can activate
to conjure sparkling clean sounds with Treble and Presence settings
as low as the 12 o'clock position. In Channel 1's Hi Gain range
delivers a
rich, pleasing overtone spectrum in finest tube-approved quality.
I also matched
to Channel 2's tonal structure: Deactivate it for a more
pronounced midrange; activate it – particularly in Lo Gain mode – for a sweet, riff-
approved sound with a distinctively vintage tone!
The Tone functions in Channels 1 and 2, in combination with the two Gain choices Lo
and Hi, give you eight markedly different sounds, all accessible via MIDI!
The Tone button shapes Channels 2 and 3's midrange frequency. In combination with
Channel 3's four Mid knobs, the Tone button yields eight different tonal flavors
because it changes the filter stages' limiting frequencies slightly. Describing all the
many tonal variations in detail would make this an epic-length manual, so I suggest
you experiment. Try each of the Tone button's passive and active settings with
different Lo Mid and Hi Mid combinations; that is, Lo Mid 1 & Hi Mid 1, Lo Mid 2 & Hi
Mid 1, Lo Mid 1 & Hi Mid 2, Lo Mid 2 & Hi Mid 2. It's a good idea to start with the four
knobs set to the 12 o'clock position. With such a mind-boggling diversity of sonic
options at your fingertips, you're sure to find the perfect match for your preferred
musical styles and playing techniques.
To help you get acquainted with the amp's fundamental sounds, I recommend that
you set all tone controls to or slightly higher than the center or 12 o'clock position. For
higher-gain preamp sounds, your best bet is to turn the Treble knob down to prevent
the pickups and speakers from generating feedback (a setting in the 10-to -1 o'clock
Tone
Tone active
Tone
2 Gain 1
3 Bass
4 Middle
5 Treble
A tip from the designer:
Channel 1 Gain control. This knob determines the preamp's input sensitivity for
Channel 1; use it to set the desired input level.
The amount of distortion depends on your guitar's pickups and the Gain (19) setting.
In Channel 1, single-coil pickups may begin saturating the preamp when the knob is set
to about the two o'clock position; pickups with very high output levels (humbuckers or
active pickups) will evoke mild overdrive at even lower settings. If you want squeaky
clean tone, simply back off the Gain knob accordingly.
If your guitar sports single-coils and you want to add some grit to your tone and bite to
your riffs, set the knob somewhere between 11 and 3 o'clock. For higher output pick-
ups such as humbucking or active jobs, dial in settings between 9 and 1 o'clock and
activate
.
This is the preamp voicing section's passive low-frequency EQ for
.
This is the preamp voicing section's passive midrange frequency EQ for
.
This is the preamp voicing section's passive high-frequency EQ for
.
A tip from the designer:
Hi Gain
Channel 1
Channel 1
Channel 1
7
