Mesa/Boogie REVOLVER User manual

OOGIE
B
MESA
1317 Ross Street Petaluma, CA 94954
USA
The Spirit of Art in Technology
R EVOLVER
Owner's Manual

Hello from the Tone Farm......
You, smart player and all around intuitive human, have put your trust
in us to be a part of your musical voice. This is something we do not
take lightly. Our reward is that we’ve designed and built another fine
Mesa product that is destined to become a classic. By purchasing and
choosing this unit, you have become part of the Mesa
family...WELCOME! Our goal is to never let you down. Your reward
is that you are now the owner of not just another speaker but a newly
designed rotational sound reinforcement speaker system, that will offer
you some of the most exciting and rewarding sound possibilities you’ve
ever heard. The REVOLVER is handcrafted and incorporates the same
Mesa heritage and integrity...benefiting from the many pioneering and
patented Mesa circuits and products that led to the refinement of this
unit. Feel confident, as we do, the REVOLVER will inspire many hours
of musical satisfaction and lasting enjoyment. It was built with you in
mind, by players who know the value of a fine musical instrument and
the commitment it takes to make great music. The same commitment
to quality, value and support we make to you...our new friend.

Your REVOLVER is a professional instrument. Please treat it with respect and operate it properly.
USE COMMON SENSE AND ALWAYS OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS:
Do not expose to moisture, rain or water, direct sunlight or ex-
tremely high temperatures.
Always insure that the unit is properly grounded.
Always unplug A.C. power cord before changing/checking fuses.
When replacing fuse, use only same type and rating.
Keep the unit away from children.
Do not throw or drop the unit, especially on living beings.
Be sure to connect to an A.C. power supply that meets the power
supply specifications listed on the rear of the unit.
If there is any danger of lightning occurring nearby, remove the
power plug from the wall socket in advance.
To avoid damaging your speakers and other playback equipment,
turn off the power of all related equipment before
making the connections.
Do not use excessive force in handling control buttons, switches
and rotary controls.
RemovethepowerplugfromtheA.C.mainssocketiftheunitisto
be stored for an extended period of time.
Do not use solvents such as benzene or paint thinner to clean the
unit. Wipe off the exterior with soft cloth.
Be sure to have the warranty card for this product filled out by the
store at which it was purchased and return to Mesa Engineering.
THIS UNIT IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY LOUD VOLUMES! EXPOSURE TO
HIGH SOUND LEVELS MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE!
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer service to qualified personnel. Always unplug A.C. power before
removing chassis.
EXPORT MODELS: Always insure that unit is wired for proper voltage. Make certain grounding
conforms with local standards.
READ AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF PROPER USAGE.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
REVOLVER
Precautions
Overview ________________________________________________________________1
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS:
3 Position Power Switch ___________________________________________________2
Slow Speed Fine Tune-Control ______________________________________________2
Footswitch Jack __________________________________________________________2
Footswitch Unit___________________________________________________________3
Continuous Control Jack ___________________________________________________3
Continuous Control Pedal _______________________________________________ 3 / 4
Brake ___________________________________________________________________4
REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS:
Fuse ____________________________________________________________________4
Speaker Jack_____________________________________________________________4
A.C. Receptacle___________________________________________________________5
Trouble Shooting ______________________________________________________ 5 / 6
Hook-Up Options ______________________________________________________ 7 / 8
Parts Sheet ______________________________________________________________9

