Sound City Master Lead 50 User manual

OWNERS MANUAL
Master Lead 50™
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MA STER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
www.soundcityamp.com

2© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
Welcome to Sound City®!
Congratulations and thank you for choosing Sound City® Amplification.
The Sound City® Master Series amplifiers are pure old-school WMDs, built on the foundation of
the original David Reeves designed ONE HUNDRED model, first produced by Reeves for Ivor Arbiter’s
Sound City company in 1966. Used in their formative and intensely creative years by such legendary
artists as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Marc Bolan, and John Entwistle, the Sound
City Master Series captures a sonic recipe all but lost to history until recently brought back to stand
head and shoulders with their historic contemporaries.
These amplifiers deliver a broad dynamic range and striking power amp saturation that will bre-
athe new life into your playing style. From the first note, the inspiring tone will bring you back to
the nuanced and muscular vintage sounds of classic recordings, without the need to run the amp
at insanely high volume levels.
As a pedal platform, you will find the meticulously built Master Series amps to be unrivaled in
response, detail and nuance. In addition, the very low noise preamp and power amp stages will
provide a dramatically deeper, wider soundstage for your favorite vintage and modern stomps.
The Master Series preamp section has a broad dynamic range, which accounts for its extra
touch-sensitivity and excellent guitar volume response. In addition, clean and overdriven voicings
can easily be dialed up using the unique gain structure, tone controls, presence and master volume.
From there, just a lile tweaking on your guitar volume and tone controls will yield a surprising
amount of sonic range.
The Master Series power amp section is designed for big round tone and dynamic response at
low to medium guitar volumes and a rapid but smooth transition into saturation, turning rich and
thick at full guitar volume. This combination of preamp voicing and power amp response enhances
the unique character of any guitar and pick-up type and truly harkens back to the glory days of
unrestrained guitar fury.
Specially designed, American made precision wound power transformers and top-quality paper
wound output transformers produce optimum performance, reliability and stability, delivering
excellent power tube response and just the right amount of natural output transformer saturation
and compression.
Geing familiar with the Sound City Master Series amps is easy, so don’t be terribly surprised when
you find yourself up and running in no time. First hand experience and real world application will
yield the ultimate satisfaction of finding your own path of comprehension and self-expression.
THE EVOLUTION OF A LEGACY

3© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This symbol warns the user of dangerous voltage levels localized within the enclosure.
This symbol advises the user to read all accompanying literature for safe operation of the unit.
XRead, retain, and follow all instructions. Heed all warnings.
XOnly connect the power supply cord to an earth grounded AC receptacle in accordance with the voltage
and frequency ratings listed under the AC input on the rear panel of this product.
XWARNING: To prevent damage, fire or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
XUnplug the power supply cord before cleaning the unit exterior (use a damp cloth only). Wait until the
unit is completely dry before reconnecting it to power.
XMaintain at least 6 inches (15.25 cm) of unobstructed air space behind the unit to allow for proper ven-
tilation and cooling of the unit.
XThis product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other pro-
ducts that produce heat.
XThis product may be equipped with a polarized plug (one blade wider than the other). This is a safety
feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact an electrician to replace your obso-
lete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of this plug.
XProtect the power supply cord from being pinched or abraded.
XThe power supply cord of this product should be unplugged from the outlet when le unused for a long
period of time, or during electrical storms.
XThis product should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: the power supply cord or the plug
has been damaged; or objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled onto the product; or the product
has been exposed to rain; or the product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked
change in performance; or the product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
XDo not drip nor splash liquids, nor place liquid filled containers on the unit.
XCAUTION: No user serviceable parts inside, refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
XSOUND CITY® amplifiers and loudspeaker systems are capable of producing very high sound pressure
levels which may cause temporary or permanent hearing damage. Use care when seing and adjusting
volume levels during use.
XHazardous voltages may be present within the chassis even with the power switch o and power cord
connected. Therefore, disconnect the power cord from the rear panel power inlet before servicing. The
power inlet must remain readily operable.

4© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
FIRST STEPS
IT ALL STARTS HERE
The Input Sensitivity of an amplifier, commonly referred to as gain, determines how much overdrive and
sustain your guitar will produce. Tonal balance determines how the amp will respond to your playing style
and sound with a particular guitar. Like all amplifiers, the Master Series amps have tone and volume controls.
Understanding the unique interactive nature of these features will give you total control over tonal balance,
gain and power amplifier distortion. The NORMAL/BRILLIANT/MASTER VOLUME configuration is the key to
dialing in the Master Series sound and volume to your specific requirements.
The NORMAL and BRILLIANT volume controls set
the input stage gain amount as you rotate the knob
clockwise. Each stage features dual input jack pairs.
In each pair, the boom jack is 3dB hoer that the
top jack.
The NORMAL volume feeds a full range gain stage the delivers deep low end and
a subtle top end sparkle. As you increase the volume, the tonal balance develops
a faer smoother character. This stage is ideal for dialing in a big dynamic punch
that cleans up nicely when backing o on the guitar volume.
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER
TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUME
INPUTS
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
INPUTS
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
INPUTS
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
INPUTS
Jumping the inputs allows you to blend the NORMAL and BRILLIANT voicings.
When jumping the inputs, use the short, shielded cable provided from the boom
NORMAL jack to the top BRILLIANT jack or vice versa. In either case plug your
guitar into the remaining boom jack (Input 2 or 4) for best tone and sustain.
The BRILLIANT volume feeds a somewhat hoer gain stage with a rolled o
low end and a pronounced midrange emphasis. As the gain is increased, the
tonal balance is shis from upper mid emphasis to a lower mid emphasis with a
noticeable onset of preamp distortion. This will produce a thick meaty tone. The
forward top end voicing of this stage allows you to turn down the tone control
on your guitar for a sweet sustaining “Woman Tone” vibe.
LO
LO
HI
HI

5© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
INPUTS & MASTER VOLUME
The Sound City MASTER VOLUME is noticeably dierent than the typical master volume you’re probably used
to, and this is important in understanding how to unlock the beast within. A typical master volume is usually set
low to limit and manage the volume of a very high gain cascaded preamp stage. On the Master Series amps,
it is best to think of the master volume as a volume that controls the other volumes, similar to a PA mixer, for
example.
Assuming you will jump the channels, you will set the input volumes for your desired tonal balance and then
set the master volume for the desired output level. The lower the master, the cleaner the amp will sound, the
higher the master, the louder and more overdriven the amp will become as you begin to push the output
stage into saturation.
As you will see, by experimenting with combinations of seings you can cover an awful lot of tonal territory
before you even begin to start thinking about tone control seings. See page 9 for sample seings.
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER
VOLUMEINPUTS
Input for guitars with humbuckers
When using humbucking pickups with
enhanced midrange output, plug into
Input 2, and jump Inputs 1 and 4. Push
the normal volume more than the bril-
liant volume.
Input for guitars with single coils
When using single coil pickups, plug
into Input 4, and jump Inputs 2 and
3. Push the brilliant volume more than
the normal volume.
Dierent combinations of NORMAL and BRILLIANT volume control seings will have a dramatic eect on the
response of the amplifier and the personality of your instrument. Once you get familiar with the action of these
controls and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make any guitar sound mellow, fat, soulful or aggressive.
TRY THESE BASIC SETTINGS SUGGESTIONS AS A STARTING POINT

6© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW
SOUND CITY®MASTER LEAD 50 FUNCTIONS
FRONT PANEL, LEFT TO RIGHT
1. NORMAL INPUT – The boom jack is the high sensitivity input. The top jack is the low input.
2. BRILLIANT INPUT – The boom jack is the high sensitivity input. The top jack is the low input.
PREAMP GAIN / VOLUME SECTION
3. NORMAL VOLUME – Sets the volume of the normal gain stage. This first gain control also serves as a tone
shaping control, counter-clockwise for crisp and articulate, clockwise for thick and saturated.
4. BRILLIANT VOLUME – Sets the volume of the brilliant gain stage. This first gain control also serves as a
tone shaping control, counter-clockwise for clean and bright, clockwise for snappy and mid focused.
5. MASTER VOLUME - Power amp volume – loudness/saturation - control.
EQUALIZATION SECTION – Passive / Interactive tone controls.
6. TREBLE – Passive High frequency equalization.
7. MIDDLE – Passive Mid frequency equalization.
8. BASS – Passive low frequency equalization.
POWER AMP RESPONSE SECTION
9. PRESENCE – High frequency variable feedback in the power amp.
AC POWER / STANDBY
10.STANDBY - Turns on high voltage to output section (down is “on“).
11. MAINS – Switches main AC power on or o (down is “on“).
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
LO
HI

7© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
REAR PANEL OVERVIEW
REAR PANEL, LEFT TO RIGHT
1. AC MAINS INPUT – Connect to a grounded outlet in accordance with the voltage and frequency specified
on the rear panel of your amplifier.
Use only the factory supplied cord set or a UL approved equivalent type.
2. MAINS FUSE – Protects the amplifier from electrical faults. Replace only with type and rating specified on
the rear panel of your amplifier.
3. DC FUSE – Protects the power supply and output transformer from electrical faults. Replace only with
type and rating specified on the rear panel of your amplifier.
Warning! Replace only with same fuse type and rating.
4. LINE OUTPUT - This is a padded down speaker output signal for use with slaving or direct recording.
WARNING: To prevent damage to your amplifier, a speaker, reactive load or resistive load must be
connected to a speaker output when using the LINE OUTPUT.
5. OUTPUT 16 OHMS – This is a dedicated 16 Ohm output for use with a typical 16 Ohm 412 cab. Any 16 Ohm
load can be connected here. It is unaected by the IMPEDANCE SELECT switch seing.
6. IMPEDANCE SELECT 8/4 - Impedance switch seing should equal total of cabinet impedances plugged
into both jacks. One 8 Ohm cab = 8 Ohms, two 16 Ohm cabs = 8 Ohms, two 8 Ohm cabs = 4 Ohms.
7. SPEAKER OUTPUT 8/4 OHM – Parallel wired jacks.
12 3 4 5 6 7

8© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
TUBE OVERVIEW
TUBE FUNCTION AND LOCATION CHART
Tube locations are from right to le looking at the back of the amp. Tube types are factory selected for su-
perior performance, consistent tone quality and reliability. While substituting other brands may not cause
damage to the amplifier this may aect amplifier performance in unpredictable ways. For best performance,
replace only with factory recommended tubes. Warning! Substituting other tube types is not recommended.
Factory recommended tubes are listed under each location. Numbering sequence is right to le looking at
back of amp starting with the row closest to front panel of amp.
Tube No. Factory Fied Tubes Function / Comments
V1 (shielded tube) 12AX7A Tung-Sol Gain Stage 1: Normal and Brilliant Input
12AX7WB Sovtek Use in place of Tung-Sol for smoother top end
and less upper mids
12AX7 China Selected Use in place of WB if more gain is required
V2 (shielded tube) 12AX7A/7025 China Gain Stage 2: Tone Control Driver
V3 (shielded tube) 12AX7A/7025 China Gain Stage 3: Phase Inverter Buer
V4 (shielded tube) 12AT7A/China Phase Inverter
V5 – V6 EL34 Mullard Power Tubes (USE ONLY EL34, 6CA7 or KT77)
V1
V5 V6
V2 V3 V4
Preamp tubes
Power amp tubes

9© 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
SOUND SETTING EXAMPLES
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
NORMAL
NORMAL
1
2
3
4
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
MASTER TREBLE MIDDLE BASS PRESENCE ON
STANDBY MAINS
VOLUMEINPUTS
Clean Brit Strat
Clean American Strat
Mid-Gain Strat
Fat Flutey Gain Strat
Fat Woody Strat
Paul Kossof Strat
Crossroads Solo Humbucker
Windmill Power Chords Humbucker
GUITAR
GUITAR
GUITAR
GUITAR
GUITAR
GUITAR
GUITAR
GUITAR

10 © 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Product specifications are subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: MASTER LEAD 50
MODEL NUMBER: ML50H.
POWER REQUIREMENT: 200W
POWER AMP OUTPUT:
High Power: 100W RMS @ 5% THD, 1kHz sine into 8Ω
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 470KΩ
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 4Ω / 8Ω (selectable), 16Ω (fixed)
FUSE: 100V UNITS: MAINS T3.5A, 250V.
120V UNITS: T3A, 250V.
220V-240V UNITS: T1.6A, 250V.
FUSE DC: F500mA
DIMENSIONS:
HEIGHT: 11.50 in (29 cm)
WIDTH: 25.750 in (65 cm)
DEPTH: 10.250 in (26 cm)
WEIGHT: 41 lb (18.6 kg)
WON’T TURN ON
1. Make sure AC cord is securely connected at both
ends.
2. Verify the power source with something you
know works.
3. Check the mains fuse, and replace if necessary. If
it blows again, refer to qualified service personnel.
NO SOUND
1. Check input cable.
2. Check volume controls.
3. Make sure the selected channel volume and/or
gain controls are turned up.
4. Check to see if the eects loop is engaged and
the level turned down.
5. Check speaker cable to see if it is disconnected
or shorted.
6. Make sure that the impedance selector is fully
engaged in its detent.
7. Check the standby switch.
8. Check for a blown speaker.
9. Look at the preamp tubes to see if they are
lighting up.
RUNNING HOT
1. Make sure that the unit has adequate ventilation.
2. Make sure that the impedance selector is set to
the proper impedance.
3. Power tubes may be drawing excessive current
(refer to qualified service personnel).
NOTE:
Always set the amplifier to standby when taking
breaks and turn the amplifier o when not in use.
This will extend tube life and improve long term
reliability.
DISTORTION
1. Check the impedance seing.
2. Check the speaker cable for shorts.
3. Check the speaker.
4. Check the signal level at other devices in the
signal path or in the loop.
5. Power tubes may be weak (refer to qualified
service personnel).
BLOWING MAINS FUSE
1. Bad power tube or other internal power supply
component (refer to qualified service personnel).
BLOWING DC FUSE
1. Replace power tubes.
2. Possible internal power supply component
(refer to qualified service personnel).

