Laboga AD 5202TA Twin User manual

Hand made, 30 watts, Tube
Guitar Amplifier
Models:
AD 5200SA Single
AD 5200TA Twin
AD 5201SA Single
AD 5201TA Twin
AD 5202SA Single
AD 5202TA Twin
User's Manual

Congratulations on purchasing a tube guitar amplifier head and joining Laboga
Family. Thank you for your trust. The Alligator series belongs to the world’s top tube
constructions. It is designed with o er 35-years of experience in creating and ser icing top
quality equipment. Wide correction possibilities of the amplifier will enable each
indi idual to find their own sound and will ensure long hours of creati e entertainment.
We hope the amplifier will satisfy all of your needs.
Enjoy playing!
IMPORTANT!
Before using the amplifier for the first time, read the instructions concerning
safety measures carefully – they are on page 5 and 6. Keep these instructions for
the future.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
AMPLIFIER SPECIFICATION.................................................................................4
APLIFIER FEATURES........................................................................................5
WHAT IS IN THE SET.......................................................................................5
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.....................................................................................6
TECHNICAL HINTS, PROPER USAGE.....................................................................7
FRONT PANEL................................................................................................8
REAR PANEL...............................................................................................12
CHANGE OF TUBES IN THE AMPLIFIER................................................................14
HOW TO USE THE AMPLIFIER IN ORDER TO PROLONG TUBE'S LIFE SPAN.....................15
TECHNICAL DATA..........................................................................................15
TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................................................16
WIRING AMPLIFIER TO SPEAKER CABINETS..........................................................18

AMPLIFIER SPECIFICATION
The Alligator series amplifiers are handmade and of full-tube design. From the ery beginning
it has been made and tested by musicians who are best aware of the guitarist’s needs. These
amplifiers are for guitarists that play “classical” types of music from jazz, blues, hard rock, to e en
hea y metal.
The power stage is based on four EL84 tubes which gi e it an output power of 30 W. Not only
are these tubes reliable mechanically but also are characterized by creating a warm, “singing” tube
tone. The Preamp is on two 12AX7 tubes. One of the things that distinguish the EL84 tube is that
you only need half of 12AX7 for the in erter, while with EL34 or 6L6 you need to use all of it.
Despite of the preamp ha ing only two tubes, the amplifier is capable of creating a wide spectrum of
tones. The master section of the amplifier has been designed so that when playing at low olume,
the tone quality is maintained. This section is also equipped with a spring re erb.
The amplifier has two channels: clean and distorted. On the clean channel exists the
possibility of obtaining a “crunch” sound and the distorted channel offers possibilities from crunch to
e en a high gain sound. Additionally, the distorted channel offers the possibility of ha ing two
independent gains (potentiometer Gain 1 and Gain 2) controlled by a footswitch. For example, the
player may set Gain 1 for less distortion than Gain 2, which with the help of a footswitch, allows for
an easy transition between the two during a solo. This channel offers a wide ariety of tones from
classic rock and roll to hard rock, hardcore, e en metal.
Combo ersions: AD5201 Single and AD5201 Twin ha e one and AD5202 Single and AD5202
Twin ha e two Celestion G12H speakers from the Heritage series, which are connected to the
amplifier with a thick speaker cable with a jack plug. The player may disconnect the internal speaker
and connect an external cabinet e en of a different impedance because the amplifier has outlets of 4
Ohms, 8 Ohms, and 16 Ohms impedance.
Page 4