REVOLVER Operating Instructions
Overview:
Congratulations on purchasing the REVOLVER. Mesa/Boogie has taken a new and innovative approach to spinning sound for
guitarplayers.Unlikethetraditionalsystemwhichusesastationaryspeakerwitharotatingbaffletoreflectitssound,theREVOLVER’S
internal 12" speaker cabinet (which is tuned and has an open back,) actually rotates horizontally.
By spinning the enclosure and the speaker itself, the high end clarity, punch and overall sonic qualities of the host amplifier are
preservedlikenever before.Thesourcetoneisretainedwhileachievinggorgeously wideandnaturalthreedimensionalchorusing,or
the fattest vibrato imaginable, all controlled by either the Footswitch or Continuous Control Pedal.
We’resurethatwithsomeon-handsexperimenting,youwilldiscoverthroughtheREVOLVER awholenewworldwaitingtounleash
your creative musical ideas ! The simple to understand and usability of the REVOLVER,make it easy for you dive right in and start
creatingsomereallycoolsounds,however, please read this manual carefully andobserveallthesafetyinstructionsandprecautions.
PAGE 1
REVOLVER
All sides are cosmetically the same except for the control and jack panels.
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
MESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
SLOW FINE TUNE
OOGIE
B
MESA
REVOLVER R
FAST
SLOW
OFF
FOOTSWITCH
CONTINUOUS
CONTROL
FRONT PANEL
REAR PANEL

3 POSITION POWER SWITCH:
When using this 3 position switch manually (without footswitch,) and the toggle is set in the
up position, the REVOLVER will be in its fast mode of operation. With the toggle set in its lower position, theREVOLVER will be
settorun initsslowmodeofoperation.Withthetogglesettoitsmiddlepositionthe
unit is switched to off.
NOTE: The 3 positionpower switchon the REVOLVER’S FrontPanel must be in
the SLOW or (down position) for either the Footswitch or the Continuous Control
Pedal to function.
SLOW SPEED FINE TUNE CONTROL:
The function of this control is for fine tuning the REVOLVERS’ rotational speed
whenitisinitsslow mode of operation.Itenablesyoutoachievepreseteffectsranging fromextremelyslowchorusingtofastvibrato.
This controls’ function is very useful when it comes to matching a songs tempo.
FOOTSWITCH JACK:
Thisiswhere the REVOLVER’S 1/4" Stereofootswitch cable plugsinto the unit.(This jack is NOT
to be confused with the speaker jack on the Rear Panel.)
PAGE 2
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS:
SLOW FINE TUNE
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
REVOLVER
R
FAST
SLOW
OFF
FOOTSWITCH
CONTINUOUS
CONTROL
SLOW FINE TUNE
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
REVOLVER
R
FAST
SLOW
OFF
FOOTSWITCH
CONTINUOUS
CONTROL
R
SLOW FINE TUNE
REVOLVER
FOOTSWITCH
CONTINUOUS
CONTROL
FAST
SLOW
OFF
OOGIE
B
M
ESA

PAGE 3
REMEMBER...in order to turn the REVOLVER off when it is not in use, always use the 3 position power switch which is located on
the Front Panel.
CONTINUOUS CONTROL JACK:
This is where the REVOLVERS’ Continuous Control pedal connects to the unit. This is
a standard 1/4 inch stereo jack.
CONTINUOUS CONTROL PEDAL:
This pedal allows maximum control over the REVOLVER’S rotational speed. It func-
tions similarly to a normal volume pedal and is not unlike the gas pedal in a car. When it is pushed all the way forward (or down) the
REVOLVER will operate at its fastest speed and at its slowest rate of speed when the pedal is pulled all the way back (or in its up
position.)
Be aware that the Slow Fine Tune Control on the REVOLVER’S Front Panel can be used as
a Trim Control for the Continuous Control Pedal. If the Slow Fine Tune control is set low, the
ContinuousControlPedalsslowestandfastestspeedswillbothbeslower.IftheSlowFineTune
control is set high, the Continuous Control Pedals slowest and fastest speeds will be faster.
FOOTSWITCH UNIT:
Cable to Footswitch Jack on the REVOLVER'S
Front Panel.
ON / OFF
ON
FAST / SLOW
SLOW
REVOLVER
ON / OFF
This button (switch) which is
linked to the Red LED and is
in its ON position when the
LED is lit, activates the
REVOLVER’S internal
cabinet.
This is not a power ON / OFF
switch, although it will stop the
rotation of the internal
speaker, it will not turn off the
REVOLVER’S electrical
circuitry.
FAST / SLOW
This button (switch) which is
linked to the Green LED and is
in its ON position when the LED
is lit, controls the
REVOLVER’S two speeds.
The REVOLVER is in its slow
running mode when the LED is
lit and in its fast running mode
when unlit.
SLOW FINE TUNE
REVOLVER
R
FAST
SLOW
OFF
FOOTSWITCH
CONTINUOUS
CONTROL
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
Continuous Control Pedal
in its slowest position
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS: (Continued)