11 © 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE AND CONFORMITY
Certificate of Compliance
Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
We certify that all of our products (exceptions see listed below) are compliant with the European Union Directive
2002/95/EC for the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(RoHS).
No Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6), PBB or PBDE is intentionally added
to these devices. Any trace impurities of these substances contained in the parts are below the RoHS specified
threshold levels.
All information provided in this Certificate of Compliance is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the
date this Certification was issued.
Certificate of Compliance
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction
of chemicals (REACh)
We declare that all of our products are compliant with European Union Directive EC1907/206 for the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of chemicals (REACh), and contain none or less than 0.1% of the
chemicals listed as hazardous chemicals in the REACh regulation. All information provided in this Certificate
of Compliance is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date this Certification was issued.
Declaration of Conformity
EMC and Low Voltage Directive (CE)
Product Name: Master One Hundred/Master Lead 50
Model Number: M100/ML50
This is to certify that the product listed above complies with the following European Union Council Directives
and Standards relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 89/336/EEC) and the low voltage
Directive (73/23/EEC).
This declaration of conformity of the European Communities is the result of an examination carried out by
Electromagnetic Engineering Services, Inc. in accordance with European Standards EN 50081-1, EN 50082-1
and EN 60065 for low voltage, as laid down in Article 10 of the EMC Directive.
Group Eleven, LLC.
6850 Vineland Ave. Unit P
North Hollywood, CA 91605 USA

12 © 2017 Sound City® Amplification. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Subject to the obligations and exclusions found below, this product is warranted by Sound City Amplifica-
tion, LLC., (herein SCA) against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the period of Five
(5) Years from the date of purchase, with the exception of the tubes, fuses and speakers where applicable,
which carry a 90 day warranty.
The warranty period commences on the date of purchase by the original user. Performance under this war-
ranty must be obtained at one of the following: an SCA Authorized Service Station, by returning the unit to
the SCA factory with prior wrien authorization, or (in countries outside of the United States) by a represen-
tative SCA distributor.
Obligations
1. This warranty will be honored only on the presentation of the original proof of purchase.
2. Transportation of the product to and from an authorized SCA service outlet is the responsibility of the user.
Units sent directly to the SCA factory for warranty repairs must be authorized by SCA and shipped prepaid.
Exclusions
1. This warranty shall not cover adjustment of consumer-operated controls as explained in the appropriate
instruction manual, or products that have been altered or have missing, or defaced serial numbers.
2. This warranty shall not apply to the appearance of accessory items including but not limited to, cabinets,
cabinet parts, or knobs.
3. This warranty does not apply to uncrating, setup, installation, or the removal and reinstallation of products
for repair.
4. This warranty shall not apply to repair or replacements necessitated by any cause beyond the control of
SCA including, but not limited to, any malfunction, defects, or failure caused by or resulting from unautho-
rized service or parts, damaged or broken tubes, incorrect line voltage, improper maintenance, modifica-
tion or repair by the user, abuse misuse, neglect, accident, fire, flood, or other Acts of God.
5. Responsibility for the repair of any SCA product sold outside of U.S. boundaries is borne by the SCA re-
presentative in that particular country or territory. Also, the warranty term and conditions may be dierent
from those stated above. Please contact the SCA distributor or dealer in your country for more informati-
on.
The foregoing is in lieu of all other expressed warranties, and SCA does not authorize any party to assume
for it any other obligation or liability. In no event shall SCA be liable for special or consequential damages
arising from the use of this product, or for any delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes
beyond our control. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do
not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitations on implied warranty
and consequential damages may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have
other rights that vary from state to state.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
U.S. and Canadian residents may register their Sound City product(s) online at www.soundcityamp.com by selec-
ting and completing the Warranty Registration form. All other international residents please contact the authori-
zed distributor your Fryee product was purchased from. For a list of international distributors please visit www.
soundcityamp.com
SOUND CITY AMPLIFICATION, LLC
C/O GROUP ELEVEN, LLC
6850 VINELAND AVE. UNIT P
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91605
TEL [phone] FAX [phone] www.SoundCityAmp.com
Copyright 2017 Sound City Amplification, LLC