Tone Bliss Sparkle User manual

Tone Bliss
Sparkle
SparkleSparkle
Sparkle
User guide

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Content Page
1. Tone Bliss amplifiers 4
2. General warning 4
3. Description 5
3.1. Front panel 5
3.2. Rear panel 6
4. General operation 7
4.1. Channels 7
4.2. Power-up 7
4.3. Rectifier mode 7
4.4. Output power selection 8
4.5. Warning 9
4.6. Cut control 9
5. Distortion types 9
6. Classic channel 11
7. Heavy channel 12
8. Footswitch 13
9. Maintenance 13
10. Settings cheat sheets 14
11. Contact 14
Note : throughout this document, all controls are referred to with a blue number (example: [6]), which
you will also find on front & rear panel descriptions.

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1. Tone Bliss
Tone Bliss Tone Bliss
Tone Bliss amplifiers
Congratulations ! You have just acquired a Tone Bliss amplifier, a true masterpiece of quality
and durability. Like all Tone Bliss amps, the Sparkle :
Is 100% handmade in Europe
Uses only highest-quality components
Is end-to-end managed by Tone Bliss: design, manufacturing, tests etc… are all
performed by Tone Bliss .
2. General warning
Thanks for thoroughly respecting the following guidelines in order to ensure a safe and durable
operation of your amplifier:
Place your amplifier on a stable surface and in an ventilated place.
Do not expose the amplifier to moist or liquids.
Do not open the amplifier on your own. If you encounter a technical problem, contact
Tone Bliss
Connect your amplifier exclusively to an earthed power outlet (230VAC).
Never power your amplifier before having connected a load (speaker or power
attenuator).
Always connect your load to the speaker outputs [16] connector showing the same
impedance. Connecting the amplifier to a mismatched load can damage the amplifier.
Systematically wait 5 mn before switching the standby [3] switch in the Home or Stage
position. This allows the tubes to heat-up and reach their operating conditions. For more
details, please go to chapter 4.2 Power-up.

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3. Description
3.1. Front panel
Below is a representation of the Sparkle ’s front panel:
You will find the following controls:
[1] Power : powers-up the amplifier and allows to choose the rectifier mode
[2] Power indicator
[3] Standby : puts the amplifier in standby mode or activates the amplifier with the
selected power level
[4] Cut: reduces the high-end spectrum
[5] to [8] Heavy channel: see details in chapter 7
[9] Channel switch
[10] Channel indicator
[11] to [13] Classic channel: see details in chapter 6
[14] Input : guitar input connector

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3.2. Rear panel
Below is a representation of the Sparkle ’s rear panel:
You will find the following controls:
[15] Footswitch : allows to connect a footswitch to control the amplifier
[16] Speaker outputs : allow to connect your speakers to the amplifier. 3 outputs are
available, each one corresponds to a specific impedance: 4Ω, 8Ωor 16Ω.
[17] AC Mains : connects the amplifier to the power outlet. The AC Mains connector
includes a fuse compartment to protect the amplifier from electrical problems.
Warning : use only one speaker ouput [16] to connect your load to the amplifier. Do not use
two speaker output connectors at the same time.
Warning : if your fuse blows, replace it only with a fuse having the same specifications
(500mA, 230V – Slow Blow)

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4. General operation
4.1. Channels
The Sparkle has 2 channels :
A Classic channel, which provides a smooth, full tone with a rich harmonic content.
A Heavy channel. This high-gain channel offers a wide range of clean tones –different
from those of the Classic channel- all the way up to saturated, compressed, modern tones.
The channel [9] switch allows you to activate one or the other channel.
You can also use the footswitch to select your channel. See chapter 8. Footswitch for more
information.
4.2. Power-up
1) Check that the power [1] switch is in the off position, and the standby [3] switch is in the
standby position. The volume knobs on both Classic and Heavy channels should be set
on 0.
2) Connect a load to the appropriate speaker output [16] (showing the same impedance).
3) Connect the amplifier to an earthed 230VAC outlet
4) Put the power [1] switch in the S.S. or Tube position, depending on the desired rectifier
mode (see chapter 5.3 for more details)
5) Wait 5 mn before putting the standby [3] switch in the Home or Stage position,
depending on the desired maximum output power level (see chapter 5.4 for more details)
4.3. Rectifier mode
The Sparkle offers 2 selectable rectifier modes, which influence the amplifier’s power supply:
In Tube mode, the supply voltage is rectified by an EZ81 (like in most vintage
amplifiers). This rectifier mode offers a slightly compressed tone.
In S.S. (Solid State) mode, the supply voltage is rectified by silicium diodes (like most
modern amplifiers). This rectifier mode offers a stiffer, direct tone. Your amplifier will
also have more headroom, and the range of clean tones will become larger.