PAGE 4
CONTINUOUS CONTROL PEDAL: (Continued)
This pedal is ideal for controlling speed swells in either direction from
slow to fast and back or vice versa. Whatever position the pedal is left in will determine the speed at which theREVOLVER comes
to rest at. This makes available many more speed settings than using only the footswitch...all of which are available on the fly.
The lever located on the Continuous Control Pedal, when pushed to the right with your foot, duplicates the ON / OFF function of the
footswitch. When the Red LED on the pedal is lit the REVOLVER will rotate. Likewise, when the LED is unlit the REVOLVER will
not rotate.
Like the footswitches ON / OFF button, this lever is not a power switch and will not turn
theREVOLVER’S circuitryoffwhennotinuse.Again...alwaysusethe3positionpower
switch located on Front Panel for this function.
BRAKE:
The REVOLVER has an automatic Brake System which is activated by both the footswitch and the Continuous
ControlPedal when goingfrom a faster speedto a slowerspeed. The Brake releaseswhen the rotationalspeed which is determined
by either the Slow Fine Tune or the Continuous Control Pedal has been reached.
FUSE:
This is the A.C.s’ (Alternating Current) main fuse and provides electrical current protection from outside A.C. fluctuations,
as well as possible circuitry failure damage. Should the fuse blow, replace it with the same rating in a slo-blo type package. The
Domestic U.S. REVOLVER’S requires a 1 Amp slo-blo fuse. The Export
REVOLVER’S use a .500 Milliamp Slo-Blo fuse.
TheREVOLVER isprotectedbytwofusesoneontheRearPanelandoneinside
thecabinet.Shouldaproblemarise,alwayscheckbothfuses.Asalways,besureto
disconnect the unit to avoid possible injury and/or causing more damage to the
REVOLVER.
NOTE: Like tires on a car, spare fuses are always a measure of good insurance.
Your REVOLVER was carefully constructed with reliability in mind! Given the
propercareand maintenance, it willdeliveryearsof trouble free service. However,
any pro guitarist who is out there gigging will tell you; spare tubes and fuses are a
must for the fabled cord bag and may someday be worth their weight in gold.
SPEAKER JACK: The REVOLVER’S Speaker Jack is located beside the fuse holder. Do not confuse this jack with the
Footswitch Jack located on the Front Panel. TheREVOLVER is an 8 Ohm speaker cabinet and does not have its own amplifier.
Thestock speaker is a90WattCelestionBlackShadow, which ismadeexclusively
for Mesa/Boogie.
ON / OFF Lever (switch)
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS: (Continued)
REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS:
FUSE
8 OHMS
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
117 V.
1.25 A
60 HZ.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE

