Pierson Amplifiers Champ Amp User manual

PIERSON AMPLIFIERS
CHAMP AMP
1950’s REPRODUCTION
USERS MANUAL
Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a Pierson Champ Amp
Reproduction from the 50’s. I would like to thank you and I am confident
that you will enjoy your amplifier for years to come.
This amp was entirely made and assembled by hand in the USA by myself
using only the highest-quality components, regardless of price.
Such features include:
•Handcrafted / varnished Tweed covered finger jointed solid pine
cabinet
•Carbon comp resistors
•Industrial tube sockets
•High quality capacitors
•Hand wired using the Fender® 5F1 circuit schematic.
•Hand selected tubes (See tube chart for details)

Unpacking
Before you plug in, inspect your Champ amp for any damage. Your amp
was heavily inspected and sound-tested prior to shipping, but
transportation can sometimes be rough. If any damage has occurred or if
parts are missing, contact your dealer.
Warning:
To avoid the risk of shock or fire, do not expose this amplifier to moisture
(keep your amp in a dry place). Do not remove the chassis from its
cabinet. Removing the chassis from its cabinet exposes extremely
dangerous high voltages. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Any
modifications will void the warranty. Hazardous voltages are present inside
the chassis. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
Safety tips:
•To avoid a fire hazard, always replace the fuses with the same type
and rating.
•Always turn OFF the amplifier before making or unplugging any
speaker connections.
•Always transport your amplifier securely, preferably in a suitable
flight case or packing box.
•Before operating your amplifier, be sure the speakers used are
properly connected.
Warranty:
I stand behind every amplifier I make. Every Pierson amplifier is
guaranteed against defects in craftsmanship and components for the life
of the amplifier (or my life, which ever ends first) as long as it remains in
possession of the original owner. Second hand amplifiers are not
supported by the warranty. Any user modifications or external
modification(s) even by a qualified technician, abuse (beware, bad
karma...), and damage beyond normal wear and tear will void this
warranty. LP

Installing Tubes
5 6
Y V
3 6 12
GT GT A
X
7
1. Make sure the Amp is not plugged into the AC outlet. (If you have
just played the amp, wait until it cool off to replace the tubes)
2. Set the amp on a flat surface
3. Turn the amp so you are facing the back
4. You do not have to remove the back board but you can. (Do not
touch any of the components located inside the chassis, it could be
fatal!
5. Make sure the pins on all tubes are straight, mainly the preamp
tube, if not use a tube pin straightener (not pliers!)
6. If you are replacing tubes, remove the old ones, one by one gently
out of their sockets.
7. Set all tubes according to the tube chart, they can only be inserted
one way, push them straight into their respective sockets. Don’t jam
them into the sockets, it might damage the tubes.
8. While you are at it check that the internal speaker cord is plugged
into the internal speaker jack
The Champ amp is a class A amplifier, cathode biased, it pretty much
biases itself so no need to tune it. The 6V6GT power tube is always running
at 100%, so it’s always a good idea to change tube if you notice
degradation in your tone, depending on how frequently and on how long
you play.
We recommend you replace it with another tube with the same
characteristics as the one provided with your amp to have the original
tone. The same goes for your preamp tube; this little guy has a limited life.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you need a champ tube kit, we will make
sure you get your original tone back.

Operation
Input 1: Normal Input
Input 2: Bright Input
ON/OFF/VOLUME: Turn Amp ON, Adjust
volume, turn amp OFF
Pilot Light: amp is ON or OFF
Fuse Box: Replace fuse in event of
failure
1. Make sure the tubes are properly seated in their sockets.
2. Make sure the internal speaker cord is plugged into the internal
speaker jack
3. Plug in your instrument into input jack 1 or 2
4. Plug in the power cord.
5. Turn the ON/OFF/VOLUME knob from the 6 o’ clock position
clockwise to turn the amplifier ON, the pilot light will come on.
6. Raise the volume from the 1 to the level desired. It may take a few
seconds for sounds to come out, wait a minute for the tubes to
warm up. As you raise the volume you will notice that the tone
changes, the preamp tube will gradually go into distortion as well as
the power tube.
7. Now you are ready to play.
Quick Start Settings:
Single Coil (Strat) Humbucker (Gibson)
Clean 4 1/2 4
SRV (Blues Clean) 7-8 5
Rock 9-12 6-8
Heavy Rock n/a 9-12

Tips
For more clean headroom you can replace the 12ax7 with a tube like a
12ay7 or a 5751.
Technical support
If you have technical questions, or are looking for some advice you can
contact Myles Rose at Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting:
[email protected]
Check his web site for guitar, tube amp information:
www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com
Happy playing
Ludovic Pierson