JET CITY AMPLIFICATION JCA5212RC User manual

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•All inquiries must be accompanied by a description of the
problem. Jet City Amplification will then issue a Return
Authorization Number (RA Number .
•Once the RA Number has been obtained, the product must
be returned in its original shipping carton. The return
Authorization Number must be printed clearly on the
shipping label on the outside of the box, and included with
the returned product. Both the product in its original
package and the Return Authorization Number must be
shipped to the address indicated by Jet City Amplification at
the time the call is made.
•Shipments without prepaid freight will not be accepted.
4 Warranty Regulation / Exclusions
•Warranty services will not be furnished if the product is not
returned with the original sales receipt.
•Tubes and loudspeaker drivers are considered maintenance
items and are excluded from all warranty claims.
•If the product needs to be modified or adapted in order to
comply with technical or safety standards on a national or
local level, in any country which is not the country for which
the product was not originally developed and manufactured,
this modification/adaptation shall not be considered a defect
in materials or workmanship. This warranty does not cover
any such modification/adaptation, irrespective of whether it
was executed properly or not. Under the terms of this
warranty Jet City Amplification shall not be held responsible
for any cost resulting from such a modification/adaptation.
•Free inspections and maintenance/ repair work are expressly
excluded from this warranty, in particular, if caused by
improper handling of the product by the user. This applies to
defects caused by normal wear and tear of items such as
knobs, tolex and similar parts.
•Damages caused by the following conditions are not covered
by warranty:
J
JE ET T C CI IT TY Y A AM MP PL LI IF FI IC CA AT TI IO ON N
J
JC CA A5 52 21 12 2R RC C
O
OW WN NE ER R’ ’S S M MA AN NU UA AL L

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•DANGER: RISK OF ELE TRI SHO K,
DO NOT OPEN
•ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE!
•NE PAS OUVIRIR!
•ACHTUNG: STROMSHLAG GEFÄHRDUNG,
NICHT AUFMACHEN!
AUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
remove cover or open rear panel. No user serviceable parts
inside: refer handling to qualified personnel.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this amplifier to rain or moisture.
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside
the enclosure – voltage that may be sufficient to
constitute a risk of shock.
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the
important operating and maintenance instructions
in the following document.
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WARRANTY
1 Register Your Product Online
Please visit www.jetcityamplification.com within 30 days from the
date of purchase as listed on the buyer’s receipt to register your
product. Doing so will enable you to receive the most current
information about our company and products, directly from Jet City.
2 Warranty
•Jet City Amplification warrants the mechanical and electronic
components of this product to be free of defects in material
and workmanship for a period of one (1 year from the
original date of purchase, in accordance with the warranty
regulations described below. If this product shows any
defects within the specified warranty period that are not
excluded under this warranty as described in section 4, Jet
City Amplification shall, at its discretion, either replace or
repair the product using suitable new or reconditioned parts.
In the case in which other parts are used which constitutes
an improvement, Jet City Amplification may, at its discretion,
charge the customer for these parts.
•If the warranty claim proves to be justified, the product will
be returned to the customer freight prepaid.
•Warranty claims other than those indicated above are
expressly excluded.
3 Return Authorization Number
•To obtain warranty service, the buyer (or his authorized
dealer must call Jet City Amplification or Authorized Jet City
Amplification Distributor (current list and contact
information can be found at (www.jetcityamplification.com
during normal business hours before returning the product.

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QUI K SETTINGS FOR SELE TED TONES
•Use the Clean channel Volume and the CRUNCH
channel Master controls to match the volumes of the
two channels.
•CLEAN SETTINGS: The channel is designed for maximum
headroom (output before distortion . Set the CLEAN
channel Volume control to an appropriate level for how
loud you want the amp. Use the EQ section to get the
tasty tone out of your guitar.
•GAIN SETTINGS: Switch to the CRUNCH channel.
Initially, the CRUNCH Master should be set to a level
similar to the CLEAN Volume. Slowly turn up the Gain
control to give the desired amount of gain and
distortion. Adjust the MASTER control to set the desired
loudness.
•REMEMBER TO EXPERIMENT: This is how you will get
the most out of your new amplifier.
•REMEMBER TO TURN IT UP, YO
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRU TIONS:
1. Read and keep these instructions.
2. Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
3. Do not operate near water.
4. Clean only with a dry cloth.
5. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
6. Do not install near heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that
produce heat.
7. Protect the power cable from being walked on or
pinched at the plugs, convenience receptacles, and
the point where they exit the unit.
8. Do not defeat the safety purposes of the polarized
or grounding type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding
type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The third prong is provided for your safety. If
the provided plug does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the
outdated/obsolete outlet.
9. Use only attachments/ accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
10. Unplug the amplifier during lighting storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
11. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power cable or plug
damage, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.