AMPLIFIER FEATURES
- power: 50W,
- tubes used: 4 × EL84, 2 × 12AX7,
- two channels: clean and distorted,
- olume control: clean channel, gain and olume controls – distorted channel,
- two separately controlled with a footswitch Gain1 and Gain2,
- separate tone control for both channels with separate switches for EQ mod (type Twin),
- the same tone control for both channels sharing the switch for EQ Mod (type Single),
- footswitch: changes channels and switches between Gain 1 and Gain 2,
- channel switching on relays,
- separate Bright switches for both channels,
- series effects loop with „true bypass” controlled by a footswitch (not included),
- Direct Out line le el output with speaker simulation,
- speaker outputs: 4 Ω, 8 Ω, 16 Ω.
- Celestion G12H Heritage (combo only).
WHAT IS IN THE SET
- Footswitch Channel / Gain.
- Cable connecting footswitch and amplifier (“stereo”)
- Power supply cable.
- Owner’s manual.
- Warranty.
Page 5

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
ATTENTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not
remo e the back co er of the amplifier. Inside parts can be
repaired only by qualified ser ice personnel.
WARNING: To pre ent the risk of electrical shock do not
expose this appliance to moisture, rain or any liquid.
This symbol is intended to
alert the user to the presence
of dangerous oltage and
constitutes a risk of electrical
shock.
This symbol alerts the user to the
presence of important operating
and maintenance instructions.
Be cautious while transporting the cabinet.
ATTENTION !!!
Amplifier produces high olume le els. Staying in places of high olume le els could cause
permanent hearing loss.
To a oid electrical shock ne er open the amplifier’s co er. In case of failure, refer ser icing
to qualified personnel.
Always use the highest quality signal cables (we recommend Laboga cable “Way of sound”)
and olume signal cables. Using improper speaker cables could cause damage to the
amplifier.
Do not use the amplifier in humid and dusty places.
Do not operate the amplifier through the unearthed socket.
Lea e the amplifier and bias settings to qualified personnel.
Tubes could get heated intensi ely, do not touch it or it could cause burning.
Do not lea e the apparatus in the icinity of children.
Unplug the amplifier before tube change, unplug the cord and wait for the tubes to cool
down.
Before changing the fuse, switch the amplifier off and unplug the cord. Also, make sure you
use the fuse of the proper power.
!! Keep this instr ction for the f t re se !!
Page 6

TECHNICAL HINTS, PROPER USAGE
a oid using the amplifier in humid and dusty places
do not put it in an unstable place
do not install the apparatus near any heat sources
do not use the amplifier before connecting it to the correct cabinet
after switching on, wait about 30-60 seconds until tubes get heated
switch the amplifier off before any cable change
in order to ensure proper air circulation, do not block any of the entilation openings
ne er put any liquid containers near the amplifier
in case of any objects or liquid access inside the amplifier, urgently switch the apparatus off
and unplug the power supply cord
protect the amplifier from any strikes
before transporting, wait about 10 minutes for the tubes to cool down
always use a dry or slightly wet cloth to wipe all dust. Ne er use sol ents to clean
use additional de ices and accessories according to producer’s recommendations
during storms or when left unused for a long period of time, power supply cord should be
unplugged from the outlet
Crossed-out wheeled bin symbol implies that in EU countries, after use, product must
be discarded separately in a special, adjusted place. It concerns both the apparatus
itself as well as other accessories bearing this symbol. Do not discard such products
together with unsorted communal wastes.
In EU countries there are special systems of collecting used electrical products.
Transporting used, electrical products in certain, adjusted places, pre ents their being
harmful to the en ironment and people’s health.
„LABOGA” Adam Laboga
ul. Partyzantow 35/2
51-675 Wroclaw, Polska
www.laboga.pl
We reser e the right to introduce any technical changes and the changes to this amplifier’s image.
This instruction is actual once it has been printed.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2009 LABOGA
Page 7

