Quinnamp SDQ1b User manual

SDQ1b Owner's Manual 2012
Congratulations on your purchase of a handwired SDQ1 amplifier and thank you for choosing
Quinnamp to help you bring you some musical joy to life.
Please read and keep this manual for future reference.
Signal Path:
/ YPASS\
INPUT - CLEAN - OVERDRIVE - UFFERED LOOP > OUTPUT
/ YPASS\
(FX SEND - FX RETURN)
SDQ1b Front Panel:
1

Preamp Section:
PR AMP- The Preamp section sets up your input gain and basic clean tone.
INPUT JACK- High Impedance input will not load pickups and is extremely pedal friendly.
VOLUM - Sets the input Volume strength (or Signal Gain) and is active for both Clean and Overdrive
channels.
Note: If set too low you may not have a pleasing OD sound. If set too high your cleans might not be
clean enough.
Generally set for the "sweet spot" which is noon to 2 O'clock
Strat's and other guitars with single coil pickups tend to favor a higher setting.
That said breaking rules is ok too. One can use this control to push the clean channel into some tones
reminiscent of small powered tweed amps pushed over the edge. Pull to engage a brighter tone.
TR BL - Sets level of higher band frequencies. Pull to engage a lower gain "Jazz" mode.
Note that jazz mode is effectively defeated when using the preamp boost.
MIDDL - Sets level of middle band frequencies. Pull to engage a mid boost.
BASS- Sets the level of low band frequencies. Turn this control all the way "OFF" (till it clicks) to engage
the Preamp oost.
This feature can also be engaged via the Preamp oost button on the footswitch.
Overdrive Section:
2

OV RDRIV S CTION- controls set the basic gain and volume levels of the
Overdrive Channel.
OV RDRIV - This control sets the amount of overdrive when using the OVERDRIVE channel.
Lower settings yield cleaner overdriven tones. Higher settings will overdrive more.
Keep in mind that the VOLUM control in the PR AMP S CTION also affects how much signal gain from
the CL AN CHANN L is being cascaded into the OV RDRIV CHANN L. If set too low you may not have
a pleasing OD sound. If set too higg your cleans might not be clean enough. Again the "sweet spot" is
generally noon to 2 O'clock.
VOLUM - This control sets adjusts the Volume of the OV RDRIV CHANN L.
Use this to balance the volume of the Overdrive Channel with the Clean Channel
With no footswitch plugged in you can pull this control to turn off the OV RDRIV CHANN L and
engage the CL AN CHANN L. With the footswitch plugged in set this control to appropriate level and
use footswitch to toggle between CL AN & OV RDRIV CHANN LS.
Master Section:
3

MAST R- This is the Master Volume control for the amplifier. Once you have set the volume balance
between the CL AN CHANN L and the OV RDRIV CHANN L this control then is used to raise or
attenuate your amps volume without affecting gain staging and balance of channels.
PR S NC - This control sets the overall presence of the power amp section of your SDO. This control
works by feeding back frequencies to the power amp, reducing low end response, and adding emphasis
to mid and high end frequencies. Acts somewhat like a tone control for the power amp. Useful to tune
the overall brightness and response of the amp.
SDQ1b Rear Panel:
I C Module:
4

IEC Module – contains the main power switch, power cord inlet connector and the fuse drawer. To
access the fuse(s) use a small flat blade screwdriver in the notch at the bottom of the power cord
inlet connector, the drawer is then pulled outward. The IEC Module can accept both large ( AG
footprint) or smaller European (5mm X 20mm) fuses.
A time delay variety (SLO-BLO) is recommended. A 5 amp fuse is recommended for domestic use
(110 – 125 VAC) and 2.5 amps should be used for Export use
(220 – 240 VAC). The fuse drawer can be rotated on some export models for voltage selection,
make sure the correct value fuse is located on the same side of the fuse drawer as the desired
selection arrow. Line up the appropriate arrow on the fuse drawer with the arrow on the bottom right
of the module for the proper VAC selection.
Standby Switch:
Standby- This switch allows the tubes to warm up before applying operating power to the amplifier.
Wait 45 seconds to 1 minute after powering on the mains before moving it up to the operate position.
For improved tube life and performance do not leave the amplifier in Standby position for longer than
20 minutes ( est to leave it in operate mode during performance intermissions).
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Bias Section:
Bias Adjustment and Bias Test Point – Allows external access for bias adjustment (see bias procedure in
the Maintenance section).
Speaker Output Section:
Speaker Jacks – The MAIN and EXT jacks are wired in parallel.
NOT !
The MAIN jack MUST HAV A SP AK R CONN CT D, AT ALL TIM S, TO AVOID
P RMAN NT AMPLIFI R AND OUTPUT TUB DAMAG !
Impedance Selector 4, 8, 16 - Set this control to the total impedance of all attached speakers.
ffects Loop Controls:
6

