Pierson Amplifiers DELUXE AMP User manual

Draft 1.03 10/29/2005
PIERSON AMPLIFIERS
DELUXE AMP
1950’s REPRODUCTION
USERS MANUAL
Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a Pierson Deluxe 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® 5E3 circuit schematic.
•Hand selected tubes (See tube chart for details)

Draft 1.03 10/29/2005
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

Draft 1.03 10/29/2005
Installing Tubes
5 6 6
Y V V
3 6 6 12
12
GT GT GT A
A
Y
X
7
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 tubes are always
running at 100%, so it’s always a good idea to change tubes if you notice
degradation in your tone, depending on how frequently and on how long
you play.
We recommend you replace them with tubes with the same
characteristics as the ones provided with your amp to have the original
tone. The same goes for your preamp tube; these little guys have 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.

Draft 1.03 10/29/2005
Operation
2 AMP OFF
GROUND FUSE TONE VOLUME VOLUME BRIGHT NORMAL
ON
Normal Channel
Input 1, High input of normal channel
Input 2, Low input of normal channel
Bright Channel
Input 1, High input of normal channel
Input 2, Low input of normal channel
Note: You can plug in 2 instruments at the same time but it’s not
recommended as you will loose some volume.
Turn Down to 1 the volume knob for the channel you are not using.
Volume “1” (closest to input jacks)
Sets the volume of inputs 1 and 2 of the Normal channel.
Turn it OFF when using Channel 2.
Volume “2” (Furthest to input jacks)
Sets the volume of inputs 1 and 2 of the Bright channel.
Turn it OFF when using Channel 2.
Tone
The Tone pot of the Deluxe is pretty neat, not only it makes things brighter
as you turn it up, it also adds distortion to you tone. You can compensate
for the brightness via the tone control on your guitar. You can also get a
bit more “grind” at lower levels by bringing the volume down and the
tone up. (somewhat like a master volume control as the tone control in
this circuit drives the output tube driver directly)
Lite
Indicates that amp is ON when light is on.
AC Power Switch (ON/OFF)
Turns the amp ON or OFF

Draft 1.03 10/29/2005
Fuse box
The fuse protects your amplifier in case of a failure. Please use the same
rating of 2 amps when replacing.
Ground
This switch has no use these days since the chassis is grounded and the
amplifier has a 3 prong plug connected to the chassis; it’s there for
nostalgic purposes.
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 of the Normal or Bright
Channel
4. Plug in the power cord.
5. Flip the power switch to ON.
6. Raise the volume of the channel you plugged in (Normal or Bright)
from 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. You can set the Tone control, raising it will brighten your tone and
also add some distortion to it.
8. Now you are ready to play.
Quick Start Settings:
Tone control set at 5.
Note: Increasing the tone adds distortion.
Single Coil (Strat) Humbucker (Gibson)
Clean 3 ½ 3
SRV (Blues Clean) 5-6 4-5
Rock 7-10 6-8
Heavy Rock 11-12 9-12

Draft 1.03 10/29/2005
Tips
For more clean headroom you can replace the 12ax7 with a tube like a
12ay7 or a 5751.
For more gain, turn the Tone control between 7-12
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