PAGE 5
Back of Cabinet
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
O
B
MESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SP
A.C. RECEPTACLE:
The REVOLVER was designed with convenience in mind as well as practicality. Therefore an A.C.
power receptacle was built into the cabinet and is located beside the Rear Panel. Be sure the power cable is firmly seated into this
receptacle and it would be a good idea to have the
REVOLVER’S power on switch in the OFF position in order
to prevent a possible electric shock.
IfyoushouldloseyourA.C.powercableoriftheonethatcomes
supplied with your new REVOLVER fails, just give us a call
and we will be happy to send you a new one for a nominal
charge.
NOTE:NeverexposethepowerreceptacleorA.C.powercable
tomoistureofanykind,severeelectricshockmayoccur.Never
alter the power cable or the receptacle in any way.
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE BOTTOM COVER OR GRILLES...INJURY MAY RESULT. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN.
NO POWER:
Check the external fuse first. If this fuse is not blown, check the internal circuit board fuse and replace it if
necessary. Remember, always replace fuses with the same type and rating.
NO SOUND:
USE CAUTION when trouble shooting in this situation as the host amplifier may not have a proper load on it.
Turn theampsvolume down to aminimumoutput level so asnottodamage the tubes oroutputtransformer while you arelookingfor
the problem.
Makesurethatthefootswitchandspeakercablesarenotreversedandthatthespeakerconnectordeviceispluggedinproperlytothe
receptacle located at the bottom of the shaft.
KNOCKING:
Knocking is usually caused by one of the bearings being loose on the shaft. There are two 3/32 allen set screws
in the collar of each bearing which must be fastened tightly to the shaft. Asmall amount of loc-tite is recommended to keep them in
place. These set screws can be accessed more easily by loosening the internal speaker cab on the shaft and sliding it away from
either bearing.
Knockingcanalsobe caused by the internal speakercabalreadybeinglooseonthe shaft. There are two aluminumblocksinsidethe
cab and each block has a 10/32 allen head set screw which must be fastened tightly to the shaft. A small amount of loc-tite is
recommended on these screws as well.
TROUBLE SHOOTING:
REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS: (Continued)

PAGE 6
BELT NOISE:
While a small amount of belt noise is normal, excessive ticking, scraping or squeaking can be eliminated by
applying a small amount of WD-40 lubricant to the V-Belt itself. The belt tension should also be checked. There should be about 1/2"
of play...(slightly looser than the fan belt on a car engine.)
BRAKE NOISE:
A quiet, even rubbing sound is normal when the brake is engaged. If this sound appears to be excessively
loud, the angle at which the brake shoe comes in contact with the motor casing can be adjusted. The shoe should drag against the
casing and not “stub” into it.
If the Brake makes a loud thumping sound when it first engages, the distance between the Brake shoe and the motor casing is too
great. This distance should be no more than 1/32" and can be adjusted via the bracket that the Brake shoe itself is fastened to. This
adjustment may need to be made after 1 to 2 years of use.
STUCK IN FAST:
Make sure the Slow Speed Fine Controller is not turned up too high. When using the footswitch make sure
the3positiontoggleswitchon theFrontPanelisinthelowordownposition.Ifbothofthesecontrolsaresetproperly andtheproblem
persists,thenitislikelythatthesmallDCmotorwhichcontrolstheslowspeedhasfailedorthatthebeltwhichrunsthismotorfromthe
main shaft has broken.
CASTORS:
IMPORTANT! The weight of theinternal speaker cabinetis such thatwhen it isin motion itis unsafe toleave the
castors on the REVOLVER. Always Remove Castors Before Using. Also...make sure that each corner of the REVOLVER’S
bottom is firmly seated on the floor to avoid excessive shimmying.
MIKING TECHNIQUES:
For stereo miking, the best results seem to be attained by using two microphones panned left and
right on opposite sides of the REVOLVER at a distance of 1 to 3 inches. Lowering the mikes closer to the center of the grille will
resultinadeepereffectwithagreateramountofwindnoise.Raisingthemikesuptothetopofthegrilleareawilllightentheeffectand
eliminate wind noise. When using this placement scheme, it may be desirable to angle mikes downward slightly.
NOTE: The REVOLVER has many moving parts. While we have eliminated almost all excess noise, some minor mechanical
sounds are unavoidable. Remember...there are no user serviceable parts inside and refer all servicing to a qualified technician.
TROUBLE SHOOTING: (Continued)