ffects (FX) loop- The buffered effects loop in your SDO amplifier will easily drive pedal or rack
effects units.
FX S ND- Sets the amount of signal fed to the Effects Loop. Use this control to get maximum signal to
your effects without signal clipping. Works great for both pedal and rack effects.
When not using any effects in the loop set this control to noon for unity gain throughput.
S ND Jack- The send jack connects to the input of the first external effects device in the effect
chain.
R TURN Jack- the return jack connects to the output of the last external effects device in the
effect chain.
LOOP BYPASS- When engaged via footswitch (available by request, see OTH R F ATUR S ,
FOOTSWITCH- for more details.) the FX S ND jack, the FX R TURN Jack, and all effects between
them are bypassed while the buffering circuit is still active. This allows you to bypass all effects
in the effects loop while retaining the same volume, tone and signal polarity as when it is
active. This is assuming all effects in the loop are unity gain, not boosting nor attenuating signal
gain.
Footswitch Jack & Attack:
7

FOOTSWITCH JACK- This is a standard 180 degree 5 pin DIN jack for footswitch connection.
A pinout diagram is included on the rear panel for referencing when connecting to automated
switching devices and/or conversion boxes, altering footswitch functionality, and service
troubleshooting.
ATTACK SWITCH- This switch selects either the Open or Smooth mode.
SMOOTH- This setting employs a local negative feedback loop within the preamp which brings
a little compression and reduces some low end content.
OP N- This setting use no NF loop within the preamp and has a full open sound.
OTH R F ATUR S:
FOOTSWITCH-
A three function Footswitch (CLEAN/OVERDRIVE, PREAMP OOST, MID OOST ) is included
with the SDQ amplifier.
The third footswitch is generally wired to activate the mid boost but we can wire them up for
effects loop bypass by request.
8

4,5 and 6 functions "Artist" footswitching will be available in the future and are currently only
available by custom order. (Add $100 per additional function)
Included is a 25’ footswitch cable.
The cable used is a regular MIDI cable and is readily available in any length at most music
stores. If a replacement cable is needed, make sure all 5 wires are supported.
We recommend HOSA brand.
NOT : The footswitch buttons will only function when associated panel switches are pushed in.
POW R ON/OFF PROC DUR :
1. Check the Standby switch to make sure it is toggled downward for Standby operation.
2. Toggle the main power switch to the up position (this switch is located at the top of the IEC
input module). The front panel pilot light should be lit.
3. Wait one minute and then toggle the Standby switch upwards to the Operate position.
4. POWER OFF – Toggle the main power switch downward, there is no need to go into
standby first although it will not hurt anything.
MAINT NANC S CTION:
Your SDO amp has been designed for years of trouble free operation. The vacuum tubes
will need to be replaced over time. We recommend new output tubes every 160 - 240 hours
and new preamp tubes every 320 - 480 hours.
Tube Chart:
9

Warning – No user serviceable parts inside. Refer to a qualified technician for servicing.
BIAS PROC DUR :
1. When new output tubes are installed it is important to re-bias the amp for optimal
performance.
2. ALWAYS HAVE A SPEAKER CONNECTED.
3. Use a digital volt meter set to DC volts at lowest scale (MV). Makes sure the black lead is the
common terminal of the meter and the red lead is the DC voltage terminal of the meter.
4. Place the Amplifier in operate mode with the Master Volume and Reverb controls set to
zero.
5. Set the 100 Watt/50 Watt switch to the 100 Watt position.
6. Place the red meter lead in the test point hole (red tip jack) And touch (or clip) the black
meter lead on one of the metal output tube retainer clips.
7. Use a small flat blade screwdriver to adjust the bias pot.
For 6L6GC's a reading of 160mV +/-5 mV maximum is recommended.
For EL34's a reading of 135mV +/-5 mV maximum is recommended.
The reading is the sum of the idle current for all four tubes.
(The plate voltage is approximately 475 volts).
8. Recheck the reading after 10 minutes of operation, and again after a week or two of
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operation.
All tube brands are acceptable, a long plate is preferred in the V6 (Phase Inverter) position.
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