FRONT PANEL
Single version :
Twin version:
Page 8

1. Channel selection
Switch to change channels of the
amplifier. It works only when Jack is
unplugged from the Footswitch socket.
In position “up” the clean channel is on,
whereas, in position “down” the
distorted channel is on.
2. Footswitch
Socket to connect a
footswitch, with
controlled Channel
switching and Gain
selecting. TRS Jack
socket (T – tip:1, R
– ring: 2, S –
slee e: 3), where
tip changes channels, ring - changes
masters, slee e is ground. It uses
“stereo” cable, which can be also
replaced by “mono” cable, howe er
then, the Gain switch will not be acti e
and, in the amplifier, only potentiometer
Gain 2 will be acti e.
3. Inp t
Input jack socket to connect to the
guitar.
4. Bright
High frequency boost for the clean
channel.
5. Clean Vol me
Volume of the clean channel.
HINT: At a low setting of this
potentiometer, you get a clean sound.
When you boost the clean
potentiometer, you get sound that is
more saturated until some crunch is
achie ed. When you turn the Master
down and boost the Clean, you obtain
more crunch. So you can get crunch on
both channels, which, at the same time,
differ in character and dynamics.
6. Gain 1
Gain control for the distorted channel.
HINT: With a little alue you can obtain
crunch effect or o erdri e. By adding
gain, distortion is added until reading
high gain. For guitars with Humbucker
pick-ups and high output signal, it is
possible, that turning the knob to the
right, does not cause more distortion. It
only gi es more noise of the amplifier.
It is designed that way, because each
guitar has a different output signal
le el, and the alue of gain was set up
that way, that in the case of guitars
with less signal, it is also possible to get
more distortion.
7. Gain 2.
Second gain control for the distorted
channel which is only a ailable when
the footswitch is used.
This is a duplicate of Gain 1. They both
can be set independently and selected
with the use of a footswitch.
HINT: This potentiometer can be used
to boost distortion, e.g. while soloing.
To achie e such effect, set Gain 2 knob
in such a way that after switching from
Gain 1, the more distortion is heard.
8. Drive Vol me
Distorted channel olume. Proportions
between clean and distorted channel
can be set by this potentiometer.
9. Bright
High frequency boost for distorted
channel. Apart from high frequency
boost, the switch also changes
distortion character. It is possible that
using certain controls of equalizer or
gain, high frequency boost will be less
noticeable.
Page 9

Only for the Single version
10. Bass
Adjusts the low-frequency tone for both
channels.
11. Middle
Adjusts the middle-frequency tone for
both channels.
12. Treble
Adjusts the high-frequency tone for
both channels.
HINT: Set all the potentiometers in a
12.00 o’clock position, then adjust
them indi idually to get the best
sound. Remember, that the frequencies
of each controller are related to each
other, the change of one influences the
others.
13. EQ Mod
Shift of equalizer’s band for both
channels.
HINT: Pro ides arious EQ frequencies
for both positions of the switch. It
results in a shift of frequencies of the
Middle filter and a change in low tones.
In both settings of the EQ Mod, you get
an entirely different sound of the
amplifier and arious EQ functions.
The most radical change of sound may
be obtained especially in a less Middle
knob setting.
Only for the Twin version
14. Bass
Adjusts the low-frequency tone for the
clean channel.
15. Middle
Adjusts the middle-frequency tone for
the clean channel.
16. Treble
Adjusts the high-frequency tone for the
clean channel.
HINT: Set all the potentiometers in a
12.00 o’clock position, then adjust
them indi idually to get the best
sound. Remember, that the frequencies
of each controller are related to each
other, the change of one influences the
others.
17. Bass
Adjusts the low-frequency tone for the
distorted channel.
18. Middle
Adjusts the middle-frequency tone for
the distorted channel.
19. Treble
Adjusts the high-frequency tone for
distorted channel.
HINT: Set all the potentiometers in a
12.00 o’clock position, then adjust
them indi idually to get the best
sound. Remember, that the frequencies
of each controller are related to each
other, the change of one influences the
others.
20. EQ Mod
Shift of equalizer’s band for the clean
channel.
21. EQ Mod
Shift of equalizer’s band for the
distorted channel.
HINT: Pro ides arious EQ
frequencies for both positions of the
switch. It results in a shift of
frequencies of the Middle filter and a
change in low tones. In both settings
of the EQ Mod, you get an entirely
different sound of the amplifier and
arious EQ functions.
Page 10