PAGE 7
There are a number of possible Hook-Up options for the REVOLVER. The following diagrams outline the most common of these
options and are accompanied by a brief description:
Example 1 is the simplest Hook-Up option for the REVOLVER and yields a much deeper effect than when it’s used simultaneously
with a stationary speaker cabinet.
Example 2 is another common and simple Hook-Up option and yields a wider stereo effect with less depth than example 1. It also
provides more flexibility in a miked situation by allowing the sound engineer to have control over the mix between dry and effected
cabinets.In this applicationit is agood idea toseparate the stationarycabinet from the REVOLVER by atleast 3 to 4feet. This will
avoidphase cancellation caused bytheREVOLVER’S speaker stopping to restandpointing in the oppositedirectionofthe station-
ary speaker or speakers.
HOOK-UP:
EXAMPLE 2:
HOST AMPLIFIER
HANDBUILT IN PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA.
8 OHM 4 OHM 4 OHM
SPEAKERS
REVOLVER'S
REAR PANEL
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
8 Ohm Speaker
Cabinet
EXAMPLE 1:
HOST AMPLIFIER
HANDBUILT IN PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA.
8 OHM 4 OHM 4 OHM
SPEAKERS
REVOLVER'S
REAR PANEL
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE

EXAMPLE 3:
HOST AMPLIFIER
HANDBUILT IN PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA.
8 OHM 4 OHM 4 OHM
SPEAKERS
A - B Box
8 Ohm Speaker
Cabinet
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
REVOLVER'S
REAR PANEL
PAGE 8
Example 3 is very similar to example 1 sonically. In this ap-
plicationhowever,theREVOLVER canbeleftrunningand
the stationary cabinet can then be switched back and forth
via the A- B Box.
NOTE: Ifthestationaryspeakercabinetisapartofacombo
amplifier, a femaleto female 1/4inch adaptor will beneeded
to connect the combo speaker to the A- B Box.
EXAMPLE 4:
ThisHook-Upscheme isverysimilartoexample2sonically.Inthisapplicationhowever,theREVOLVER can
beleftrunning andswitchedinandoutviatheA-BBox.Thisconfigurationisbestifyou alreadyhaveacabinetsoundthatyoudonot
wish to change while adding the REVOLVER to your existing rig.
REVOLVER'S
REAR PANEL
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
A - B Box
8 Ohm Speaker
Cabinet 8 Ohm Speaker
Cabinet
8 OHM 4 OHM 4 OHM
SPEAKERS
HOST AMPLIFIER
HOOK-UP: (Continued)

PAGE 9
8 OHMS
FUSE
WARNING:
To reduce risk of fire and/or
electric shock, replace only with
same type and rating of fuse.
Unplug power before removing f
use. Do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove
bottom cover.
117 V.
1 A
60 HZ.
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
FRONT PANEL REVOLVER
REAR PANEL REVOLVER
FUSE HOLDER
PT.#
PANEL LABEL
(self adhesive sticker)
PT.#
HANDLES (specify color)
PT.# LEATHER
CORNER
PT.#
JACK
PT.#
JUTE GRILLE
(all 4 sides the same)
PT.#
CASTORS
PT.#
SLOW FINE TUNE
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
REVOLVER
R
FAST
SLOW
OFF
FOOTSWITCH
CONTINUOUS
CONTROL
SWITCH
PT.#
STEREO JACK
PT.#
KNOB
PT.#
POT
PT.#
PANEL LABEL (self adhesive sticker)
PT.#
JACK
PT.#
605373
612391
351600
JACK & SWITCH
PLATE PT.#
612391
592150
408110
800370
466500
205500
359035
800375
618100790342
351600
JACK & FUSE
PLATE PT.#

The Spirit of Art in Technology
OOGIE
B
M
ESA
Thank you for trusting MESA/Boogie to be your amplifier
company. We wish you many years of toneful enjoyment from
this handbuilt all tube instrument.

1317 Ross Street Petaluma, CA 94954
USA
Phone No. 707-778-6565 Fax No. 707-765-1503
The Spirit of Art in Technology