Zinky Blue Velvet User manual

BLUE VELVET QUICK START GUIDE
Blue Velvet is a 100% analog, 100% tube amplifier. There are NO solid state (transistor) devices in
ANY signal path. All signal paths are high voltage, high impedance tube signal without exception.
Channel switching is via relays with silver wire contacts for pure signal integrity. We do not use a
tube rectifier, as it tends to “soften” the dynamic of the amplifier at high volume, and it makes the
amplifier less reliable (heat generation). Tube rectifiers may give an interesting sound to particular
small vintage amps which play at relatively low volumes, but cause a reduction in playing dynamics
and are not wanted or needed in this unit.
REAR PANEL
Power cord receptacle The power cord connects here, and to a 120V wall outlet.
AC Fuse 20 mm T1A250V or Slo-Blo type. Under no circumstances should this be replaced with
a higher Ampere rating!
Speakers Speaker output for the amplifier. Maximum output is more than 25 Watts at 4, 8 or 16
Ohms (switchable).
Impedance selector switch Selects 4, 8 or 16 Ohm load. Be sure you have speakers or a
speaker cabinet plugged into one or more of the speaker output jacks. The IMPEDANCE SELECT
switch should be set to the impedance of the speaker load. The Blue Velvet 1x12 combo is a 16
Ohm load.
Effects loop A low level, high impedance side chain A True Bypass box can be used with any
effect to insure pure tone when the effect is not in use.
Effects send- Goes to the INPUT of effects or chain of effects. Nominally low (-10 dB) level.
Effects return- Goes from the OUTPUT of the effect or chain of effects. Can accept from -10
dB (stomp box) to +4 dB (line level effects).
FOOTSWITCH - Jack for two button channel select & reverb on/off footswitch (provided)
Front Panel

A. Input - main guitar input for the Blue Velvet
B. Clean Volume - controls the loudness of the CLEAN channel only
C. Mid Boost/Cut - mini toggle switch -will increase or decrease the midrange response of
the CLEAN channel
D. Clean Tone - A unique one knob solution for bass/treble balance on the CLEAN channel
only. Turning this knob COUNTERCLOCKWISE will boost bass frequencies. Turning this
knob CLOCKWISE will reduce bass and increase treble frequencies.
E. Channel Select - mini toggle switch - switches the preamp between CLEAN/OVERDRIVE
channels
F. Overdrive Gain- controls the amount of gain on the OVERDRIVE channel only
G. Overdrive Volume - controls volume of OVERDRIVE channel only
H. Mid Boost/Cut - mini toggle switch -will increase or decrease the midrange response of
the OVERDRIVE channel
I. Overdrive Tone - A unique one knob solution for bass/treble balance on the OVERDRIVE
channel only. Turning this knob COUNTERCLOCKWISE will boost bass frequencies.
Turning this knob CLOCKWISE will reduce bass and increase treble frequencies.
J. Reverb - Global Control - adjusts the amount of reverb for the amp - The reverb effect
will be applied no matter what channel you are playing.
K. Volume - Global Control - adjust the overall output of the power amp - Use this knob in
conjunction with the individual channel volume controls.
L. Standby/Operate - large toggle switch - When switched to “operate” , this switch will allow
high voltage to flow to the tubes. The tubes should warm up for at least one minute before
turning standby switch to “operate”. Be sure that the “global volume” control is set to a
reasonable position before switching the amp to “operate”. This amp can be VERY loud!
For short breaks (5 minutes or less), using the standby switch will increase tube life.
However, if the amplifier is going to sit unplayed for 10 minutes or more, we feel that it is
best to turn the Blue Velvet power OFF, then let it warm up for one minute after it is turned on
again, then turn the standby switch to operate.
M. Power On/Off - large toggle switch - This switch turns on AC power to the amp. Once again,
this should be turned on, and the pilot light should be lighted for 1 minute before turning the
standby switch to “operate”.
N. Pilot Light -This shows that AC power is flowing to the amp. Underneath the blue jewel,
there is a type 47 light bulb. If this bulb ever burns out, replace with the same type and
rating. To replace a pilot light, unscrew the blue jewel and push and twist counterclockwise
to remove the #47 bulb. ALWAYS Replace LAMPS AND FUSES with same type and value.

