GETTING STARTED QUICKLY
If you are like most players, you probably want to plug in
your new amp and get started playing it right away. You can
read the rest of the manual later to learn the finer points of oper-
ating your amp. In order to get started you will need your V3
amp, a 120 (or 230) AC grounded power outlet, your instru-
ment, a standard guitar cord, a speaker cord and speaker cab-
inet.
Plug in your speaker and set the “SPEAKER OHMS” switch
to match your speaker. If you have the FS44 footswitch, plug
it into the rear 5-pin “FS44” footswitch jack. If you also have
the FS22 footswitch, plug it into the rear 1/4 inch “FS22”
footswitch jack. Turn all volume controls off. With the amp
turned off, you may now plug it into the proper AC voltage.
Now, plug in your guitar and turn the POWER switch ON. Wait
60 seconds or more for the tubes to warm up, then turn on
the STANDBY switch. The amp will be ready to play in a few
seconds. Gradually raise the channel volume and master volume
controls and re-adjust the tone controls to your liking. Please
call if you feel your amp is malfunctioning. Occasionally tubes
are damaged in shipping.
FRONT PANEL
1. POWER SWITCH
The POWER switch is to be utilized as the master ON/OFF
switch. As the amp is turned on, the large BLUE jewel lamp
LED near the input jack will illuminate as your ON indicator.
2. STANDBY SWITCH
After turning the POWER switch ON, wait 60 seconds or more
for the tubes to warm up - then turn on the STANDBY switch.
When turning the amp OFF, shut off the STANDBY switch first,
then shut off the POWER switch. Use the STANDBY switch if
you are taking a break. This turns the high voltage off,
increasing the life of your power tubes while keeping the power
and preamp tube filaments on for immediate use.
MASTER SECTION
These controls affect all output from the amp.
3. MASTER VOLUME
Controls output of all 3 channels and effects. Once your channel
levels are set up and balanced to each other you may not want to
change them. Use the MASTER to change your overall volume level
for the amp.
4. BOOST CONTROL AND LED
Add up to 9 dB of volume boost via the FS44 footswitch (labeled
EFFECT on the FS44) or MIDI preset. The GREEN LED will light when
the BOOST function is ON. (to switch the BOOST without a footswitch,
see MIDI PROGRAMMING)
5. BRIGHT
Boosts high frequencies starting at 5kHz for added clarity.
Simulate closed or open back cabinets.
6. MID CUT
The MID CUT removes midrange frequencies sometimes referred
to as “muddy”. The MID CUT is a progressive control that varies both
the level and frequency of the cut. At low settings, the MID CUT starts
mildly cutting frequencies in the 900Hz range. At Maximum setting
“10” a deep cut is produced with the frequency centered around
450Hz.
7. DEEP
Turning up the DEEP control adds low frequencies at the sub-har-
monic range. If your speakers sound unfocused or muddy, try reduc-
ing the DEEP control in small steps. This can tighten up your sound
and give your amp a more solid feel. You may want to reset the
MASTER volume after adjusting the DEEP control.
8. SMART LOOPS AND LEDS
The V3 remembers your effects loop settings for each channel. Just
assign a loop(s) to the currrent channel, Smart Loop™ permanently
saves it until you change it. LOOP 1 is a series loop, and LOOP 2
is a parallel loop. The LEDs will also light during MIDI programming.
CHANNEL SELECTION AND INPUT
9. CHANNEL SELECT SWITCHES
Press and release switch
1, 2 or 3 to select the channel to be used. The LEDs next to the chan-
nel’s volume control indicate which channel is functioning. The FS44
footswitch may also be used to select the channel. These switches
are also used to set up MIDI presets (see MIDI IN/THRU).
10. GUITAR INPUT
A standard 1/4” input jack feeds all channels through the SELECT
switches. Use a professional quality guitar cord no longer than 25
feet. Typical cable capacitance should be under 50pf—the longer
the cord, the greater the capacitance (you can measure this with a
capacitance meter). A long cable with high capacitance will reduce
the overall treble response from your pickups.