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The rectifier mode is selected thanks to the Power [1] switch:
In the middle position, your amplifier is Off : the amplifier is unpowered
In the upper position, your amplifier is powered and is in Tube mode
In the lower position, your amplifier is powered and is in S.S. mode
To swap from one rectifier mode to another, follow the ‘rectifier mode selection’ procedure
below: 1. Put the amplifier in Standby : put the Standby [3] switch in the middle position
2. Wait for 30 seconds
3. Turn the amplifier Off : flip the Power [1] switch to the middle position
4. Select the desired rectifier mode (Tube or S.S.)
5. Wait for a few minutes to let the tubes heat-up
6. Select the Stage or Home mode depending on the desired output level (see next
chapter).
4.4. Output power selection
The Sparkle allows you to select the maximum output level in order to take advantage of its tone
in any situation:
In Stage mode, your amplifier has its full 18 watts power range. This power level is
sufficient to play on small to medium-sized stages.
In Home mode, the maximum output power is approximately 4 watts. This power level
allows you to play at home while ‘pushing’ the power tubes and using all the settings
offered by your Sparkle .
The selection of the output power level is done thanks to the Standby [2] switch:
In the middle position, your amplifier is on Standby : only the tubes heating system is
active
In the upper position, your amplifier is in Stage mode
In the lower position, your amplifier is in Home mode
Whether in Stage or in Home mode, your amplifier is operational: you are ready to play !
To swap from one mode to the other without changing the rectifier mode, follow the ‘power
level mode selection’ procedure below:
1. Put the amplifier on Standby : flip the Standby [3] switch in the middle position
2. Wait for 30 seconds
3. Put the amplifier in Stage or Home mode depending on the desired output power
level (see former chapter).

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4.5. Warning
Not respecting the rectifier mode selection procedure or the power level mode selection
procedure can damage your amplifier.
4.6. Cut control
The human ear does not perceive the tonal spectrum equally at low and high volume settings.
More specifically, high frequencies –which are generally enhanced with distortion-, can become
overwhelming at high volume.
The Cut [4] control allows you to tame the high frequencies, giving a more pleasing tone at high
volume settings. This control can also be used to focus on mids and bass.
5. Distortion types
Before reviewing the operation of your amplifier, here is a short technical description of the
different types of distortions. This will help you better understand the specificities of tube
amplifiers, and therefore help you get the best out of your Sparkle .
An amplifier is built around 3 main blocks:
the preamplifier, which shapes the signal of your guitar (through the tone settings, boost
etc…) and amplifies the signal’s voltage
the power amplifier, which amplifies the current of the signal retrieved from the
preamplifier, and sends it to the load (i.e. your speakers)
The power supply, which converts the 230VAC voltage into voltage levels appropriate to
power the preamplifier and the power amplifier.
Each block uses different tubes, and each tube is used in a different way. When the tubes are
‘pushed’ in certain conditions, they produce this very specific and sought-after ‘tube’ distortion.
But you surely got the point: each of the afore-mentioned blocks produces a tone-wise specific
distortion :
preamplifier : the design of this block sets the type of preamp distortion : ‘warm’ or
‘low-gain’ for amplifiers designed between the 50s and the 70s; ‘hard’ or ‘high-gain’
after the 80s. In the ‘low-gain’ range, the dynamics of the amp are enhanced: this is
particularly well-suited for jazz, blues and light rock. In the ‘high-gain’ range, the tone is
more compressed and offers a great deal of sustain, which is ideal for more aggressive
styles, namely hard rock and metal. Generally speaking, the distortion is gradual: higher

