIN II - Sets the overdrive level of the second gain stage.
9. BASS – Passive Low frequency equalization.
10. MIDDLE – Passive Mid frequency equalization.
11. TREBLE – Passive High frequency equalization.
12. SAT – This saturation switch sets the gain type for the channel master named VOLUME. It is a 3-way
switch, and the center position is OFF, meaning no additional gain and compression is added. If the
switch is set to the RIGHT position, a subtle amount of gain and compression is added. If the switch is
set to the LEFT position, a higher level of gain and compression results. NOTE – engaging the SAT
switch in the LEFT or RIGHT positions will result in a significant volume drop for the same
setting of the channel master. This is totally normal and to be expected. Simply adjust your
VOLUME channel master to your needs.
13. VOLUME – This is the main channel master control. We recommend that you set the VOLUME quite
high if using the SAT 3-way switch in LEFT or RIGHT settings.
14. SAT – This saturation switch sets the gain type for channel master named SOLO. It is a 3-way switch,
and the center position is OFF, meaning no additional gain and compression is added. If the switch is
set to the RIGHT position, a subtle amount of gain and compression is added. If the switch is set to the
LEFT position, a higher level of gain and compression is added. NOTE – engaging the SAT switch in
the LEFT or RIGHT positions will result in a significant volume drop for the same setting of the
channel master. This is totally normal and to be expected. Simply adjust your SOLO channel
master to your needs.
15. SOLO – This is the SOLO channel master control. It is only engaged when the SOLO footswitch is
depressed so that the RED LED above it lit. It is intended as a solo boost and overrides the regular
channel master named VOLUME when engaged. You can set the associated SAT switch for a lead
tone and set SOLO so that it provides a boost in volume over the VOLUME channel master. We
recommend that you set the SOLO control quite high if using the SAT 3-way switch in LEFT or RIGHT
settings.

FOOTSWITCHES
16. CHANNEL SELECT - The CHANNEL SELECT switch controls whether the CLEAN CHANNEL or
BOTTLE ROCKET CHANNEL of the pedal is engaged. Depress the footswitch to switch between them.
When the CLEAN GREEN LED is selected, the CLEAN CHANNEL is engaged (or the pedal is
bypassed either in True or Buffered bypass modes depending on the setting of the CLEAN ON/TRUE
BYPASS/BUFFERED BYPASS 3-way switch. When the BOTTLE ROCKET YELLOW LED is lit, the
BOTTLE ROCKET CHANNEL is engaged. Note that the CHANNEL SELECT switch is inactive if a
cable is plugged into the CONTROL (TRS) input as external control is expected.
17. SOLO - The SOLO switch controls whether the SOLO (and associated SATURATION switch) or the
VOLUME (and associated SATURATION switch) channel master is engaged. Depress the SOLO
footswitch to engage the SOLO channel master (and associated SATURATION switch) and light the
RED LED above the switch. Depress the switch again and the VOLUME channel master (and
associated SATURATION switch) will be engaged and the RED LED above the switch will not be lit.
Note that the SOLO switch is inactive if a cable is plugged into the CONTROL (TRS) input as
external control is expected.
SAMPLE SETTING
To help you get acquainted with your Henning Bottle Rocket Preamp Pedal, we have created this sample setting of all
the controls so that you have a great starting point for tweaking the amp to YOUR tone. You may need to adjust the
three volumes (one called SOLO) to balance the CLEAN and BOTTLE ROCKET channel volume. If you are using the SAT
switches in left or right settings, you will likely want to keep the CLEAN Channel VOLUME less than 10 o’clock.
Here is one of our favorite settings for the amp:
CLEAN ON/TRUE BYPASS/BUFFERED BYPASS – CLEAN ON (to the left)
CLEAN CHANNEL:
BASS – 1 o’clock
TREBLE – 1:30
VOLUME – 9 o’clock
BOTTLE ROCKET CHANNEL
BRIGHT – set to center position
GAIN 1 – 1 o’clock
BRIGHT – set to left position
GAIN 2 – 1 o’clock
BASS – 1 o’clock
MIDDLE – 1:30
TREBLE – 2 o’clock
SATURATION – set to right position
VOLUME – 4:30
SATURATION – set to the left position
SOLO – 5 o’clock

LIMITED WARRANTY
Subject to the obligations and exclusions found below, this product is warrantied by Henning Amplification, LLC against manufacturing
defects in materials and workmanship for the period of One (1) Year from the date of purchase.
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: a Henning Amplification Authorized Service Station, by returning the unit to the Henning Amplification, LLC
factory with prior written authorization, or (in countries outside of the United States) by a representative Henning Amplification, LLC
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 Henning Amplification, LLC service outlet is the responsibility of the
user. Units sent directly to the Henning Amplification factory for warranty repairs must be authorized by Henning Amplification,
LLC 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, enclosures, power adapters 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 Henning Amplification,
LLC including, but not limited to, any malfunction, defects, or failure caused by or resulting from unauthorized service or parts,
damaged or incorrect line voltage, incorrect power supplies/adapters, power supply cables, 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 Henning Amplification, LLC product sold outside of U.S. boundaries is borne by the Henning
Amplification, LLC representative in that particular country or territory. Also, the warranty term and conditions may be different
from those stated above. Please contact the Henning Amplification, LLC distributor or dealer in your country for more information.
The foregoing is in lieu of all other expressed warranties, and Henning Amplification, LLC does not authorize any party to assume for
it any other obligation or liability. In no event shall Henning Amplification, LLC 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.
HENNING AMPLIFICATION, LLC
25108 MARGUERITE PKWY., STE A-522
MISSION VIEJO, CA 92692-2400
TEL [phone]
http://www.henningamps.com
Copyright 2020 Henning Amplification, LLC