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ONGRATULATIONS!
Your JCA5212RC was designed by the world-renowned tube
amp designer Mike Soldano, in SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, and
meticulously assembled to assure that it meets the highest
quality standards and value.
The JCA5212RC is an all-original Soldano design for Jet City
Amplification. Like all previous Soldano-designed amps from
Jet City Amplification, the JCA5212RC features the “Crunch”
circuit capable of a wide range of character – from clean and
bright to muscular and powerful. Our top-of-the-line combo
adds Soldano’s “Clean” circuit. Previously only available in
the Soldano Lucky 13, the Clean channel is wide-open with
no gain control. Each channel also has a dedicated EQ, for
added tonal versatility.
There are a few more tubes here, too – both the 3-spring
reverb and the effects loop are tube-driven for rich, warm
effects. And like all Soldano designs, it’s all about the purity
of tone in 5212 again – not a mini-switch, pull-pot, or other
secret-sauce knob will be found anywhere on this amp.
•Plug the power cable into the back panel and plug the cable
into a power receptacle. Turn on the power switch on the
amplifier and wait about 30 seconds for the tubes to warm
up.
•Turn on the standby switch.
•Turn up your volume switch on your guitar and impress your
friends with your amazing new tone.
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match the amp’s speaker output impedance with a speaker’s
impedance (sometimes called “load” .
3. OK, how does that relate to my J A5212R ?
Your amp has outputs on the back marked “16 ohm” and “8
ohm.” You need to pick the correct output for your speaker
configuration. To be specific, if your speaker cabinet is listed
as “16 ohms” then use the “16 ohm” output on your amp.
Things get a bit more complicated when you want to use
more than on speaker cabinet. Speaker cabinets often have
a set of ¼” jacks labeled “series” or “parallel.” This allows you
to run a speaker from your head to one cabinet and then
from that cabinet to another one. When you use the
“series” output, the load increases so you add each cabinet’s
impedance to determine the overall load (two 8-ohm cabs in
series = 16-ohm load .
When you use the “parallel” output, the load decreases. If
all cabinets have the same impedance, then divide that
impedance by the number of cabinets (two 8-ohm cabs in
parallel = 4-ohm load . If the cabinets are of different
impedance, then multiply the impedances together and
divide this by the sum of the cabinet impedances (one 8-ohm
cab and one 16-ohm cab in parallel = 5.33-ohm load . In case
of an awkward number, default to the impedance closes to,
but lower than, the number (for a 5.33-ohm load, use the 4-
ohm output .
4. Um…could you make that a little easier?
Sure! Just read the chart below to find what your speaker
configuration.
Connect your JCA5212 to:
Single JCA24S amp’s 8-ohm out to cab’s 8-ohm in (mono mode
Single JCA48S amp’s 16-ohm out to cab’s 16-ohm in (mono mode
Dual JCA48S amp’s 8-ohm out to cab 1’s 16-ohm in (mono
amp’s 2nd 8-oh out to 2nd cab’s 16-ohm in (mono