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gain settings will yield high distortion levels, which allows to easily set your desired
distortion level without changing the volume level.
Power amplifier: the distortion generated by increasing the amplifier’s volume is quite
different. First of all, the distortion ratio is smaller, but it highly influences the harmonic
content of your tone. Without getting ino the science behind it, this type of distortion
produces a warm, creamy tone. It is generally referred to as ‘overdrive’. Second, this
distortion interacts with the volume, in a non-linear way: above a certain threshold (called
‘breakup’), the volume of the amplifier does not increase anymore ; only the distortion
increases. This allows you to play the ‘old-fashion’ way: you can control the overdrive
level simply by adjusting the volume on your guitar; or even by controlling the attack of
your pickup on your strings.
Power supply : many modern amplifiers -even tube-based- use a solid state rectifier for
the power supply. It’s cheap and compact, unlike the tube rectifiers found in pre-60s
amplifiers. The power supply itself does not generate any distortion per say, but it
influences the dynamics of your tone. An S.S.-rectified amplifier will sound stiff and
focused. A tube-rectified amplifier, on the other hand, will produce a slight compression,
or ‘sag’, which participates in the mellow, round tone of vintage-style tube amps.

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6. Classic channel
The Classic channel offers the following controls:
[11] Boost
[12] Tone
[13] Volume
Tone settings
The tone control is very progressive and efficient. Its rather high roll-off frequency allows to
keep the excellent balance between bass and mids which is so specific to this channel.
Boost / volume settings
The boost [11] switch allows you to better set the ‘breakup’ threshold :
In the lower position, the boost is not active. The range of « clean » tones is wider
In the upper position, the boost is active. The range of « crunch » tones is expanded,
break-up is reached earlier.
The volume [13] control will set the perceived volume, and, as described in Chapter 5, will
influence the power tubes overdrive:
From 0 to 3, the tone stays clean. By adjusting the tone [12] setting, one can venture
in jazzy tones (by increasing the bass) or even funky tones (by adding more treble).
From 3 to 6, a slight ‘crunch’ appears. Great for classic blues.
From 6 to 10, the perceived volume stays unchanged. The volume [13] control only
influences the level of overdrive. You are now in heavy-blues and rock territory.

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Note 1: the above settings are for information only and can vary depending on the pick-ups used
on your guitar.
Note 2: when the Classic channel is active, the Channel [10] indicator is off.
7. Heavy channel
The Heavy channel offers the following controls:
[5] Bright
[6] Tone
[7] Gain
[8] Volume
This channel offers thick distorted tones thanks to its 3-stage preamp circuit.
Tone control
Just like the Classic channel, the tone control is very progressive in order not to alter your
guitar’s personality.
In addition, a Bright [5] switch allows you to add some treble. For example if want to obtain a
clearer tone from humbucker pickups.
Gain / volume controls
The gain [7] control sets the gain of the preamp.
The volume [8] control allows to set the perceived volume and the power tubes distortion.
By playing with these 2 controls, you will easily find the ‘sweetspot’ achieving the distortion mix
you are looking for.
Note: when the Heavy channel is active, the Channel [10] indicator is on.

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8. Footswitch
The footswitch allows to control certain functionalities from the tip of your feet. On the Sparkle ,
2 functionalities are selectable:
The boost on the classic channel
The active channel
Below is a picture of the footswitch :
The left-side switch [18] activates / deactivates the boost of the Classic channel.
The right-side switch [19] allows to switch from one channel to the other.
Note : the footswitch has priority over the panel switches. When the footswitch is connected,
the front panel boost and channel switches are not operational.
9. Maintenance
No maintenance is needed, apart from a tube change (to be done exclusively by an authorized
technician) once the tubes are worn.
In case a tube change is needed, no bias setting is required. Indeed, the Sparkle uses cathode-
biasing, which is auto-adjusting.
The Sparkle is complimented with JJ-Tesla tubes. You can use other brands, as long as:
The power tubes (V4 and V5) are matched
And you use the following types of tubes :
oV1, V2, V3 : 12AX7
oV4, V5 : EL84
oV6 : EZ81
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10. Settings cheat sheets
Here-below are some blank faceplates, which will allow you to keep track of your preferred
settings:
Setting # 1:
Setting # 2:
Setting # 3:
Setting # 4:
Setting # 5:
11. Contact
You have a question ? Contact Tone Bliss by email at [email protected]