SONICTONE AMPLIFICATION Legends Series User manual

Legends Series
50-Watt or 100-Watt
Fixed-Biased Tube Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
www.sonictoneamps.com
Made in the USA
‘78 Special

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Table of Contents
Introduction
Safety Instructions
Features
Front Panel
Rear Panel
Warranty
Sample Settings
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
In 1978, a certain guitarist erupted on the scene with a sound that took the world by storm. No
one had ever heard guitar playing or guitar tones like what this guitarist was putting down on
record. Everyone’s minds were collectively blown and album sales, as well as guitar and amp
sales, went through the roof. Rock n roll would never be the same as this tone would go on
to be one of the most analyzed and scrutinized tones in the world – and for good reason. All
of the “mad scientist” experimentation done to arrive at this tone provided a high gain, yet
beautifully compressed sound that has great responsiveness and a wide range of control.
And many of those fabled modifications are built right into this amp. From the “fat” switch
to the “mean” switch - and many others features - players can adjust the ‘78 Special to cover
different eras of the player’s highly sought-after tone.
I’d like to personally thank you for purchasing the SonicTone Legends Series ‘78 Special 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 ‘78 Special encapsulates a
revered tone that is permanently etched in the pages of rock n roll history. It’s a tone from a
player that will always be remembered, always be with us, and always be celebrated.
Good luck and enjoy the amp!
Sincerely,
Nick Sagona
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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Features
The ‘78 Special is a fixed-biased tube amplifier that uses four (4) 12AX7 preamp tubes. The 50-watt model uses two
(2) 6CA7 power tubes and the 100-watt model uses (4) 6CA7 power tubes. The features include:
Safety Instructions
Footswitch Operation:
The footswitch requires the active 5-pin DIN cable to be inserted into the footswitch jack on the rear panel as well
as the jack on the footswitch. In order for the footswitch to operate correctly, the corresponding switches on the
amp must be set to the OFF position. The left button (orange LED) engages channel 2. The middle button (red
LED) engages the solo boost. The right button (green LED) engages the FX loop.
2 channels with independent
gain controls (footswitchable)
Shared 3-band EQ
Presence and resonance controls
Custom value mid pot
Bright switch on channel 1
Fat switch
Mean switch
Master volume
Custom value, vintage-spec choke
Solo boost control, footswitchable
Tube-driven, buffered FX loop,
bypassable and footswitchable
FX loop series/parallel switch
with send and return controls
Half-power pentode/triode switch
3-way output impedance switch
(16, 8 or 4 ohm)
Birch plywood cabinet with
finger-jointed construction
3-button footswitch
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 an active 5-pin DIN 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.
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BRIGHT NORMAL
CH 2
CH 1
MEAN CLASSICSOLO
INPUT
‘78 Special
FX LOOP
PRESENCE BASS MIDDLE TREBLE
GAIN 2 GAIN 1
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
MASTER
2 8
0 10
4 6
RESONANCE
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
VOLUME 2
2 8
0 10
4 6
SOLO
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
POWER STANDBY
ON ON
(PULL TO BOOST) (PULL FOR FAT)
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.
Master – the overall master volume of the amp.
Resonance – active tonal control that can be used to thicken up the amp’s overall sound.
FX Loop LED – illuminates when the FX loop is engaged.
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.
Solo Boost Level & Switch* – control to
adjust the level of the solo boost. Pull out
to activate.
Solo Boost LED – illuminates when the
solo boost is engaged.
Volume 2 – control to adjust the overall
volume on channel 2.
Mean/Classic – switch to engage additional gain and a more aggressive,
slightly brighter voicing on channel 2.
Gain 2 – control to adjust the amount of gain on channel 2.
Bright Switch – switch to engage a slightly brighter tone for 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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1 2 3 4 5 7
1210 14 16 17
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9 11 13 15
BRIGHT NORMAL
CH 2
CH 1
MEAN CLASSICSOLO
INPUT
‘78 Special
FX LOOP
PRESENCE BASS MIDDLE TREBLE
GAIN 2 GAIN 1
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
MASTER
2 8
0 10
4 6
RESONANCE
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
VOLUME 2
2 8
0 10
4 6
SOLO
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
POWER STANDBY
ON ON
(PULL TO BOOST) (PULL FOR FAT)
Fat Switch – switch to engage a fatter tone with a little more gain. This option affects both channels.
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The solo boost is an additive volume
boost for channel 2 and works in
conjunction with volume 2. The
higher volume 2 is set, the less of an
effect the solo boost will have. When
volume 2 is set at a lower setting,
the boost can be as much as 12 dB.
When volume 2 is set at a higher
setting - for example, past half way -
the boost will be around 2 or 3 dB.
*