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•Little or no high end/treble
•Muddy low end or loss of clarity; amp sounds
“muddy”
•Mysterious fluctuations in the amp’s overall volume
•Amp doesn’t work!
4. What the heck is “biasing” and do I need to do it?
“Biasing” is a technical term that has to do with things like
“voltage applied to the grid” and “moving the operating
point into a more linear range.” If you didn’t understand
that, then don’t attempt this yourself!
Fixed-bias amps, like your new JCA100H/50H, allow you to
“plug and play” matched power tubes of the same brand and
model without needing a bias adjustment. However, if you
are switching tube types (from a 6L6GC to a KT66 for
instance , you will want to have a certified technician
manually adjust the bias.
SPEAKERS AND IMPEDEN E
Every guitar amplifier actually consists of two primary parts: amp and
speaker. In combos, the speaker(s has already been matched to the
amp. Even your JCA5212RC is a combo, you can still add external
speakers. There are some basic ground rules for this.
1. What are the best speaker cabinets for my J A5212R ?
Why, Jet City cabinets, of course! The single speaker JCA12S,
dual speaker JCA24S, and quad speaker JCA48S were all
designed to get maximum tone out of our amps.
2. What is “impedance” and why is it important?
Every speaker cabinet has an impedance rating listed in
ohms. Think of the impedance as the speaker cabinet’s
resistance to an amp’s power. The higher the cabinet’s
impedance, the more the amp has to work to push power
through it. The goal in any amp/cabinet configuration is the
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The Jet City Amplification JCA5212RC 50 watt, 2-channel guitar amp
combo with reverb and independent preamp and master volume
controls for each channel.
The tone controls shape the sound of both channels and are
interactive which means that each control will affect the
others. This gives you the flexibility to dial in all the unique and
subtle tones you've been searching for.
The Jet City Amplification JCA5212RC also has a global
presence control that lets you add high-end sparkle to both
channels. Other features include a line level series effects loop,
multiple speaker impedance outputs, and a channel footswitch
jack (footswitch included .
GENERAL OPERATION
The JCA5212’s independent EQ controls allow you to dial up
the right tone for you and your guitar no matter what your
gain and output levels. The CLEAN channel preamp and master
controls give you great stage versatility by allowing you control
over each channel’s gain level AND individual output levels.
FEATURES
•2-Channels with independent EQ and volume controls
for Clean and Crunch channels
•50 watts of tube power
•Two 12 inch JCA speakers by Eminence
•Tube-buffered serial effects loop that is post-EQ and post-
Master Volume
•Multiple impedance speaker outputs
•Footswitch for channel and reverb switching
•Tube-driven three-spring Reverb
•Global Presence control

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1Input Jack: Guitar cable goes here (the other end should
probably be in the guitar
2CLEAN Volume: Adjust the amount of volume that the
amplifier produces in the CLEAN Channel. The CLEAN
channel is designed for maximum headroom, so don’t be
afraid to turn it up!
3BASS: Part of the CLEAN channel 3-band EQ for adjusting low
frequencies
4MID: Part of the CLEAN channel 3-band EQ for adjusting
middle frequencies
5TREBLE: Part of the CLEAN channel 3-band EQ for adjusting
high frequencies
6CRUNCH Gain: Adjust the amount of gain (distortion that
the amplifier produces in the CRUNCH Channel. Keep it low
for crystal clear cleans, or dial it up for some tube overdrive.
7BASS: Part of the CRUNCH channel 3-band EQ for adjusting
the low frequencies.
8MID: Part of the CRUNCH channel 3-band EQ for adjusting
the middle frequencies.
9TREBLE: Part of the CRUNCH channel 3-band EQ for adjusting
the high frequencies.
10 CRUNCH Master Volume: Lets you adjust how loud the
CRUNCH channel’s output will be.
11 REVERB: Adjusts the “depth” of the built in reverb.
12 PRESENCE: Adds an overall brightness, which can be handy
when trying to cut through in a ‘dead’ room.
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13 STANDBY switch: Used in conjunction with the main POWER
switch (item 12 . Use the STANDBY to “warm up” your amp’s
tubes before turning on the PWER switch. Always put the
amp in STANDBY before turning the main power switch on or
off!
14 POWER switch: This is the main power switch for the entire
amp. Be sure that your amp is switched off AND unplugged
before moving it!
15 Power Indicator Light: The pretty light glows blue when your
amp is on.
TUBE AMP BASI S
1. an you really die from messing around with the guts of
tube amp?
Yes, you can. Tube amps carry significant voltage, even
when turned off. DO NOT mess with the insides of a tube
amp unless you are a trained tech.
2. OK, question 1 scared me. an I safely change my own
tubes?
Yes, you can. The dangerous voltages are only a problem if
you start messing with wires and transformers. It is perfectly
safe to change your own tubes.
3. How often should I change tubes?
There is no set timeline for changing tubes. If you play ever
day, a good rule of thumb is to replace your power tubes
once a year and your preamp tubes every other year.
However, it is entirely possible for tubes, particularly preamp
tubes, to last decades.
Here are some signs that you need to change your tubes:
•Excessive noise like squealing, humming, or hiss

