SONICTONE AMPLIFICATION HALFPINT Classic Series User manual

Classic Series
18-Watt Cathode-Biased
Tube Amplifier
Head or 1x12 Combo
Owner’s Manual
www.sonictoneamps.com
Made in the USA

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Table of Contents
Introduction
Safety Instructions
Features
Front Panel
Rear Panel
Warranty
Specifications
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SonicTone Amplification, LLC
P.O. Box 24456
New Orleans, LA 70184
[e-mail]
www.sonictoneamps.com
Made in the USA

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Introduction
I’d like to personally thank you for purchasing the SonicTone Halfpint tube amplifier. I know
how important every player’s tone is to them and that consideration goes into every amp.
Carefully designed and hand-built here in the U.S., the Halfpint is a small amplifier that packs a
big punch. It is a “little brother” to the RC30 and the ‘81 Special and it has quite the bite. From
a nice chimey clean to a raucous overdrive crunch, this amp will deliver some fantastic tones
for you to use when playing live or in the studio. Good luck and enjoy the amp!
Sincerely,
Nick Sagona
Always use the correct types of tubes for this amplifier.
Always match the impedance to correct value of the speaker load.
Do not attempt to bypass the fuses or use different fuse values.
Please only use the provided SonicTone footswitch, which is compatible with this amplifier.
Please only use a TRS cable to connect the footswitch to the amplifier.
Please operate the amplifier in dry and safe conditions.
Please store the amplifier in a reasonable, climate-controlled environment.
If you are experiencing issues with the amplifier, please have it worked on by a qualified
service technician only. Do not attempt to open the amp and work on it yourself.
WARNING!
Dangerous and potentially lethal voltages may be present in the amplifier even after it has
been turned off and unplugged. Do not open the amp yourself or touch the inside of it.
Only have a qualified service technician open up and work on the amplifier.
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Safety Instructions

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Features
The Halfpint is an 18-watt, cathode-biased tube amplifier that uses three (3) 12AX7 preamp tubes, two (2) EL84
power tubes and one (1) EZ81 rectifier tube. Its features include:
Tube/Solid-State Rectifier Switch:
The tube/solid-state rectifier switch is another interesting feature that can give you a subtle tonal option. When set
to the tube rectifier, the amp will produce a slightly more vintage sound, where there is a little more compression
and sag with the sound. Some players prefer this, saying that it gives the amp a more vocal and spongy sound and
that the notes have a nice “touch” or “bloom” to them. However, if that’s not your preference, switching to the solid-
state rectifier will give the amp a slightly more aggressive sound with a more firm and immediate response.
Footswitch Operation:
The footswitch requires the 1/4” TRS cable to be inserted into the footswitch jack on the rear panel as well as the
jack on the footswitch. The “CH1 / CH 2” switch on the front panel is automatically defeated if the footswitch cable
is plugged into the footswitch jack on the rear panel.
2 channels with independent gain controls (footswitchable)
Shared 3-band EQ with presence
Master volume
Bright switch on channel 1
Classic/Hotrod switch on channel 2
Buffered FX loop, bypassable
Tube/solid-state rectifier switch
Negative feedback selector switch
Half-power pentode/triode switch
3-way output impedance switch (16, 8 or 4 ohm)
12” Celestion 65-watt 16 ohm Creamback speaker (stock combo only)
Birch plywood cabinet with finger-jointed construction
Footswitch