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Rear Panel
Footswitch Jack – 5-pin DIN jack to plug the provided footswitch cable into.
FX Series/Parallel Switch – switch to operate the FX loop in either series or parallel mode. In parallel mode, the
original signal is allowed to pass through unaffected and the send control acts as a “wet/dry blend” to mix the
level of affected signal into the mix with the unaffected signal. In parallel, depending on the amount of “wet”
signal set by the send control, the overall signal may be louder due to the dry and wet signals being mixed
together. In this scenario, it is recommended to use the return control to balance out the overall volume.
FX Loop Return Jack – mono input jack for the FX loop return signal.
FX Loop Bypass Switch – switch to fully bypass the FX loop circuit.
FX Loop Send Jack – mono input jack for the FX loop send signal.
FX Loop Return Level – control to adjust the level of the return signal to the amp.
FX Loop Send Level – control to adjust the level of the send signal to the outboard FX chain.
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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. This allows the ability to use the send jack as a “preamp out” signal to feed other power amps. Once
a cable is inserted into the return jack, that connection is broken and the loop will accept the incoming return signal
only. If the FX loop is not being used, the return control can be used as an additional volume control to reduce the
volume when the FX loop is on, and then boost the volume when the FX loop is switched off. This will effectively
provide a volume “boost” option.

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Impedance Selector Switch – switch to select the correct impedance of the speaker load hooked up
to the amp.
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.
Bias Probes – test jacks to check the bias values of the power tubes.*
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.**
Fuse Holders – receptacles for the amp’s fuses.
AC Jack – jack to plug the provided AC cord into.
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The bias pot is located on the top of the amp chassis near the power tubes.
Please only have the bias adjusted by a qualified technician.
Please note, the power reduction in wattage does not
equate to a 50% reduction in overall loudness (dB.)
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**
Rear Panel (continued)
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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Sample Settings
Channel 2 - 80’s Rock:
For a classic 80’s rock tone, start with the bass, middle and treble all at 7 and adjust to taste from there. For an early 80’s
tone, put the “Mean/Classic” switch on “Classic” and for a more aggressive mid-80’s tone, switch it to “Mean.”
BRIGHT NORMAL
CH 2
CH 1
MEAN CLASSICSOLO
INPUT
‘78 Special
FX LOOP
PRESENCE BASS MIDDLE TREBLE GAIN 2 GAIN 1
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
MASTER
2 8
0 10
4 6
RESONANCE
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
VOLUME 2
2 8
0 10
4 6
SOLO
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
POWER STANDBY
ON ON
(PULL TO BOOST) (PULL FOR FAT)
BRIGHT NORMAL
CH 2
CH 1
MEAN CLASSICSOLO
INPUT
‘78 Special
FX LOOP
PRESENCE BASS MIDDLE TREBLE GAIN 2 GAIN 1
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
MASTER
2 8
0 10
4 6
RESONANCE
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
VOLUME 2
2 8
0 10
4 6
SOLO
2 8
0 10
4 6
2 8
0 10
4 6
POWER STANDBY
ON ON
(PULL TO BOOST) (PULL FOR FAT)
Channel 2 - E.V.H. (Electrical Variance Harmonics):
The key to getting the E.V.H. tone with that upper-mid bite is to set the bass, middle and treble all to 10, which is what was
commonly done. The custom value mid pot really comes into play at that point. From there, you can use the “Mean” and
“Fat” switches - along with adjusting the resonance, presence and gain 2 controls - to dial in the tone from just about any era
between 1978 and 1989.
Channel 1 - Chimey Clean:
Channel 1 - Blues Crunch:

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Specifications
Product Series:
Product Model:
Legends Series
‘78 Special Head
www.sonictoneamps.com
Made in the USA
Dimensions:
Footswitch:
3-button SonicTone footswitch
5-pin active DIN cable required for proper operation
AC Input & Fuses:
U.S. Standard IEC jack rated for 120V @ 60Hz
Slo-blo mains fuse: 50W - 3A; 100W - 4A
Slo-blo high voltage (B+) fuse: 50W - 0.5A; 100W - 1A
Tubes & Power Output:
50-watt Model 100-watt Model
Four (4) 12AX7 preamp tubes
Two (2) 6CA7 power tubes
50W @ 16, 8 or 4 ohms
Four (4) 12AX7 preamp tubes
Four (4) 6CA7 power tubes
100W @ 16, 8 or 4 ohms
Width: 30 in
Height: 10.75 in
Depth: 9 in
Weight: 42 lbs
Width: 30 in
Height: 10.75 in
Depth: 9 in
Weight: 36 lbs
100W Head50W Head