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Technical specifications and appearance are subject to change
without notice. The information contained herein is correct at
the time of printing. The names of companies, institutions or
publications pictured or mentioned and their respective logos
are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Their use
neither constitutes a claim of the trademarks by Jet City
Amplification nor the affiliation of the trademark owners
with Jet City Amplification. Jet City Amplification accepts
no liabilities for any loss, which may be suffered by any person
who relies wholly, are part upon any description, photograph
or statement contained herein. Colors and specifications may
vary slightly from product. Products are sold through
Authorized Re-Sellers only. Distributors and dealers are not
agents of Jet City Amplification and have no authority to bind
Jet City Amplification by any expressed or implied undertaking
or representation.
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•Improper handling, neglect or failure to operate the unit in
compliance with the instructions given in the Jet City
Amplification user manual.
•Connection or operation of the unit in any way that does not
comply with the technical or safety regulations applicable in
the country where the product is used.
•Damages/defects caused by force majeure or any other
condition that is beyond the control of Jet City Amplification
•Any repair or opening of the unit by unauthorized personnel
(user included will void the warranty.
•In an inspection of the product by Jet City Amplification
shows that the defect in question is not covered by warranty,
the inspection costs are payable by the customer.
•Products, which do not meet the terms of the warranty, shall
be repaired exclusively at the buyer’s expense. Jet City
Amplification will inform the buyer of any such circumstance.
If the buyer fails to submit a written repair order within six
(6 weeks, Jet City Amplification shall return the unit to the
customer C.O.D with an invoice that will include charges for
the inspection and a separate additional charge for freight
and packing costs. Such costs will also be billed separately
when a customer has sent in a unit for repair with a written
repair order form.
5 Warranty Transferability
This warranty is extended exclusively to the original buyer (customer
of the retailer and is not transferable to anyone who may
subsequently purchase the product. No other person (retailer,
consumer, etc shall be entitled to give any warranty promise on the
behalf of Jet City Amplification.
6 laims for Damages
Failure of Jet City Amplification to provide proper warranty service
shall not entitle the buyer to claim (consequential damages. In no

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event shall the liability of Jet City Amplification exceed the invoiced
value of the product.
7 Other Warranty Rights And National Law
The warranty does not exclude or limit the buyer’s statutory rights
provided by national law, in particular, any such rights against the
seller that arise from a legally effective purchase contract.
The warranty regulations mentioned herein are applicable unless
they constitute an infringement of national warranty law.
Protect Your Hearing
The US Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA has specified the following permissible noise level exposures:
Duration Per Day In Hours Sound Level dBA
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1.5 102
1.0 105
0.5 110
0.25 115
According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of the above permissible limits
could result in hearing loss. Ear plug protectors in the ear canals or over the
ears must be worn when operating this amplification system in order to
prevent a permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set
forth above. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high
sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to
equipment capable of producing high pressure sound levels such as this
amplification system be protected by hearing protection while this unit is in
operation.
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Specifications
Pre-amp
•6 x 12AX7 tubes
Power Amp
•50w output into 16 ohms or 2x8 ohms
•2 x 6L6 tubes
Controls
•CLEAN channel: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble
•CRUNCH channel: Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master
•Reverb
•Presence
•Stand-by switch
•Power switch
Footswitch
•Two-button footswitch included for channel and reverb
switching
Power Transformer
•100v/120v/230v/240v input voltage
Dimensions
•22”W x 28”H x 12”D
•50 pounds
Construction Material
•Multi-ply hardwood
Chassis Material –
•16 gauge rolled steel