RedPlate BTS2 Operations Guide
Page 3
©
RedPlateAmps 2012
TWEED SECTION
The Tweed Preamp is based on the classic Tweed Style design with two important differences:
1.
Gets into the “sweet spot” at various volume levels for consistency of tone and character in both small and
large venue sizes.
2. Can also imitate the soft breakup and rounded midrange of the Brownface era amplifiers.
Level
– This control sets the overall volume of the Tweed channel, its function is shared with the overdrive section.
Tweed
–This control sets the “sweet spot” – adjust this for the amount of break up character you desire in your tone.
Typical setting is between 5 and 8 but experimentation is encouraged.
Pulls to enable the Tweed channel (handy
when you don’t have the footswitch connected) Enabling the Tweed Channel from the panel disables the overdrive.
Tone
– Treble is emphasized at settings past 5, more bass at the lower numbers. When pulled it shifts the preamp
into Brown mode. This tone control is lifted for a treble/volume increase when the Boost Button is pressed on the
footswitch (see the
Other Features
section of this manual for details).
MASTER SECTION
Master Volume
– This is an active control and actually adds gain at the higher settings. The cleanest tones
are achieved at settings below 7. Pulls to enable a lower range for bedroom levels.
Presence Control
– See the next section of this guide (Rear Panel).
REAR PANEL SECTION
Domestic (USA):
IEC Module
– contains the main power switch, power cord inlet connector and the fuse drawer. To access the fuse(s)
use a small flat blade screwdriver in the notch at the side of the power cord inlet connector, the drawer snaps out in a
rearward direction. The BTS2 uses the smaller European (5mm X 20mm) sized fuses (also called GMA fuses). A time
delay variety (SLO-BLO) is recommended.
Standby Switch
– This switch allows the tubes to warm up before operating the amplifier. Wait 1 minute after power on
to move it up to the operate position. For improved tube life and performance do not leave the amplifier in Standby position
for longer than 20 minutes (better to just leave it in operate mode during performance intermissions).
Speaker Jacks
– The amplifier has 3 speaker jacks. For typical operation with 6L6GC tubes there is one 8 OHM total
load jack and two jacks in parallel for a 4 OHM total load. The 4 OHM jacks are wired in parallel so
it doesn’t matter if you
use one or the other or both as long as the total equals 4 OHMS. Do not use the 8 OHM jack if either of the 4 OHM jacks
are in use. If you have the combo version and want to add an 8 ohm extension cabinet plug the internal speaker into one of
the 4 OHM jacks and the extension cabinet into the other 4 OHM jack. When 6V6GTA tubes are used the jacks become
one 16 OHM total load jack and two jacks wired in parallel for an 8 OHM total load. ALWAYS HAVE A SPEAKER
CONNECTED TO AVOID PERMANENT AMPLIFIER AND OUTPUT TUBE DAMAGE.