SETTING TONES
The CLEAN channel is for clean tones, but it can overdrive the amplifier at higher settings
(especially when the “global volume” is also turned to a higher position).
Blue Velvet features the exclusive Zinky “Tonal Balance” tone control and Mid Boost/Cut switch.
With the TONE knob (either channel) set to a setting counter clockwise from 12 O’Clock will give a
warmer sound that favors bass response, while setting this knob to a setting higher than 12
O’Clock will favor treble response and cut the bass response. You will find this knob to be a big
help in dialing in your favored sound fast, especially when you are on stage. The MIDRANGE
CUT/BOOST switch is another fast tone shaping tool. This switch, used in conjunction with the
TONE control will help you dial in many useful classic and modern sounds with your Blue Velvet. In
fact, we feel that usable sounds can be achieved with the knobs at minimum or maximum settings.
Don’t be surprised if your “perfect” sound has the TONE set to either extreme and with the MID
control set to either BOOST or CUT. Use your ears, experiment, and you’ll discover great new
sounds with your Blue Velvet amplifier. The CLEAN TONE control works exactly the same way as
the OVERDRIVE TONE control. Each control only effects the tonal balance of that channel, so the
CLEAN TONE only works with the CLEAN channel. MID BOOST will produce more midrange for a
forward sound that really jumps out of the amplifier, while MID CUT can give a more “Vintage” type
of tonal response, or produce a sound rich in bass and treble response without seeming too
“loud”, in proportion.
The OVERDRIVE channel can be used for any tone, clean through fully overdriven. For cleaner
sounds, set the OVERDRIVE GAIN knob to very low settings (below 9 o’clock), with the OVERDRIVE
VOLUME set to a much higher setting. This will give maximum clean tone and headroom. For
overdriven sounds, set the OVERDRIVE GAIN to a setting higher than 9 O’Clock. This knob will add
more and more gain up to its maximum setting. OVERDRIVE VOLUME lets you set the volume of
this channel independent of the CLEAN channel. So, you can have this channel set to be just as
loud as the CLEAN channel, to be louder (as a BOOST function), or even to be less loud. Set the
GAIN and VOLUMEcontrols for your desired amount of overdrive and set the TONE knob and MID
BOOST/CUT switch for your desired tonal balance.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The Blue Velvet has been designed for years of trouble free service. There are many unique
protection features included in the design. For example: The power transformer has a resettable
thermal breaker to turn the amplifier off in case of overheating. The output transformer is protected
from dangerous spikes that could be produced from failing power tubes. Also, the components of
the amplifier were all “de-rated” or chosen for their overall high reliability. Here are some quick
troubleshooting hints in case of unusual amplifier behavior.
1) No sound-
If all the lights are on- Check to see that the speaker wire is plugged into a SPEAKER JACK. Make
sure all knobs are turned past zero, and that the STANDBY switch is set to OPERATE. If you have
checked all this and there is still no sound, make sure that your guitar volume is set past zero and
that all of your 1/4” patch cables in your signal chain are functioning properly and connected
correctly. If there is still no sound remove the input cable from the INPUT jack and plug it into the
RETURN jack of the EFFECTS LOOP and make sure the GLOBAL VOLUME is turned past zero. If
you have sound at this point there is a problem in the preamp section and it is recommended that
you contact Zinky Electronics so we can further investigate the problem. Do not attempt to remove
the chassis from the cabinet as there are no user serviceable parts inside the amplifier.

2) No lights on control panel and no sound-
If there are no lights lit on the control panel (PILOT and CHANNEL SELECT) and there is no sound
there is a power problem or overheating. In case of overheating, the amplifier should be allowed to
cool. Unplug the power cord and check the T1A250V fuse located on the rear panel. If the fuse is
blown, replace with the same type and rating, replace the power cord and turn the amp back to the
ON position. If the fuse blows again it is recommended that you contact Zinky Electronics so we
can further investigate the problem. Do not attempt to remove the chassis from the cabinet as
there are no user serviceable parts inside the amplifier.
3) Weak sound or lack of power-
As this is a Tube amplifier, the only active circuitry are the electron tubes. Make sure they are fully
plugged into their sockets. As tubes do wear (although very slowly), you should replace your tubes
after every 6 months of heavy use (less often if the amp is not played as much). Blue Velvet 25 Watt
has an “auto bias” circuit which automatically sets the proper bias voltage for the output tubes.
There are no adjustments, and no adjustments are necessary when changing tubes. Changing
tubes is something you, the user can do yourself. CAUTION- Always make sure the power cord is
disconnected from the amplifier before changing tubes! Be very careful to align the tube pins
with the sockets (Remove upper wooden panel, turn amplifier upside down, and carefully align the
pins before you plug in each tube). If the pins are out of alignment, bend them slightly to line them
up with the socket before installing. Lastly, make sure than you replace each tube with the proper
tube type, (otherwise, the amp may make poor or no sound). Please refer to the TUBE DIAGRAM
below or on the underside of the chassis to check what type of tubes this amplifier requires and
their proper placement. Zinky Electronics recommends using only Sovtek® or Electro Harmonix®
12AX7, 12AT7 and EL84 tubes for this amplifer. Using another type or brand of tubes may void your
warranty. If you require replacement tubes, you can purchase premium tubes for this amplifier
from your Zinky dealer, or directly from us, if there is no convenient dealer near you.
TRANS
FORMER
TRANS
FORMER
12AX7
EH
12AX7
WA
EL84
12AX7
WA
12AT7
EH
EL84
12AX7
WA
VIEW FROM UNDERNEATH AMP
Zinky Electronics recommends using a lint roller or a clean, damp cloth to clean the Velvet covering
of your Blue Velvet amplifier. If you have any further questions, you can always get a quick answer
at [email protected] or you can call us at 928.522.0800 Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Zinky Electronics
P.O. Box 3973
Flagstaff, AZ 86003
928.522.0800