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BRIGHT NORMAL
POWER STANDBY
ON ON
BASS MIDDLE TREBLE MASTER
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
VOLUME 2
2 8
0 10
4 6
GAIN 2
2 8
0 10
4 6
GAIN 1
2 8
0 10
4 6
PRESENCE
2 8
0 10
4 6 INPUT
CH 2
CH 1
Halfpint HOTROD CLASSIC
Front Panel
Pilot Light – illuminates when the amp is turned on.
Power Switch – turns the amp on.
Standby Switch – allows the amp to be played. When the standby is off, the tubes are kept warm,
but the amp will not make any sound.
Presence – active tonal control that can be used to brighten up the amp’s overall sound.
Bass, Middle and Treble – passive equalization controls to adjust the tone of the amp.
Master – the overall master volume of the amp.
Volume 2 – control to adjust the overall volume on channel 2.
Hotrod/Classic – switch to engage a bolder tone on channel 2. In “Hotrod” mode, channel 2 will
have additional gain and a more aggressive, slightly brighter voicing.
Gain 2 – control to adjust the amount of gain on channel 2.
Bright Switch – switch to engage a brighter tone on channel 1.
Gain 1 – control to adjust the amount of gain on channel 1.
CH 1 / CH 2 Switch & LED – switch to change between channels 1 and 2 when not using the
footswitch. The LED illuminates when channel 2 is engaged.
Input Jack – mono input jack to plug your guitar into.
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(1A SB)
MAINS
IMPEDANCE
SPEAKERS
4 8 16
Made in the USA
18-watt cathode-biased amplifier
3 x 12AX7; 2 x EL84; 1 x EZ81
Halfpint
PUNCHY
SMOOTH
SS
RECT
TUBE
RECT
FULL
POWER
HALF
POWER
S/N: CS040000000000
EZ81
FOOTSWITCH RETURN SENDOFF
WARNING!
Dangerous and potentially lethal voltages may be
present in the amplifier even after it has been turned
off and unplugged. Only have a qualified service
technician open up and work on the amplifier.
120VAC
Rear Panel
Footswitch Jack – stereo input jack to plug the provided 1/4” TRS footswitch cable into.
FX Loop Return Jack – mono input jack for the return FX loop signal.
FX Loop Bypass Switch – switch to fully bypass the FX loop circuit.
FX Loop Send Jack – mono input jack for the send FX loop signal.
Parallel Speaker Jacks – mono input jacks to plug the speaker(s) into. PLEASE NOTE: The jacks are in
parallel, so if you plug two equal impedance speaker loads into them, you must set the impedance switch to
half their impedance. For example, with two 16 ohm speaker loads plugged in, the impedance switch should
be set to 8 ohms.
Impedance Selector Switch – switch to select the correct impedance of the speaker load hooked up to the
amp.
Punchy/Smooth Switch – switch to change the amount of negative feedback injected into the amp. The
“punchy” setting has less NFB and is more aggressive sounding. The “smooth” setting has more NFB and is
less aggressive sounding.
Full/Half Power Switch – switch to change the power setting between half and full power. This feature
changes the operation of the power tubes between pentode (full) and triode (half.) The amount of power
reduction in wattage is approximate.*
Solid State/Tube Rectifier Switch – switch to change between using the tube rectifier or the solid state
rectifier. Using the tube rectifier will produce more of a vintage sound which is more compressed and
spongy. Using the solid-state rectifier, the sound will be more firm and aggressive.
Fuse Holder – receptacle for the amp’s main fuse. There’s an additional the high voltage fuse located inside the amp.
AC Jack – jack to plug the provided AC cord into.
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789
1 2 3 4 6 1110
Please note, the power reduction in wattage does not equate to a 50% reduction in overall loudness (dB.)
*
A note about the FX Loop – When the FX loop is off (bypassed), the entire signal will bypass the FX loop circuit
altogether. However, the send and return jacks are switched jacks that are connected together when nothing is
plugged into them. Therefore, when the circuit is on, signal will be allowed to pass through the FX loop if nothing is
plugged into it. Once a cable is inserted into either one of the jacks, that connection is broken and will the signal will
go out through the send jack and have to be returned through the return jack.

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2-Year Limited Warranty
This amplifier is protected with a limited, 2-year warranty for any and all defective issues with the build
workmanship and parts, excluding tubes, transformers and speakers. The warranty does not cover general wear
and tear, neglect, misuse or abuse, damage from liquids (water, alcohol, etc.), disasters, acts of God or unauthorized
modifications. Any modifications made to the amp by the owner or a technician will void the warranty. The owner
is responsible for all warranty shipping costs. Once the warranty work is completed, the customer will be notified
and sent a final shipping invoice. The owner then is required to pay the shipping invoice to have the repaired amp
shipped back to them. Returned warranty shipping will be insured and will require a signature.

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Specifications
Product Series:
Product Model:
AC Input & Fuses:
Tubes:
Dimensions:
1x12 Combo Head
Footswitch:
Power Output:
Classic Series
Halfpint Head or 1x12 Combo
U.S. Standard IEC jack rated for 120V @ 60Hz
1A slo-blo mains fuse
0.5A slo-blo high voltage (B+) fuse
Three (3) 12AX7 preamp tubes
Two (2) EL84 power tubes
One (1) EZ81 rectifier tube
Width: 24 in
Height: 20.75 in
Depth: 10 in
Weight: 39.0 lbs
Width: 24 in
Height: 10.75 in
Depth: 9 in
Weight: 28.0 lbs
Single button SonicTone footswitch
TRS cable required for proper operation
18W @ 16, 8 or 4 ohms
www.sonictoneamps.com
Made in the USA
Speaker:
One (1) 12-inch 65W 16 ohm Celestion Creamback (stock combo only)