PEDAL PAL FX PAL987 PLEXI CARRERA User manual

PAL987 PLEXI CARRERA Owner’s Manual.
Thank you for your purchase and trust in our brand, this pedal is based on the
famous 1987X 50-Watt PLEXI circuit, where we have replaced the vacuum
tubes for very unique transistors carefully set-up to perform the same way in
each stage of pre-amplification.
The word “CARRERA” stands for the mid-high
gain performance of the pedal, which has a
dedicated mid-range tone, emphasizing the
high-mid frequencies where all the lovely
Marshall harmonic tones shine.
Taking into consideration all the mods that
have been made on the 50-Watt PLEXI and
other models like the JCM800, we were able
to increase the attack, sustain, and cut out
low frequencies to get this custom mid-range
response.
USE ONLY REGULATED
9VDC
KNOBS CONTROLS
1. GAIN: This dedicated knob control works like the “Pre-Amp Volume” on a
50-Watt Plexi amp and also change the gain voicing depending on its setting.
Turning this control clockwise you will overdrive the pre-amp section of the
pedal, obtaining a rich distorted British tone emphasizing the midrange
frequencies. As you low the knob setting, the gain voicing will be tighter with
less bass response, we recommend dialing the Gain control to about 1 o’clock
as a starting point.
2. PRESENCE: This knob has an improved active circuit that controls the
general high frequencies of the pedal and adds extra-gain into the signal after
the three band EQ stage, acting the same way as the presence control on a
50-Watt Plexi amp at the power-section. Turning this control clockwise you
will add more high frequencies and extra-gain into the signal. We recommend
dialing the Presence control to about 2 o'clock for a starting point.
3. VOLUME: This knob is the master volume and final stage. This pedal has a
very high output level signal depending on the Gain knob setting, so we
recommend dialing the Volume control to about 11 o'clock for a starting
point.
4. BASS: This knob controls the amount of bottom end (low frequencies) in
the pre-section of the pedal and thanks to the dedicated Gain knob control,
now it has a more interactive response, so you can set it up very low to cut
the bass at high gain settings. We recommend dialing the Bass control at 10
o'clock for a starting point.
5. MIDDLE: This knob controls the amount of mid-range frequencies in the
pre-section of the pedal. It is the most responsive of the three EQ controls, so
for tone adjustments start setting this knob before the Bass and Treble
controls. We recommend dialing the Middle control to about 1 o'clock for a
starting point.
6. TREBLE: This knob controls the amount of high-range frequencies
(brightness) in the EQ section, it is very similar to the Presence control but in
the pre-section of the pedal (without adding extra-gain into the signal).
Thanks to the dedicated Gain knob control now this knob is also more
interactive, you can set it up very high to add brightness into the signal at high
gain settings. We recommend dialing the Treble control to about 2 o'clock for
a starting point.
7. MASTER TONE: : If you open the enclosure you will find a trim-pot
identified as a “MASTER TONE” in the main circuit board, it comes pre-
adjusted from factory, however, depending on your taste and gear you can
brighten up (clockwise) or darken down (anti-clockwise) the general and final
tone on your pedal.
T.S. (TONE STRUCTURE) TOGGLE SWITCH CONTROL
This three-position switch has a new feature that allows you to change
different parameters into the circuit increasing the versatility of the pedal.

1. Standard Setup (down-position): in this setting the general tone structure
of the pedal will have a warm open sound and early breakup, ideal to use at
low gain configuration where the gain voicing is tight (below 12 o'clock in the
Gain knob control).
2. Tight Setup (middle-position): this setting cuts the bass response and
emphasizes the midrange frequencies, ideal for lead guitar tones at high gain
settings where the gain voicing have an open sound (above 12 o'clock in the
Gain knob control).
3. Tight + Extra-Bass Setup (Up-position): this setting is the same as the
previous one (middle-position) but adds extra-bass into the signal, ideal to
use also in lead guitar tones that requires a more open sound. The extra-bass
in this setting is added after the Presence control stage, recreating the case
of using a different type of power tubes with more bass response into the
power-section of the amp.
We recommend dialing the T.S. Toggle switch at the up-position for a starting
point.
IMPORTANT NOTES
For the best performance of this effect pedal we used precision equipment
and methods to set it up perfectly. Please take these recommendations in
mind:
1. This pedal was designed to be used in front of (before) the amp pre-section,
especially into Fender style models. You can also plug it at the FX Loop return
input jack to use it in front of the amp power-section (like a pre-amplification
unit), taking in consideration to adjust the pedal output volume in order to
not oversaturate the signal that goes into the power-section.
2. It’s very important to use a regulated 9V DC power supply (with negative
center pin) designed for analog pedals, otherwise you will get unwanted
background noise (hum sound) out of the effect.
3. There is no OP-Amps (Operational Amplifier ICs) used for Pre-Amplification
or any kind of clipping diodes combination into the circuit, all the pre-
amplification and saturation are coming only from the selected transistors
the same way as the vacuum tubes in the amp.
4. If you have any suggestion, questions or need technical support please
contact us at www.pedalpalfx.com.
SPECIFICATIONS
SMT (Surface-Mount Technology) Components.
Special Selected Transistors Carefully Setup for Maximum Performance.
Made & Setup One by One.
OP-Amps free, CMOS free and Clipping Diodes free.
Input Impedance: 1M ohm
Output Impedance: <100K ohm.
Power Consumption: 9VDC / 4mAh.
AC Adapter required (Not included): Regulated 9V DC, 2.1mm Coax Plug -
Negative Center.
True Bypass Hardwire.
Size: 115mm (D) x 70mm (W) x 51mm (H).
Weight: 250 grs / 8.8 oz.
Thank you very much and “LET’S ROCK THE WORLD”.
- Luis Pena -
PedalPalFx Director & Designer.
Handmade with Passion & Care in Vzla, Planet Earth.