11. BLUE JEWEL LIGHT
Indicates the POWER is ON.
CHANNELS 1 & 2 OVERDRIVE
The V3 features extensive tone and drive shaping for each channel.
Unlike most 3-channel amplifiers, the V3 allows you to set both over-
drive channels to start with the same sound, then change the con-
trols to get mild or
drastic differences between the two channels.
12. PRESENCE
Each channel features a PRESENCE control for added clarity. It’s
frequency range is from the mid to high range of the tonal spectrum.
Careful adjustment with the TREBLE control will make this feature
very useful.
13. TREBLE, MID, BASS CONTROLS
To start off with, set the BASS, MID & TREBLE controls at their center
(5) position. These controls are to be set according to the type of
sound you want. Try adjusting the PRESENCE control also when
adjusting the treble.
14. EQX
Toggle between standard EQ and Expanded EQ. This switch opens
a wider frequency range for the TREBLE and BASS,
providing a second set of frequencies to work with.
15. DRIVE MODE 3-POSITION SWITCH
The switch labeled INTENSE/THICK is a 3-position switch that
changes the gain structure of the channel. This provides three choices
of distortion styles:
-"INTENSE"(up)- the most gain and sustain, with excellent picking
articulation. The low-end is deep and percussive. Mids and highs
smoothly blend and still cut through. Turning up the Drive adds more
sustain and saturation.
-”CLASSIC”(center)-rich overdrive with a dynamic response. Turning
up the DRIVE knob adds sustain and harmonics.
-"THICK"(down) - designed with a massive low-end, textured mids
and blistering highs. Turning up the DRIVE knob adds sustain to
the highs and fuller low-end harmonics.
16. DRIVE CONTROL
For mild tube saturation, set the DRIVE control below “4”. For more
harmonics and dynamic playing, set the control between 4 & 6. For
full blown overdrive, set the control between 6 and 10 (your guitar
volume should be turned all the way up).
-Because the V3 has been “Hot Rodded” with so much gain in the
DRIVE control, you may encounter feedback. If feedback is a prob-
lem, reduce the DRIVE or move the guitar to the side or away from
the speaker(s).
17. LED CHANNEL INDICATORS
The blue LED will illuminate when channel 1 is selected.
The red LED will illuminate when channel 2 is selected.
18. CHANNEL VOLUME
Set the volume of the channel to be used. The level of signal coming
out of the EFFECT SENDS will also change. To change the volume
of all channels without upsetting the balance between the 3 chan-
nels, use the MASTER volume control.
CHANNEL 3 CLEAN
19. CLEAN VOLUME
Switch to Channel 3 for”clean” playing. Adjust the DRIVE and VOLUME
controls together to set the level for this channel.
20. LED CHANNEL 3 INDICATOR
The Yellow LED will illuminate when CHANNEL 3 is selected.
21. CLEAN DRIVE
For the cleanest sounds with the most headroom, set the DRIVE
control below “5”. As the DRIVE is turned up, tube dynamics and
harmonics are introduced to your sound. Different sounds can be
achieved by setting the DRIVE MODE switch.
22. DRIVE MODE 3-POSITION SWITCH
The
switch labeled BRIGHT/SOAK is a 3-position switch that changes the
gain structure of the channel. This provides three choices of drive
styles:
-"BRIGHT" - adds high end to the preamp, inviting high frequencies
to chime and sustain as the DRIVE is turned up.
-(CENTER) - A classic, open clean sound with lots of headroom.
Turning up the DRIVE adds harmonics and mild compression.
-"SOAK" - boosts all preamp frequencies. As the DRIVE is turned
up, a vintage snarl is available when played hard.
V3 FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS
1
2
25
23
24
22
21
19
3
4
5
7
6
30
29
28
27
26
8
20
